7 Best Fake AirPods (Perfect Alternatives)

7 Best Fake AirPods (Perfect Alternatives)

Are you searching for the affordable best fake AirPods? Look at our compilation of the top seven knockoffs of AirPods, presenting excellent alternatives to the original.

Since Apple launched the AirPods, they have entirely transformed wireless audio technology. Pioneering features like true wireless stereo, active noise cancellation, and various other functionalities have propelled their latest offering to the forefront of wireless earphone supremacy.

Despite the high cost of AirPods, excellent replicas are available at affordable prices. Discover more details below.

1. Anker SoundCore Life P3

The enhanced version of this versatile device comes in vibrant colors like sky blue, coral pink, champagne white, night black, and ocean blue. It includes ear tips in five sizes for a personalized fit. The comfortable and lightweight design, weighing five and a half grams per side, remains unchanged. While the water resistance has decreased, the Life P3 is still adequately protected from outdoor rain with an IPX5 rating.

Key Feature

• Connectivity: Bluetooth version 5.0
• Codecs code: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
• Driver: 11mm
• Built-in microphone: Yes, six mics
• Battery life of charging case: 28 hours
• Weight: 10.4g
• Water resistance: Yes

Design:

• Earbuds: designed to fit your ear’s curve securely. Find the best fit and seal by mixing and matching various ear tip sizes.
• Multi-mode noise cancelling: Target ambient noises indoors, outdoors, and while traveling on the train, subway, or bus for a distraction-free listening experience.
• Soundcore App: provides firmware updates, ear tip test, beep search, sleep mode with ambient sounds, gaming mode, touch control configuration, and extensive sound customization with an 8-band equalizer and over 20 preset settings. It enhances image and sound synchronicity, boosts assertiveness and overall loudness, reduces latency, improves speech intelligibility, and can be used independently of the app.
• Control feature: when connected wirelessly, a double tap on the right side controls playback while the left side skips to the next track. Both sides allow answering phone calls with a double tap. Long pressing toggles between basic sound and noise suppression and ends or rejects calls.
• Connectivity: the Bluetooth connection stability was impressive, maintaining connectivity across multiple rooms and offering an above-average range of up to 13 meters in urban settings. Pairing may require a few seconds of patience for the wireless connection to be established.

Performance:

• Noise Cancellation: delivers solid results comparable to more expensive systems. It slightly reduces low-frequency representation, but the traffic mode effectively reduces low- and high-frequency components. The outdoor profile attenuates mid-frequency sounds, while the indoor mode targets mid- to high-frequency outdoor noises.
• Transparency: allow yourself to hear the surrounding environment.
• Microphone: The call voice quality is impeccable. Three microphones with uplink noise suppression on each side reduce street noise and wind, significantly improving voice intelligibility.
• Sound quality: The Life P3 delivers a clear, warm sound with a powerful bass response. It features BassUp technology for real-time analysis and an automatic low-frequency boost. Bass-oriented productions sound rich and defined. The app allows activating a bass booster for a more impactful bass without sacrificing too much precision.
• Battery life: these earphones offer around 7 hours of runtime at a raised volume level, reducing to 6 hours in ANC-only mode. The charging case can fully charge them four times, providing over 30 hours with noise cancellation and more than 35 hours in basic mode.

Pros:

• It provides a comfortable fit
• Offers IPX5 water resistance
• Impressive battery life
• Features fast charging capability
• The case can be charged via USB-C port or wirelessly
• Allows app connection for flexible sound adjustment and ambient noise control
•  Ensures good speech intelligibility during phone calls
• Supports AAC format

Cons:

• Lacks aptX support
• Absence of a charge indicator on the headphones
• In-ears cannot be manually switched on or off

Price:

Available on Amazon at the cost of USD 59.49

2. Earfun Air Pro 3 Best Fake AirPods

Are you looking for the best fake AirPods? Well, the EarFun Air 3 Pro has you covered. Despite its shockingly low price, these earbuds pack in impressive features. This is one of the best fake AirPods that we would recommend.

