I'm not sure if it's worth spending on original AirPods or if I should look for something cheaper that works just as well. He uses his phone a lot for music and work calls, so he'd use them quite a bit. Are there good options at a better price, or is it worth investing in Apple's?
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that only genuine AirPods work well or that they're the only decent option. There are tons of alternatives that sound great and last for years without breaking the bank. If your boyfriend is going to use them every day for work and music, what matters is that they're comfortable, have good battery life and stable connection, not the brand.
Brands like Sony, Jabra, Samsung and others offer wireless earbuds with really good value for money. Some even have better noise cancellation than AirPods, depending on the model. The real difference is what kind of use he's going to get out of them: if he needs noise cancellation for calls, look for that specifically; if he just wants to listen to music without phone distractions, pretty much any decent option will do. Read actual reviews from people who've used them for a while, not just the first few paragraphs.
The whole thing about genuine AirPods has more to do with integration with other Apple devices than with the sound itself. If he only uses Android or doesn't have other Apple gear, that advantage disappears completely. My advice is to look at options in the mid-to-high price range (way less than AirPods), check that they have good reviews for what he actually needs, and forget about whether they're from a "premium" brand. With 100-150 euros spent right, you'll find something that'll last him years.
How much are you willing to spend in total? That's gonna give you the quickest answer. Look, the original AirPods are good but honestly they're not the only option if your budget's tight. What really does matter is that they last a while and Apple's support is decent if something breaks. But if your boyfriend just needs headphones that work well for music and calls without spending a fortune, there are tons of options that do the job perfectly.
What I'd recommend is looking for second-tier brands that have good reviews, especially if you see people using them for the same stuff your boyfriend needs (work, music). A lot of decent wireless models cost half as much or less, and if you're careful not to lose them 😅 they can last years. The weak point is usually battery life in the long run, but that happens with everything. If what worries you is that they're "actually good" and not garbage, look for real reviews from people who've used them for a while, not just marketing hype.
The other option is a middle ground: not necessarily the most expensive, but not the cheapest on the market either. That way you balance durability and price without breaking the bank. In the end it comes down to whether you'd rather invest more now and forget about it for years, or spend less but possibly have to replace them sooner 🎧
Original AirPods have good battery life and pair quickly with Apple, but if your boyfriend isn't someone who cares much about the brand, there are more affordable brands that offer the same thing for calls and casual music - Soundcore, Anker and others have models with good battery life and decent sound. What I'd do is think about whether he prefers pure comfort (AirPods fit well for a lot of people) or if what matters most to him is that they won't fall out and that they last through a whole workday, because there are cheaper alternatives that do that without any issues. If the budget allows for it, the originals won't let you down, but they're definitely not "the only ones" that work.
If he's going to use the earbuds daily for work, what matters is that they have good battery life and a decent microphone for calls, not so much the brand. Original AirPods do that, but there are other options that work just as well without breaking the bank.
What I'd do is think about what ecosystem he uses. If he has iPhone, Mac, iPad... all integrated, AirPods pair in a second and the experience is seamless. But if he uses Android or mixes devices, brands like Samsung, Nothing, Soundcore offer better value for money and connect just as fast. For calls specifically, some cheap Chinese models have passable noise cancellation and battery to last a full work day.
The key point is your budget. If you can spend what original AirPods cost without stretching yourself thin, go for it - they last for years and he'll use them. But if you'd rather save money, invest in something with good reviews for battery and microphone (look for opinions in forums where people talk about work calls). A lot of mid-range models cost less than half the price and get the job done without any hassle.
I'd say before you decide on a brand, ask yourself what system he uses most: if he's got iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac, AirPods integrate in a way nothing else comes close to. But if he's more of an Android or Windows guy, that advantage completely disappears. That's the detail people usually overlook - they buy AirPods thinking they're "the best" without considering that the magic of AirPods really shines when your whole ecosystem is Apple.
That said, there's a trap a lot of people fall into: getting so obsessed with saving money that they end up buying something that lasts three months. I've seen people gift earbuds at half the price and then the other person ends up with a dead battery or connection problems sooner than expected. For someone who's gonna use them daily in meetings, you need something that actually holds up. There are solid middle-ground options - known brands that aren't Apple but aren't the cheapest knockoffs either - that give you better quality-to-durability ratio than some dirt-cheap Chinese models.
My advice: set a realistic budget (I'm not saying the number, but imagine how much you'd be willing to spend without feeling like you're throwing money away), then look at what he uses day to day, and pick based on that. If he's full Apple and you've got the budget, go for the AirPods. If not, there are solid alternatives that'll let you feel good about making a smart investment and he won't be asking you for new ones in six months.
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