10 Alternatives to Apple AirPods for iPhone

1. Armor-X Wireless Sports Headphones – $24.99

Everyone knows that wires and cords are, at best, an annoyance while you’re exercising. At worst, they’re a distraction. That’s where the Armor-X Wireless Sports Headphones come in.

These sturdy and compact headphones connect to your phone via Bluetooth 4.1, allowing you to listen to music, podcasts or videos without the hassle of a mess of wires. And Bluetooth allows connectivity to 30 feet away from your device, giving you some flexibility about where you put your device when you’re at the gym. They’re magnetized, so you can easily keep the earbuds together, and the included carrying case helps you keep the headphones and accessories organized. The built-in microphone and inline controls allow you to answer or decline phone calls wherever you are.

They charge in less than two hours, and provide up to 5 hours of music listening time and 6 hours of talk time. On standby mode, they can last up to an amazing 100 hours — so, when fully charged, you can rest assured that they’ll be ready to go when you need them. They’re compatible with a variety of platforms, including iPhones, Android phones, and most Bluetooth-capable smart devices.

They’re available to buy here.

2. FRESHeBUDS Bluetooth Earbuds – $34.99

If you listen to music on your phone while swimming, dancing or during water sports, you’ll probably need a pair of water-resistant headphones. Most consumer-grade earbuds don’t offer any protection against sweat and water, so your latest outdoor excursion will probably result in a dead pair and no music.

Luckily, the FRESHeBUDS Bluetooth Earbuds are a compact and versatile pair of sweat- and water-resistant earbuds, making them the perfect companion for all of your active pursuits — they can withstand the elements just as well as you can.

They connect to your phone conveniently via Bluetooth, and provide up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge. They charge fully in just 90 minutes too, so you can spend less time waiting around for your earbuds to charge and more time being active.

They’re built with a lightweight and high-impact design, so you can be sure that they’ll last a long time, even with normal wear & tear. They fit securely in your ear, so no worries about losing them mid-paddleboard session. Best of all, they provide excellent audio quality, and cancel out external noise — allowing you to jam out to your tunes in peace.

You can buy them here.

3. VOXOA Bluetooth SportsBuds – $49.99

What happens if you’re a bit of an audiophile who also happens to be an athletic or outdoors enthusiast? Most likely, you’ll be stuck with the stock headphones that came with your phone, which are prone to water damage and oftentimes provide subpar audio quality.

If that sounds at all like a conundrum you’ve been in, there’s the VOXOA SportsBuds. These earbuds are sweat-proof and water-resistant, so they’re just as good on the trail as they are at the gym. They connect to your phone via Bluetooth, so you can listen to your tunes up to 30 feet away from your device. The included molded ear tips offer a snug fit, so these earbuds won’t fall out in the middle of your run or crossfit workout.

They also provide CD-quality streaming with their built-in aptX technology, allowing you to enjoy high-quality, crystal clear audio, whether you’re on a treadmill or on a mountain. They offer up to 8 hours of talk time, and 7 hours of music playtime. They also have sound-suppression tech, allowing you to block out the outside world and focus on your tunes, which is proven to help your active performance a boost.

They’re available for purchase here.

4. Jabra ROX Bluetooth Earbuds – $49.99

If you’re in the market for durable earbuds with truly awesome and powerful sound, the Rox Bluetooth Earbuds from Jabra are an excellent choice.

These headphones can take a beating: they feature a solid steel construction, and are equipped with a casing that’s resistant to water, sweat and dust — while still being incredibly small and lightweight. They pair easily to your phone via Bluetooth, and come with a quick-pair feature for phones equipped with near-field communication (NFC) tech — which includes the iPhone 6 and newer devices. The music and talk range is 10 meters — so you don’t have to be right by your phone to use these earbuds, either.

The Rox earbuds provide up to 5 and a half hours of talk time. The charge lasts up to 18 days on standby mode — so you can toss them in your bag and forget about them until you need them. They have included inline buttons for standard, hands-free smartphone controls, and are also magnetic, which allows them to snap together when they’re not in use — saving power as well as keeping your earbuds together. Best of all, they don’t skimp on the sound quality. These earbuds can pump out high-def sound with some deep, rich low end.

They’re available here.

5. FRESHeBUDS Pro Bluetooth Earbuds – $34.99

For any music lover who loves being active, there are a wide variety of options. But you can’t go wrong with the new Pro model headphones from FRESHeBUDS.

They’re even more sweat- and water-resistant than the standard FRESHeBUDS headphones, so you can rest assured that they’ll stand up to pretty much any activity you can throw at them. They’re built with a durable, yet small and lightweight construction. And you can have peace of mind that you won’t lose them while on your active pursuits, due to their secure and snug fit.

They provide amazing sound quality in spite of their compact size, and offer up to 10 hours of playtime or talk time. Like their predecessor, the battery can charge fully in just 90 minutes. They also have a built-in microphone, so you can take that important call on-the-go, and without even glancing at your phone.

Another thing that sets these earbuds apart is the magnetic construction. When placed together, these earbuds snap together and automatically turn off — saving the battery life when they’re not in use. When you pull them apart, they automatically turn back on, letting you listen to your tunes faster than ever.

These awesome earbuds are available here.