From active noise cancellation and wireless charging to solid audio quality and excellent battery life, the EarFun Air 3 Pro exceeds expectations. While they may not be perfect, their affordable price leaves little room for complaints.

Key Feature

• Connectivity: Bluetooth version 5.3
• Codecs code: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, LC3
• Driver: 11mm
• Built-in microphone: Yes, six mics
• Battery life of charging case: 45 hours
• Weight: 5 g
• Water resistance: Yes

Design:

• Earbuds: The lightweight Earfun buds are predominantly plastic, offering a comfortable fit. The glossy finish adds a pleasant touch without any discomfort or oily sensation.
• Control feature: skips tracks. They were long pressing on the left cycles through noise-cancelling modes while the right activates voice assistance.
• Water resistance: The Air Pro 3 earbuds are IPX5 rated, making them resistant to water and sweat. You can give them a quick rinse for cleaning.
• Connectivity: The Air Pro 3 supports Bluetooth 5.3 and Bluetooth multipoint for connecting two devices simultaneously. It supports SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codecs for maintaining a strong connection, even in busy signal areas. The connection performance is excellent, with reliable performance in crowded locations.
• App connection: The companion app provides updates, battery monitoring, EQ adjustment, control customization, game mode toggle, and quick switching between noise-cancelling modes. It is user-friendly and applies firmware updates promptly.

Performance:

• Noise cancellation: The earbuds’ design effectively isolates ambient sounds, and the hybrid ANC reduces voices, traffic, and crowds well. While not complete silence, it significantly reduces noise in loud environments.
• Transparency: The transparency mode is satisfactory, providing greater awareness. However, there are pricier models available that offer better clarity and detail.
• Microphone: The earbuds feature a 6-mic array with cVc 8.0 technology for solid call quality. Noise-cancelling works well, but loud noises may affect voice clarity. Voice pickup is decent, but there’s room for improvement as my voice sounded slightly low to the recipient.
• Sound quality: The Earfun Air Pro 3 offers good bass depth and smooth performance across the frequency range. While it lacks energy and dynamism, the sound has a pleasant weight. The earbuds prioritize a soft and easy-to-listen sound, although they may not have the utmost clarity or precision.
• Battery life: The earbuds provide 45 hours of total battery life with the case and support wireless charging. Fast charging offers two hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge.

Pros:

• Powerful noise cancellation
• Reliable call quality
• Strong wireless connection
• Pleasurable audio experience
• Comfortable and secure fit

Cons:

• Battery life falls slightly short of claims
• Audio lacks dynamism and detailed performance

Price:

Available on Amazon at the cost of USD 76.08

3. Skullcandy Dime Best Fake AirPods

Introducing the Skullcandy Dime, the latest addition to the budget audio brand’s wireless earbud lineup. These in-ear headphones offer punchy sound in a compact, water-resistant design, convenient media controls, and reliable connectivity. The included car-key-fob-inspired charging case provides on-the-go storage and charging. This is one of the best fake AirPods that we would recommend.

Key Feature

• Connectivity: Bluetooth version 5.0
• Codecs code:  HSP, HFP, AVRCP, A2DP
• Driver: 6mm
• Built-in microphone: Yes, dual mic
• Battery life of charging case: 8.5 hours
• Weight: 4 g
• Water resistance: Yes

Design:

• Earbuds: The buds provided a satisfying fit, thanks to the silicone tips that created a secure seal inside the ears. Comfortable and gentle around the ear canal. Clean and minimalist aesthetics, attractive colors, and sleek stem silhouette that avoids awkwardness in other designs, like AirPods.
• Water resistance: The build quality of the buds is impressive, featuring a sturdy construction entirely made of durable plastic. They are also IPX4 rated for sweat and water resistance.
• Control feature: The control scheme is impressive, allowing for play/pause, volume control, digital assistance, and skip functions with intuitive button presses.
• Voice assistance: The Dime supports both Siri and Google Assistant, with Google Assistant providing smoother performance. The microphones accurately capture voice commands, but there may be occasional misinterpretations by Siri on macOS. The feature works slightly better on iOS devices.

