‘I ditched my Beats headphones for £14 wireless earbuds from Amazon and the sound was better'

Shopping Writer Meghan says she swapped from her £70 Beats Flex headphones for these £14 wireless earbuds from Amazon and 'couldn't believe how much better the sound was'

Whether you're looking to buy a new set of wireless earphones or are looking for a cheaper alternative that matches (if not beats) the quality of expensive, high-end options, I may have just the ticket.

As someone who has sworn by my Beats Flex headphones for the last 10 years, I was reluctant to consider switching to alternative models. I have smaller inner ears, so Apple Airpods are uncomfortable and don't tend to stay in place. Thanks to my numerous piercings, only specific earbuds feel comfortable for long-wearing. Once I found Beats Flex, I remained loyal to them for years after.

Until I found these £14 wireless earbuds on Amazon, which basically made my £70 headphones redundant, the comfort is unquestionable, they remain in place thanks to their handy ear-hook shape, and the sound is unquestionably as good as more expensive alternatives. If I'm being honest, it's actually better.

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From Tukio via Amazon, these wireless earbuds are ideal for casual wear, sleeping, working, and long dog walks. Originally, I bought a similar pair during Prime Day sales, and when they didn't fit properly, I discovered these. More affordable than my Beats Flex are to replace, these earphones were originally supposed to be a cheap backup pair that I wouldn't mind losing or damaging, but I couldn't believe how good they were when I put them to the test.

If you prefer your music on the louder side, these are for you. I quickly noticed the sound was louder and more crisp than my Beats Flex. Designed to be suitable for wearing during sports and activities, these earphones support high-fidelity audio, perfectly reproducing real, three-dimensional sound effects, which makes music and calls louder and clearer.

And did I mention they have ENC noise reduction technology? These have been a game-changer for long trips on public transport or use in busy areas, as they effectively reduce ambient noise, ensuring immersive listening to music and smooth calls. As someone who listens to many audiobooks and podcasts, I find this noticeable difference in my listening experience, as you don't have that awkward and irritating background noise of other people talking that disrupts what I'm listening to. Plus, there've been several occasions where I've used these while asleep, and not only are they comfortable to sleep in (even with piercings), but they help cut out noises in the building and outside.

These wireless earbuds have a charging case with a built-in large-capacity battery, providing an ultra-long play time of up to 80 hours. The charging case can be plugged in with a USB-C cable and charges remarkably quickly, which is perfect if you're on the go or short on time. They also have an LED display that intuitively and accurately displays the remaining charge the case has and the battery status of the headphones, which is super convenient as you can always be sure what battery you have remaining.

The Bluetooth earphones boast an ergonomic design equipped with soft silicone ear hooks, which create a stable and comfortable fit regardless of your ear size and are unobstructed by piercings. This comfortable and secure fit enables me to wear them for a long period of time without any discount. A feature I haven't put to the test beyond the recent bad weather is that these earphones also have a waterproof function, which can resist sweat, rain, etc., in daily use, increasing the durability of the headphones and making them ideal for use through workouts or activities as well.

Compatible with smartphones, these earphones also feature intelligent touch control functions on either earphone, which uses multi-functional touch to easily pause, play and control music playback, and call answering or trigger Siri/Alexa. This is a super convenient control system that I've found easier to navigate than alternative models - plus, the earphones make relevant beeps to the controls, so you can easily hear when you have paused, skipped or answered the phone rather than just mindlessly tapping, in the hopes it will work.

I still have my Beats Flex, and I recommend them for their handy neckstrap, simplistic control system, and incredible sound. However, their price tag can be enough to put people off. Right now, you can grab a pair from Amazon or Very for the reduced price of £58, rather than their full price of £70.

But if you've been eager to get your hands on completely wireless earphones but haven't wanted to splurge on big brand names like Apple or Samsung's own models, look no further than this pair from Amazon - which won't break the bank at £13.99.

If you'd prefer a similar design without the over-ear strap, Debenhams offers an alternative with these Daewoo Bluetooth 'Air Buds' True Wireless Earphones for £17.99.