Apple’s AirPods have become the go-to choice for most iPhone users shopping for new wireless earbuds, whether justified or not. For Android phone users, however, the best options aren’t as clear-cut. If you’re looking for a new pair, we’re here to assist: After testing countless earbuds over the years, we’ve compiled our top recommendations for Android users. Whether you’re after powerful noise cancellation, gym-ready durability, or earbuds that pair seamlessly with a Galaxy or Pixel phone, these are our favorite AirPods alternatives for Android.
1. Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 checks nearly all the boxes for what you’d want in a premium set of wireless earbuds. Their compact, rounded design offers a comfortable and secure fit for most ears. Their Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is among the best available, bolstered by memory foam eartips that provide excellent passive sound isolation. They deliver impressive sound quality out of the box, with a warm profile and enhanced bass, though you can easily tweak the EQ through Sony’s app. Regardless of the adjustments, they excel at highlighting treble details. The earbuds are packed with features like multipoint connectivity, Google Fast Pair, LDAC and spatial audio support, as well as automatic switching between ANC and ambient sound modes. The wireless charging case is delightfully compact, and the battery life, ranging from eight to 12 hours, leaves little room for complaint.
That said, the XM5s aren’t perfect. The built-in microphones could be clearer for phone calls, and the IPX4 water-resistance rating might feel limiting for some. The memory foam eartips, while effective, might feel overly full for certain users. At $300, they’re also a pricey option. Still, no other earbuds we’ve tested manage to combine this level of performance and features so effectively.
Pros
- Excellent, customizable audio quality
- Comfortable fit for most users
- Packed with useful extra features
Cons
- Expensive
- Memory foam eartips may not suit everyone
- No improvement in battery life compared to the previous model
2. Anker Soundcore Space A40
If you’re looking for quality wireless earbuds without spending a fortune, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 is our top pick for a budget-friendly option. Typically priced between $50 and $60, these earbuds offer features that rival those of pricier models: impressive active noise cancellation (ANC), multipoint connectivity, wireless charging, eight to ten hours of battery life, LDAC support, IPX4 water resistance, and a functional ambient sound mode. While their sound quality isn’t the most detailed or refined, their warm profile delivers enjoyable, punchy bass without overwhelming the low end. You can also tweak the EQ settings using an intuitive companion app. The earbuds themselves are compact, round, and comfortable to wear.
The biggest compromises are in call quality, as the microphones struggle in noisy environments and handle sibilant sounds poorly. Additionally, there’s no wear detection, so music won’t pause automatically when you take out an earbud. They also lack Google’s Fast Pair feature, though they reliably reconnect to paired devices. Despite these minor drawbacks, it’s tough to beat their value at this price point.
Pros
- Excellent ANC for the price
- Warm, enjoyable sound profile
- Compact and comfortable design
- Strong battery life
Cons
- No automatic wear detection
- Mediocre call quality
- Less detailed sound compared to premium models (as expected)
3. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Determining the “best” audio quality is subjective and depends on personal preference. However, if we had to highlight a pair we’ve particularly enjoyed for music, it would be the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4. These earbuds offer a slightly warm yet detailed and engaging sound profile right out of the box, making them well-suited for most popular music genres. The bass is slightly emphasized but remains well-controlled, while the mostly neutral midrange ensures clear instrumentation. The treble is smooth but somewhat subdued, so vocals and cymbals may lack the brightness some listeners prefer. Fortunately, the laid-back default tuning is easy to adjust using Sennheiser’s app. The earbuds also support hi-res audio codecs like aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, allowing for finer audio detail with compatible music files.
Beyond audio performance, the earbuds are durable, with an IP54 rating, and support multipoint connectivity, letting you connect to two devices simultaneously. Battery life is competitive, lasting about seven to eight hours per charge. That said, the adaptive ANC, while effective, doesn’t match the performance of the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. Call quality isn’t as strong as Sony’s, and the earbuds’ design might feel bulky for users with smaller ears. Additionally, there’s no Google Fast Pair or spatial audio support. At $300, these earbuds aren’t cheap, but for those who prioritize audio quality and enjoy a touch of bass, the Momentum True Wireless 4 is a solid premium choice.