Performance:

• Noise cancellation: These earbuds offer secure fit and effective noise isolation. Although they lack a Transparency Mode, using them with one earbud allows for awareness of your surroundings. The sound remained full and motivating during my evening jog.
• Microphone: The microphones struggle with background noise, unlike more expensive models with advanced noise-canceling features.
• Sound quality: The Skullcandy Dime earphones offer detailed sound at a budget-friendly price. The 6mm driver ensures crisp audio reproduction across all frequencies while the slight bass emphasis remains balanced. Despite the lack of sound customization, the headphones deliver impressive performance for their affordable price.
• Battery life: Dime earbuds provide 3.5 hours of playtime per charge, with the case adding 2 full charges for 12 hours total.

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality considering the price
• Water-resistant
• Compact and stylish charging case
• It can be used in stereo or mono mode
• Secure and comfortable fit

Cons:

• No accompanying app or extra features
• Short battery life
• The button layout is impractical

Price:

Available on Amazon at the cost of USD 22.86

4. Donner Dobuds One

The Donner DoBuds One offers impressive sound and effective ANC at an affordable price, making them a strong contender in the budget noise-cancelling earbuds market. While there are some areas for improvement, such as app connectivity, comfort, and EQ, their overall value is exceptional. This is one of the best fake AirPods that we would recommend.

Key Feature

• Connectivity: Bluetooth version 5.3
• Codecs code:  LHDC, AAC, SBC, LC3
• Driver: 12mm
• Built-in microphone: Yes
• Battery life of charging case: 39 hours
• Weight: 4 g
• Water resistance: Yes

Design:

• Control feature: Donner’s Buds have a comprehensive set of media controls, allowing you to manage playback, calls, volume, digital assistance, and listening modes. Each bud’s touch panel supports input methods like single and multi-taps and long presses and exhibits excellent touch accuracy.
• Water resistance: These earbuds are fully water-resistant, allowing you to use them worry-free in various conditions, including light rain, sweat, and during sports activities.
• Voice assistance: Performance with Google Assistant, Siri, and Bixby varies among the three AI bots.
• App connection: Listeners can personalize their sound using the 8-band EQ in the companion app, with options like Donner Signature (default) and five other presets. However, the Signature preset is the most well-balanced, while the others may not deliver optimal quality for specific music genres.

Performance:

• Noise cancellation: Experience immersive music with digital active noise reduction, reducing noise by -30dB in the 80Hz to 2KHz range. Enjoy improved call quality with ENC call noise reduction.
• Microphone: The call quality of the DoBuds One is inconsistent. Indoor conversations in quiet settings were clear, but background noise caused some distortion. Outdoor calls suffered from poor clarity, especially near construction sites, and the Wind Noise Resistant technology (WNR) was ineffective in windy conditions.
• Sound quality: With a 12mm LCP dynamic driver, these earbuds deliver balanced and powerful bass. Including a balanced armature allows for enhanced frequency control, resulting in richer and more delicate sound. These earbuds excel at capturing all the intricate musical details.
• Battery life: With a total battery life of 32 hours, this device offers rapid charging. Just 10 minutes of charging provides approximately 2 hours of battery backup. Additionally, you can use a single earbud for over 8 hours with ANC off.

Pros:

• Balanced sound
• Effective ANC
• Longer battery life than AirPods
• Sweat and water resistant

Cons:

• Poor comfort
• Inadequate EQ presets
• Unreliable connectivity with Control app

Price:

Available on Amazon at the price of USD 49.99

5. OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Best Fake AirPods

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are among the first Bluetooth earbuds to support Google’s spatial audio for Android. They offer impressive sound quality for their price range, and the spatial audio enhances the movie-watching experience. Active noise canceling reduces engine noise but struggles with higher tones than top competitors. The earbuds are compatible with Android and iPhones through their dedicated app, which supports simultaneous connection to two devices. They provide a comfortable fit, decent battery life, and a convenient compact case.

