Early October Prime Day deal: I tried these $24 Amazon earbuds — do they compare to $170 AirPods?
Shop the soundcore by Anker Wireless Earbuds on sale for 41 per cent off ahead of Prime Big Deal Days.
The world can be noisy, am I right? For this reason, earbuds and headphones are absolute essentials for me — whether I'm using them while working, exercising, watching TikToks or just jamming out.
I own a few pairs that stand out: AirPods, Sony over-ear headphones and soundcore by Anker Wireless Earbuds, which some people consider a cheaper alternative to Apple AirPods. Since I have both, I thought I'd compare the two.
Now, it's clear the soundcore 'buds — on sale for $24 ahead of Prime Big Deal Days (that's 41 per cent off!) — are significantly cheaper than AirPods ($170), but do they deliver the same performance? Scroll below to find out my honest thoughts.
Shop these Apple AirPods for under $180 on Amazon Canada.
- They're comfortable
- Top-tier sound quality
- Good Bluetooth range
- Sleek appearance
- They fall out of my ear
- Difficult to clean
🛍️ Details: Apple AirPods review, pros and cons
Let's get right to the point — AirPods were a genius invention. Who wants wires limiting them when taking calls or listening to music? They have a universal fit for all-day comfort, they're easy to set up, they automatically connect and the charging case has more than 24 hours of battery life.
What I like about them
I find my AirPods incredibly comfortable in my ears — I can wear them for hours without feeling any irritation. And when it comes to sound quality, it's top-tier, in my opinion. The Bluetooth goes a long way; I can leave the room my phone is in, and they're still connected. I also appreciate how sleek they look and the fact that they're not noticeable, as opposed to over-ear headphones, for example.
Room for improvement
I only have two cons to share about my AirPods. The first one: I hate how they easily fall out of my ear, making them an inferior option when it comes to intense workouts. And my only other complaint is that they're difficult to clean, which is why I suggest using a good quality cleaning kit to help keep them in good condition.
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)
⭐ What others are saying
With more than 20,000 Amazon ratings and a 4.6-star rating, it's safe to say I'm not the only one loving Apple AirPods. Shoppers say they're a "fantastic choice for wireless earbuds" and boast "awesome sound quality." One person praised their "great functionality and style," while another confirmed they have an "excellent battery life." However, one person said, "The sound cancelling could be a bit better."
These earbuds are on sale for under $25 on Amazon Canada right now.
- Their ergonomic shape
- They stay in place
- Seamless connectivity
- Great noise-cancelling abilities
- Good battery life
- Not as crystal clear as AirPods
- Music can sound tinny
- They feel thick after extended use
🛍️ Details: soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds review, pros and cons
The soundcore P20i true wireless earbuds are a great bang for your buck. They boast a powerful bass, and you can customize the sound through the app. They last up to 10 hours on a charge (and 30 with the case). Plus, they're compact, water-resistant and have built-in mics for crystal-clear calls.
What I like about them
I really enjoy these headphones for their ergonomic shape and silicone cushioning, which makes them stay in place fairly well. They're small and unnoticeable, just like AirPods, but they connect seamlessly to my laptop—unlike AirPods, which can be a bit finicky in my experience. Plus, the battery life and noise-cancelling abilities are amazing.
Room for improvement
While the sound quality of these headphones is good for meetings and calls, they don't quite match the clarity of AirPods — but that's not to say they're bad. The music can sometimes sound a bit tinny, which is my main issue. Lastly, they feel somewhat thick in the ear (probably due to the silicone cushion), making them less comfortable for extended use.
soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds
⭐ What others are saying
Ringing in at a 4.4-star average rating with more than 32,000 reviews, these have a pretty good leg to stand on. One shopper can confirm they're "worth every dollar" and said they're "light on the ear" and "fit perfectly." "The sound quality of these earbuds is great!" writes another customer, adding that they're "incredibly comfortable." A third said they "reach high volume" while maintaining "clarity across ranges." However, one person said they "fall out" a lot and that "the mic picks up all ambient noise."
The final verdict
Honestly, I think both are great options, and depending on your budget, you should go with the pair that you can afford right now. If you opt for the soundcores, you're not missing out on anything crazy in comparison to the AirPods — unless you are a sound quality aficionado. On the other hand, if you've been wanting to splurge on Apple's famous earbuds, I say go for it — they're worth it! Whether you're using them to listen to podcasts, take work calls or just listen to tunes, both pairs will do the job.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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