I’m a firm believer that everyone needs a pair of open-ear earbuds in their audio gear rotation, and if you’re still a skeptic, the SoundPEATS UU2 earbuds are the perfect affordable way to give ambient sound with your music a try.

These earbuds are excellent value for money — at less than $50, they also boast amazing sound performance that I’m more than happy to listen to all day long. They’re comfortable to wear and have button controls which are very responsive. Not to mention the 42 hours of battery life, which is some of the best on the market.

Unfortunately, there are some things that SoundPEATS could improve on. The UU2’s call quality isn’t the best; there’s some slight movement when wearing the earbuds for high-intensity workouts; and the companion app is clunky. If you’d like to find out more about the buds, you can keep reading this full SoundPEATS UU2 review.

SoundPEATS UU2 review: Specs

SoundPEATS UU2 review: Price & availability

The first thing to note is that these headphones have undergone a name change. They were previously named the POP Clip2, but now go by SoundPEATS UU2. The earbuds are available to purchase in the U.S. directly from the SoundPEATS website for $49 and in the U.K. on Amazon for £59.

These are the cheapest open-ear earbuds I’ve tested, but, in all honesty, when I listened to my music with them before knowing the price, I thought they would cost well over $100. But if it’s affordable audio gear you’re looking for, there are a couple of options depending on the fit you want.

The UU2 are clip-style earbuds, like the EarFun Clip 2 for $99. I find this the most comfortable style, especially for working out and all-day wear. And the Clip 2 earbuds have features like live translation and impressive call quality, which you don’t get with the UU2s. You can also get the original EarFun Clip earbuds, which have a great bass performance for $69. This will be better if you like listening to more bass-driven music.

Alternatively, you could look at a hook design. My favorite budget hook buds are the JLab Epic Open Sport for $114. They work best for high-intensity workouts like running, so if you need something that stays secure, these could be the buds for you. However, the sound quality is a mixed bag, and the UU2s offer a more consistent sound.

SoundPEATS UU2 review: Design

The SoundPEATS UU2 open-earbuds feel premium despite their sub-$50 price tag. They look very similar to the EarFun Clip 2, but have a shinier finish, which I think makes them feel a little more premium.

The case is small and fits in the palm of my hand, so it’s easy to slip into my pocket when I’m using the buds. They have an IPX5 durability rating, which means they’re protected from water splashes but not dust. This makes them ideal for walking outdoors in case you get caught out in the rain, but not for jogging on the beach in case you drop them in the sand. This kind of rating is standard for earbuds, but I would like to see some dust protection, as you get with the JLab Epic Open Sport.

Comfort

SoundPEATS say that the two Us in the name stand for ‘Ultra Comfort and Ultimate Freedom’; I’d have to agree. I could wear them all day long without them hurting since the buds are so lightweight at 0.18 ounces each.

When wearing the buds during lighter movement, such as yoga and Pilates, they felt very secure, but there is some slight movement during high-intensity workouts like running or HIIT, so keep this in mind. I found the Soundcore AeroClip earbuds to be more secure, but they are more expensive at $129.

Controls

The SoundPEATS UU2 are controlled using physical buttons. These were responsive and easy to operate, and you can even customize this in the SoundPEATS app, which I’ll talk more about later. I much prefer these controls to touch-sensitive controls, as when you're moving, there’s less chance of a missed command, as it takes more intent to click a button.

Connectivity

The SoundPEATS UU2 earbuds use the latest (at the time of writing) Bluetooth 6.0, which delivers better power consumption and connection stability. Codec-wise, they support SBC, AAC and LDAC audio codecs, the latter allowing hi-res wireless playback. They also support multipoint connection with up to two devices, which is ideal for when I’m working and need to switch between my phone and laptop for calls. It’s easy to connect multiple devices by using the SoundPEATS app.

SoundPEATS UU2 review: Sound quality

The SoundPEATS UU2 earbuds don’t provide ultimate high-end sound quality — we’re not talking Beyerdynamic AMIRON Zero ($179) performance here — but for the price tag, I really can’t ask for any more. They’ve blown me away. I tried out the EQ adjustment settings in the app, but ended up sticking with the default tuning as it was the best for me.

