By Erin Bashford
Copyright tomsguide
Skip to main content
Tom’s Guide
Newsletters
View Profile
Search Tom’s Guide
You May Like
I tried a pair of $99 earbuds and they sound almost identical to my AirPods — I’m blown away
Forget the AirPods Pro 2, these are the best audiophile earbuds under $200
I’m about to ditch my AirPods Pro 2 for these budget audiophile earbuds — there’s just one thing holding me back
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Over-Ear Headphones
Bluetooth Speakers
Entertainment
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
Playstation
Gaming Peripherals
Connections
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
Operating Systems
Malware & Adware
Smart Glasses
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
Home Brands
Popular Brands
View Phones
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
View Network Carriers
Android Phones
View Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
View Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Headphones
View Headphones
Over-Ear Headphones
View Speakers
Bluetooth Speakers
Entertainment
View Entertainment
View Streaming
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
View Gaming
Playstation
Gaming Peripherals
Word Games
Connections
View Computing
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
View Hardware
View Software
Operating Systems
View Security
Malware & Adware
View VR & AR
Smart Glasses
View Laptops
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
View Desktops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
View Tablets
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
AI Engines
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
View Wellness
Mattresses
View Mattresses
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
View Fitness
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
View Outdoors
Home Brands
Popular Brands
Exclusive Apple Interview
iPhone 17 Pro
Wordle Today
Best laptops
Best Mattress
Don’t miss these
I tried a pair of $99 earbuds and they sound almost identical to my AirPods — I’m blown away
Forget the AirPods Pro 2, these are the best audiophile earbuds under $200
I’m about to ditch my AirPods Pro 2 for these budget audiophile earbuds — there’s just one thing holding me back
AirPods Pro 3 — what Apple has to do to impress me
I’m more excited by the Google Pixel Buds 2a than I expected — here’s why
These budget ANC earbuds made me give up AirPods for good — and right now they’re on sale at Amazon
There’s only one thing I want from the AirPods Pro 3 — and it’s not a heart rate monitor
Forget AirPods Pro — these are my favorite wireless earbuds with even better sound for every budget
I’m buying a pair of AirPods Pro 3 on day one — and it’s got nothing to do with the heart rate monitor or live translation
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 — 5 biggest rumored differences
AirPods Pro 3 — 5 things I want to see from Apple’s new earbuds
I usually give budget earbuds a tough time, but not this $29 pair — here’s why I won’t stop until everyone owns them
AirPods Pro 3 — 5 biggest upgrades I really want to see
Forget the AirPods Max 2 — I’m more excited about the Nothing Headphone (1)
I test audio gear for a living — here’s my 5 favorite wireless earbuds under $100 with great sound
I’m only excited about one pair of upcoming earbuds, and it’s not the AirPods Pro 3
Erin Bashford
16 September 2025
I know, I’m shocked too
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Erin Bashford)
For most people, the AirPods Pro 3 are the most exciting upcoming earbuds. Right? Well, not for me. I’ve got a pair of AirPods Pro 2 that I’m going to use until they break, but that’s not the main reason why I couldn’t care less about AirPods Pro 3.
The earbuds I am the most excited about? The EarFun Air Pro 4+. I tried out these $99 earbuds at IFA 2025 in Berlin, and oh my gosh. I’ve been gushing about the Air Pro 4+ since I tried them out. I want to get a pair just so I can prove to all the naysayers: yes, $99 earbuds can be as good as AirPods, and the Air Pro 4+ are the proof.
EarFun has made a lot of misses (its headphones aren’t my favorite cans, and that’s putting in nicely), but it always brings it back with some of the best earbuds on the market. The upcoming EarFun Air Pro 4+ are no different, and here’s why.
You may like
I tried a pair of $99 earbuds and they sound almost identical to my AirPods — I’m blown away
Forget the AirPods Pro 2, these are the best audiophile earbuds under $200
I’m about to ditch my AirPods Pro 2 for these budget audiophile earbuds — there’s just one thing holding me back
Dual drivers for sound that packs a punch
(Image credit: Erin Bashford)
The EarFun Air Pro 4+ are stuffed with two drivers. This results in a clearer, richer sound with balanced bass, mids, and treble. I tested the Air Pro 4+ out for about 20 minutes and I can attest to the high sound quality.
The Air Pro 4+ have both a dynamic driver (the driver you’d expect to find in most earbuds) and a balanced armature driver. These drivers work in tandem to create expansive, wide and deep sound. I listened to ‘Let it Happen’ by Tame Impala during my testing period, and the bass was rich and rumbling without overpowering the featherlight synth riff.
Perhaps one of the most interesting design features is the Air Pro 4+’s acoustic architecture. This refers to the placement of the drivers and the sound wave direction. EarFun says the Air Pro 4+ have “side-fitted” acoustic architecture, which will direct airflow to and from both the drivers, and then into your ear canal.
All earbuds have airflow technology, but the only other earbuds I’ve seen with specifically parallel drivers are the Beats Solo Buds, which bodes well for the Air Pro 4+.
