The AirPods 4 are great, but these 5 mid-range ANC earbuds are better

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Apple has done a great job of improving the AirPods series with each new iteration. The AirPods 4 recently launched to critical acclaim and come on in two versions – one with active noise cancellation for $179 and one without ANC for $129. Advances in charging and sound performance certainly add to their appeal, and if you’re looking for open wireless earbuds with solid noise cancellation, they’re worth a look.

However, Apple’s latest creations aren’t the only excellent mid-range earbuds available. They’re not even the best in their class. Which other models serve as better AirPods 4 alternatives? The AirPods Pro 2 are an essential choice for iPhone users with the urge to spend. Others who believe money is no object should go to the best noise canceling earbuds And best wireless earbuds.

The rest of you who want something relatively affordable that offers more value than the AirPods 4, check out these five exceptional options below.

1. OnePlus Buds Pro 3

It seems unfair to compare the AirPods 4 to an elite set of earbuds like the OnePlus Buds Pro 3. Well, both fall into the noise cancellation category and share the same attainable price, so there is some justification in the comparison. Android enthusiasts have a powerful model that’s packed with features (OnePlus users get exclusive benefits). The earbuds also work well with iOS/macOS devices.

Their biggest selling point is audio. Dual drivers (11mm woofer and 6mm tweeter) provide clear, dynamic and immersive sound. There are multiple ways to personalize what you hear, from the customizable EQ to the Golden Sound setting, which automatically creates a sound profile tailored to your hearing. LHDC codec support dynamically scales sound on compatible Android devices, increasing the clarity and depth of the process. Game Mode solves any audio latency issues when playing mobile games or watching videos. The 3D audio mode is OnePlus’ spatial audio format, but it can’t match the Apple version.

Noise cancellation on the Buds Pro 3 is superior to the AirPods 4. It removes up to 90% of unwanted noise, giving competing ANC technologies from Apple, Bose and Sony a run for their money, at least when it comes to wireless earbuds.

The ANC playtime is 6 hours by default. That’s still longer than the AirPods 4 (4 hours). The charging case lasts up to 43 hours and uses signature Fast Charging technology to generate 5 hours of listening time from a 10-minute charge.

Read our full OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review.

2. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024)

The 2024 QC earbuds are an update of Bose’s first true wireless earbuds. They come with a new design, updated specs, and a lower MSRP ($179) that matches the AirPods 4.

Despite missing signature technologies like ActiveSense and CustomTune to automatically adjust ambient sounds and expertly analyze the listener’s ears for optimal ANC, respectively, the QC earbuds neutralize background noise better than most luxury models. Silent mode blocks out a wide range of external sounds, regardless of where they are on the frequency spectrum. Bose’s ANC technology works during phone calls by keeping background noise to a minimum, while the refined microphone array ensures excellent voice pickup.

Whether the QC earbuds sound better than the AirPods 4 is debatable. What we can say is that they sound much better than the brand’s previous releases. The midrange is clear and the bass has plenty of presence. Bose’s companion app got a nice facelift; the UI is clean and there are more features (e.g. low latency audio, remote selfie). Bluetooth multipoint means you can pair two devices at the same time and switch between them as needed. A full charge equates to 8.5 hours of playback time and the wireless charging case lasts up to 31.5 hours. The QC earbuds also seem to have a chic appearance QC Ultra headphones.

3. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

Our recent comparison of the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro showed that the second-generation version outperformed its successor, which is good news for Android users who want a premium and super affordable alternative to the AirPods 4.

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are selling for less (currently $101 on Amazon). They work great on all mobile platforms (iOS and Android). The design is much more compact and practical to wear, thanks to an in-ear sound port that slides into the ear canal and forms a tight seal for an optimal fit. ANC on these earbuds destroys the AirPods 4 version and eliminates up to 85% of unwanted noise. The Ambient Sound mode is just as reliable to hear your surroundings and voices clearly. Then there’s the sound quality powered by numerous proprietary technologies including 24-bit HiFi Sound, 360 Audio, Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio-Ready) and the Samsung Scalable Codec (SSC), which dynamically adjusts the bit rate from 88 kbps to 512kbps. Not to mention the custom coaxial two-way speaker (special tweeter and woofer drivers), tuned by Samsung-owned audio specialist AKG.

The listening experience is detailed and vibrant, especially on current Samsung Galaxy phones that support the aforementioned features. Additionally, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro have a higher IP rating (IPX7 waterproofing) and playtime (7 hours per charge) than the AirPods 4.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review.

4. Sony LinkBuds S

The sound quality alone gives these LinkBuds S an edge over the AirPods 4. These mid-range earbuds are two years old and still produce exceptional audio. A 5mm driver with a high-quality diaphragm provides greater depth and vibrancy. Basslines and synths are prominent without distortion, and lo-fi vocals sound much crisper than on the AirPods 4. Sony’s high-quality sound features improve performance. 360 Reality Audio delivers compelling 3D effects for selected content, DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) scales up the clarity of poorly designed recordings, and LDAC codec support delivers faster bitrate and reveals nuances in songs.

ANC doesn’t match what you get from the flagship WF-1000XM5 buttons, but it is enough to mute most incidental noises. Expect to hear high-frequency sounds occasionally. The wind resistance of these buds is very strong. Sony’s 20-level Ambient Sound mode also comes in handy for increasing situational awareness.

Battery life is long at 9 hours (with ANC turned off), although the 20 hours of extra playtime from the charging case is below the industry standard. But if you’re seriously considering the AirPods 4, playtime isn’t your priority.

Read our full Sony LinkBuds S review.

5. Beats Studio Buds+

This director’s cut focuses on the popular Studio buttons retains much of what made the original a success while improving key areas. Stronger processing combined with larger microphones and revised front vents for less pressure build-up ensure the Studio Buds+ have robust noise neutralization. Listeners will enjoy their favorite Apple music songs with minimal distractions, along with loud and clear voice calls that are unaffected by background noise or wind.

The Studio Buds+ produce clean bass with ‘ultra-low distortion’, which is noticeable when you rock out to alternative, EDM and hop-hop tracks. The low end is emphatic and combines nicely with clear mids and striking highs. 3D audio nerds can breathe easy knowing Apple’s spatial audio There’s technology on board for vibrant surround sound when you’re indulging in Dolby Atmos content.

Battery life gets a noticeable boost (up to 9 hours per charge) and Beats’ proprietary chipset lets you switch seamlessly between iOS/macOS and Android devices. All that and the same attractive ergonomic design, which features 95% new internal components and a cool, translucent color scheme like the Nothing ear (1)get a nice deal.

Read our full Beats Studio Buds+ review.

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