Firstly, I wanted to listen to the bass performance of the buds, because open-earbuds can often struggle with bass replication since the drivers are outside of your ear. However, I was impressed. I listened to Heads Will Roll by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the A-Trak remix, which relies on bass for a heavy club sound, with the vocals adding more structure. The bass was mostly clear, with some very slight distortion when increasing the volume. The synth also sounded great — exactly what I want from this song to feel motivated while working out.

Next, I listened to Favourite by Fontaines D.C. to test out the mid-range, because of its catchy guitar track and prominent drums. The track was bright and well balanced. I could hear the guitar in detail, and it was punchy and strong. The guitar and drums weren’t overpowering though, and the vocals still shone through.

To test the high-frequency performance, I listened to My Tears Ricochet by Taylor Swift. This song uses orchestral elements such as violin and choral harmonies. All of these elements were clear and balanced, leaving space for soft vocals to shine before the song builds into something more powerful. And even then, the earbuds held their own impressively.

SoundPEATS UU2 review: App

I usually love using an app with earbuds as it adds a layer of customization that makes the listening experience times better. However, I found the SoundPEATS app clunky, especially during the initial setup. With use, it became easier to navigate, but I much prefer apps like the one from Soundcore that are instantly usable.

That said, the app has some useful features. You can enable Spatial audio or make EQ and control adjustments. There’s also a drainage function, which helps expel moisture from inside the earbuds by playing low-frequency tones, effectively shaking out the water. I’m not sure how much this will actually help if you drop your earbuds into a pool for argument's sake, but it’s an interesting feature nonetheless.

SoundPEATS UU2 review: Call quality

To evaluate the call quality of the SoundPEATS UU2 earbuds, I carried out my usual test and called my mom. She let me know that I didn’t sound as clear as usual. This was disappointing, as these buds are very impressive in pretty much every other area.

If you want a pair of open buds for work calls that are still budget-friendly, I’d recommend the Soundcore Aeroclip, as they provide excellent microphone clarity without breaking the bank.

SoundPEATS UU2 review: Battery life

The SoundPEATS UU2 earbuds have very impressive battery life. They have a total playtime of 42 hours, which is two hours more than the EarFun Clip2. Again, I can’t believe the SoundPEATS buds are so cheap! This puts more expensive models, like the Beyerdynamic ZEROs, to shame, as they only have up to 20 hours of battery life!

The UU2s take an hour and 36 minutes to charge up, and the buds take 45 minutes to charge in the case. You can use the included USB-C cable to charge the case.

SoundPEATS UU2 review: Verdict

After testing using the SoundPEATS UU2 earbuds for two weeks, I’m still so shocked by the sub-$50 price tag. They are seriously excellent value for money. The sound performance blew me away, and apart from some slight bass distortion at higher volumes, they performed very well across a variety of genres. They’re comfortable to wear all day long, have responsive button controls and 42 hours of battery life with the charging case.

They have a few issues, but these are fairly minor — not to mention forgivable for $49. The call quality isn’t the best, and there’s some slight movement of the buds during high-intensity workouts. The app is also clunky to use. With that said, I really don’t think you can go wrong with these earbuds at this price point. They’re a solid addition to anyone’s audio gear rotation.

When I tested the $39 JLab JBuds Mini last year, I thought they were nearly perfect. Definitely some of the best earbuds you can buy. The one flaw? No ANC.

Thankfully, JLab has rectified that in 2026, and that's not the only thing we've been treated to. Not only do the new JLab Mini ANC have ANC (how could you tell?), they also come in a gorgeous splash of fun colors. No white here. Just earbuds that actually make me feel joyful. Oh, and here's a major plot twist — the earbuds have Apple-accredited Find My. As someone who loses her AirPods about six times a day, this is a lifesaver.

While they retail for $42.99, so around $3 more than the non-ANC version, these buds are still a steal. $43 for ANC, Find My, great sound quality, and a mini fit that doesn't hurt my ears? Sign. Me. Up. I tried them out at IFA 2026, so here's what happened.

The JLab JBuds Mini ANC are 20.3 mm x 13.2 mm x 21.3 mm. I can't find any earbuds smaller than this, but there's always a chance they aren't the definite "smallest" earbuds.

What's the ANC actually like?

Alright, I'm not going to pretend these $43 miniature earbuds rival the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 or anything, because that would be untrue. The ANC is good. I tested the earbuds in a busy conference hall, with people walking past me, people talking, and just general life noise. I could hear a slight hum of chatter beneath my music, but the buds blocked out 95% of all conversations and 100% of high-frequency sounds like my typing.

