Best alternatives to Beats headphones and earbuds

So you don’t want Beats to pump out your beats, while you may be concerned about what the competition has to offer there are plenty of trendy, bass-heavy headphones that aren’t Beats. Who knows, you may end up preferring them over the doctor’s auditory prescription. If you’re looking for some of the best alternatives to Beats then you’ve come to the right place.

Editor’s note: this list of the Best Beats alternatives was updated on July 19, 2023, to add the Sony WF-C500 to Notable mentions, and to mention the new Beats Pro Studio Wireless.

Why are the Sony WH-1000XM5 the best Beats Studio3 Wireless alternative?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 cater to commuters and all-purpose users alike. While it lacks the “Studio” moniker that the Beats competitor has, it boasts many of the same features and outperforms the new Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones ($349.99 at Amazon) and Studio3 Wireless handily as it applies to active noise canceling (ANC) capabilities (and equalizing your music).

Both models are over-ear headphones that sell at a premium. The WH-1000XM5 has Bluetooth multipoint, and Bluetooth codecs including LDAC, which provides the best streaming quality at 990kbps. It doesn’t have as much of a bass boost as Beats by default, but you can use the Sony Headphones Connect equalizer. Moreover, the noise canceling on the WH-1000XM5 is some of the very best on the market.

If the main feature drawing you to the Beats Studio Pro Wireless and Beats Studio3 Wireless is noise cancelation performance, then the Sony cans should be your pick. Deciding what’s physically comfortable is more subjective, but we’re confident you’ll be happier with the Sony WH-1000XM5 than with the Beats headphones.

If you’re interested in the Beats Solo3 Wireless, save money with the Sony WH-XB910N instead

While the Beats Solo3 Wireless is one of the company’s most accessible products, it lacks one major feature touted by the Sony WH-XB910N: active noise canceling. While the ANC found on these mid-tier Sony cans isn’t going to beat the Sony WH-1000XM5 abilities, it’s surprisingly better than you might think for not being a flagship headset—as is the app support and touch controls.

But it’s not just about having a feature to say that the feature is there; no, the Sony WH-XB910N attenuation is effective enough to prevent you from maxing out the volume. Not only does the lessening of outside noise improve audio quality, but it also steers you away from damaging your hearing.

These headphones typically sell for a good chunk less than Beats Solo3 Wireless brand new. The fit and finish are very nice, as is easy integration with your device. Battery life in our tests was 37 hours, 9 minutes of constant playback, and if it dies, you can use the 3.5mm jack.

As far as Bluetooth codecs go, you get LDAC (great for Android), AAC (perfect for iPhone), and SBC. Best of all, if you’re looking for a Beats alternative, the “XB” in any Sony product means eXtra Bass. If you’re not a bass head, pass on this headset, but if you live for the low end, like many Beats fans, the WH-XB910N is a great pick.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is a great alternative to Beats headphones

There’s not much “studio” sounding about the Beats Studio3 Wireless with its exaggerated mids and bass tuning. Whereas the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 hails from a storied lineage of studio headphones, and is optionally wired or wireless. At the outset, the sound sits between studio and consumer friendly, but you can use the app to adjust EQ to your tastes.

Like the Beats Solo3 Wireless, the ATH-M50xBT2 relies solely on isolation to block noise, but the on-ear fit of the Solo3 Wireless means it wears less comfortably and blocks less noise than the ATH-M50xBT2 over-ear design.

With a battery life of 64 hours and 51 minutes, the ATH-M50xBT2 outdoes most wireless headphones. The folding design, and plush padding alongside quality codecs like LDAC and AAC mean that the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is a music focused set of headphones that fits in multiple scenarios.

The Jabra Elite 7 Active sounds better than Beats Fit Pro

Cut the wires on your workout with the Jabra Elite 7 Active, which is a solid alternative to the Beats Fit Pro. Jabra kits out these buds with a superb sound and a secure fit for your workouts.

Equipped with an IP57 rating (beating the IPX4 on Beats Fit Pro) the Elite 7 Active is nearly dustproof and very water-resistant. Even if you sweat like a tsunami while jogging through a dust storm, the Elite 7 Active won’t let you down. In addition, the Elite 7 Active provides a good amount of adjustable ANC, if not the most. In the Jabra app you can play around with the EQ or use the MySound setting which tailors the EQ to your anatomy.