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Hi-res codecs like aptX and LDAC for $99 is crazy
(Image credit: Erin Bashford)
Considering the EarFun Air Pro 4+ will be just $99/£89, the inclusion of hi-res Bluetooth codecs like aptX and LDAC is really impressive. While it’s becoming more and more common for budget earbuds to have LDAC and aptX, this doesn’t really mean anything unless the earbuds’ hardware can keep up.
I’ve tested audio products with LDAC that just couldn’t replicate that hi-res sound, like the Baseus Bowie 30 Max. However, you’ll be pleased to know that the Air Pro 4+’s predecessor, the EarFun Air Pro 4 ($99), have LDAC and we awarded them a nice 4.5-star rating in our review.
Thankfully, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ sounded fantastic during my testing period. I compared them directly to my AirPods Pro 2 and could barely tell the difference.
You may like
I tried a pair of $99 earbuds and they sound almost identical to my AirPods — I’m blown away
Forget the AirPods Pro 2, these are the best audiophile earbuds under $200
I’m about to ditch my AirPods Pro 2 for these budget audiophile earbuds — there’s just one thing holding me back
Obviously your phone will need to be LDAC and aptX-compatible (sorry, iPhone users. Blame Apple), but if you’ve got the capacity, then these earbuds will sound even better. Heck, during my testing on my iPhone 16 Pro without any hi-res codecs, they sounded awesome.
As always, I listened on Qobuz, which has hi-res streaming up to 24-bit 192kHz, and I was blown away by the instrument separation and expansive soundscape.
Waiting on the Air Pro 4+
(Image credit: Erin Bashford)
Unfortunately, as of right now, there’s no concrete release date for the EarFun Air Pro 4+. I know, I’m heartbroken. I’ll await their release with bated breath.
If you can’t wait, I’d recommend checking out the aforementioned EarFun Air Pro 4. We reviewed these awesome earbuds last year and awarded them a near-perfect 4.5-star rating. They share a lot of the same features as the Air Pro 4+: LDAC, aptX, excellent sound for very little money, and are app compatible.
And the best part? As the new Air Pro 4+ will be coming out soon, the Air Pro 4 have been discounted to just $62 at time of writing. That’s an unbelievable price for these earbuds — my colleagues have literally ditched their Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and AirPods Pro 2 for the Air Pro 4.
EarFun Air Pro 4: was $79 now $62 at Amazon
Although the MSRP was $99 when these earbuds released last year, the price has been permanently slashed to just $79. Right now you can grab them for just $62, and if you can’t wait for the Air Pro 4+, then these earbuds are the next best. At this price, heck, you could even buy multiple!
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More from Tom’s Guide
Bose Smart Soundbar vs Polk Audio Signa S4: Which mid-range soundbar is for you?
Don’t fall for the Spotify lossless hype — here’s the streaming service you should use instead and why
I love my AirPods Pro 2 but I won’t be buying the AirPods Pro 3 — here’s why
Erin Bashford
Social Links Navigation
Staff Writer, Reviews
Erin Bashford is a staff writer at Tom’s Guide, covering reviews. She has a Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from the University of East Anglia. As an ex-barista and avid home cook, she’s got a soft spot for coffee and home tech; as a proud music nerd, she’s always on the hunt for the best headphones, speakers, and earbuds. In her spare time you can find her reading, practising yoga, writing, or stressing over today’s NYT Games.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
I tried a pair of $99 earbuds and they sound almost identical to my AirPods — I’m blown away
Forget the AirPods Pro 2, these are the best audiophile earbuds under $200
I’m about to ditch my AirPods Pro 2 for these budget audiophile earbuds — there’s just one thing holding me back
AirPods Pro 3 — what Apple has to do to impress me
I’m more excited by the Google Pixel Buds 2a than I expected — here’s why
These budget ANC earbuds made me give up AirPods for good — and right now they’re on sale at Amazon
Latest in Earbuds
Here’s your first look at the Nothing Ear 3 earbuds launching next week
I hated running with a fiery passion — until I tried these workout earbuds
Beats reportedly set to expand Powerbeats line with more affordable Fit earbuds coming later this fall
I wasn’t expecting much when I tested these inconspicuous H2O Audio workout earbuds — but they hooked me instantly
If Back to the Future Part II had earbuds, this would be them — but the sound profile got left in 1985
I tried a pair of $99 earbuds and they sound almost identical to my AirPods — I’m blown away
Latest in Opinion
I’m only excited about one pair of upcoming earbuds, and it’s not the AirPods Pro 3
I just found the perfect co-op game for new players — and it’s one of the best Lego titles ever
Want to get the most out of Spotify Lossless? Grab one of these headphones
I almost got hit with a phishing attack and a malicious app last week — here’s how I knew not to click
I use ChatGPT every day — but this one flaw still drives me crazy (and I can’t be the only one)
I ditched my TV for this portable projector with a massive 150-inch picture for a week — here’s how it went
LATEST ARTICLES
Hummingbirds love this one plant, and it blooms in fall and winter
Apple just delayed iOS 26’s mobile passports feature — what you need to know
I reviewed the Apple Watch Series 11 for a week and this is the feature that blew me away
I reviewed the Apple Watch SE 3 and it’s easily the best smartwatch value around right now
Apple Watch Ultra 3 review: The ultimate smartwatch just got better
Tom’s Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future’s experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Accessibility Statement
Advertise with us
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
