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Apple doesn’t make black AirPods, but there are a few different ways you can get a pair anyway.
By Tucker Bowe
Published
·
Updated
Apple only makes wireless earbuds — AirPods, AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 — in one color: white.
It’s a little strange considering that its over-ear noise-canceling headphones, the AirPods Max, are available in several different colors. Its newest iMacs, iPads and MacBooks are all available in different colors, too. And you’d think that different-colored AirPods would sell like hotcakes. But no. You only get them in white.
That said, if you’re looking to buy all-black AirPods, you’re not completely out of luck.
Products in the Guide
Amazon Echo Buds (2023)
Read moreUrbanears Alby
Read moreAnker Soundcore Life P3
Read moreApple AirPods (2nd-Generation, Matte Black)
Read moreApple AirPods 3 (Matte Black)
Read moreApple AirPods Pro (2nd-Gen, Matte Black)
Read more
Option 1: Buy a lookalike
Knockoff AirPods from Amazon aren’t worth it but there are wireless earbuds you can buy that are made by reputable companies that look similar to all-black AirPods. Think of them as AirPod alternatives. They likely won’t sound as good as AirPods or AirPods Pro. Nor will they have many of the Apple-centric features, like quick iPhone pairing and support for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. But they are out there, and they look pretty slick.
These are our favorite all-black AirPods doppelgängers:
AmazonAmazon Echo Buds (2023)
Amazon’s most affordable wireless earbuds, the Echo Buds, fit very similar to Apple’s original AirPods. They also work and sound better than you might expect.
UrbanearsUrbanears Alby
The Alby are fairly basic wireless earbuds that look and fit very similar to Apple’s AirPods. They’re available in several different finishes, including charcoal black.
AnkerAnker Soundcore Life P3
The Soundcore Life P3 are noise-canceling wireless earbuds that are available in a range of colors — including black.
$79.99(13% off)
Option 2: Buy an all-black skin or case for your AirPods
DbrandIf you don’t want to spend all that dough on an all-black paint job (see below), your other option is to buy an all-black skin for your AirPods or AirPods case. A great look is not quite guaranteed because you’ll have to carefully apply the skin (which is really a sticker) yourself, and there’s little room for error. But it’s a cheap option, especially if you already have white ‘buds you want to black out. You can get a (Stormtrooper-like) skin from Skinit and case skins from Dbrand.
A lot of accessory makers also sell black cases for AirPods and AirPods Pro — an easy (and affordable) way to distinguish and protect your wireless earbuds. Some great all-black cases are made by Nomad, Insignia and Spigen.
Option 3: Buy all-black AirPods from ColorWare
If you’re willing to really spend in order to get all-black AirPods or AirPods Pro, the best (and most expensive) option is to buy them in black from ColorWare, an aftermarket product painter. The company is well known for customizing Apple computers, Beats headphones and PlayStation and Xbox gaming controllers — and they do Apple’s entire line of AirPods, too. The downside is that they’re very expensive and there’s a several-week waiting period.
Note: ColorWare’s custom AirPods come in 57 other colors besides black, and you can mismatch them if you want — make the left pod red, the right pod blue, and the charging case purple, if you want. All custom pieces come with your choice of matte or glossy finish.
Apple AirPods (2nd-Gen, Matte Black)
ColorWareApple AirPods (2nd-Generation, Matte Black)
You can buy AirPods in all-black — in a matte or glossy finish — from ColorWare for $309, which is significantly more than the $129 that Apple charges.
Apple AirPods 3 (Matte Black)
ColorWareApple AirPods 3 (Matte Black)
You can buy AirPods 3 in all-black — in a matte or glossy finish — from ColorWare for $379, which is significantly more than the $179 that Apple charges.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd-Gen, Matte Black)
ColorWareApple AirPods Pro (2nd-Gen, Matte Black)
You can buy AirPods Pro in all-black — in a matte or glossy finish — from ColorWare for $439, which is way more than the $249 that Apple charges. Unfortunately, ColorWare can’t paint the silicone eartips, so those will remain white.
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