Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are still among the best wireless earbuds you can buy in 2025. They’re small, powerful, and packed with features. But they’re not the only option. If you look around, other wireless earbuds sound great, offer strong noise cancellation, and even come with unique features that Apple’s buds don’t have.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best AirPods Pro 2 alternatives, starting with the models that scored highest in those tests, followed by a strong value pick.
1. JBL Tour Pro 3
JBL Tour Pro 3
The JBL Tour Pro 3 is the type of earbuds that quietly outperform expectations. The earbuds deliver up to 8 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled and up to 44 hours of runtime with the charging case.
They have adaptive ANC that automatically adjusts to your surroundings, plus a Transparency Mode for when you want to hear what’s going on around you. They also support immersive surround sound with head tracking, which can make movies and certain music tracks feel more lifelike.
The real standout here is the charging case. It has a small touch display that lets you control almost all the features you’d normally need the JBL Headphones app for. You can change settings, toggle ANC, or check battery life without pulling out your phone.
The case also supports Auracast, a new wireless sharing technology. You can also connect it to a laptop or other device via the included AUX cable and share the audio with other compatible headphones, even if they’re not from JBL.
2. Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony has a long history of making great headphones, and the WF-1000XM5 is no exception. Their adaptive noise cancellation automatically changes based on your environment, and they’re especially good at blocking high-frequency noise, something many earbuds struggle with.
There’s also a transparency mode for hearing your surroundings, and dynamic head tracking, which moves the soundstage as you move your head for a more natural listening experience.
Sony says the XM5 can last 8 hours with ANC on and up to 12 hours of noise cancellation off. They’re also IPX4 splash resistant, which is enough for workouts and light rain.
3. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Bose is known for noise cancellation, and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds could arguably be the company’s best wireless earbuds yet. They fit comfortably, feel premium, and support Bluetooth 5.3 for faster, more stable connections.
These are Bose’s first earbuds to feature Immersive Audio, the brand’s take on spatial sound. In the Bose Music app, you can tweak noise cancellation through multiple presets, and the ANC performance is still among the very best, better than the AirPods Pro 2 in some situations. It even adjusts automatically so sudden loud noises don’t overpower your music.
The sound is balanced and neutral, with plenty of fine detail. Call quality is solid as well. However, they don’t support higher-quality Bluetooth codecs like LDAC or aptX HD, and they lack both wireless charging and Bluetooth multipoint. But if your priority is sound quality and class-leading ANC, these could be worth it.
4. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
If you want AirPods-like convenience with a design built for workouts, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are worth a look. They offer all of Apple’s software perks, including Find My support, iCloud device switching, and one-touch iOS pairing, but also have a dedicated Android app for quick pairing and customization.
Their new ear hook design makes them more stable during exercise, and the controls, while sensitive when inserting the buds, are generally easy to use thanks to both a physical button and a volume rocker.
The sound leans toward Beats’ signature punchy bass and crisp treble, but there’s still good detail. They also have solid ANC and a natural-sounding transparency mode. There’s also a built-in heartbeat monitor, which might not be a selling feature for an earbud, but you can use it if you want to.
5. Which One Should You Buy?
If you want something that competes directly with the AirPods Pro 2, the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the closest in overall sound and ANC quality. Sony’s pair wins for longer battery life and multipoint connectivity, while Bose still leads in pure noise cancellation performance.
If you want something different, the JBL Tour Pro 3 stands out for its charging case with a built-in display and sharing features, plus long battery life. And for workouts, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are hard to beat thanks to their secure fit and mix of Apple and Android compatibility.
In short, there’s no single “best” AirPods alternative for everyone. It depends on whether you value noise cancellation, battery life, workout fit, or smart features.
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