Its battery life reaches a respectable 7 hours, 10 minutes according to our tests, while 5 minutes of fast charging lends 150 minutes of playback. You only get AAC and SBC codecs, so if you have an Android device and watch a lot of videos, consider something with the aptX codec, like the Jabra Elite 5. You don’t have to use the Jabra Elite 7 Active for workouts, but it’s nice to have a switch hitter set of buds.

The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC is a solid Beats Powerbeats Pro alternative

Though it’s a few years old, the Beats Powerbeats Pro continues to be a popular pair of true wireless earbuds for athletes. Still, if you aren’t interested in the Powerbeats Pro, then the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC is a great option. Like Powerbeats Pro it features a secure ear hook design. An IP66 ensures water and dust resistance, and improves upon the Beats’ IPX4 rating.

Realistically, the ANC does not outdo the best earbuds, but it still helps focus your attention. Even without turning on ANC, the passive isolation blocks out unpredictable, incidental sounds. The battery life is very impressive at 15 hours and 31 minutes. Topping it off, it sounds good by default, but you can EQ it to your liking.

The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC only supports AAC and SBC, so Android phone owners don’t have a reliable high-quality option here, while iPhone owners can expect good quality. At this point, it’s worth pointing out you can easily find these buds for under $100 USD. This is a great, more affordable alternative to Beats’ running earbuds.

Rattle your brain with the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 offers you a dial to directly control the Crusher mode, which is an EQ boost peaking around the 45Hz. What this means is that if the bassy sound of some earlier Beats models is your thing the Crusher ANC 2 might be too, in an exaggerated way. These cans are pretty comfortable and super easy to use. The ANC isn’t as good as the Sony WH-XB910N, but if you prefer buttons to touch controls these Skullcandy headphones have it in spades.

Look like an adult with the Sony LinkBuds S

Here’s a controversial take: visually “loud” designs like Beats can make a person look less professional than more anonymous designs. To be clear, we don’t believe at SoundGuys that the headphones you choose determine your competency, but we also can’t change society’s opinions or workplaces. If you choose a more subtle design like the Sony LinkBuds S, you can appear more professional while listening to whatever you want (like, angsty music from your teens) with nobody the wiser.

That the Sony LinkBuds S works pretty effortlessly and sounds good certainly helps. Its battery life of 5 hours and 41 minutes is decent, and it supports LDAC, AAC, and SBC over Bluetooth 5.2. The LinkBuds S works the same with Android and Apple and has an IPX4 rating. It’s like the more premium version of the Beats Studio Buds and Beats Studio Buds Plus.

The best Beats alternatives: Notable mentions

• Anker Soundcore Life Q35: This pair of headphones costs $99 at Amazon but it features LDAC, decent ANC, and a bassy sound. It’s a real steal compared to the Solo3 or Studio3 Wireless models. It also has a certain resemblance to Beats.
• Anker Soundcore Space Q45: This affordable set of headphones ($149 at Amazon) comes replete with premium features like Bluetooth multipoint, Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, AAC, and SBC. It also has pretty good ANC. The frequency response is a little unusual.
• Apple AirPods Max: Apple’s first-ever pair of over-ear headphones is designed for people heavily invested (as in $499 at Amazon) in the company’s ecosystem. It features some of the best noise cancelation we’ve tested, including great sound quality, spatial audio, automatic device switching, and a unique look.
• Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: The Bose NCH 700 is another great option for anyone looking for a sleek design, great battery life, and solid active noise canceling. If you’re not a fan of the Sony headphones on this list, definitely check this out for $379 at Amazon.
• House of Marley Positive Vibration XL ANC: If you like Beats, you probably like bass, and this one has a lot on tap. It’s a no-fuss set of headphones that lack apps and only uses AAC and SBC, but the noise canceling is decent for the price point of $142 at Amazon. The eco-conscious aspect is a bonus.
• Jabra Elite 45h: These on-ear headphones are a great alternative to the Beats, complete with AAC compatibility, great battery life, portable design, good microphone quality, and support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It goes for $99 at Amazon.
• Jabra Elite 85h: This is a great over-ear alternative to the Beats Solo3 Wireless. It features good sound quality and active noise canceling, all at a lower price point ($190.99 at Best Buy) than Beats’ offering.
• Marshall Major IV: While most people know on-ear headphones tend to cause discomfort, and Beats are not exception generally, the Marshall Major IV feel good. They’re compact and light, which are all things people like in on-ear Beats models. The Major IV might be a good pick for $116 at Amazon.
• Monoprice BT-600ANC: For under three figures ($84.99 at Amazon) you get aptX HD codec and some of the best ANC at any price.
• Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless: Packed with an epic 56 hours, 21 minutes of battery life, a comfortable fit, and a pleasing frequency response, this premium option (for $289.23 at Amazon) could be what you’re looking for.
• Shure AONIC 50: Listeners who want solid noise canceling with a premium build and all the connectivity options you could hope for should save up for the AONIC 50 (for $298 at Amazon). These headphones attenuate low-frequency noise rather well and feels extremely comfortable to wear with glasses.
• Sony WH-1000XM4: Just because the WH-1000XM5 is the newest, doesn’t mean this headset doesn’t compete. It offers many of the same features for less money. Its ANC is not quite as good and the housing design differs, but the price of $278 at Amazon is kinder.
• Under Armour Project Rock Over-Ear Training Headphones by JBL: Those looking at Beats are already looking at premium price headphones, so why not grab a workout companion with some flexibility like in-app EQ and premium features like washable ear cushions? This one sells for $298 at Amazon.
• V-MODA Crossfade Wireless Codex Edition is MIL-STD 810G certified, meaning it’s officially tough as nails. Plus it supports aptX and AAC with a lifetime warranty, it sells for $349 at Amazon.

