I continue to experiment with Chinese fake headphones under the Apple brand. This time I took a copy of the AirPods Pro earbuds.
Before ordering, I looked at a review of these exact models, and bought it from the same seller as in the review from one author on YouTube. They promised one of the best copies - with almost all the functions of the original.
I’ll get ahead of myself and say that I haven’t heard or seen such disgrace for a long time.
This article will help you not only understand why you should never buy fake AirPods, but also make it easier to identify a fake when purchasing from unreliable stores or secondhand.
What are the best headphones alternative to Apple AirPods?
We picked the Jabra Elite Active as the best Apple AirPods alternative, in part because it's the king of wireless earbuds overall. For not much more than the cheapest AirPods option, you get a pair of headphones that sound even better, are comfortable for both sports use and casual listening, and last longer between battery charges. You even get active noise cancellation (ANC), something you don't get on the second-generation AirPods.
In second place is Bowers & Wilkins PI7 . These headphones have premium sound. They have ANC, the price is higher than AirPods. You pay for high quality sound and an impressive set of features.
In third place is Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro , an analogue of Air Pods for Samsung phones. Incomparable sound quality and feature set, which is even in some ways ahead of Apple headphones.
MusicDealer XS BT
Out of competition, but for that kind of money - sorry, there are no options. 1000 rubles for wireless headphones... Basta, are you okay?
They work. They work 16 hours, by the way. Bass, without claims to high quality. But they work. That's enough, I ordered. They will not be superfluous on the farm.
Price: 2290 990 rubles
Jabra Elite Active 75t
Best Apple AirPods Alternative Overall
★★★★★
RUB 14,990
price may vary
WATCH IN M.VIDEO
Size and weight: 20 x 18 x 15 mm, 6 g (per bud) Battery life: 7.5 hours; 28 hours (with charging case) Bluetooth range: 10m Features: Active and passive noise cancellation, customizable EQ, fully waterproof
pros
- Clear and balanced sound
- Elegant waterproof design
- Long battery life
- Active and passive noise reduction
Minuses
- Can be dangerously loud at maximum volume
The Jabra Elite Active 75t are not only one of the best wireless headphones, but they're also a great all-around alternative for those who want Apple quality without the limitations of AirPods.
Impeccable sound, effective noise cancellation, a comfortable and customizable fit, IP57 water resistance... by almost every measure, Jabra's efforts leave the AirPods in the dust. The best thing is that they are not that expensive. At the time of writing, you can buy them for less than 15 thousand rubles, which is slightly more expensive than the basic AirPods, but cheaper than the version with a wireless charging case.
Read more - Jabra Elite Active 75t: wireless headphones review
2
JBL Tune 220 TWS
Who needs AirPods at half the price? Also earbuds, without the H1 chip, but otherwise very good.
The case is small. The operating time is also (3 hours). But it’s enough for 7 charges. The fit is very light and stays in the ear perfectly. They play at 4, but for that kind of money - it’s just the thing for those who need a headset with music, and not much more.
Price: 5990 5590 rubles
Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Great headphones and alternative to Air Pods
★★★★★
RUB 29,990
price may vary
VIEW IN RE:STORE
Size and weight: - mm, 8 g (per bud) Battery life: 4 hours; 20 hours (with charging case) Bluetooth range: 10m Features: Active and passive noise cancellation, app, voice assistant support
pros
- Reliable noise cancellation
- Really smart extra features
- Comfortable fit and weight
Minuses
- No quick ANC/transparency switching
- Average battery life
In a world of thousands of true wireless headphones, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is one of the best. They have exceptional sound and there are no compromises. You will hear the music exactly as it was meant to be heard.
You won't just be amazed by the sound quality of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 headphones - they have a ton of extra features that make them worth the hefty price tag. With a USB-C to USB-C cable and a 3.5mm to USB-C cable in the box, you can connect them to your computer or analog audio source. The case will then send audio to the headphones via aptX LL (ie: CD-quality audio). A very unique feature that will be incredibly convenient.
3
Let me introduce: Master & Dynamic MW07
New York-based audio company Master & Dynamic has also tried its hand at creating wireless headphones with the MW07. Everything about these headphones is interesting: from the stainless steel charging case to the acetate jack. Hey, even a ten-millimeter beryllium driver is so thin that it sometimes seems invisible.
In addition to its non-standard appearance, the product has other advantages. The IPX4 rating shows that the headphones can encounter some amount of water without causing damage. They also have a well-functioning system of blind commands. If we talk about disadvantages, then this is the battery capacity: more than average for wireless headphones.