I haven't yet tested them on public transport, but if the performance in a loud convention center is anything to go by, I'll be in my own silent bubble on my journey home.

And sound quality?

Like the original JLab JBuds Mini, the sound quality is great for the price. Again, you're not getting AirPods Pro 3 quality here, but that's not the point. If you expect $250 sound quality on $43 earbuds, that's kind of on you.

In "Mandalay" by Amyl and the Sniffers, the grungey female vocal was textured and evocative, and the bass and percussion were pleasantly balanced. The instrument separation was okay, but the grubby guitars did tend to blend into one another. Even so, for $43, I was really impressed.

The warm vocals in "Leave Me Alone" by Deki Alem flowed across the soundscape like a river of velvet, rich and comforting. There was a touch of dampening in the percussion, but nothing that would disappoint me for $43.

Finally, the frenetic, anxious guitars in "Coming on Strong" by Bloc Party raced around the soundstage, layered deftly under the hi-hats and vocals. Sure, the soundscape could have been wider, but again, these are $43 earbuds. I really don't think you can ask for much more — and I almost wouldn't want to. I'm so impressed with the JLab JBuds Mini ANC.

Final thoughts

All I can think about is how excited I am to write my full, comprehensive review of the JLab JBuds Mini ANC. I was blown away by the performance — and the $43 pricetag — and I can't wait to get stuck into reviewing them.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tested the Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless — sorry AirPods, these are the earbuds to beat in 2026
• I tried Sonos Ace Ultra, and it does something your Bluetooth headphones can’t
• I listened to 10 of Sony’s new ULT party speakers together — and they offer something for everyone

One of the biggest challenges of sharing a dorm room is dealing with a snorer. If you're roommate keeps waking you up at 3 a.m. with their loud snoring, it can seem like the only thing you can do is just put up with it. However, I've found plenty of top-rated snore-masking gadgets that mean you don't have to.

For instance, the Soundcore Sleep A30 Earbuds, now $199.99 (was $229.99) at Amazon are considered the best sleep headphones on the market and use "adaptive snore-masking technology" to detect and cover snore sounds. If you're looking for cheaper sleep headphones, the MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones, now down from $19.99 to $16.99 at Amazon, are a great budget alternative.

But it's not just sleep headphone deals I'm highlighting below. I've also rounded up the most popular sound machines, speakers, and good old-fashioned earplugs that can help drown out the sounds of your roommate's snores. Most of these products are also discounted in this month's Labor Day mattress and sleep sales, so you can deal with your resident snorer without breaking the bank.

The Sennhesier Momentum 5 True Wireless are the audio brand stalwart’s latest flagship Bluetooth earbuds — but I know the question on your lips is, “Well, are they best earbuds of 2026?” Yes, the Momentum 5 TW are definitely in the running.

Thanks to the rich, complex, well-balanced, and vivacious sound quality, the Momentum 5 True Wireless are, without a doubt, one of the best-sounding sets I’ve had the pleasure of putting in my ears. Ever. Warmer than AirPods Pro 3 and XM6 but more nuanced than Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, the Momentum 5 TW are seriously ones to beat.

Not only do they sound fantastic over run of the mill codecs, they also come packed with aptX Lossless and Dolby Atmos head tracking for summer immersive movies. Might these be the perfect earbuds for you? To find out, keep reading this Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless review.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless review: Specs

Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless review: Price & availability

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless earbuds are $299 from Amazon U.S. and £249 from Amazon U.K.

This places the earbuds within the premium lifestyle bracket. Think your Apple AirPods Pro 3, your Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, your Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2, your Sony WF-1000XM6. I’ve also recently tested the Status Audio Pro X, which sound utterly divine, and the Technics AZ100, another non-big-name high performer.

For your $299, you get excellent sound, including aptX Lossless support, Snapdragon Sound, and Dolby Atmos-optimized head tracking (great for movies), and lovely ANC. While $300 is, objectively, a large amount of money, this price is expected for flagship Sennheiser wireless earbuds.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless review: Design

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless are your typical bean-shaped earbuds, with a large nozzle that sits in your concha. This is great for those who don’t get on with stem designs, like AirPods Pro 3. If you’re more of the Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 or Sony WF-1000XM6 persuasion, you’ll like the Sennheiser Momentum 5 TW.