What should you look for when buying Bluetooth headphones?

Before spending your money on something as expensive as a pair of Bluetooth headphones, let alone Beats headphones, it’s good to know some alternatives. After all, that’s why you’re here right? But before you spend money on anything at all, there are some things you should know that could potentially help you with your purchase decision. We’ll keep it simple for the purposes of this article, but there are links to all of the deep dives down below if you feel like becoming an expert on anything.

What is frequency response?

Beats headphones are loathed and loved for their bass-heavy frequency responses, but the company doesn’t have a patent on low-end exaggeration. Thus, finding a product that emulates that sought-after sound isn’t an arduous journey. Many of these headphones and earbuds also reproduce emphasized low notes. While this usually means you’re enjoying a more consumer-friendly sound, tinkerers (those who often EQ their music) may want to look into studio headphones which are easy to EQ and can be less prone to distortion.

What is a Bluetooth codec?

If you’re unfamiliar with the technology, a Bluetooth codec determines how data is transmitted from a source (phone) to a receiver (headphones). Ideally, there wouldn’t have to be any sacrifices made in quality for the sake of efficiency. However, we don’t live in a perfect world and different codecs provide different transfer rates and qualities.

Since Beats by Dre is now part of the Apple conglomerate and has been since 2014, the company’s wireless headphones and earbuds integrate the W1 chip or H1 chip and support the AAC Bluetooth codec. iPhone users should get headphones that support AAC, and Android users should look out for aptX or aptX HD support, or LDAC. That said, if you’re looking to get the absolute best audio quality, wired listening is still running laps around wireless.

How do noise canceling headphones work?

Active noise canceling capable headphones use destructive interference to combat external sounds. Any ANC headset has microphones dedicated to recording your surroundings so it can produce anti-noise through phase inversion. To simplify it, the microphones record the sound waves from your environment and then create an identical wave. After the ANC system creates the identical wave, it then delays this twin wave by half a wavelength. When done correctly, this destructive interference significantly quiets background noise.

More advanced systems like Sony and Bose’s flagship headsets tend to work much better than sub-$100 noise canceling headsets. That said, there are quite a few diamonds in the rough regarding a $100 USD budget, and advances are trickling down into wallet-friendly options.

How does SoundGuys choose the best Beats alternatives?

We have our own internal testing methodology to get a broad-stroke, objective understanding of how each pair of headphones or earbuds operates. From there, we use the headphones in our daily routine, taking note of a product’s follies and triumphs.

Ultimately, we respect that audio is subjective to a point — and believe it helps us, and you the reader, to know a product’s objective performance as well.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

We’re dedicated to this site and individually have accrued multiple years of experience when it comes to keeping track of the evolving audio industry. In being so involved, we’re able to quickly pick out the good from the to-be-improved products.

Our main goal is to ensure that you enjoy your purchase, whether you’re looking for workout earbuds, soundbars, or noise canceling headphones. We just want you to be happy, and none of our writers may benefit from lauding one product over another. If you so choose, we recommend that you read our full ethics policy.

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