I have been using Apple AirPods for years now. Here is what happened when I tried these $ 40 competitors (psst: they are good)

As a writer who has worked from home with two young children (and a husband) for 17 months, I have relied heavily on hands-free technology to do countless phone conversations, disconnect my daughters, and listen to podcasts. or music while cooking or going for a walk. Because I’m a creature of habit and a loyal Apple customer, I only used AirPods – until my publisher asked if I’d be willing to try a competitor (xFyro Active Noise Canceling AI-powered wireless earbuds, now on sale for $ 40 with code XFYRO5). I love my AirPods, but because they are so expensive I am always afraid to leave them in a pocket and put them in the washing machine (my husband did this twice) or accidentally misplace them (and pull out a few hundred dollars as a result). Here is my experience:

What do the headphones look like?

Upon opening the small black charging case, my iPhone immediately recognized the Bluetooth connection and I immediately used the headphones to make a phone call. I could hear clearly and the person on the other end of the phone had no problem hearing me, but more importantly, I couldn’t hear my kids whining in the background. Ah, the beauty of noise cancellation technology. At one point though, one of the headphones popped out of my ear, but I put it back on – maybe my ear canals are smaller than I expected? The earbuds themselves are a bit longer than the AirPods and they come with two size options for the tips; I found them comfortable even though it took them a while to get used to it at first.

LEARN MORE: XFyro Active Noise Canceling AI-powered wireless headphones, now on sale for $ 40 with code XFYRO5

A small brochure is included that explains how to answer or end calls, how to increase and decrease the volume, how to pair the headphones with various devices, how the charging case works and more. (I liked that the earbuds came in a black charging case, so you won’t confuse them with anyone else’s; although the case looks like Apple’s styling, the xFyro version is a bit more large overall.) According to xFyro, the charging case has up to 100 hours of battery life and the headphones can be paired via Bluetooth up to 30 feet away. The actual headphones have up to 8 hours per charge, are water resistant, and are compatible with Google Voice and Siri.

What I like

The sound was very clear and I loved that the charging case had such a long battery life. Another big plus for me was the price: if these go through the washing machine or a pool or get lost or stolen, I can replace them for just $ 40 which means I’m always less expensive than cost. of a single pair of AirPods. These headphones are comfortable, but if you’re used to wearing AirPods (like me), it will take a little getting used to due to the larger size.

LEARN MORE: XFyro Active Noise Canceling AI-powered wireless headphones, now on sale for $ 40 with code XFYRO5

Things to consider

Although slightly larger, these headphones actually feel lighter and not as sturdy as the AirPods. The sound is clear, but I was unable to increase the volume beyond a certain point – and there are times I prefer or require a louder output. The blue light that blinks 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x or steady depending on the remaining charge is a bit difficult to decipher, but with the charging case holding a long charging time, I wasn’t obsessed with the light .

At the end of the line

If you’re looking for an Apple-adjacent wireless earphone option, these sleek black bluetooth-enabled earbuds do many of the same tasks as AirPods for a quarter the cost. I won’t give up my AirPods entirely, but if I go on a trip, do something adventurous, or know I will be in a scenario where my headphones could be lost or stolen, I would definitely use this pair.

LEARN MORE: XFyro Active Noise Canceling AI-powered wireless earbuds, now on sale for $ 40 with code XFYRO5

Also see: You can now get a Sam’s Club membership for under $ 20