Key Feature

• Connectivity: Bluetooth version 5.2
• Codecs code: SBC, mSBC, AAC
• Driver: 11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter dual drivers
• Built-in microphone: Yes, 3 Mics per side
• Battery life of charging case: 32 hours
• Weight: 4.9 g
• Water resistance: Yes

Design:

• Control feature: The stalks of the earbuds are pressure-sensitive for playback controls. Noise cancelling can be toggled by squeezing, holding, and removing an earbud and pausing the music. Volume adjustment needs to be done on the phone.
• Connectivity: The Buds Pro 2 has excellent Bluetooth connectivity, supporting Bluetooth 5.3, Fast Pair for Android, and multiple audio standards. They offer mono audio, seamless device switching, and dual device connection.
• Sustainability: OnePlus does not support battery replacement or repairs for the earbuds, making them disposable. The earbuds are not made from recycled materials, and OnePlus lacks environmental impact reports or trade-in/recycling programs.
• App connection: OnePlus’ HeyMelody app offers a consistent user experience across operating systems. It provides multipoint connectivity, ear tip fit test, custom EQ module, personalized noise cancelling, and “Golden Sound” optimization. The Golden Sound EQ enhances high frequencies based on your hearing abilities.

Performance:

• Noise cancellation: The earbuds’ adaptive ANC adjusts to ambient noise, but its effectiveness is limited, requiring the maximum setting for optimal results. However, it struggles with higher notes, including car tire noise, typing sounds, and wind noise.
• Transparency: The Buds Pro 2’s transparency mode amplifies low frequencies and sometimes makes ambient noises as loud as speech, leading me to prefer mono listening or not using the earbuds.
• Microphone: Call quality was satisfactory, with clear voice transmission, but the earbuds allowed significant background noise to pass through in noisy environments.
• Sound quality: The Buds Pro 2 delivers excellent sound for the price, with a well-rounded profile and good detail. They handle complex tracks well, but certain genres may lack depth. They also feature head-tracking sensors for accurate center channel sound localization, enhancing the movie-watching experience.

Pros:

• Affordable price with good noise-cancelling
• Responsive Spatial Audio head tracking
• Multipoint connectivity
• Wide Bluetooth codec support
• Useful mobile app with customizable EQ
• IP55-rated buds and IPX4-rated case

Cons:

• Bass-heavy default sound
• Varying Spatial Audio performance
• Lack of onboard volume controls
• Ineffective transparency mode

Price:

Available on Amazon at the price of USD 149.00

6. Nothing Ear 2 Best Fake AirPods

The Ear 2 are refined Bluetooth earbuds with great sound and an attractive design for their price. The noise cancelling is effective for daily commutes but not the best for blocking speech. They have a comfortable fit and decent squeeze controls. The call quality is good. Connecting to two devices and using the cross-platform app is convenient. Battery life is only four hours, and it is non-replaceable. This is one of the best fake AirPods that we would recommend.

Key Feature

• Connectivity: Bluetooth version 5.3
• Codecs code:  AAC, SBC, LHDC
• Driver: 11.6 mm dynamic
• Built-in microphone: Yes
• Battery life of charging case: 36 hours
• Weight: 4.5 g
• Water resistance: Yes

Design:

• Control feature: The Ear 2 earbuds have convenient onboard controls on the stalk. Squeezing allows pause/play and track skipping, while adjusting noise cancelling and volume requires specific squeeze gestures.
• Water resistance: The Ear 2 earbuds have an impressive IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, surpassing the IPX4 rating of the first-gen earbuds.
• Connectivity: The Ear 2 earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices for seamless switching.
• Sustainability: Nothing claims a minimum of 500 battery cycles with at least 80% capacity retention, but the non-replaceable batteries make the earbuds disposable in the long run.
• App connection: The Nothing X app is user-friendly and quickly updates the Nothing Ear (2) earbuds. It offers customization options for controls, including personalized ANC and sound profiles. The app includes a three-band equalizer and a low lag option for gaming. However, some labels and visual elements could be more informative and accessible.

