They might have been overshadowed by phones and watches, but Apple’s iPhone launch event also saw the arrival of a new generation of AirPods Pro. This was the first time Apple had actually reworked its flagship TWS. And while they look very similar to the OG AirPods Pro, the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) come with a number of audio and active noise cancellation (ANC) enhancements, improved spatial audio and battery life, and some additional smarts. But at Rs 26,900, they cost a pretty penny.
Yes, they might be the latest and greatest in the legendary AirPods line but that does not mean that they are your only choice if you are looking for a premium TWS experience. In fact, the AirPods Pro 2 face a fair bit of competition from a number of TWS from well-known brands. What’s more, most of these work equally well with both iOS and Android, unlike the latest AirPods, which are actually optimised for the iPhone.
So, if you are considering investing in the AirPods Pro 2, we would advise you to check out the following before making up your mind.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3: For those who want great sound
Price: Rs 19,990
If great audio is what your audio heart desires then the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 would make an appearance somewhere on the top of your TWS list. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 deliver top quality audio output which is balanced, yet packs a punch paired with some really good ANC.
Along with great audio performance, the looks of Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 are quite unique too, with the canvas-finish case making them stand out in what otherwise seems like a pretty mundane-looking segment. They come with IPX4 dust and water resistance to make them gym-friendly too.
Our only issue with these buds would be the slightly complex control system on them, which can take some getting used to and even then tends to go wrong, but other than that the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 are a pretty great TWS deal for those who love audio purity.
You also get decent battery life — about seven hours on the buds and 28 hours in all.
Google Pixel Buds Pro: Android gets its version of the AirPods Pro
Price: Rs 18,990
Given the intense rivalry between Apple and Google, it is hardly surprising that one of the challengers of the latest AirPods Pro comes from the search behemoth – the Google Pixel Buds Pro.
While the audio output of the Google Pixel Buds Pro is very dynamic, the buds certainly have a bass-heavy signature sound. This will appeal to all those who like a slight rumble in their audio. The ANC on the buds is pretty decent as well and can easily cut the noise of a busy cafe out. Unless someone is speaking to you or very close to you, the buds will cancel the audio out.
While the audio profile and ANC are both pretty good on the Google Pixel Buds Pro, the biggest USP of the buds in our audiobook has to be the controls on them. It is something many TWS struggle with but Google has worked out the control bit on the buds quite well and although touch-oriented, your commands get executed 90 per cent of the time, which is pretty great in the touch-controlled TWS world.
With 7 hours of battery on the buds and about 30 hours with the case, the Google Pixel Buds Pro are a very good alternative to the new AirPods Pro. They also come with an IPX4 dust and water resistance rating so can be worn in the gym or in the rain.
Sony WF-1000XM4: The ANC master
Price: Rs 18,990
Sony might be out of the smartphone game for a while now but the brand still has a very good standing in the headphones/ earphones zone and this extends to its TWS range as well. If you are looking for a premium pair of TWS, the Sony WF-1000XM4 should definitely come into consideration.
The sound quality of the buds is very good, with support for Sony’s LDAC ensuring that you get rich detail, and an IPX4 rating that makes them great gym buddies.
Those who wish to tweak the audio a bit — it does have a slight bass bias — can do so by changing the equaliser settings. The highlight of the buds has to be the superb ANC which is able to cancel out almost all of the noise in the background, blessing your ears with noise-less audio.
The battery life on the Sony WF-1000XM4 is decent enough but could have been better (8 hours on the buds, but the case gives only an additional 16 hours) and the buds look a bit bulky in ear, but if you want to be surrounded by sound and wish to bid external sounds a merry fare-thee-well, these are the buds for you.
Jabra Elite 85t: The veteran still rocks
Price: Rs 16,999
They may have entered the market back in 2020, but the Jabra Elite 85t remain a very good option for those looking for a solid pair of TWS with very good sound. They come with IPX4 dust and water resistance making them an absolute delight to carry for any workout session, and also with a staggering 11 levels of sound between ANC and HearThrough (their version of Transparency mode).
In simple terms: they can easily cut out a noisy environment. The battery life of the Jabra Elite 85t might seem a little modest (about 5-6 hours on the buds, and 25 hours with the case), but it should be more than sufficient for a few days of heavy usage.
They come with a slightly bass-accented Jabra sound and a very elaborate app as well. But what we love the most about the Jabra Elite 85t has to be the buttons on the buds for controls.
In a world full of iffy touch controls, these come as a breath of fresh air and leave out very little chance of getting a command wrong. Proper workhorses these.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: That ANC quiet, that comfort-able sound
Price: Rs 26,990
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have been launched, but they are yet to make their way to India.
But their predecessors, the QuietComfort Earbuds are still excellent value for money for anyone who is looking for a premium TWS experience.
From handling calls extremely well, to delivering a very pleasant sound and balanced audio output with a specially designed volume-optimised equaliser, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have got the basics well and truly nailed. They are a bit too bulky for our liking (some might even find them ugly and we do not blame them) but the big, bulky buds offer a good surface area for touch controls which otherwise can be a pain in many TWS.
They come with IPX4 rating to keep dust and water at bay, and while the battery life is modest – six hours on the buds, and another 12 hours on the case – these are perhaps the best balance of audio, calling and ANC in the list.
AirPods Pro: Don’t count out the older Pro yet
Price: Rs 19,990
The previous generation AirPods Pro are perhaps the biggest threat to the new AirPods Pro, considering how similar the two look and all else that the AirPods Pro bring to the table.
Along with some power-packed audio that delivers some great clarity paired with some bass, the OG AirPods Pro bring one of the best ANC performances in the TWS world, really good Spatial Audio implementation and excellent call quality.
Yes, the updated new AirPods Pro bring some improvements like better battery life, improved sound and Transparency mode but the price gap between the two Pro bros is pretty big too. Plus, as we mentioned earlier, the two look very similar which means most will not be able to tell whether you have the older generation AirPods Pro or the second generation one.
And of course, they play extra nice with iPhones and iPads. So, if you are not obsessed with getting the latest and greatest and would like to save some bucks while at it, then the OG AirPods Pro do merit some attention.
The four-and-half hours of battery life on the buds does seem a little low, but the case boosts this up to a very healthy 24 hours and you also get IPX4 sweat and water resistance, as well as the signature Pro fit.