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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget and need wired earbuds with a solid all-around performance for calls, music, and video on the go, the Apple Earpods are a noteworthy option. They're lightweight and portable, but lack noise isolation and aren't suited for exercise or noisy environments. On the other hand, if you're willing to invest more for wireless convenience, superior audio quality with LDAC codec support, and active noise cancelling, the Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 would be a better choice. These are especially beneficial for travel, have better battery life, and are sweatproof, making them exercise-friendly as well. However, they're bulkier to carry compared to the Apple Earpods. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Earpods
- The Apple Earpods has no clear advantages over the Audio Technica ATH-TWX7.
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH-TWX7
- Excellent for phone calls
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
8.0
9.1
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 is excellent for phone calls, while the Apple Earpods is very good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4
9.1
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Earpods is good.
TV and Video
7.4
8.2
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Earpods is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 is very good for noise reduction, while the Apple Earpods is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Apple Earpods does not have a battery. The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$199
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 and the Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 costs $199.
Build Quality
7.6
8.5
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 has very good build quality, while the Apple Earpods has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.8
7.3
The Apple Earpods and Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 are both good for music.
Gaming
8.3
8.7
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 and Apple Earpods are both very good for gaming.
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How the Apple Earpods and the Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Earpods | Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $199 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Audio Technica | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2012 | January 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 4.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Earpods
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Michael Andronico | May 2023
"Apple’s wired buds sound just fine for the price, and their handy inline controls and clear microphone give them an edge on wireless earbuds that are much more expensive. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of battery — or worse, a stray earbud going missing."
Audio Technica ATH-TWX7
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Dig into reviews and images
Engadget
Billy Steele | January 2024
"There’s plenty to like about the ATH-TWX7. A robust set of features brings a lot of convenience to your day. But a few of those tools could still use some fine-tuning and the lack of automatic pausing in 2024 is a head scratcher. Still, the audio is mostly good, and transparency mode is better than most. Add in the solid call quality and the in-app voice test and the ATH-TWX7 are a worthy consideration, especially at this price. Too bad it falls short of being a more complete package some of the competition offers for a slightly larger investment."
Get a great deal on the Apple Earpods or the Audio Technica ATH-TWX7
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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