Pros
- Detailed, enjoyable sound profile
- Hi-res audio codec support
- Strong battery life
Cons
- ANC doesn’t rival Sony or Bose
- Expensive
- No spatial audio support
📚 Also Read: Why You Should Switch to a Wireless charger
4. Beats Fit Pro
Most of our picks above will work just fine in the gym, but if you’re buying a pair for workouts first and foremost, try the Beats Fit Pro. Yes, we’re recommending a set of Apple-made earbuds in an Android buying guide. But while they work best with iPhones, most of their AirPods-style features are also available on Android through the Beats app. You can pair them with one tap through a pop-up card, view a map with their last known location, swap between ANC and ambient sound modes from the home screen, remap controls and check their battery level from the notification tray. There’s no hi-res codec support, but in general the drop-off from iOS to Android isn’t nearly as great here as it is with AirPods.
The main reason we recommend the Fit Pro is their lightweight design, which is equipped with bendy silicone fins that keep the earbuds secure in place while you’re moving around. Their IPX4 water-resistance rating isn’t the best, but it should be enough for all but the sweatiest gymgoers. (Just don’t use them in the pool.) We also like that the Fit Pro uses physical buttons to adjust volume or skip tracks, since touch controls can feel finicky when you’re trying to keep up with a workout. Their punchy sound is well-suited to the gym as well, with a noticeable but not overwhelming push in the bass and treble. It’s not one for purists, but it’s energetic.
If you aren’t specifically looking for workout earbuds, you can still do better. The Fit Pro lack wireless charging and multipoint connectivity, and there’s no way to customize the EQ if you don’t like the default sound. Their built-in mics aren’t anything special for phone calls, and the five- to six-hour battery life is on the edge of passable. The charging case is somewhat large as well. Plus, while the ANC mode is useful enough for tamping down the noise of a gym, it’s a clear step down from the best options on the market.
Pros
- Secure design for workouts
- Punchy sound is well-suited to the gym
- Physical control buttons
Cons
- No wireless charging or multipoint connectivity
- Battery life is just OK
- ANC isn’t fine but nothing special
📚 Also Read: What are the Benefits of Noise-Canceling Earbuds?
5. Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are crafted to seamlessly integrate with Pixel devices, making them a great choice for fans of Google’s ecosystem. They come loaded with handy features, including remote ringing, a “conversation detection” mode, a customizable EQ, and automatic switching between devices linked to your Google account. You also get hands-free access to Google’s Gemini AI assistant, though that’s more of a bonus than a necessity. Most of these features are available on other Android devices via a companion app, but Pixel users get the advantage of native integration. This allows for effortless management of the earbuds, checking battery levels, and more directly from the device’s settings, similar to the way Apple AirPods work with iOS.
The earbuds themselves are compact and comfortable, offering decent ANC for the price, around eight hours of battery life, acceptable call quality, and a sound profile that delivers punchy bass and extended treble. However, if you prioritize richer audio quality or stronger noise cancellation, options like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 may be better choices. For those invested in Google’s hardware, though, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 remain a compelling pick.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Pixel phones
- Compact and comfortable design
- Enjoyable sound quality
Cons
- Smaller touch panels require precise input
- ANC falls short compared to Sony WF-1000XM5
📚 Also Read: Krisp Noise-Canceling Tool
6. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are to Galaxy phones what the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are to Pixel devices, offering unique ecosystem-specific features. When paired with a Samsung phone, you unlock perks like the hi-res Samsung Seamless codec, a real-time translation tool, and a low-latency “Game Mode.” These are in addition to other features such as spatial audio, a graphic EQ, a lost device finder, adaptive ANC, simplified voice commands, and automatic switching between Samsung devices.
This ecosystem-centric approach can feel restrictive—remember when headphones worked the same across all devices? But like the Pixel Buds and AirPods, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are hard to beat for convenience if you’re already invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
Beyond integration, the earbuds perform well overall, though there are a few drawbacks. The stem-style design closely resembles the AirPods Pro—particularly in white—but adds unnecessary LED strips on the stems, which some might find gimmicky. While comfortable, the resemblance doesn’t help Samsung’s case against copycat claims. The ANC isn’t as strong as the Sony WF-1000XM5, and the six-hour battery life falls short of some competitors. Additionally, hi-res codec support is unavailable on non-Samsung phones. On the positive side, the ambient sound mode is impressively natural, and the earbuds deliver excellent audio out of the box, with rich, punchy bass and detailed highs and upper-mids.