I tested the lovely dark blue (“Denim”) colorway, as you can see from the images, which is sleek and premium. I have nothing bad to say about the aesthetics of these earbuds.

You also get five tip sizes — they’re all silicon with no foam buds, so sorry to any silicon haters in the house. I used the smallest size because I have weirdly small ears… subtle foreshadowing.

The buds themselves are IP54-rated, which isn’t as waterproof as the AirPods Pro 3’s IP55, but better than Bose QC Ultra Earbuds Gen 2’s IPX4 rating. In real terms, this means you’d be able to wear the Sennheisers on a run or during a light rain shower without breaking them.

Comfort

If you’ve got small ears, the Momentum 5 TW won’t be for you. The bean-shaped nozzle is so large that it made my ears ache after around five minutes. However, my normal-ear-sized colleagues reported that they were comfortable, so this is solely a small-ear issue.

Controls

Controls are easy and customizable. A single tap pauses the music on the right ear and adjusts ANC on the left ear. A double tap skips ahead, and a long press changes volume. Of course, if you don’t like these default commands, you can customize them in the Sennheiser Smart Control Plus app.

Connectivity

I was incredibly pleased to see Bluetooth 6.0 on the Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless. You’d think in 2026 all new earbuds would release with the latest Bluetooth version, but this is not the case. Apple launched the long-awaited AirPods Max 2 with 2021’s Bluetooth 5.3. Eesh.

Thankfully, Sennheiser has bucked this trend and “treated” us to Bluetooth 6.0. In real terms, this means it’s more reliable, has a longer range, and can transmit higher-res files faster. I was able to get out of my apartment and up the stairs before the earbuds disconnected from my iPhone 16 Pro.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless review: Sound quality

To test sound quality, I listened to a range of genres on Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles.

Spoiler alert: the Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless sound awesome.

First, I played 'Roslyn' by Bon Iver and St. Vincent. I could feel every vibration of the acoustic guitar, each chord change reverberating in my brain. The layered vocals were dreamy, atmospheric, and evocative, and the bass notes flowed along the side of the soundscape beautifully.

Next, I switched up genre to 'iPod Touch’ by Ninajirachi. The deep synth bassline thumped through the earbuds without overpowering the higher-pitched female vocals or the snapping hi-hats. Each housey piano chord was layered gracefully underneath the vocals and melted into the mid-track EDM breakdown. In this section, the glitchy, over-processed bass felt alive, and every squeaky sound effect was present over top of the soundscape. This song sounded awesome. Deep bass was also powerful yet balanced in ‘Wifey Riddim (George Daniel remix)” by Shygirl and 'space cadet' by sim0ne.

Finally, I went for something heavier. 'Punishers' by Die Spitz is an atmospheric guitar-led track with immersive growly guitars and crunchy bass. The sub-bass was clear and controlled with zero grinding or cutting out. The female vocals were powerful and layered perfectly at the top of the track, with zero tinniness from the snare drums or cymbals. On top of this, the soundscape was expansive and wide, and truly immersed me in the music.

To test the Dolby Atmos head tracking, I watched 'Twilight' on Apple TV. The Dolby Atmos performance was intriguing, but it didn’t impress me enough to claim I can’t live without it. I could hear dialogue from the far edges of the soundstage, and footsteps sounded like they were coming from below me. Of course, this is a nice feature to have, but I’m not sure I would get much use out of it. If you’re an avid laptop/phone movie watcher, this is a fantastic feature, but it’s not really for me.

Overall, the Momentum 5 TW sound excellent. Given Sennheiser’s reputation, you’d expect its earbuds to sound good, but I can attest for it right now: the Momentum 5 TW are richer than AirPods Pro 3, and warmer than Sony WF-1000XM6. They’re more detailed than Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2, and just as fun and vivacious as the Status Audio Pro X.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless review: ANC

The ANC on the Momentum 5 True Wireless is good, but not jaw-droppingly good. If you’re after “ANC so good you feel lonely” (thanks to my colleague Nikita for the everlastingly good quote), you’d be better off with the Bose QC Ultra Gen 2.

All that being said, the Momentum 5 True Wireless still block out the majority of environmental noise. When I was walking around the city, I could hear low frequency rumbling engines and some high-frequency sounds like car horns, but most chatter was blocked out. When I tested with a city noise track on YouTube played at 67dB, I couldn’t hear the track at all.

