If you want the true wireless earbuds experience without shelling out at least $200, you need to be more creative and look for alternatives that sound like the expensive flagships like Bang and Olufsen’s Beoplay E8 2.0 or Cambridge Melomania 1. Luckily for music fans worldwide, these companies do not have a monopoly on creating great-sounding headphones.
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TWS, Improved Music Experience And How To Download Music
TWS, or true wireless stereo, is a technology that basically connects the headphones to the smartphone through Bluetooth. With TWS, no wires are connecting the headphones to the phone or wire that connects the in-ear headphones. This means a better listening experience since your movements are not limited. You can be in the kitchen with a TWS headphone while your phone or any device is in the living room!
Now, on to the music. If you still don’t subscribe to any music streaming service, chances are you’ve made some workarounds for it. The smartphone era has turned and focused our listening experiences within our smartphones. You must know how to download music properly, depending on your operating system and app of choice.
For iOS users, the codecs your music should have should be in SBC and AAC. Most apps in the store will automatically take care of this for you. For Android users, you can download just any music file there is, and you’re good to go! Plus, some select Android phones have been outfitted with the capability to play the codec aptX HD, which, in real-life listening, sounds glorious. We’ve narrowed your choices down to four of the best TWS headphones out there. Here are your options:
EarFun Free
Just shy of $50, the EarFun Free earbuds got you covered with all the basic features a truly wireless earbud should have: Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C plus wireless charging, and an impressive iPX7 rating. That means it’s truly waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about it drenched in sweat once you’re out and about jogging or going to the gym working your heart out.
Arguably one of the best cheap earbuds out there, it goes beyond the standard when it comes to battery performance. Expect 6 hours of audio, notwithstanding calls. When fully charged, the case can give you four full charges. Sound quality will not be at the top of the line like the ones priced at hundreds of dollars, but it has good bass and clear audio clarity.
Sony WF-1000XM3
These buds are not necessarily cheap, but they’re the cheapest alternative for the AirPods Pro, sound- and technology-wise. At less than $200, the WF-1000XM3 carries the same kind of ANC (active noise cancellation) technology that’s in the latest Apple wireless headphones, plus they also have Apple’s transparency mode. Toe-to-toe, there aren’t any virtual differences between the two.
In fact, the Sony WF-1000XM3 beats out AirPods Pro when it comes to heavy-production pieces in just sheer audio quality. It comes in at a different design aesthetic when compared to the cigarette stick look that every earphone manufacturer is doing nowadays. Sony claims that when fully charged, these buds can give you at least 6 hours with ANC turned on, and another two hours on top when it’s off.
Edifier TWS1
If you want a little something more out of your truly wireless earbuds, the Edifier TWS1 should be the perfect fit. It’s a great-sounding pair of buds that puts sound quality front and center. And it shows. It has a premium set of audio features like the AptX and Qualcomm True Wireless Stereo Plus support.
For context, there are virtually no other earbuds out there at $50 that has this technology. Even cans that are priced at the $100 mark rarely have these features. So you’re getting more than what you paid for with the Edifier TWS1. In real-life use, the buds are light and easy on the ear, with decent to great sound clarity, depending on how you stream your music.
Anker Soundcore Life P2
Anker has a lot of truly wireless earbuds products, but the one that stands out the most is Soundcore Life P2. For less than $50 – with some stores even having this as low as $35 – the Soundcore Life P2 has a warm sound, so if you’re particularly one to listen to pop songs, it will make your tracks sound brighter and punchier.
The bass isn’t as good when compared to it’s more expensive counterparts though, like the excellent treble on its big brother, the Liberty Air 2. Another difference in the Soundcore Life P2 is that instead of controls, they feature physical buttons. There’s no wireless charging from the case, and battery life is rated at 7 hours tops. It’s also fully waterproof.
Takeaway
Finding a great TWS headphone alternative doesn’t have to be daunting. You just need to do your research, and when you find one that you think is perfect for you, find the best deals on it both online and in-stores.
