I tried AI Translation on the EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus, and these might be the affordable Pixel Buds killer we’ve been waiting for

Can't afford to spend over $200 on the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 or the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds, prized for their live translation capabilities? Happily, the audio accessory brand EarFun can match your budget without skipping any of the best premium features, including translating conversations on the fly.

Live translation is actually pretty accessible these days. You can download the Google Translate app on your phone and use the conversation mode. However, it doesn't always deliver the most accurate or smoothest results, especially when earbuds, earphones, or headphones are connected. And that's where the EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus earbuds come in.

An affordable alternative that functions effectively

The EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus earbuds usually retail for $99.99, but they go on sale pretty often. Even now, they are on sale for 20% off, and you can apply the code AP4PPR01 for another 5% off on top of that, bringing the price down to $74.99 at Amazon.

For that spectacular price point, you get a wonderful mix of features that give EarFun the edge over other cheap earbuds with translation features, such as the Soundcore AeroFit 2 or the Soundcore P31i. Just take a look at the specs below, which clearly match flagship audio accessories.

So far, only the EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus buds support the AI translation feature, but the brand is considering expanding availability to other models in the future.

How does EarFun's AI translation work?

Much like Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds, which rely on Gemini for translation, EarFun uses its own AI to translate languages. Users can choose languages from over 145 countries and regions, and the brand is open to adding more upon request.

Naturally, you need a stable internet connection on your phone to access the AI translation option. Users also need to update their EarFun app to version 20.1.36 on Android and 20.5.5 on iOS.

EarFun's AI translation feature offers users two modes: Face-to-Face and Real-Time. You can save the transcripts from both modes.

Face-to-Face mode is designed for a conversation between two people, where each speaker takes turns talking in short bits. You can select languages for both speakers, and you can even flip one side of the screen so the foreign-language speaker can see their side better. Each speaker can play their section of translations out loud.

Real-Time mode translates the foreign language in real time. So, for instance, I could be speaking to someone who is talking in an unknown language, but their sentences would be translated and played out in English (or the language you choose) in real time.

The best cheap wireless earbuds just got better

I found that while both modes function well, the Real-Time mode is particularly good at its job. Of course, both speakers need to enunciate clearly and not talk too fast, but that's a given with any translation app.

As someone who uses Google Translate a lot — and I mean every single day — EarFun's Real-Time mode is on par with Google's real-time conversation translation.

For those on the hunt for earbuds with AI translation, the EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus are the best wireless earbuds to consider for under $100. You get Bluetooth Auracast support, ANC, hi-res audio, LDAC support, wireless charging, and an IP55 water and dust resistant rating, as well as an excellent dual-mode translation feature without breaking the bank.