Cheapest, lively sound
Nothing Ear (a)
- LDAC on Android
- Strong ANC for the price
Cheaper alternatives to the Apple AirPods 5
Three cheaper sealed-fit earbuds that block more noise. You lose Apple's easy pairing.
Updated November 13, 2026
Most battery
EarFun Air Pro 4
- Up to 7.5 hours
- aptX and LDAC
Comfortable all day
Sony WF-C710N
- Up to 8.5 hours
- Multipoint
The original
Apple AirPods 5
Worth it if: Ear tips feel uncomfortable
- Open fit, no ear tips
- Strong call quality
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What are you actually paying extra for with the AirPods 5?
What the extra money buys
- Open fit, no ear tips
- Strong call quality
- Seamless with iPhone
Worth it if
- Ear tips feel uncomfortable
- You live in Apple's ecosystem
Not worth it if
- You commute on noisy trains
- You use an Android phone
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Nothing Ear (a)
TechRadar rated its noise cancelling among the best at the price, with energetic, wide sound. Expert Reviews found adaptive mode lets high sounds through and the EQ basic. It suits listeners who want punchy sound for less.
EarFun Air Pro 4
Android Central found them balanced and very comfortable, with wireless charging. PC Gamer liked the low-lag game mode but found the mic tinny and the default sound dull until EQ'd. Best for long listening on Android.
Sony WF-C710N
Tom's Guide compared its noise cancelling favourably with Bose for less and found it comfortable for eight hours. What Hi-Fi? rated the sound detailed for the money, with ANC a step behind dearer pairs. It suits long workdays.
Final recommendation: The Nothing Ear (a) is cheapest with lively sound. The EarFun Air Pro 4 lasts longest, and the Sony WF-C710N is the comfort pick. Keep the AirPods 5 if you hate ear tips or want effortless iPhone pairing.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Budget | Budget | Budget | Budget |
| Battery per charge, noise canceling on (claimed) | Up to 4 hours (5 with the wireless case) | Up to 5.5 hours | Up to 7.5 hours | Up to 8.5 hours |
| With the case, noise canceling on (claimed) | Up to 20 hours (22 with the wireless case) | Up to 24.5 hours | Up to 35 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Weight per bud | 4.3 g (0.15 oz) | 4.8 g (0.17 oz) | – | 5.2 g (0.18 oz) |
| Fit | Open, no tips | Sealed, silicone tips | Sealed, silicone tips | Sealed, silicone tips |
| Water resistance | IP57 (IP54 under IEC 60529) | IP54 (buds), IPX2 (case) | IPX5 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Do the AirPods 5 have noise cancelling?
Yes. What Hi-Fi? found it works well for an open design, though higher sounds get through.
Are sealed earbuds better at noise cancelling than AirPods 5?
Usually, because the tips block sound physically. Macworld found the AirPods Pro 3 block chatter far better.
Do the Nothing Ear (a) work with iPhone?
Yes, over Bluetooth with the Nothing X app. LDAC only works on Android.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Apple AirPods 5 with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Apple: AirPods 5 tech specs, What Hi-Fi?: Apple AirPods 5 review, Macworld: AirPods 5 review, Nothing: Ear (a), TechRadar: Nothing Ear (a) review, Expert Reviews: Nothing Ear (a) review, EarFun: Air Pro 4, Android Central: EarFun Air Pro 4 review, PC Gamer: EarFun Air Pro 4 review, Sony Canada: WF-C710N specifications, What Hi-Fi?: Sony WF-C710N review, Tom's Guide: Sony WF-C710N review.