‘I snapped up £13 AirPod alternatives from Amazon and they’re perfect for holidays’

They’re cheap and cheerful and I wouldn’t be without them now

I used to be one of those people who couldn’t go anywhere without my AirPods – the sleek case, the instant connection, the subtle flex of popping them in as I wandered round Sainsburys. But after losing my second pair in just over a year, I couldn’t face the thought of having to pay £140 for yet another pair.

Having previously purchased some Amazon “cheapies” for my kids, I decided if I can’t be trusted with expensive ones anymore, I’ll have to do the same. I went on Amazon, found some that looked the same sort of style from a brand I’ve never hear of and snapped them up then and there.

At £12.99 they came with no fancy packaging and a pretty basic looking spec, so I wasn’t expecting too much from them. But months later, I’m still using them – and I’m not missing my AirPods at all.

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The YHFvesv Wireless Earbuds feature upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 technology that offers a surprisingly fast and stable connection. They were easy enough to pair with my phone first time and they reconnect after charging.

The battery life is pretty sound too. I can get about 6 (ish) hours out of them, but I do tend to find the case needs to be charged more often than my Apple AirPod case ever did.

I’m not really one for technical specs, but according to Amazon these earbuds have “dynamic drivers deliver rich sound with deep bass, while ENC noise reduction and four built-in microphones provide clear calls by filtering out background noise.”

They do sound good – a decent amount of bass when listening to music and crisp, sharp sound when I’m enjoying a podcast or watching an app. They also feature smart touch controls for music, calls and volume which can be activated with a single tap on either ear.

Luckily – and surprisingly given my ability to break and lose things – I haven’t had to see how well they handle water yet. But according to Amazon they have an IPX8 waterproof rating to protect against rain and sweat.

So they look good, sound great and cost me just £12.99. I could lose and replace ten pairs of them and still be quids in. I will definitely be taking a least one pair on holiday with me this year. I even purchased a little case with a clip on it in an attempt to keep them close at hand.

Of course, these aren’t the only alternatives to pricey earbuds. There are plenty to choose from for under £20.

Amazon has lots of other similarly priced options, including the soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds. Usually £29.99, they are currently reduced to £16.99 – offering big bass sounds and more than 60,000 customer reviews.

Over at Argos, the Belkin SoundForm Rhythm True Wireless In-Ear Earbuds have 20% – taking the price down to £19.99. Popular with buyers on a budget, shoppers have called them “a good pair of earbuds” with “great sound.”

For shoppers who are happy to spend a little more, the JLab GO Air Pop In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds are £24.99. Available in a range of trendy colours, these little beauties have garnered more an 3000 reviews on the website.

Alternatively, Very has £15 off the JBuds Mini True Wireless Earbuds. Offering big bass in a tiny package, buyers have called them “good quality” and “value for money”. They are currently reduced from £39 to £24.

Customers who have already snapped up the YHFvesv Wireless Earbuds seemed just as impressed with them as I am. One buyer said: “Amazing pair of airpods! Worth the money very light, look like Apple airpods and the sound quality is really good, they also sit comfortably in your ear. Battery also lasts ages without needing charge. Not too big in size and instant pairing. Such a good buy!”

Another added: “These earbuds are a game-changer! From the moment I put them in, I was blown away by the crystal-clear audio and rich, deep bass. They fit incredibly well, staying secure even during my most intense workouts, and are so comfortable I often forget I’m wearing them.”

A third was just as impressed, saying: “Easy to connect to phone and looks just like Apple Airpods! They fit nicely in the ears and the size is perfect for on the go travel. They have good battery life. Amazing for the price!”

With 90% of all reviews on Amazon giving a five-star rating, not many buyers had anything negative to say. One did raise some concerns however, saying: “Battery life is short in comparison to others I have owned. Sound quality and volume are good. Charging case also doesn’t hold as much charge as previous ones I’ve owned.”

Another glowing review summed it up, saying: “I cannot believe the quality & sound for the price, absolutely brilliant. They look similar to a £200+ pair of Airpods, without the hefty price tag. I will definitely recommend to friends & will purchase as gifts.”