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These $35 AirPods clones SOUND better than Apple's

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips1.4M viewsFeb 14, 202213:28
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Visit squarespace.com and use offer code LTT for 10% off Use code LINUS and get 25% off GlassWire at lmg.gg Knock-off electronics have a well-deserved reputation for being a complete waste of money, but some fans claim that these fake AirPods are as good as the real ones but at a fraction of the price. Could these no-name Chinese replicas possibly take on Apple? We test with some friends from around the office to find out. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Buy OnePlus Buds Z Amazon: geni.us Buy Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Amazon: geni.us Buy JLAB Go Air Pop True Wireless Amazon: geni.us Best Buy: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 0:58 The FakePods 1:29 Build Quality feat. Horst 2:53 Listening Tests Intro 3:35 Airpods Pro vs Fakes 5:27 Airpods 2 vs Fakes 7:07 Airpods 3 vs Fakes 9:07 Features and Quality of Life 11:03 Don't Buy These

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The video opens with a playful setup that immediately highlights a common skepticism around cheap AirPods clones. The host and team tease the absurd price gaps between genuine AirPods models and the knockoffs, then pivot to a hands-on unboxing and inspection phase. They emphasize that the boxes and logos can be convincing enough to mislead casual buyers, but stress that the real test lies in sound quality and practical use. The crew, including their Apple expert Horst, examines build quality, fit, and visual details to separate genuine products from convincing fakes, noting giveaways like print quality, light indicators, and case behavior. This groundwork leads into a structured listening test where volunteers from the office blind-test multiple clones against real AirPods, rating perceived sound quality and confidence on a five-point scale. The results show a surprising twist: in some cases the $35 knockoffs deliver fuller bass and similar tuning to the real AirPods, while others exhibit static, connectivity quirks, or poor case charging, culminating in a cautious verdict that while some clones may sound decent, they are not a reliable substitute overall. The conclusion explores broader themes about consumer behavior, fashion, and the Apple ecosystem, arguing that price cannot compensate for potential reliability and ethical concerns in the supply chain, while still acknowledging the cultural pull of AirPods as a status symbol. The video closes with practical buying advice and a reminder that spending on well-supported budget alternatives is often a wiser choice than chasing imitation tech, reinforced by a sponsor segment on Squarespace and a teaser for upcoming testing videos.

Topics · technology · consumer_electronics · product_review · comparison

Questions answered

Do the knockoff AirPods actually outperform real AirPods in any category, according to the video?
In some cases, certain knockoffs deliver stronger bass and comparable tuning, but none of the tested clones consistently match all features or reliability of real AirPods.
What is the main takeaway regarding buying knockoff AirPods?
The video advises against purchasing knockoffs due to reliability issues, potential charging and firmware problems, and ethical concerns, recommending instead budget true wireless headphones with solid support.