I’ve been using JBL Endurance Race 2s for a bit and if you’re open to in ear they do have an audio pass through ‘aware’ mode - very good for the price, when compared to the equivalent Bose.
I prefer Bose in ears for sound quality and noise cancellation, but each generation has problems. The Bose QC 2 Ultras would be my #1 best ever (if money was no object if the touch controls didn’t react to water. I’m a sweaty man and after 3-4 miles the noise cancellation controls start rotating.
Shokz really are the way for true awareness. I just don’t think music sounds good through them… so I do prefer in-ear.
Beats Sport lines are better than AirPod for similar tech (both owned by apple). I’d say my Beats lasted through my sweat the best of any headphones I’ve had over the years.
What devices are you planning to use them with? If you are in the Apple ecosystem it might make sense to go with AirPods or Beats because there are some features they have limited to their hardware.
I have had a pair of AirPod Pro 2s for several years and they do a solid job of noise cancellation. The AirPod 4 ANC do a good job as well but not quite to the same level as the Pros (presumably due to the difference in the seal in your ear being different between the models). I love the option of transparency mode for if I need situational awareness like commuting or at the dog park.
I tried Beats earbuds and liked them, the sport ones stay on well if you have trouble with that and they have similar features but not quite as many as the AirPods with an Apple device pairing. Good options to consider for an alternative that isn’t an extreme price point, they have more types of earbuds in terms of physical form factor.
Can’t really comment on Android, my AirPods work fine with Windows but switching to my Windows work computer is annoying (unlike Apple to other Apple device that is pretty simple/seamless) so I mostly don’t bother and use a separate headset for my work PC.
And yeah notably BIFL is kind of not realistic. iFixit does have info on changing batteries in AirPods but not everyone is willing to go through that effort so ymmv there.
If you can get some Jabras, they're terrific and should come in under $200, sometimes even under $100. The company is pivoting away from earbuds so there are no new models, but I owned 75s and my wife has the Elite 7 and they're both incredible for the prices. I currently have Beats Powerbeats, which are more expensive, but the Jabra sound quality is better.
Same with my wife so she tried the powerbeats(?) that have the loop around the ear. The case is big and it doesn't have as good of audio but it stays in her ear no matter what. And sweat proof.
AirlineKey7900