Performance:

• Noise cancellation: Ear 2’s active noise cancelling effectively against engine noise but struggles with higher-pitched sounds. The awareness mode provides natural sound for conversations and environmental awareness.
• Microphone: Call quality was excellent in quiet spaces but artificial in noisy environments, occasionally allowing sudden loud noises as car horn beeps.
• Sound quality: The Ear 2 earbuds provide great everyday sound, tonal separation, and decent bass. They offer hi-res audio support for Android phones, but the difference is minimal on iPhones.
• Battery life: The Ear 2 earbuds offer varying battery life compared to the Ear 1. With ANC on, you get 4 hours of playback from the buds and 22.5 hours with the case. You get 6.3 hours of playback and 36 hours with ANC off with the matter.

Pros:

• Lightweight design
• Wireless charging capability
• Robust companion app
• Comfortable fit
• IP54 (buds) and IP55 (case) durability ratings
• Universal compatibility with all operating systems

Cons:

• ANC may cause in-ear pressure
• Trebly frequency response
• Inconsistent command activation on stems
• Average battery life with ANC enabled

Price:

Available on Amazon at the price of USD 139.00

7. RHA TrueConnect

The RHA TrueConnect offers a compelling alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro at a reduced price. The sleek matte charcoal design has stood the test of time. However, the absence of aptX and AAC support is a significant drawback, as even budget alternatives offer compatibility with one or both of these Bluetooth codecs.

Key Feature

• Connectivity: Bluetooth version 5.0
• Codecs code:  SBC
• Driver: 6 mm dynamic
• Built-in microphone: Yes
• Battery life of charging case: 44 hours
• Weight: 6 g
• Water resistance: No

Design:

• Earbuds: The RHA TrueConnect 2 features a design that evolves from its predecessor. The shells are nearly identical except for transitioning from a physical button to touch controls. They retain the AirPods-like stems and large plastic shells with a soft-touch finish, offering comfort but prone to showing fingerprints.
• Control feature: The TrueConnect 2’s touch controls are an improvement over physical buttons, but they can be affected by water, causing random commands when wet.
• Water resistance: The RHA TrueConnect 2 has a seamlessly integrated plastic construction, providing a sleek appearance. With an IP55 certification, they are resistant to water and dust, making them suitable for sports, showers, and outdoor adventures.

Performance:

• Microphone: The microphone of the TrueConnect 2 excels in capturing clear communication, surpassing its predecessor. While its performance in noisy environments remains uncertain due to limited testing opportunities, it performs admirably in quiet settings.
• Connectivity: The RHA TrueConnect 2 supports only the SBC codec, limiting its audio quality but providing low-latency transmission for movies and games.
• Sound quality: The TrueConnect 2 has a surprisingly wide soundstage for closed-back earphones but lacks depth. Imaging is precise, with good instrument placement, and instrument separation is commendable. However, there is a slight veil over the sound, affecting clarity.

Pros:

• High-quality, faithful sound reproduction
• Impressive battery life

Cons:

• Wireless connectivity issues at times
• Somewhat awkward case design

Price:

Available on Amazon at the price of USD 39.95

Exclusive Summary

To qualify as the best fake AirPods, earbuds must exhibit design similarities to the original product. Some earbuds go as far as replicating the AirPods’ design in every detail, while others may unintentionally share certain resemblances. Several key features characterize earbuds as counterfeit AirPods.

Firstly, they typically have an elongated stem, a design element initially introduced by Apple and originally subject to mockery. However, the long stem has become an iconic feature of AirPods, bringing the microphone closer to the user’s mouth, resulting in clearer voice calls. Additionally, these best fake AirPods often feature sideways-firing speakers, a departure from the traditional front-firing speakers found in most earphones. This design choice allows for more direct sound delivery into the ear canal.

Another important criterion is that the earbuds must be true wireless, mimicking Apple’s true wireless (TWS) AirPods models, meaning they lack wires and operate solely through Bluetooth. Lastly, these counterfeit alternatives are expected to have active noise cancellation (ANC), a standout feature introduced with the AirPods Pro. To be considered in this category, the best fake AirPods Pro alternatives must also incorporate ANC technology.