6. Acesori A.Buds Bluetooth Aluminum Headphones – $29.99

Every runner knows the deal: you’re in the midst of training and your hand accidentally catches your earbud wire, yanking them out of your ears. And every runner knows how annoying this can be. Luckily, the Acesori A.Buds are here to remedy that.

These sleek earbuds are built with a sturdy aluminum construction, and are specifically designed for outdoor and athletic activity. The braided cloth cord is a stylish addition, which also provides the cable even more durability — so the entire package stands up well to wear & tear. The included hooks keep the earbuds where they belong while exercising: in your ears.

They’re also magnetic, so you can connect them together and wear them around your neck when you’re not listening to music — so you can rest assured that you won’t lose them on your run.

They connect conveniently to your phone via Bluetooth 4.1. The included inline smartphone controls allow you to change tracks or pause your music, as well as answer or decline calls — the included microphone also allows you to talk on-the-go. They provide 5 hours of battery life, and charge in around 2 via MicroUSB.

The Acesori A.Buds are available in Jet Black here.

7. A-Audio Legacy Bluetooth Headphones – $79.99

There are times where you want to listen to music, but earbuds — even quality ones — won’t cut it. That’s where the A-Audio Legacy Headphones come in.

These award-winning headphones are built specifically with the audiophile in mind. They’re constructed with 40mm audio drivers, high-quality circuits, and an aluminum design that bucks unwanted sound vibration — all adding up to an unparalleled and complete listening experience. Closed ear cups with memory foam and active noise cancellation technology allows you to jam out to your favorite songs in peace and comfort. A detachable cable with inline controls lets you use the Legacy headphones to talk on your smartphone.

The headphones are also outfitted with 3-Stage Technology, which allows you to switch between passive audio, enhanced bass, and active noise cancellation modes. They’re both Bluetooth and wire-compatible, allowing you to use them with a variety of devices and platforms — from the iPhone 7 to an old-school turntable. They also come equipped with dual headphone jacks, so you can share your unrivaled listening experience with a friend.

The entire package comes with a cleaning cloth, gold-plated ¼-inch adapter, and several other cables, all in a durable carrying case.

It’s available to purchase here.

8. Grain Audio OEHP On-Ear Headphones – $129

For audiophiles who want a bit of class and style with their listening experience, there’s the Grain Audio OEHP On-Ear Headphones.

These elegant headphones offer a gorgeous and sleek design with wood-grain accents — which obviously vary, making each pair of headphones unique. But that’s not all: they also provide top-tier audio quality for an amazing listening experience.

You won’t find any fake bass boosting or mid-range enhancing here. These headphones come with drivers — equipped with Neodymium magnets and CCAW voice coils — that are specifically tuned to pump out clear, natural sound — allowing you to listen to a track much closer to the way the artist intended it.

These high-end headphones come with an auxiliary cable, and 3.5mm and ¼-inch adapters, allowing you to use the Grain Audio headphones with a variety of platforms. Whether you’re listening to a vinyl on a vintage record player or playing the newest pop song on your new iPhone, these headphones offer an amazing listening experience.

They also come with a built-in mic and inline remote controls on the cable, allowing you to use them to pause and skip tracks — as well as take crystal clear phone calls.

They’re available to purchase here.

9. SainSonic BM-7 Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headset – $69.99

For those looking for something a bit different when it comes to headphones, consider the SainSonic BM-7 Bone Conduction Bluetooth headphones.

Don’t worry though, what sounds like a bit like a medical procedure is actually a new and innovative way to listen to music — and what some people call the “future of music listening.” Bone conduction works by using vibrations to transmit audio to your inner ear through the skull. Part of the SainSonic BM-7 headphones rests lightly on your cheek, allowing you to listen to music wirelessly — and even without blocking your ears.

These anodized aluminum headphones are weather-resistant, and their Bluetooth connectivity allows you to use them during any activity without the hassle and mess of wires. Unlike standard earbuds with inline controls, these headphones allow you to answer and decline calls, and adjust volume — all directly from the device.

They offer up to 10 days of battery life on a 2-hour charge, and the durable buttons can reportedly last up to 50,000 presses. The package comes with an adjustable tension band, a USB charging cable, two ear caps, a cleaning cloth, and a storage bag.

These innovative headphones are available to buy here.

10. KOAR Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headset – $76.99

For the perfect mix of innovative, futuristic technology and maximum durability, few headphones can come close to the KOAR Bone Conduction Bluetooth headset.

These lightweight headphones are constructed with titanium memory metal, allowing for a comfortable fit for everyday use. They utilize bone conduction technology, using vibrations to “beam” audio directly to your inner-ear — streaming crystal clear sound without covering your ears. Bone conduction headphones also save your ears from the potentially harmful decibels that standard earbuds are prone to outputting.

They use Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity to offer a convenient music listening experience without wires or cables. They’re also equipped with Apt-X audio decoding for crystal clear sound. An IP67 water & dust resistance rating and liquid repelling technology means that you won’t have to worry about babying your KOAR headset: these headphones can stand up to the elements, whether that be water, sand or sweat. A built-in microphone allows you to talk on the go.

A two-hour charge will yield up to a two-hour battery life for your headphones, and the device comes with a pair of earplugs — allowing you to pair them together for a peaceful and nearly noise-cancelled listening experience.

You can buy the KOAR headset here.

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