DISCOVER AIRBUDS

What are AirBuds?

Do you want to enjoy your music while walking around without any device or audio source? It’s possible. Do you want to switch music through your air buds? It’s also possible. Do you want to instruct your device’s voice assistant using your air buds? Definitely, possible.

We’ve come a long way from those wired over-ear headphones or in-ear earbuds to the present wireless airbuds. Airbuds no longer need wires to connect to gadgets. They’re simply Bluetooth-enabled. Innovations in charging cases are now available with 20 - 30 hours of extra batteries for your airbuds. The air buds have become so powerful that we cannot think of any activity that we can live without it. We run with it. We eat with it. We work with it. This is the airbuds generation.

​

Types of Airbuds

​

Airbuds could be connected via different technologies like Bluetooth, Infrared, Radiofrequency, or Kleer. 

Most airbuds available on the market are powered by Bluetooth that could be connected by direct pairing. Its distance could reach as far as 33 feet or 10 meters. The most popular air buds which are the Apple AirPods are Bluetooth-enabled.

Airbuds powered by infrared (IR) transmit signals through infrared waves and offer a more surround sound quality audio. However, IR airbuds can only reach up to 23 feet or 7 meters without obstructions to interfere with the signal. Most IR airbuds are over-ear headphones like the J3 TV920 Listener Rechargeable Wireless Infrared Headphones. 

There are also airbuds powered by radiofrequency (RF) that allow a smooth connection to reach up to 300 feet or 91 meters. Generally, you get better sonic sound quality as well but these types of air buds are mostly used with a TV connection like the Sennheiser RS 175.

Lastly, there’s Kleer or KleerNet technology. Its sound quality is comparable to CD/DVD audio that could reach up to 328 feet or 100 meters in terms of range. Its innovation is that it uses low bandwidth, and low power consumption and it doesn’t budge easily with interference. The Sennheiser RS 180 is one example of this - it’s also an over-ear air bud.

Airbuds Wireless Earbuds vs Airbuds True Wireless Earbuds

​

You may also read on some airbuds true wireless earbuds and simply wireless. They are both connected through Bluetooth, IR, RF, or Kleer connection so they do away with wires that connect to an audio source. The difference between the two is that airbuds wireless earbuds may have a connector between the two buds. They don’t have a connector going through an audio jack. Still, there’s a cable that goes around the neck like sports airbuds that connect both ear pieces, or over the ear like what you usually find in over-ear headphones while airbuds true wireless earbuds really have no cables linking to anything. The true wireless air buds are the ones that usually come with charging cases.

​

The History of the Airbuds

​

Airbuds or air buds have come a long way since its inception way back in 2015. Bragi Dash was the first company that realized our dreams of not having to detangle wires around the airbuds. The Dash is basically the model of its successors in the airbuds industry. It features noise-canceling and touch controls and is powered by a Bluetooth connection. The Dash wasn’t perfect with its features but now the different air buds from other manufacturers have made sure the seamless controls, an enhanced noise-canceling feature, and smoother connectivity.

​

The Best Airbuds to Get Right Now

There are a lot of manufacturers offering different airbuds with extra features you didn’t even imagine. Some are cheap alternatives to AirPods, some may be worn when running or for other sports, and some are even waterproof and can be submerged in water. We’ve rounded up here the most popular and most trusted in the market. Here is our list of the best airbuds:

​

The Apple Airbuds

The Apple AirPods are the most popular airbuds to date. Despite the competition, Apple remains on top when it comes to sales. AirPods are now in their 3rd generation to date. AirPods 1 debuted in December 2016 with its minimalist design, easy pairing with iOS devices, and intuitive touch controls. It also comes with a sleek charging case that gives users up to 24 hours of battery life.

Apple continued to innovate addressing customers’ feedback and released AirPods 2 in 2019. It is powered by an H1 chip that promises a smoother and more stable connection than its predecessor. They also enhanced its battery life and sound quality. Moreover, the 2nd gen AirPods feature Siri activation.

Just 7 months after the release of AirPods 2, they released AirPods Pro. We would say this is the most sought-after airbuds. The first airbuds released by Apple (and only true wireless airbuds) to feature Active Noise Cancellation. It is also the first AirPods to be sweat and water-resistant before AirPods 3.

The AirPods Max is the only over-ear Apple airbuds to date. Yes, it is not truly wireless but it offers high-quality audio and great 20 hours of listening time on a single charge alone. Users say it offers the most comfortable feeling in the ears with pillow-like softness too. It is also best if you want to immerse yourself in some great tunes or movies as it offers great ANC as well.

Lastly, we have the newly-released AirPods 3. The first in the regular AirPods line to offer sweat and water resistance. It has better audio and battery life and has up to 30 hours of  listening time. It may not have ANC but it offers a wind noise minimizer. Like its predecessors, it comes with touch controls or force sensors, a charging case, and Siri activation. 

​

Beats Airbuds

​

Beats airbuds have some similar features to the AirPods (Yes, because it is also Apple-owned). Therefore, pairing is also seamless for Apple devices. It also offers Find My and autio-device switching. For Android users, the Beats app offer settings adjustments and other functions.

The favorite Beats airbuds are the Beats Fit Pro which specializes as a gym buddy or running mate. It’s great for sports because it offers sweat and water resistance, and great active noise cancellation. It also features a wing tip on its air buds to make sure they’re locked on your ears for that intense workout.

​

Samsung Wireless Airbuds

​

The Samsung Wireless Airbuds are praised for the battery life that makes them perfect to bring along anywhere you go. The Galaxy Buds+ contain up to 11 hours of playtime in a single charge. Plus another 11 hours from the charging case. Placing them back in the charging case for 3 minutes gives you more or less an hour of listening time.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds do not have ANC but because of the three sizes of wingtips offered, users can find the perfect seal to have noise isolation that is good enough to do away with the outside noise.

​

*Frequently Asked Questions*

​

How to charge Airbuds

​

Airbuds true wireless earbuds may be charged through their charging case. Simply put them back inside and it begins to charge. Another option is to place the AirPods inside and plug the charging case in through a wired connection to a socket. 

For more details on Apple airbuds’ battery life and charging, click here.

​

How to Pair Airbuds

​

Pairing airbuds isn’t a difficult task. Generally, there would be a button on the charging case that needs to be activated for pairing. Then, make sure the device’s Bluetooth is enabled. In some cases, you would have to go to Settings and connect through Bluetooth devices by finding the name of your airbuds. In other instances, like the air buds or AirPods, there are pop-up windows that direct the user to pair the airbuds in just one tap.

For a more comprehensive discussion on pairing air buds to different devices, read more here. We’ve created a step-by-step guide on how to connect airbuds to iPhone, an Android device, Mac, and Windows desktop

​

How to clean Airbuds

​

To clean air buds, make sure to use a dry lint-free cloth to wipe away dirt and grime around the ear pieces. For the more sensitive parts, like the speaker, use a cotton swab to move in circular motions around the mesh part. For accumulative dirt and grime, you might need to spray some disinfectant or alcohol on the cloth before wiping it on your airpods. For a more extensive guide on cleaning the air buds, click here.