It’s worth mentioning that Samsung temporarily paused shipments of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro at launch due to quality control concerns (mainly related to stock eartips). However, these issues appear resolved, and our review unit showed no irregularities.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Samsung devices
- Excellent sound quality
- Comfortable fit
- Effective ambient sound mode
Cons
- Full feature set requires a Samsung phone
- Battery life lags behind some competitors
- Derivative design with unnecessary LED accents
What to look for in wireless earbuds for Android devices
When choosing “Android earbuds,” the core features to prioritize are the same as with any headphones. Good sound quality, a comfortable fit, and reliable battery life are essential. Water resistance is a bonus for workouts, and a decent microphone is crucial for clear calls. Around the $100 price range, features like active noise cancellation (ANC), wireless charging, an ambient sound mode (allowing you to hear outside noise without stopping your music), and multipoint connectivity (pairing with multiple devices simultaneously) should be standard.
For Android users, there are additional considerations. A dedicated app is highly useful for switching sound modes, customizing audio profiles, finding misplaced earbuds, or tweaking other settings. Features like Google Fast Pair or NFC-based pairing simplify initial connections without needing to navigate Bluetooth menus. Some Android devices also support higher-quality Bluetooth codecs such as aptX Adaptive or Sony’s LDAC. While these codecs depend on the earbuds’ architecture to truly enhance audio quality, they can add more detail when streaming lossless files. AptX Adaptive also reduces latency, making it ideal for video streaming or gaming.
Android’s diversity is both its strength and its challenge. Certain wireless earbuds work better with specific devices, often those from the same manufacturer. For example, recent Samsung earbuds include exclusive features for Galaxy phones. We’ve highlighted some recommendations along these lines above.
FAQ’s
Why are Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds a top choice for Android users?
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds stand out due to their excellent Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), customizable sound quality, and a wide range of features like multipoint connectivity, LDAC support, and spatial audio. They are comfortable to wear, have a compact charging case, and offer solid battery life. While they are expensive, their performance and feature set make them a premium option for Android users.
What makes the Anker Soundcore Space A40 a good budget option?
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 delivers features often seen in pricier earbuds, such as effective ANC, wireless charging, and strong battery life. Despite some compromises in call quality and wear detection, their comfortable design, warm sound profile, and affordable price make them a top pick for budget-conscious buyers.
How do the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds excel in audio quality?
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds offer a warm and detailed sound profile with excellent control over bass and midrange clarity. They also support hi-res audio codecs like aptX Lossless for enhanced audio detail. While their ANC and call quality don’t rival the best in the market, they’re an excellent choice for those prioritizing music quality.
Can Beats Fit Pro earbuds be used with Android devices?
Yes, Beats Fit Pro earbuds are compatible with Android devices. Features like ANC, ambient sound modes, and battery status tracking are accessible through the Beats app. Their secure design and punchy sound make them ideal for workouts, although they lack features like wireless charging and multipoint connectivity.
What makes Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 suitable for Pixel phone users?
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 integrate seamlessly with Pixel devices, offering features like remote ringing, conversation detection, and hands-free access to Google’s Gemini AI assistant. While these features are available on other Android devices via the companion app, Pixel users enjoy enhanced native support.
Do Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro work well with non-Samsung devices?
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro work with non-Samsung devices, but some features like the Samsung Seamless codec and real-time translation are exclusive to Samsung phones. Even without these, they provide excellent sound quality, effective ambient sound mode, and a comfortable fit.
What should I consider when buying wireless earbuds for Android devices?
Key factors include sound quality, comfort, and battery life. Features like ANC, wireless charging, and multipoint connectivity are valuable, especially around the $100 price range. For Android users, support for codecs like aptX Adaptive or LDAC and features like Google Fast Pair can further enhance the experience.
How do Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds compare to premium models?
While the Soundcore Space A40 lacks the refined sound quality and advanced ANC of premium models like the Sony WF-1000XM5, they provide excellent value with features like multipoint connectivity, wireless charging, and solid battery life at a fraction of the cost.
Are physical buttons better than touch controls for earbuds?
Physical buttons, like those on the Beats Fit Pro, are often more reliable during workouts as they prevent accidental inputs caused by sweat or movement. Touch controls can feel finicky in such scenarios, making physical buttons a practical choice for fitness enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Wireless earbuds for Android offer a versatile listening experience, with options ranging from premium sound and advanced ANC to budget-friendly choices with reliable performance. Selecting earbuds tailored to your preferences ensures you enjoy seamless connectivity, superior audio quality, and added convenience in your daily life.