This is more than enough for everyday usage; if you’re needing earbuds for commuting or office work, you’ll be fine. If you live next door to a construction site, though, I might recommend the Bose instead.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless review: Call quality

To test call quality, I called my boyfriend. As mentioned earlier, I love how the earbuds switch to transparency during phone calls; this means I can actually hear the volume of my voice. The earbuds also announce when the call is ended, which is a nice touch.

He reported my voice sounded perfectly clear, with zero metallicness or echoing. When I played a city white noise track at max volume (from my laptop), he couldn’t hear it at all. This is a fantastic performance; I’m really impressed.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless review: App

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 TW use the Sennheiser SmartControlPlus app, which is fantastic. The layout is clean and easily navigable, and the app itself has a plethora of interesting, effective functions. You can test the ear tip fit, make a personalized EQ, activate head tracking, rename the earbuds, and control transparency levels.

As mentioned in “Call quality”, you can customize the earbuds to turn off ANC during phone calls, which is a useful feature for walking around the city.

A new feature is “Sound zones”, which is like Sony’s Adaptive Sound Control. In short, you can set the earbuds to turn ANC on or off depending on your location. In theory, you could turn off ANC as soon as you arrive home, or turn on ANC when you arrive at the bus stop. I don’t really lean towards these kinds of features — I’m more than happy to simply tap the touch control on the earbud — but it’s nice to have if you’re the sound-zone-inclined.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless review: Battery

Here’s one for the eco-conscious amongst you: the Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless have replaceable batteries. Yes, replaceable batteries! Just like the new Sennheiser Momentum 5 headphones, which I reviewed earlier this year, you can also replace the batteries on the TW earbuds.

Sennheiser rated the battery for up to 12 hours in the buds and then 40 hours overall in the charging case. I tested the Sennheiser Momentum 5 for a whole weekend and then three working days, and I had to recharge the case once. I did have all the bells and whistles turned on, though: Dolby Atmos head tracking, ANC on max, playing with all the features like custom EQ. I’m sure normal listening wouldn’t use this much battery.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless review: Verdict

I’m really, really impressed with the Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless earbuds. Not only do they sound divine, they also boast a multitude of fun, useful features like head tracking, integrated Dolby Atmos, personalized sound, and sound zones. For me, sound quality is King, and I’m pleased to report that if you’re a fellow sound snob, you’ll get on just fine with these buds.

While I wish the fit was more accommodating for fellow tiny-eared folk, “it’s not you, it’s me” is actually relevant here — normal-to-large-size ears will be fine with the snug bean-shaped fit. Unfortunately, I won’t be replacing my AirPods Pro 2 with the Momentum 5 TW due to the size issue, but it’s a me problem.

If you value premium sound quality, a sleek design, and a bunch of cool features, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless will be the earbuds for you.

Noble Audio is no stranger to making expensive, high-end audio gear that makes your ears smile. Having spent a week listening to my favorite tunes through the Noble Audio Iris, I have to say, they’re phenomenal. Intricately and beautifully designed, the Iris are a sight for sore eyes, and they’re built well, too. That’s not even the best part. The Iris boast an extremely wide soundstage with airy treble and accurate imaging.

The Iris are ridiculously comfortable IEMs, too, and you can wear them all day long with no problem. But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the eye-watering $699 price tag. Are they worth the premium when the bass lacks a punch (but that’s down to their neutral-sounding tuning) and plug replacement is a little finicky? I’m almost convinced that they are.

To find out if these are the best wired headphones for you, read my full Noble Audio Iris review.

Noble Audio Iris review: Specs

Noble Audio Iris review: Price & availability

Noble Audio’s headphones, earbuds and in-ear monitors (IEMs) rarely come cheap, and the same goes for the Noble Audio Iris. These IEMs retail for $699 and can be bought directly from the American manufacturer. The Iris launched in July 2026 alongside the Vanguard, which are slightly cheaper at $325.

Though they sound extremely expensive, the Iris are some of Noble Audio’s cheapest IEMs, with the next most expensive IEMs, the Lu Ban, retailing for $1,399 — and the Kronos, at $4,500, are the brand’s priciest monitors. Given that context, the Iris are Noble Audio’s budget-ish IEMs.

