The latest Apple AirPods Pro 3 might be among the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market, but let’s be honest, a $250 price tag is a significant investment for many. Instead of splurging on Apple’s newest offering, I decided to explore a much more budget-friendly alternative. During a recent sale, I picked up a pair of Baseus Bass BP1 Pro earbuds for around $20. While I expected basic performance, I was thoroughly impressed. They don’t quite match the $250 quality of the AirPods Pro 3, but their sound is far better than anything you’d anticipate from earbuds in this price range.
Introducing the Baseus BP1 Pro Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds
Now, let’s be clear: the AirPods Pro are excellent. My wife still happily uses her first-generation Lightning model. And, as expected, they generally outperform the Baseus BP1 Pro in terms of overall sound quality, noise-canceling effectiveness, and their seamless integration with her iPhone. However, the BP1 Pro isn’t lagging that far behind. It certainly doesn’t feel like it’s 12 times worse, despite the vast price difference.
Much like the AirPods Pro, these are truly wireless earbuds featuring built-in active noise cancellation. Their design aims for a snug fit that passively seals off your ear, and with five different eartip sizes included, finding a comfortable and effective seal is straightforward. In my opinion, this in-ear design alone makes them a superior choice to the non-Pro version of the AirPods 3, which lacks any passive seal. The sound quality is remarkably good, and living up to their name, they deliver a decent simulation of real bass.
While the noise cancellation on the BP1 Pro works, don’t anticipate top-tier performance on par with high-end over-ear headphones. For instance, while ambient sounds were noticeably muffled, I could still comfortably hold a conversation with ANC activated. To be fair, my experience with the AirPods Pro is quite similar; truly effective noise cancellation, the kind that creates a quiet sanctuary, usually requires a good pair of over-ear headphones. For those moments when you do want to remain aware of your surroundings, the BP1 Pro also offers a convenient transparency mode.
As a newer release, the Baseus BP1 Pro comes equipped with the latest Bluetooth 6.0 protocol. For users outside the Apple ecosystem, a standout feature is Bluetooth Multipoint support, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously. These earbuds also boast an IP55 rating, meaning they’re resistant to ‘water jets’ and dust—a rating that surpasses the AirPods Pro 2 (IP54) but falls short of the AirPods Pro 3 (IP57). Battery life is impressive, offering up to 12 hours with ANC off (or 7 hours with ANC on), with the charging case extending total listening time to 55 hours (or 36 hours with ANC).
At a mere $20, these earbuds present very little risk to try out, especially with Amazon’s hassle-free 30-day return policy. If you were considering the AirPods Pro 3 but find yourself perfectly satisfied with the Baseus BP1 Pro, then congratulations—you just saved a whopping $230!