Thus, if you like headphones that look like a piece of modern art, then the MW07 is a worthy choice. As for the delights of sound insulation, you should pay attention to the MW07 Plus model.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
The best AirPods alternative for Samsung fans
★★★★★
RUB 14,990 RUB 17,990
price may vary
WATCH IN M.VIDEO
Size and weight: 20 x 18 x 20 mm, 6 g (per bud) Battery life: 5 hours (ANC on), 8 hours (ANC off), 18 hours (with charging case and ANC on), 28 hours (with charging case and ANC off) Bluetooth range: 9m Special Features: Adjustable ANC, Ambient mode, Voice detection, 360-degree audio, Fast source switching, IPX7 waterproof
pros
- Improved Design
- Full waterproofing
- High quality communication
- Lots of features
Minuses
- Some features only work with Samsung Galaxy smartphones
- ANC has improved, but still not the best
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have enough features to challenge the AirPods Pro, let alone the standard AirPods. The all-new design and waterproofing are just the beginning: the Galaxy Buds Pro have ANC, can automatically activate Ambient Mode when it detects you're talking, and even have Apple's own equivalent of spatial audio technology.
Samsung's 360 Audio only works when paired with a Samsung Galaxy device running One UI 3.1, but it's still more than enough to please owners of any Android phone. And for its price, it’s right within the AirPods price range.
4
Sennheiser CX 400BT
AirPods alternative with superior sound quality
★★★★★
RUB 11,590
price may vary
VIEW IN YA.MARKET
Size and weight: 25 x 23 x 23 mm, 6 g (per bud) Battery life : 7 hours, 20 hours (with charging case) Bluetooth range: 10 m Special features: Bluetooth 5.1, customizable touch controls, source switching, equalizer controls, replaceable prompts, voice assistant support, customizable equalizer
pros
- Great sound
- Full featured application
- Decent battery life
- Very comfortable
Minuses
- No ANC
- No waterproof or sweatproof
Unlike the Galaxy Buds Pro, the Sennheiser CX 400BT is more focused on the basics. And indeed it is. This is an amazingly comfortable and fairly durable set of headphones with sound quality that rivals the best in the industry.
The CX 400BT uses the same 7mm drivers as the premium Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, and while they lack noise cancellation, they deliver the same AirPods-beating sound for less than half the price. They also work as an app, so you can customize the equalizer to your liking.
5
Beats Powerbeats Pro
The best AirPods alternative for fitness and training
★★★★★
RUB 14,999 RUB 15,990
price may vary
WATCH IN M.VIDEO
Size and weight: 119 x 41 x 140 mm; 23g Battery life: 9 hours, 24 hours (with charging case) Bluetooth range: 15m Features: automatic switching, fast fuel charging, sweat resistance
pros
- Battery life
- Universal sound
- Durable, water-resistant design
Minuses
- Bulky charging case
- No companion app
Since Apple owns Beats, the Powerbeats Pro have more in common with AirPods than the rest of this ranking. Most notably, they use the same Quick Pairing feature that lets you instantly connect and switch between iOS and Mac devices.
This means that they share the limitation of realizing their potential only in combination with certain sources. Although as a pair of dedicated sports headphones, the Powerbeats Pro still have something to offer anyone who wants an alternative to AirPods. Extra water resistance and secure ear loops make them a great choice for running and intense workouts at the gym.
6
Sony WF-1000XM3
A convenient alternative to AirPods with great sound and ANC
★★★★★
RUB 12,999 RUB 14,999
price may vary
WATCH IN M.VIDEO
Size and weight: 142 x 119 x 64 mm; 8.5g Battery Life: 6 hours (NC on), 8 hours (NC off) Bluetooth Range: 9m Features: Active Noise Cancellation, Custom EQ, NFC, Sony 360 Reality Audio
pros
- Stellar sound quality
- Excellent noise reduction
- User-friendly app with many features
Minuses
- Touch controls may take some getting used to
- Not the best call quality
The Sony WF-1000XM3 is the top of Sony's range of in-ear headphones and is also a great alternative to the Apple AirPods. This is another ANC option at a much lower price than the AirPods Pro, and the overall sound quality is top notch.
The bulky design may not appeal to those who want a more compact alternative to the AirPods with their protruding stems. However, the headphones are much more comfortable than they look, and with 6 hours of battery life on a single charge, the WF-1000XM3 can outlast the AirPods.
