How We Research
Updated: 2026-09-28 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a pair of IPX4 earbuds with a charging case that doubles as a phone backup battery, choose SOL REPUBLIC Amps Air 2.0; if you need active noise cancelling, app-based EQ control and a much longer single-charge playtime, choose Alpsnd Pro.
• SOL REPUBLIC Amps Air 2.0 — biggest strength: the charging case holds a built-in 2200mAh battery that recharges the buds up to 15 times and can top up your phone through its USB port. That's a genuinely unusual feature at this end of the market.
• SOL REPUBLIC Amps Air 2.0 — biggest trade-off: roughly 3 hours of audio per charge and a 3-hour recharge time. Frequent charging is part of the deal.
• Alpsnd Pro — biggest strength: up to 20 hours of playtime, active noise cancelling rated to cut noise by up to 50dB, and app EQ control on a 13mm dynamic driver.
• Alpsnd Pro — biggest trade-off: a 4-hour average battery rating per charge means the 20-hour figure depends on the case, and Bluetooth 6.0 is newer than most phones and laptops, so older devices may fall back to an earlier version.
• Who each is for: the Amps Air 2.0 suits buyers who want a compact travel case that also rescues a dying phone. The Alpsnd Pro suits commuters and workers who want quiet, tunable sound and fewer charging sessions.
The Amps Air 2.0 is built around freedom from wires in the most literal sense. Two independent earbuds, no neckband, no cable between them, and a rounded-tip in-ear shape that sits inside each ear separately. The enclosure is plastic and the finish is Rose Gold, so it's a look that leans lifestyle rather than gym-rat tactical. The controls are touch-based with a multi-function button for music and microphone access, and the spec sheet lists active noise cancellation as the noise control type.
What really separates this pair is the case. A 2200mAh battery inside the case means you can recharge the buds up to 15 times before the case itself needs power, and the USB port lets you use that same reserve to charge your phone or another device. If you've ever watched your phone hit 4% on a long travel day, that's a feature you'll actually use. The case is compact enough to live in a purse or bag, which fits the travel pitch. Sound is handled by a dynamic driver with a 20Hz–20,000Hz frequency range, and Bluetooth 5 keeps the connection current enough for everyday listening.
Who should buy it: travelers and commuters who want a pocketable case that pulls double duty as a phone charger, plus anyone who prefers separate buds over a neckband style. Who should skip it: people who hate charging. Three hours per charge with a three-hour recharge time is the weak point, and if you stream for hours at a stretch you'll be docking these often. Buyers who want deep app-level tuning should also look elsewhere, because the controls here are touch and media buttons rather than a companion app.
Alpsnd Pro attacks a different problem: keeping the outside world out. The headline spec is active noise cancelling rated to reduce noise by up to 50dB, which the brand frames around public transport, cafés and offices. The spec sheet also lists environmental and passive noise cancellation alongside ANC, so the isolation story is layered. For calls, there's a 6-microphone setup that the description says cuts up to 97% of background noise so your voice stays clear in busy places.
The audio hardware is a 13mm dynamic driver with 32 ohm impedance, tuned for deep bass, clear vocals and balanced output. Unlike the Amps Air 2.0, you can adjust that sound yourself through an app EQ, and the app also handles touch control settings and the power display. Battery life is the other big gap: up to 20 hours of playtime, with a 4-hour average battery rating per charge and a 1-hour charge time. A low latency mode keeps audio in sync for gaming and video, and Bluetooth 6.0 handles pairing and connection stability.
Comfort is clearly a design priority. The buds are lightweight at 1.52 ounces total, use soft ear tips in three sizes (S/M/L), and deliberately avoid bulky ear hooks, which makes them a reasonable pick for extended wear. The case ships with a USB-C cable and the finish is plain Black. Who should buy it: commuters, students and office workers who want noise cancelling, app tuning and long runtimes. Who should skip it: anyone with older hardware who wants guaranteed top-tier Bluetooth compatibility, or buyers who prefer a hard-button feel over touch controls, which can be fussy for some people.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for battery life → Alpsnd Pro. Up to 20 hours of playtime versus about 3 hours per charge on the Amps Air 2.0.
• Best for blocking out noise → Alpsnd Pro. ANC rated to cut up to 50dB, plus environmental and passive noise cancellation.
• Best for sound customization → Alpsnd Pro. App EQ control and a 13mm dynamic driver versus fixed tuning on the Amps Air 2.0.
• Best for clear calls in noisy places → Alpsnd Pro. The 6-mic ENC system is the stronger call setup on paper.
• Best for a compact travel case → SOL REPUBLIC Amps Air 2.0. The case is described as sleek and purse-friendly, and it still carries 15 extra charges for the buds.
• Best for fast top-ups → Alpsnd Pro. Around 1 hour to charge versus 3 hours on the Amps Air 2.0.
• Best for gaming and video → Alpsnd Pro. Low latency mode plus Bluetooth 6.0.
• Best for fitting in with a smaller bag and a phone-rescue habit → SOL REPUBLIC Amps Air 2.0.
In my opinion, Alpsnd Pro is the stronger all-round buy for most people. The combination of up to 20 hours of playtime, ANC rated to 50dB, app EQ control and a 1-hour charge time covers more of the situations where earbuds actually get used — commuting, working, streaming, gaming. The Amps Air 2.0 wins on one specific thing I genuinely like: a case that recharges your phone. If that's your priority, it's the better pick. But three hours per charge is a real limitation I can't overlook for everyday use. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since value shifts with whatever each one is selling for today.
can i wear waterproof headphones in the shower
IPX4 is a water-resistance rating for splashes, rain and sweat, not for being submerged or worn under running water. Both the Amps Air 2.0 and the Alpsnd Pro are rated IPX4, so I'd treat them as workout and drizzle-friendly, not shower headphones. For shower use you'd want a higher water-resistance rating than either of these offers.
are headphones waterproof
Not inherently. Water resistance is a rating, and IPX4 is a modest one — it covers splashes from any direction, which is why both of these are marketed around sweat and rain rather than swimming or showering. If a listing doesn't state an IPX rating, assume no meaningful water protection.
Both list active noise cancellation, so neither relies purely on the ear tip seal. Alpsnd Pro quantifies it at up to 50dB of reduction and adds environmental and passive cancellation, while the Amps Air 2.0 lists ANC without a stated figure. On paper, the Alpsnd Pro is the more aggressive noise blocker.
Alpsnd Pro lasts far longer per charge: up to 20 hours of playtime against roughly 3 hours on the Amps Air 2.0. The Amps Air 2.0's case holds a 2200mAh battery that recharges the buds up to 15 times and can charge your phone, so total capacity is high — but you'll be docking the buds much more often.
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