iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Apple AirPods 5 start at $129 for the standard charging case, so a genuinely cheaper alternative must come in below that launch price—not merely below the $149 wireless-case version. Of these five candidates, Soundcore lists the Liberty 4 NC at $99.99 in the US; Tom’s Guide lists the EarFun Air Pro 4+ at $99 and CMF Buds 2 Pro at $69. The cited Sony recommendations have UK pricing, so their eligibility under a US $129 limit needs checking. All five alternatives use in-ear designs rather than AirPods 5’s open-ear fit, an important comfort and isolation trade-off.
What counts as cheaper than AirPods 5?
Apple’s September 9, 2026 announcement sets the comparison point: AirPods 5 cost $129 with a wired USB-C charging case and $149 with a wireless charging case. Both versions include active noise cancellation (ANC). Those are Apple’s launch prices, not a guarantee of today’s retail price; sales can change which earbuds are cheaper at the moment you shop. Apple’s announcement also says the AirPods 5 reduce up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with ANC. That is Apple’s own comparison claim, not an independent head-to-head test.
The candidates below are a shortlist, not five verified US bargains. Soundcore has a US price on its product page; the EarFun and CMF prices come from Tom’s Guide; the Sony pricing cited by What Hi-Fi? is from UK deal listings. Check the current price and exact model before treating any as a US option below $129.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhich cheaper earbuds are worth considering?
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: features and multipoint under $100
Soundcore lists the Liberty 4 NC for $99.99 on its US product page. It offers adaptive ANC, Bluetooth multipoint, IPX4 resistance, and up to 10 hours of playback per charge or 50 hours with the case, according to Soundcore. The company’s “up to 98.5%” noise-reduction figure is a manufacturer claim, not a directly comparable result against Apple’s claim. Soundcore says LDAC support is Android-only. This is the clearest fit here if you want an explicitly listed US price, adjustable noise cancellation, and the ability to connect to more than one device. See Soundcore’s Liberty 4 NC specifications.
#1 Best Overall
- JBL Deep Bass Sound: Get the most from your mixes with high-quality audio from secure, reliable earbuds with 8mm drivers featuring JBL Deep Bass Sound
- Comfortable fit: The ergonomic, stick-closed design of the JBL Vibe Beam fits so comfortably you may forget you're wearing them. The closed design excludes external sounds, enhancing the bass performance
- Up to 32 (8h + 24h) hours of battery life and speed charging: With 8 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 24 in the case, the JBL Vibe Beam provide all-day audio. When you need more power, you can speed charge an extra two hours in just 10 minutes.
- Hands-free calls with VoiceAware: When you're making hands-free stereo calls on the go, VoiceAware lets you balance how much of your own voice you hear while talking with others
- Water and dust resistant: From the beach to the bike trail, the IP54-certified earbuds and IPX2 charging case are water and dust resistant for all-day experiences
EarFun Air Pro 4+: a battery-focused pick
Tom’s Guide lists the EarFun Air Pro 4+ at $99 and reports more than eight hours of battery life with ANC enabled, or 11 hours without ANC. The price is editorially reported rather than a verified manufacturer US list price, so check the live offer and confirm that the listing is for the Air Pro 4+ model. It is a candidate if you want ANC and prioritize longer playback; those figures are not the result of a controlled comparison across all five earbuds. Tom’s Guide’s AirPods 5 review provides the cited price and battery reporting.
CMF Buds 2 Pro: the lowest cited price
Tom’s Guide lists the CMF Buds 2 Pro at $69 and reports more than eight hours of playback with ANC or 11 hours without it. Treat $69 as a reported price, not a guaranteed current offer: check availability and the exact model before buying. This is the lowest-priced candidate in the cited recommendations, with ANC and battery figures reported by the same reviewer. Tom’s Guide’s review is the source for those figures.
Rank #2
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
Sony WF-C510: consider it if ANC is optional
What Hi-Fi? describes the WF-C510 as a comfortable budget option with up to 11 hours of earbud playback, but it does not have ANC. The source’s current deal panel showed UK prices, not US pricing, so confirm a US offer below $129 before counting it as a cheaper US alternative. It makes sense when you value long playback and a low price more than noise cancellation. What Hi-Fi?’s AirPods alternatives guide covers the model.
Sony WF-C710N: ANC with a UK-price caveat
What Hi-Fi? describes the WF-C710N as a comfortable, affordable in-ear pair with ANC, IPX4 resistance, Bluetooth multipoint, and up to 8.5 hours of playback with ANC or 30 hours including the case. It supports SBC and AAC, but not aptX or LDAC; What Hi-Fi? also notes limited control customization. Its cited deal panel showed UK prices only, so verify a US price below $129 before treating it as qualifying. What Hi-Fi?’s guide is the source for these details.
Rank #3
- Powerful Bass: soundcore P20i true wireless earbuds have oversized 10mm drivers that deliver powerful sound with boosted bass so you can lose yourself in your favorite songs.
- Personalized Listening Experience: Use the soundcore app to customize the controls and choose from 22 EQ presets. With "Find My Earbuds", a lost earbud can emit noise to help you locate it.