7
Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro
A more affordable alternative to AirPods with ANC functionality
★★★★★
RUB 10,909
price may vary
VIEW IN YA.MARKET
Size and weight: 38 x 23 x 23 mm, 11 g (per bud) Battery life: 5 hours (ANC on), 7 hours (ANC off), 18 hours (with charging case and ANC on), 26 hours (with charging case and ANC off) Bluetooth Range: 9m Features: Adjustable ANC, Transparency Mode, IPX4 Waterproof, Customizable EQ
pros
- Effective ANC
- Competitive price
- Personalized sound
Minuses
- Boring design
- After a while comfort is lost
If someone tried to remake the AirPods Pro for a business audience, the result would likely be reminiscent of the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro. But even despite the somewhat conservative appearance, this pair of buds is very valuable.
They have effective ANC for less than the most affordable AirPods. Pair them with Soundcore and you can also use the smart HearID feature, which analyzes how you hear different audio frequencies to create a personalized sound profile. In our testing, this significantly improved sound quality.
8
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 53
Best Low-Cost AirPods Alternative
★★★★★
RUB 2,565 RUB 4,205
price may vary
VIEW ON ALIEXPRESS
Size and weight: 81 x 38 x 28 mm; 20 g (per bud) Battery life: 5 hours; 50 hours (with charging case) Bluetooth range: 10m Features: Supports digital assistant
pros
- Impressive sound quality
- Good battery life
- Portable and powerful charging case
Minuses
- Control and fit could be better
- Lag with virtual assistant
If the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 53 looks familiar, it's probably because they top the list of the best AirPods replicas.
The sound quality is better than you might think, and the charging case is impressively compact and portable. Moreover, they can provide up to 50 hours of battery life. This is a good indicator by any standards, not to mention headphones costing less than 3,000 rubles.
9
Appearance, unboxing and set of fake AirPods Pro
1. Cheap cardboard, wrinkled box, no writing (except on the back) and gaps on all sides - a great first impression!
It doesn’t even hold a candle to the fake AirPods 2 that I reviewed earlier.
2. Inside is a case with headphones, packed in a plastic bag, a short Lightning cable, one pair of ear pads and instructions in English.
3. The front of the case cannot be visually distinguished.
4. But the back part stands out immediately - the protruding button, the absence of inscriptions, the plastic latch mechanism.
5. There are no inscriptions under the case either.
6. There are no inscriptions on the headphones either. The bottom of the legs is closed with a rubber plug. And external sensors are a poor, peeling prop.
7. That the structure of the headphones is based on the ear pads, that the ear pads themselves differ from the originals.
8. Plastic is disgusting. The lid of the case is flimsy and empty, it opens normally, and clicks when closed with all its heart.
The weight of the case with headphones is 34 grams. They are incredibly light . The creator of this “miracle” did not think about weight balance or simple tactile sensation.
9. The indicator LED is brighter and larger than the original. Flashes orange when charging and solid orange when charged. When you take it out of the charger, it lights up green for about a minute.
10. By the way, the seller lied and indicated in the previous description that they support wireless charging. Surprise - no! They don't support it.
Now in the lot description this is neatly hidden in a question and answer section that is of little interest to anyone.
Huawei Freebuds 4i
Best Inexpensive Alternative to ANC Headphones
★★★★★
RUB 5,999
price may vary
WATCH IN M.VIDEO
Size and weight: - Battery life: 10 hours; 22 hours (with charging case) Bluetooth range: 10m Features: Supports digital assistant
pros
- Headphones work up to 10 hours
- Protection against sweat and light rain
- Good microphone
Minuses
- Cannot adjust volume using touch controls
- No voice assistant
If you want true wireless headphones with active noise cancellation but are on a budget, the Huawei Freebuds 4i are worth considering. These are some of the cheapest ANC headphones you can buy.
These earbuds can last all day with 10 hours of continuous music, which increases to 22 hours with the extra charge provided by the charging case. Best suited for pop music lovers, the sound quality is well balanced and loud. It's worth knowing that they haven't done very well with bass-heavy music, but if that's not your jam, it won't be a big problem.
Huawei Freebuds 4i are suitable for gym workouts, stay in your ears and have IP54 sweat resistance. There are basic touch controls that allow you to pause and play music, and answer or reject calls. Easy to use, easy to set up, these are stylish true wireless headphones.
10
Management and features
There are no arms with touch panels, much less pressure recognition, as in the original model. To control the music there are only double taps (some copies have triple taps).
