Apple AirPods have landed and the company says they’ve been in development for several years. The AirPods were developed to prepare Apple iPhone users for the removal of the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Apple believes being tethered to your phone by a cable is archaic and they aim to steer us all away from such beastly practices. Apple did soften its stance a little by including a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter with every new iPhone so you can use your old headphones, you just can’t charge your phone at the same time. But Apple’s AirPods solution will cost you another $159 on top of your new iPhone price. While these aren’t wire-free here’s 5 lower cost wireless alternatives to Apple’s $159 AirPods.
MEIZU EP51 – $32.99
At the top of the list are the MEIZU EP51 BT wireless headphones. We reviewed them recently and they’re not only solidly built and well constructed, they have amazing sound and for the price they’re an extremely great buy. Best price at Everbuying.com, more expensive on Amazon.
Etekcity Roverbeats S1 – $35.99
Another recent review, the Etekcity Roverbeats S1 were another BT wireless headphone that left us much impressed. If you’re looking for an affordable, great sounding pair of wireless earbuds, you can’t go wrong with the Etekcity Roverbeats S1 in-ear Bluetooth wireless headphones. Currently on Amazon for $23.99.
JBL Reflect Mini – $99.95
Yet another review we’ve done and a little higher priced than the previous two but still lower cost than Apple AirPods. If you’re looking for a new pair of in-ear headphones, you can’t go wrong with the JBL Reflect Mini BT headphones. Lightweight, wireless, comfortable, great sound, and with both regular and the Freebit™ ergonomic tips, these earbuds should be good in almost any situation you use them in. Currently on Amazon for $84.17.
Scosche SportclipAIR – $99.99
We had the chance to test out and review Scosche’s wireless BT headphones and walked away impressed again. If you’re looking for affordable, lightweight, great sounding, sweat proof earbuds for your active lifestyle and want something that hooks over your ears, the Scosche SportclipAIR should definitely be on your list of available options. Currently on Amazon for $67.99.
PK K’asq – $142
These are the only wire-free headphones on our list and the only wire-free ones we’ve reviewed. While they’re not much cheaper than Apple’s AirPods, they are an alternative in case you were looking for one. They offer decent battery life and great sound along with a truly 100% wireless experience. The charging system which doubles as a storage box is definitely something unique and adds more value as well. Priced at $142.96 on PK’s website, more expensive on Amazon.
There you have at least 5 different alternatives to Apple’s new AirPods, there are many more and we’ll be bringing you more posts like this to help you decide what’s best for you. Be sure to read the reviews of each of the above headphones to get the best information possible.
What do you think of Apple’s AirPods? Will you be buying them? Or are you searching for a cheaper alternative? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
Last Updated on January 23, 2017.
