I've never been interested in Airpods, and am very happy with my Jaybird X2's. However, being of open mind, I tried my Son's Gen1's that he got for xmas and thought these are "OK". Sound is "different" to my Jaybirds, due to the obvious difference in fit (comply tips on Jaybirds). I couldn't justify £200 for the Airpods with Wireless charging. Then I thought about the wireless charging and thought do I
need it? I charge my XS Max on a wireless pad next to my bed, but everywhere else I charge with lightning (car, iPads etc) and for a "bit of a dabble nice to have" then £160 is more tolerable.
Went to local Apple store this weekend, picked up one of the 100's of AirPods display boxes only to be told "we don't have them in stock"... had a stomp about no stock but 100s of display boxes, the guy agreed and took all the boxes down!
Ordered from Amazon, arrived the following day... wow, these do sound better than my Son's. Don't know if it's earwax, age, software version, no idea, but my Gen 2's sound better. Better bass is for certain. Pleasant surprise.
As for the "inconvenience" of wired charging, I just re-employed this little thing that was sat in a drawer. (the pic is my Son's AirPods, mine aren't marked lol)
EDIT: Just for reference, mine are production week 10, 2019 (March)