The Iris find themselves competing with other high-end IEMs, like the Sennheiser IE 600 ($699) and the Shanling Moria ($699). Are the Iris worth the money? Oh hell yes! But if you can’t afford them, the Sivga Lyrebird ($149) and Sennheiser IE 200 ($149) are phenomenal budget-friendly IEMs.

Noble Audio Iris review: Design

The Noble Audio Iris are some of the most beautiful in-ear monitors I’ve laid my eyes on. When I first unboxed them, I couldn’t stop staring at them. They feature a blue CNC-machined Micarta (a durable material made by stacking layers under heat) shell. Noble Audio’s crown insignia is engraved on and adorns each ear piece. Given their name, you can tell that they’ve been inspired by an iris flower.

In addition to looking downright gorgeous, the Iris are built extremely well and they feel solid — and let’s be honest, you wouldn’t expect any less for the premium you’re paying. The anti-tangle cable is made of high-purity copper and it looks and feels great. Similar to other IEMs, the cable can be detached from the ear pieces and replaced with another if it gets damaged.

Weatherproofing

Similar to other IEMs I’ve tested, the Iris aren’t waterproof or weather-sealed. This isn’t uncommon for IEMs, though the Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE ($159) are IP54-rated splash-proof — but they don’t sound anywhere near as good as the Iris. Since Noble Audio doesn’t specify an IP rating, I wouldn’t recommend wearing the Iris in the rain or during sweaty workouts. But that’s not really what IEMs are designed for anyway.

Comfort

When I first held the Iris in my palm, they felt substantial and a little heavy, and I was concerned that they wouldn’t feel very comfortable for extended wear. Boy, was I wrong. The Iris are supremely comfortable IEMs. Each ear piece weighs 0.5oz, so while they’re slightly heavier than the Sennheiser IE 600 (0.21oz each), they don’t feel unwieldy.

They fit snugly in my ears, and the braided cable wraps comfortably around each ear. The Iris didn’t fall out of my ears, even when I was bobbing my head. I wore them for a six-hour stretch without feeling any discomfort.

Controls

The Iris don’t feature an in-line remote for controlling playback, so you’ll need to use your smartphone, laptop or other audio source to play, pause, rewind and skip tracks. Again, not uncommon with IEMs.

Connectivity & drive

As is the nature of wired IEMs, the Iris need to be driven, or powered, by a power source, and there are two ways of doing so. In the box, you’ll find a 3.5mm plug as well as a 4.4mm one, and you can easily swap between the two as and when needed. The 3.5mm plug is handy for using the Iris with your laptop, while the 4.4mm jack (which separates audio into left and right channels to keep interference to a minimum) can be used with a DAC/amp, like the FiiO K11 R2R ($175).

In theory, the Iris’ termination plug should be super easy to remove. All you need to do is unscrew the bolt and then pull out the one that’s already attached, line up the four alignment pins correctly, and push it in. Et voilà. But I struggled to do so, and so did three of my coworkers. There’s a joke in there somewhere, along the lines of, “How many tech journalists does it take to unscrew a bolt?” It’s worth noting, though, that this could be down to my Iris being a pre-production sample, and this may not apply to everyone. Just try not to overtorque the fastener.

Noble Audio Iris review: Sound quality

Unlike the Sivga Lyrebird which use a quad-driver setup, or the Noble Audio Vanguard with their triple-driver configuration, the Noble Audio Iris utilizes a single 10.2mm custom dynamic driver. The single driver eliminates crossover distortion as it handles the entire frequency spectrum on its own. The Iris also features a three-layer diaphragm and a triple-chamber acoustic structure to reduce distortion and improve sound clarity.

All of these elements come together to deliver an astonishing, sublime listening experience that makes the Iris (almost) worth their asking price. I tested the Iris by listening to my favorite tunes on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles, using the 4.4mm jack plugged into the FiiO K11 R2R.

When listening to ‘Time’ by Pink Floyd, I immediately appreciated the Iris’ wide soundstage which gave the track’s layered production plenty of room to breathe. Imaging feels extremely accurate as the individual percussion hits, guitar lines and atmospheric details occupied well-defined positions. The opening clocks felt especially immersive, spreading naturally across the soundstage rather than forming a flat wall of sound. Instrument separation feels excellent, too, and I felt like I was finding new details in my favorite song of all time.

I then listened to ‘Misty Mountain Hop’ by Led Zeppelin to see how the Iris handled the upper frequencies and crunchy guitar slides. The IEMs gave me newfound appreciation for the track as they reproduced the energetic character accurately, and there was plenty of sparkle in the percussion. The bite of the guitar came through with precision without making the song feel overly sharp or unpleasant.

