These Apple-made earbuds are the best Pixel Buds alternatives

I’ve spent enough time switching between the best Android phones to know that wireless earbuds don’t always behave the same way once you try doing anything beyond basic music listening. Some earbuds will connect instantly and stay that way; others need companion apps, extra permissions, or software workarounds to unlock full functionality. Basically, it’s a toss-up. It’s why the Pixel Buds have usually been my reliable choice, mostly for being the exception to this. They’re made by Google, tuned to perform consistently well with Android, and generally behave as expected. But being the default doesn’t necessarily make them the best.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, odd as it might seem, it’s not rare to find Android users choosing AirPods as their Bluetooth earbuds of choice. Honestly, it’s easy to see why. They’re familiar and sound good enough. The AirPods have built a reputation for consistency and carry a level of brand cachet that alternatives often don’t. They’re a known commodity, a safe option, and that counts for a lot in a market full of competitors that promise the moon. But that doesn’t mean they are an ideal choice for Android users either. AirPods paired to Android phones will stream music just fine, but without Apple’s deeper ecosystem support, they lose much of what makes them special.

That’s what makes the new Beats Powerbeats Fit so compelling. They deliver much of what makes AirPods popular — clear sound, reliable connectivity, excellent active noise cancellation — but without any of the ecosystem lock-in. And as someone who has spent years using Google’s earbuds, I didn’t expect Apple’s side brand to make something that fits so comfortably into my Android-first life.

If you’ve been deciding between the Pixel Buds Pro and AirPods 3, these deserve a serious look. They bring together what both do well while fixing many of the issues both brands have ignored. I’ve been using the Beats Powerbeats Fit for over a month now as my everyday pair of earphones, and they’ve become an easy recommendation for more than a few reasons. Here’s why.

Fit makes or breaks any pair of earbuds, and that’s where the Powerbeats Fit immediately pull ahead for obvious reasons. As fitness-forward earphones, these are designed to stay locked into your ears. The flexible wingtip design might look like it’s aimed at runners, but it turns out to be just as useful for anyone who wants a secure, all-day fit. Those small fins sit comfortably against the ear, creating a natural anchor point that keeps the earbuds steady without pressing too hard. Honestly, they’re barely noticeable after a few seconds.

I’ve worn the Powerbeats Fit through long workdays, cross-country flights, and while running marathons. The added stability makes a big difference outside the gym too. I’ve taken calls while walking through busy streets. I’ve even put them through rain-drenched training sessions without worrying about them slipping, something my previous favorites, the Pixel Buds 2a, absolutely failed at. The fact of the matter is that I can move freely without the constant urge to readjust them every few minutes. The Pixel Buds Pro and Buds 2a are good, but they just don’t inspire that same level of confidence. Moreover, as a chronic insomniac, I need white noise to fall asleep. So as another data point, I even wore the Powerbeats Fit while falling asleep with white noise playing. The earbuds stayed comfortably in my ears throughout the night. In fact, these are the first pair of earphones that haven’t fallen out for me. That’s a big win in my book.

Noise isolation also benefits from that tighter seal. Even before turning on active noise cancellation, much of the outside world fades into the background. Switch on ANC, and the difference is immediate, of course. Between my writing career as a journalist and running my small business, I tend to have long days, and earbuds with a solid focus music playlist occupy a big part of it. I can wear the Powerbeats Fit through long editing sessions or on crowded flights without feeling the kind of ear fatigue that often comes from aggressive ANC. Between the comfort and almost-AirPods 3-grade noise cancellation, I’m astonished at how well these earbuds slot in for everyday use. As I write this, I’ve got an excavator working on a construction site across the street from my study, but the Powerbeats Fit are doing an incredible job of keeping the noise down to a bare minimum. This might sound like me hyping up a basic essential for a pair of earbuds, but it matters in daily life. Moreover, it’s a testament to how few earbuds actually get this right.

Of course, a pair of earbuds is only as good as the sound quality. Beats has come a long way from its early reputation for heavy-handed bass and not much else. Under Apple’s stewardship, the brand has matured, and while I found the older Powerbeats Pro 2 to be a solid step forward, the Powerbeats Fit take it a step further. They, of course, still carry the same fitness-forward, energetic sound signature that made Beats famous, but with a much more refined balance. But if audiophile-oriented tuning is what you’re after, I’d urge you to look elsewhere.