There are no headphone detection sensors in the ears either. As soon as you connect them to your phone, the music automatically turns on. Next, handles.
Work with one earphone is possible, but unstable. It either works or turns itself off. Connection and battery discharge are announced in a female voice.
LG TONE Free FN7
Self-cleaning wireless headphones, even Air Pods don't have that
★★★★★
RUR 7,989
price may vary
VIEW IN YA.MARKET
Size and weight: 16 x 26 x 32 mm; 5.6 g Battery life: 7 hours; 21 hours (with charging case) Bluetooth Range: 10m Features: Anti-bacteria UVnano, Meridian Clear Surround Sound, Headphone Spatial Processing (HSP), Echo Cancellation and Noise Canceling, Custom EQ, Find My Headphones
pros
- Self-cleaning UVnano charging case
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Comfortable fit
Minuses
- Average battery life
Focusing on cleanliness in its tech products is a good move from LG, because who doesn't pay more attention to that these days? LG Tone Free FN7 with UVnano technology, uses ultraviolet light to kill 99.9% of bacteria on the earbuds when they are charging.
The previous generation of headphones had the same body, but it was missing a feature that many have come to expect from a pair of high-quality true wireless headphones: active noise cancellation. The LG Tone Free FN7 has fixed this, and while it has contributed to the price increase, it's a much better pair of headphones. The presence of ANC not only blocks out external noise, but also improves the sound quality. If you're looking for reliable, discreet headphones with good sound quality, the LG Tone Free FN7 is a great choice.
Reviews from experts about replica AirPods
“Of course, the main advantage, I think, is the cost. The original is significantly overpriced; only fairly wealthy people can afford the purchase. For ordinary users of Apple technology who are not willing to pay huge sums of money, I think a copy is quite suitable. It has no functional differences. The replica is decent and has exactly the same characteristics, operating modes and other characteristics. During use, I did not distinguish the difference in the convenience of their location in the auricle; both are absolutely identical, the same position. It even feels the same to the touch. I'm not talking about the style of execution and differences in terms of, perhaps, some shift of certain elements by a fraction of a millimeter, because their size and position completely coincide. In conclusion, I would like to say - if you have a gadget from Apple, you are afraid of undermining your status and generally believe that a worthy technology is only a worthy accessory, and spending extra money is not an affordable luxury for you, then feel free to purchase a replica AirPods and use it with pleasure. »
Vitaliy, 34, Manager-consultant of an electronics store
“Today, the buyer is faced with the fact that a copy of AirPods can be indistinguishable from the original. There are certain manufacturers who are ready to provide a high-quality copy of wireless headphones at an attractive price. Such factors attract audiences who are not ready to pay a lot of money for an audio accessory. There is also a lot of competition in this area, which forces manufacturers to constantly improve the quality of their products. Therefore, if you do not have the necessary amount of money to purchase original products or you are not sure about such a purchase, then feel free to purchase replica AirPods.”
Galina, 28, Electronics store manager.
How to Choose the Best Apple AirPods Alternatives
If you're looking for a pair of AirPods alternatives, it's probably because you like something about Apple's headphones but are turned off by other factors. Think about what these desired qualities are - sound quality? Design? Features like spatial audio?
Once you've zeroed in on what exactly you want in an AirPods alternative, you can start looking at the options above more clearly. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Buds essentially copy Apple's spatial audio feature, but for Galaxy phones. If you want a simple style, the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 53 comes pretty close. Like the white Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro.
But it's not just a matter of just emulating Apple. Some qualities are universal to all wireless headphones, such as battery life. Consider how long and how often you want to wear your headphones. If you travel regularly, it's definitely worth choosing a pair with longer battery life, either on a per charge basis or in terms of how much the included charging case provides.
All wireless headphones should also be comfortable. All the pairs on this list are suitable for wearing for at least a couple of hours. Some handle long-term use better than others. You may need waterproofing or sweatproofing, which is great if you're looking for headphones that you can wear while working out.
Useful tips before purchasing
We remind you that AliExpress is a platform where many different sellers from all over China trade. Therefore, before purchasing, be sure to be guided by customer reviews and seller ratings. If you recently started looking at AliExpress, then you should read our articles in the “Lessons” section. There you will find instructions, explanations of interface functions and secrets on how to buy cheaper and with a guarantee.
So what about headphones? Have you chosen a suitable pair for yourself, or do you already have your own? Tell us which model you bought or are going to buy and why! It is very important for us to know the opinions of our readers!
