Lend Me Your Earphones

April 6, 2015 9:04 AM

Are there relatively inexpensive in-ear earphones with roughly the same form factor as Apple's EarPods?

I really love the EarPods, but at $30 they're pricey, which sucks when they inevitably break or I lose them. Are there similarly shaped in-ear earphones on market? Specifically, I'm looking for a solid in-ear headphone piece (e.g. no silicone tips) with roughly the same sound quality that cost maybe $20 at most.

posted by a manly man person who is male and masculine to Technology (9 answers total)

Samsung may be making a copy for the S6, but they would probably cost about the same. You could check eBay for people who have only one pair to sell, i.e., are getting rid of an extra set that came with a new device. Those with multiple cheap "Apple" earpods are likely selling counterfeits.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:32 AM on April 6, 2015

Overstock has them for $20.
posted by O9scar at 9:43 AM on April 6, 2015

I have been meaning to try the Amazon Fire headphones after reading this review. They might be for you.
posted by caddis at 10:43 AM on April 6, 2015

Amazon has them for $15.00 they are by far the best and most comfortable earbuds in that price range.
posted by jmsta at 10:48 AM on April 6, 2015

* There is a chance that they are fakes. If they are then they are really good fakes because I couldn't tell the difference.
posted by jmsta at 10:51 AM on April 6, 2015

See this previously: the remote on the Fire headphones doesn't work with iOS devices.
posted by holgate at 12:32 PM on April 6, 2015 [1 favorite]

Seconding the Amazon Fire headphones. Sound quality and build quality equal to the Apple ones, but they include a volume control that works on my Samsung S4 (unlike Apple) and are reasonably priced. Best of all, they have a fairly effective tangle-free fancy magnet mechanism. They are by far my favorite earbuds. (I can't stand ones that create a seal around your ear with rubber gaskets.)
posted by graytona at 12:57 PM on April 6, 2015

Monoprice!
posted by blue_beetle at 10:22 PM on April 6, 2015

Another vote for Amazon's earbuds but only if this is to be used on an Android device (unless you don't care about the remote and microphone not working right). The sound quality on them is quite good for the price, and the cord and magnet really do prevent tangles and rat's nests.

Otherwise, I wouldn't risk trying to buy Apple earbuds at a discount. I learned my lesson the hard way by buying counterfeited crap once.
posted by Old Man McKay at 7:27 AM on April 7, 2015