Many fitness enthusiasts would say listening to music is a huge part of what keeps us going on their workout routines. Whether it’s to block out the noise of a crowded gym or to give them that extra burst of motivation, owning a reliable set of earbuds is essential for gym-goers.
While Apple’s AirPods are a popular option amongst fitness fanatics, Amazon shoppers have stumbled on an affordable alternative some claim outperforms the market-leading pods. The Rolosar Sport Earphones – usually priced at £129.99 – are currently available to buy with a mega 85% discount, bringing the price down to £19.99 for a limited time.
This incredible £110 price drop has understandably seen a rush of customers snatching up the bargain, leading to an influx of new reviews on Amazon. From more than 2,300 reviews, the earphones have achieved an impressive 4.4-star rating, with buyers saying they value the array of features packed into this budget-friendly product, reports the Manchester Evening News.
One standout feature setting these earphones apart from AirPods is the specialised silicone loop which fastens the buds securely behind the ear, ensuring they remain steady – a known issue with AirPods that may slip out due to varying ear shapes.
“I used to use AirPods but couldn’t use them for while exercising as they would constantly fall out of my ears,” one reviewer said. “These headphones are much more secure so are perfect for listening to music when in the gym.”
Rolosar’s earphones are also equipped with four levels of noise cancelling, a feature that helps to block out external noise during your workout. This is a feature also found in Apple’s high-end earphones, but it comes with a hefty price tag.
The Amazon earphones also boast an IP7 waterproof rating, meaning they can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. While this doesn’t make them suitable for swimming, it does ensure they can withstand sweat from intense workout sessions.
In contrast, Apple’s AirPods only have an IP54 rating, indicating they’re resistant to sweat and dust, but not submersible. The AirPod Pro 2’s lack any waterproof rating at all, although I’ve encountered no issues with my AirPod Pro’s since I began using them for running in 2020.
Reviewers have praised the sound quality of the Rolosar buds, saying they deliver decent music and podcast audio. One reviewer described the sound as ‘definitely better than my AirPods’, while another claimed they were ‘closest to the Pro AirPods in sound’ after testing several other earphone sets on the market.
However, potential buyers should be aware of a few complaints. The primary issue seems to be the size of the buds and case, which are somewhat larger than more premium options available.
One reviewer said: “For fitting over the ears they are bulky I felt uncomfortable with them.”
Another agreed that the fit may not suit everyone, describing them as ‘uncomfortable to wear for longer than one hour’. If you’d prefer to stick within the Apple ecosystem, the closest rival to these earphones are the AirPod Pro 2‘s, which are currently available for £7 when spreading the cost with Sky Mobile.
Alternatively, soundcore is another well-regarded brand that provides its own version of wireless earbuds. These are priced at £47.99, but can be snagged from Amazon for £31.99 using several available promotional discounts.