Best value
Nothing Ear (a)
- Strong noise cancelling
- Clear calls
Cheaper alternatives to the Apple AirPods 5
Three cheaper earbuds with ear tips. They block more noise but lose Apple's tricks.
Updated 13 November 2026
Battery and codecs
EarFun Air Pro 4
- LDAC and aptX
- Wear detection
Comfort pick
Sony WF-C710N
- Light and comfortable
- Two devices at once
The original
Apple AirPods 5
Worth it if: In-ear tips bother you
- Tip-free open design
- Clear calls
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What are you actually paying extra for with the AirPods 5?
What the extra money buys
- Tip-free open design
- Clear calls
- Easy Apple pairing
Worth it if
- In-ear tips bother you
- You switch between Apple devices
Not worth it if
- You want quiet on the Tube
- Your phone runs Android
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Nothing Ear (a)
Expert Reviews heard powerful sound with crisp treble and strong ANC at home, though controls are fiddly. TechRadar praised the noise cancelling at this price but noted no wireless charging. It suits listeners who want energetic sound and quieter commutes, and can live with charging by cable.
EarFun Air Pro 4
Comfortable with balanced sound in Android Central's review, and they charge wirelessly. PC Gamer found the ANC good on rumble but weak on sudden noises, and the sound dull until EQ'd. It suits Android users who stream high-quality audio and don't take many calls.
Sony WF-C710N
What Hi-Fi? found them musical and detailed for the price, with better ANC than the WF-C700N. Tom's Guide wore them for eight hours comfortably. They suit people who wear earbuds all day across a laptop and phone.
Final recommendation: Pick the Nothing Ear (a) for value, the EarFun Air Pro 4 for battery and codecs, or the Sony WF-C710N for comfort. Stay with the AirPods 5 if tips bother you or you live in Apple's world.
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 cancelling 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 cancelling 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 | 4.8 g | – | 5.2 g |
| 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
Can the Sony WF-C710N connect to a phone and laptop at once?
Yes. They support multipoint, so they switch between two devices.
Which AirPods 5 alternative has the longest battery?
The Sony WF-C710N, at up to 8.5 hours by Sony's figure, against about 4 for AirPods 5 with ANC.
Do the EarFun Air Pro 4 have wireless charging?
Yes, per Android Central.
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 UK: 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 UK: WF-C710N specifications, What Hi-Fi?: Sony WF-C710N review, Tom's Guide: Sony WF-C710N review.