- Long Playtime, Fast Charging: Get 10 hours of battery life on a single charge with a case that extends it to 30 hours. If P20i true wireless earbuds are low on power, a quick 10-minute charge will give you 2 hours of playtime.
- Portable On-the-Go Design: soundcore P20i true wireless earbuds and the charging case are compact and lightweight with a lanyard attached. It's small enough to slip in your pocket, or clip on your bag or keys–so you never worry about space.
- AI-Enhanced Clear Calls: 2 built-in mics and an AI algorithm work together to pick up your voice so that you never have to shout over the phone.
How do the alternatives compare?
| Model | Price evidence | ANC | Reported playback | Notable details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | $99.99, Soundcore US product page | Adaptive ANC | Up to 10 hours per charge; 50 hours with case, per Soundcore | Bluetooth multipoint; IPX4; LDAC on Android only |
| EarFun Air Pro 4+ | $99, listed by Tom’s Guide | Yes | More than 8 hours with ANC; 11 hours without, per Tom’s Guide | Confirm current offer and exact model |
| CMF Buds 2 Pro | $69, listed by Tom’s Guide | Yes | More than 8 hours with ANC; 11 hours without, per Tom’s Guide | Confirm current offer and availability |
| Sony WF-C510 | What Hi-Fi? deal panel showed UK pricing | No | 11 hours per earbud, per What Hi-Fi? | Confirm US price below $129 |
| Sony WF-C710N | What Hi-Fi? deal panel showed UK pricing | Yes | 8.5 hours with ANC; 30 hours including case, per What Hi-Fi? | IPX4; SBC/AAC; multipoint; no aptX or LDAC |
Is an in-ear alternative the right fit?
AirPods 5 have an open-ear shape; the five candidates above are in-ear designs. Silicone tips can create a seal that helps with passive isolation, but that feel is not interchangeable with an open-ear fit. If you specifically want earbuds that sit outside the ear canal, these models do not meet that preference—even if their ANC or price looks attractive. A reader asking for non-in-ear earbuds compatible with Android illustrates this separate need; the cited alternatives do not establish a like-for-like open-ear replacement. See the reader’s question about non-in-ear alternatives.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- LED Power Display and 50H Playback: Dual digital LED power display outside of the case is to show the power level for charging case and earbuds. When charging for the case, the LED light will start to flash from 1 to 100. When you put wireless Bluetooth earbuds into the case, then the Bluetooth earbuds will start charging. The 470mAh battery capacity charging case can provide extra 4 times full charging for both earbuds; each earbud can last 6H on a single charge. So, you can enjoy 50H music time in total by using them in turn
- 2026 Upgraded Bluetooth 5.4 and Ultra-Low Latency: S58 Pro wireless earbuds with mics feature the next-generation Bluetooth 5.4 chip. Compared to version 5.3, it offers 30% lower power consumption and 35% stronger signal penetration. Equipped with a high-sensitivity antenna and a Hall switch, wireless Bluetooth headphones auto-pair as soon as you open the charging case, with a stable connection within 15 meters. Whether you're gaming or binge-watching, enjoy smooth, flawlessly synced audio
- Hi-Fi Stereo and 4 ENC Mics: The wireless earbuds feature triple-layer 13mm coil dynamic drivers and a polymer diaphragm, resulting in sufficiently strong bass that naturally connects to the mid and high frequencies, supporting AAC/SBC audio coding technology and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive Audio technology. Noise Cancelling Earbuds adopt a 4-mic design and ENC noise cancelling technology that picks up your voice precisely and blocks out 80% background noise, providing a crystal clear call experience
- Smart Touch Control and Wide Compatibility: These wireless Bluetooth earbuds feature a high-precision touch sensor, offering greater accuracy than similar products. A simple tap allows you to control playback/pause, volume, song switching, calls, and voice assistants, minimizing accidental touches. The in-ear running headphones are compatible with most Bluetooth devices, including smartphones, tablets and laptops, and connect effortlessly with Android 4.4, iOS 8.0 and above, or Bluetooth 4.0 and above
- Ergonomic and IPX7 Waterproof: Thanks to an ultra-light nano coating, these wireless Bluetooth earbuds are IPX7 waterproof and dustproof—perfect for workouts or outdoor adventures. The ergonomic in-ear design provides a secure, comfortable fit while keeping outside noise out, letting you immerse yourself fully in your music
Rank #4
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
How to choose among them
- Start with fit: Decide whether you are comfortable with silicone tips before comparing noise cancellation or battery figures.
- If multipoint matters: Soundcore and the Sony WF-C710N are specifically described as supporting it in the cited product information.
- If you want ANC: The Liberty 4 NC, EarFun Air Pro 4+, CMF Buds 2 Pro, and WF-C710N include it; the WF-C510 does not.
- If battery is the priority: Compare figures from the same listening conditions where possible. The available reports are not a controlled test of all five against AirPods 5, and manufacturers’ or reviewers’ stated runtimes are not guaranteed everyday results.
- If you use Android: Soundcore specifies LDAC for Android only. Check the features of your phone and the exact earbud model before paying extra for a codec or app feature.
- Before purchase: Check the live US price, stock, and exact model—especially for the two Sony options, whose cited prices are UK listings.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
