https://pirg.org/edfund/articles/apple-airpods-are-designed-to-die-heres-what-you-should-know/
AirPods are nearly impossible to repair and their batteries are short-lived. Apple should design them to last.
Didn't downvote but got cheaper earbuds myself because I was concerned about 1) losing them 2) the planned obsolescence.
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/best-wireless-earbuds
I used a lot of sites to look up budget earbuds and YouTube mic tests (Apparently this guy still makes earbud comparison videos- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsMdI_q48ZA). I ended up with Earfun Air S and love them. Got them $50.
Here is an alternative Piped link(s):
https://www.piped.video/watch?v=SsMdI_q48ZA
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.