Can we talk AirPods? Apple’s wire-free earbuds sure are popular, despite their $159 price tag. And I’ll admit I’ve wanted a pair, because they seem pretty ideal for walking, running, the gym and so on.
But then I remember there are pretty damn good AirPod alternatives for as little as $35. (Those are sold out, alas, but stay tuned — more are coming.) You should remember that as well when I tell you that, for a limited time and while supplies last, Best Buy has the certified-refurbished Apple AirPods for $122.99.
Here’s where the AirPods might be worth that extra dough. They insta-pair with your phone the moment you take them out of their charging case. They play for up to five hours before needing to return to that case. And they should suffer fewer audio dropouts while outdoors than other Bluetooth ‘buds. (Read CNET’s AirPods review to learn more.)
I’m also a big fan of the fit of my wired EarPods — the headphones that come with the iPhone in the box — so it stands to reason I’d like these as well. When I’m running, I don’t want a tight earbud seal that blocks all ambient noise (and makes my footfalls sound like sledgehammers).
But, man, they still look pretty dorky, at least to me. And $124 is still awfully steep, especially in light of the shorter warranty (90 days) and aforementioned $35 alternatives. And maybe new AirPods are imminent? (Apple’s next product event is Oct. 30.) Decisions, decisions.
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