Scrolling through endless AliExpress listings can overwhelm anyone seeking affordable, great-sounding earbuds. The options are endless. What if you had a shortcut to the best picks? After testing many earbuds—open-ear and in-ear—we share our top choices that offer excellent value.
For our overall best – The Soundpeats Air four Pro
Key Features
- Audio Quality: 13 mm dynamic drivers
- Battery Life: Up to 26 hours of playtime
- Noise Control: Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)
- Design: Transparent and distinctive look
- Durability: IPX4 water-resistant rating
- Gaming: Active Game Mode
- Control: Customizable button and dedicated app controls
- In-ear detection mode
The Soundpeats Air Four Pro is an underrated pick. As a fan of noise cancelling, I rate the Air Four Pro highly. It’s a cheaper alternative to major brands like Sony, Bose, and Anker.
The Soundpeats Air 4 Pro stands out with its unique transparent design, available in black, transparent, and white.
The Soundpeats Air 4 Pro delivers strong sound quality due to its features and the Qualcomm QCC3071 chipset, which enables high-resolution audio. The Soundpeats Air 4 Pro is at the top of the list.
These earbuds offer exceptional, balanced bass. Instruments and vocals sound crisp. Media playback and call quality also impress. Calls are superb with the Soundpeats Air 4 Pro.
These earbuds also include an in-ear detection mode, allowing users to pause and play media simply by removing and reinserting the earbuds.
The Soundpeats Air Four Pro provides up to 6 hours of battery life per charge with noise cancelling off and about 4 hours with noise cancelling enabled. With the case included, total playtime can reach 26 hours. Compared to other earbuds in a similar price range, this endurance makes it reliable for daily use or travel when judged alongside its competitors.
Compared to other AliExpress earbuds and major competitors, the Soundpeats ANC earbuds remain a strong budget choice.
First runner-up: the Soundpeats Air 5.
Key features
- Audio: Equipped with 13mm dynamic drivers.
- Battery Life: Offers up to 30 hours of total playtime.
- Acoustics: Features Hybrid Noise Cancelling technology.
- Durability: IPX4 water-resistant rating.
- Functionality: Includes an Active Game Mode.
- Control: Supports customizable controls/buttons.
- Integration: Compatible with a dedicated mobile application.
Following the SoundPEATS Air 4 Pro, we have the SoundPEATS Air 5. While it doesn’t quite reach the bar set by the Air 4 Pro, it brings its own set of features as an open-ear alternative. Though it has fewer extras, it’s still a solid choice.
This is Soundpeats’ first open-ear earbud with Active Noise Cancelling, while the AirPods 4 Pro uses an in-ear design. The ANC mode doesn’t impress me.
The Soundpeats Air 5 delivers impressive sound quality, though not on par with the Air 4 Pro, thanks to its advanced chipset [QCC3091]. It outperforms peers like the JBL Free X, which lacks comparable audio clarity and features.
As for the battery life of the Soundpeats Air 5, it can last up to 6 hours on a single charge with active noise cancellation enabled and about 4 hours with ANC off. Including the charging case, you get up to 30 hours of total playtime.
Second Runner up is the Baseus Bowie E19
Key Features
- Large 12mm Audio Drivers
- 2-Mic Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC)
- Bluetooth 5.0 Connectivity
The Baseus Bowie E19 is a budget-friendly Aliexpress earbud with basic features and excellent sound quality for its price.
With 12 mm drivers, the Baseus Bowie E19 delivers excellent sound for an $11 Aliexpress earbud. At 92 cents per hour of playtime, it offers excellent value for sound-seekers on a budget.
The Baseus Bowie E19 offers up to 6 hours of battery life on a single charge, with fast charging supported via the case. The total playtime with the case can reach up to about 25 hours, depending on usage.
Media playback is solid on the Baseus Bowei E19. I had no issues with calls, watching movies, or YouTube. Callers heard me clearly, which is excellent.
For $15, the Baseus Bowie E19 is an excellent AliExpress buy for budget-conscious and on-the-go users.
Third runner up – The Haylou X1c
Key features
- Audio: 13mm dynamic drivers
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Calling: AI-powered noise cancellation for calls
The Haylou X1c ranks last mainly because it has less battery life than the Baseus Bowie E19, despite similar pricing. Still, it competes in sound and comfort at this price. With 13 mm drivers, the Haylou X1c has a sleek open-ear design for comfort during extended use or sports. It offers essential features for a budget AliExpress earbud.
The battery life of the Haylou X1c falls short of expectations. While Haylou claims 5 hours of playtime per charge, actual use delivers about 2 hours. The included case offers additional charges, but each listening session is relatively short.
Media playback and calls on the Haylou X1c are solid. I experienced no issues with calls or YouTube. Sound and mic quality were strong.
Frequently asked questions
Is AliExpress a good platform to buy earbuds?
Yes, AliExpress is an excellent platform for buying earbuds and other basic electronic devices, as it’s committed to fast delivery and high-quality products.
Can I use these earbuds for sports activities?
All products listed here have been tested and perform well for sports activities, including hiking and cycling.
Can I use this earbud for gaming?
Yes, absolutely all the earbuds tested have active game mode, enabling users to enjoy a top-notch gaming experience at a budget price.
In conclusion
The Soundpeats Air 4 Pro deliver a premium experience and is a cost-effective alternative to more expensive brands such as Anker and Sony.
The Soundpeats Air 5 are more comfortable than the Air 4 Pro and rank lower due to fewer extra features.
The Baseus Bowie E19 is an affordable choice delivering good sound quality for budget-minded users.
The Haylou X1c is an entry-level earbud that stands out for comfort, though its battery life is less than some competitors in the same price range.