Billie Eilish’s ‘BITTERSUITE’ proved to be an excellent test for the Iris’ mid-range, and one the IEMs passed with flying colors. Vocal presentation feels beautiful, as Billie’s haunting vocals sat front and center, sounded natural, and the Iris ensured that the instrumental arrangement didn’t get lost either. Everything felt well-balanced. I loved how textured and smooth the vocals sounded, with subtle inflections and breathiness coming through without sounding exaggerated.

The only area where the Iris fall short of perfection is bass, as I found out when listening to ‘Baby Driver’ by 070 Shake. The Iris made the track’s pounding bassline sound tight and controlled, but it lacked the oomph and pronounced rumble I thoroughly enjoyed through the Sivga Lyrebird. This was especially apparent in the distorted, electronic bassline leading up to the second verse. It’s supposed to drive the alternative R&B track but instead, the sheer force of it felt subdued. This isn't a flaw, per se, as much of Noble's gear is tuned to sound neutral, but just a pre-purchase consideration if you like meaty bass.

Listen along to my review with the Noble Audio Iris testing playlist:

Noble Audio Iris review: Verdict

The Noble Audio Iris are seriously impressive in-ear monitors, and after a week of testing, I can (almost) see why they cost as much as they do. They look drop-dead gorgeous, feel incredibly well made, and, most importantly, sound brilliant. The soundstage is extremely wide. The treble is oh-so-crispy. The mids are refined. The imaging is accurate. What more could you want?

Punchy bass, I suppose. The Iris make bass sound tight and controlled but they lack oomph — although this isn’t a dealbreaker as the Iris are tuned to sound neutral. It’s also great that you can swap between 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs, but try not to overtorque the bolt.

And there’s the small matter of the price. $699 is a serious investment, even if the Iris are comparatively affordable by Noble’s standards. If all you care about is spacious, balanced and highly detailed sound, the Iris warrant a recommendation. At the end of the day, they’re beautiful, comfortable, and a joy to listen to.

If you want to stream hi-res audio without spending a small fortune, the Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE are worth a look. There’s a lot to like about these in-ear monitors. They’re very light and extremely comfortable for all-day wear, and they’re IP54-rated to withstand splashes and sweat. In addition to that, the DT 30 IE are good for gigging musicians as they boast excellent instrument separation and tight, meaty bass.

But they aren’t perfect. Unfortunately, the DT 30 IE suffer from an all-too-plasticky feel. While the bass is commendable, the mids and treble could have been more refined and textured. And given that they face fierce competition at their price point, do they do just enough to edge out their rivals?

For the complete breakdown, and to find out if these are the best wired headphones for you, read my full Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review.

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: Specs

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: Price & availability

The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE in-ear monitors (IEMs) enable you to stream hi-res audio without breaking the bank. Launched in June 2026, they have a retail price of $159 / £99 at Amazon.

They’re priced similarly to the Sivga Lyrebird ($149), the Sennheiser IE 200 ($149) and the gaming-first Sony Inzone E9 ($149). As you’ll soon see, the DT 30 IE are good for some people but not for everyone — and it might make more sense to buy any of the aforementioned alternatives if you fall into the latter category.

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: Design

The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE are good looking, with each earpiece fitted with a transparent shell that lets you see the IEMs’ inner workings or hardware. They don’t look and feel as premium as the Sivga Lyrebird, though, which feature wooden faceplates and CNC-machined aluminum housing. The DT 30 IE feel quite plasticky, and I’d recommend the Lyrebird if that’s a dealbreaker.

Also unlike the Lyrebird, the DT 30 IE don’t feature a specialized anti-tangle cable — but to ensure they don’t get bunched up in your pocket, Beyerdynamic happily includes a carry case for the IEMs. Regardless, the DT 30 IE’s 1.4m Kevlar-reinforced cable feels sturdy and durable. It’s detachable from the ear pieces, too, which means that you can use a different MMCX cable if the stock one gets damaged.

Similar to the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sivga Lyrebird, you wrap the DT 30 IE’s cables around your ears to ensure they don’t fall off. I found that the cable stays the shape you mould it into, for a secure fit, and the IEMs didn’t fall out of my ears. To ensure a perfect fit, Beyerdynamic includes six pairs of eartips, of varying sizes, in the box: three silicone for a balanced seal, and three foam for more comfort (and some degree of passive noise cancelation).