All said, there’s warmth in the sound with a subtle but raised bass response that doesn’t overpower the rest of the mix. The mids sound open and detailed, while the highs are crisp without veering into harshness. While my colleagues at SoundGuys would be much better equipped to give you the lowdown on the audio characteristics of the Powerbeats Fit, let’s just say that it’s a confident, modern tuning that gives every genre some space to breathe.

I’ve used them across everything from podcasts to running playlists, and the tuning never feels off to me, given the context. Drum ’n’ bass hits with that clean, fast-paced precision you’d want for cardio sessions, while something more atmospheric like Tame Impala’s latest release, Dracula, sounds layered and lush. The earbuds handle acoustic tracks with a surprising amount of finesse, too, with vocals that sit front and center without being overly sharp.

That’s a big change coming from the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Buds 2a, which take a more clinical approach. In fact, those earbuds sound clinical to the point of feeling restrained. They’re balanced, yes, but often to the point of being unremarkable. The Powerbeats Fit find a middle ground between accuracy and excitement.

The AirPods 3 are arguably the closest comparison in terms of tuning, but they rely on Apple’s adaptive EQ and spatial audio features to deliver their full sound profile. On Android, spatial audio is available — for example, through Apple Music or compatible apps — but you lose elements like head tracking and the adaptive EQ that automatically adjusts to your ear shape since there is no accompanying app available. The result is that AirPods don’t sound quite as dynamic or consistent outside Apple’s first-party ecosystem.

The Powerbeats Fit, on the other hand, sound the same no matter what you pair them with. The Beats app ensures a consistent software experience across devices, and you don’t lose sound quality or tuning when switching between Android and iOS. That level of parity is rare for Apple-developed hardware and one of the reasons these earbuds feel more universal than the name might suggest.

While I’ve already touched on noise cancellation, the transparency mode deserves a mention too. The AirPods are often praised for how natural their transparency mode feels, and the Powerbeats Fit carry that same strength forward. Ambient sounds come through clearly without that artificial brightness some earbuds introduce and with little to no distortion or coloration.

Finally, earbuds live and die by reliability, and that’s another area where the Powerbeats Fit put on a strong show. They just work. Call quality is consistently good, and so is overall reliability. These are essentials, and a strong connection hasn’t been a major issue with any premium set of earbuds in a while. Still, Apple’s H1 chip proves its mettle, and the Powerbeats are able to retain a strong signal over long distances. Of course, the Apple heritage means that some features like LDAC support are nowhere to be found, but in my experience, AAC is good enough for on-the-go use.

While most of the Powerbeats’ features can be unlocked without needing an app, you’ll want the Beats app to access full functionality. Things like fit tests, button customization, tone controls, and more will need the app. Elsewhere, battery life is solid too, with up to 30 hours of use with the case and seven hours from the buds. Coupled with the IPX4 rating, you’re looking at a competent and complete package.

What I like most about the Powerbeats Fit is that they’re made by Apple, but they don’t act like it. There’s no push toward a single ecosystem, so no missing features if you’re not using an iPhone. They just work across everything, and that’s exactly what most people want.

Android users have often had to choose between two extremes. The Pixel Buds integrate perfectly but sometimes feel unfinished in the details, with occasional connection quirks, call dropouts, and a fit that varies from person to person. AirPods are polished and consistent but limited outside Apple’s world. The Powerbeats Fit bridge that gap between two otherwise segregated worlds.

They combine the refinement and build quality of AirPods with the flexibility and versatility Android users expect. The fit is secure enough for workouts, the sound is more than adequate for everyday listening, and most importantly, the earbuds offer everyday reliability. It’s ironic, really, that Apple’s most Android-friendly earbuds come from its most style-driven sub-brand. But maybe that’s the point. It’s an easy way for Apple to tap into the Android market without diluting its primary moneymaker. All in all, yes, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are still a great choice, and AirPods 3 will remain the go-to option for many. But if you use Android and want something that combines sound quality, comfort, and the kind of reliability that the AirPods are known for, the Powerbeats Fit might be the ones to get.