Some Bluetooth alternatives to Apple's AirPods

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The good news is that Bluetooth headphones have been around for awhile, not all of them are completely wireless like the AirPods but that doesn't mean they don't sound good or offer longer battery life. Here are some recommendations I've used.

Apple's AirPod wireless Bluetooth headsets are basically the next generation of wearables (or earables, if you prefer). They don't only manage wireless dual-earbud connectivity, they're tuned for easy access to Siri and they also bake in some 'Apple Magic,' in that they're easy to pair, know when they're being worn and can charge in their tiny case.

That said, AirPods aren't coming to stores or online until sometime next month and if the fit and look of Apple's aesthetic doesn't suit you, then what are you going to do?

The good news is that Bluetooth headphones have been around for awhile, not all of them are completely wireless like the AirPods but that doesn't mean they don't sound good or offer longer battery life. Here are some recommendations I've used.

Jabra Sport Coach Wireless

I've had these Jabra Sport Coach headphones for a year now and they're simply hard to beat in terms of fit, sound quality and connectivity. Designed for sports and I have used them extensively in the gym, on runs around the city and even for travel.

These headphones have taken a beating and look and feel good as new. Jabra backs them with a three year warranty against failure from perspiration (gross, but I guess it happens). These headphones are sweat and weather proof, built toward US military standard for rain, shock, sand and dust protection (IP55 Rated).

While I use these as headphones for music and podcasts, the Jabra Sport Coach actually offers a cross training app and features a voice coach that pipes instructions  for over 50 exercises through the headphones.

It's quite a clever take on wearables and fitness tracking. If you combine your cross training with running, the integrated TrackFit motion sensor will measure distance, pace, steps, cadence and calories burned.

This unique motion sensor captures detailed activity and performance data for the Jabra Sport Life App, helping you train at the right intensity.

These are my go-to wireless iPhone 7 headphones because they fit great and sound amazing. I have yet to explore everything they offer in terms of fitness and motion tracking which might satisfy more hardcore fitness buffs. Battery life is good for around 5 hours without the motion tracking feature.

Plantronics BackBeat Fit

Favoured among hardcore runners and athletes, the Plantronics BackBeat Fit are the toughest Bluetooth headsets out there with IP57 rating for its waterproof design and sweat-resistant nanocoating.

The 8-hour battery on these headphones is best in class and the audio quality and range are superb. The BackBeat fit also has a 15 minute quick charge feature places these in a class of their own.

Motorola Moto Buds

While I am not a big fan of this type of design, the Moto Buds do stay on and they sound quite good. The Moto Buds are outstanding for conversations and for taking calls, they're very good for music playback and get the job done in the gym, when commuting or going out and about. They also seem to have the best Bluetooth range of any headphones I've tried which is great if you want to park your iPhone somewhere and move around (say, in a gym).

The convenient physical control buttons give you easy access and full control over your music and calls. Additionally, the lightweight, contoured design offers snug-fitting comfort, letting you wear for hours without fatigue.

These are a bit hard to find now, but the Moto Buds offer great comfort, sound and range that works well with the iPhone 7.

JayBird Freedom

Currently the state of the art in wireless Bluetooth headphones, the JayBird Freedom mixes high-tech features, cutting-edge design and materials and a flair for fashion. They're very Apple-like in that respect.

The JayBird Freedom buds temporarily replaced my Jabras (until one of the earpieces got lost) and I liked that they were lightweight yet made of metal and that they had an external secondary battery for charging. The length of the wire between the two buds is a bit too short for me and not ideal in many gym situations but in terms of sound (the loudest) and companion app (most comprehensive sound profiles), I really liked what the JayBird Freedom has to offer, plus it looks amazing.

Moto Hint

This is the first real foray into earables from Motorola and a historical predecessor to AirBuds. Hint knows when it is in your ear and it also takes Siri-like voice commands plus it also has a charging case and an impressive range for such a tiny device. The Moto Hint is only for one ear and Moto no longer makes it, but it was a pretty good starting point for where technology was headed next.

These are some alternatives that can be used on the new iPhone 7 and other Bluetooth enabled smartphones.