Replacing the tips on the ear pieces is a walk in the park too — unlike on the budget Dunu Titan X ($39) where it took me 30 minutes to do so. On the DT 30 IE, it took me just under a minute to pull off the eartips and replace them. Quick, easy and painless.

Weatherproofing

Wired earbuds and IEMs are rarely weatherproof, but the DT 30 IE are. Unlike the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sivga Lyrebird, the DT 30 IE carry an IP54 rating, which means they’re resistant to dust and water splashes. Beyerdynamic says that this makes the DT 30 IE suitable for use by musicians during sweat-inducing and intense concerts. You should be fine wearing them to the gym.

Comfort

The DT 30 IE are ridiculously comfortable IEMs, thanks to each ear piece weighing just 0.09oz. I’ve worn them for four straight hours without any discomfort. The DT 30 IE are lighter than all of their $149 competitors, like the Sivga Lyrebird (0.22oz each), the Sennheiser IE 200 (0.14oz each), and the Sony Inzone E9 (0.16oz each).

Controls

Similar to other IEMs I’ve tested and studio monitors designed for music professionals, the DT 30 IE don’t feature any in-line buttons to control playback, so you’ll need to use your audio source for changing tracks.

Connectivity & drive

The DT 30 IE are wired IEMs, so you don’t get Bluetooth or 2.4GHz connectivity as you do with the best wireless earbuds. This means that they need to be powered, or driven, by a power source. They come fitted with a 3.5mm plug that you can use with your phone, laptop, or a DAC/Amp. If you want to use them with a mixing console or bodypack system, like a mic transmitter, you’ll need to buy a dedicated 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter separately.

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: Sound quality

The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE feature a single 11mm dynamic driver setup and they cover a frequency response range of 5Hz to 20KHz. For the most part, music sounds excellent through the DT 30 IE, and these IEMs reproduce most sounds accurately. I tested them by listening to my usual mix of testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles.

We’ll kick things off with what the DT 30 IE do well. Basslines through the DT 30 IE sound powerful but controlled, and that was the first thing I noticed when listening to ‘2515’ by Wasia Project. The track’s dark electronic textures felt like they had a tangible weight to them, while the bass and kick drum packed a convincing punch. The song sounded powerful without becoming muddy. Each note stopped and started cleanly, remaining disciplined, while retaining its texture.

Pink Floyd’s ‘Money’ showed off the DT 30 IE’s great instrument and layer separation. Each clink and mechanical sound in the opening cash register loop remained distinct rather than blending together. All the instruments occupied their own spaces, such as Roger Waters’ iconic bassline and the melodious saxophone, but they gelled well together to deliver an immersive listening experience.

I then listened to ‘A&W’ by Lana Del Rey to test the IEMs’ mid-range. The DT 30 IE handle the abrupt shift between low-end heavy beats and Lana’s textured vocals well, with the transitions sounding seamless. I appreciated being able to hear the whispered words and easy-to-miss ad libs. However, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the way the DT 30 IE reproduced the upper mids. The vocals in the mid-range sounded flat and lacked body.

Similarly, I wasn’t a massive fan of the treble. In Yin Yin’s ‘Elma,’ the percussion, cymbals and higher-pitched instrumental details were present, yes, but they lacked the razor-sharp quality and sheen I experienced when listening to the same track through the Sivga Lyrebird. The track almost sounded smooth around the edges when in reality, it’s energetic and sparkly.

If you want a pair of IEMs that boasts powerful bass and good instrument separation, the DT 30 IE are sure to please. But if you want a pair that doesn’t compromise on every other part of the soundstage, I’d recommend the Sivga Lyrebird or the Sennheiser IE 200.

Listen along to my review with the Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE testing playlist:

Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE review: Verdict

The Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE are some of the most comfortable in-ear monitors I’ve had the pleasure of testing. They’re so light that you forget you’re wearing them, and they’re IP54-rated which makes them more versatile than some of their competitors. There’s plenty to enjoy sound-wise, too, as the DT 30 IE deliver punchy bass and excellent instrument separation.

However, the mid-range and highs sound a little flat and one-dimensional, which makes the Sivga Lyrebird better value for money. The ear pieces have a plasticky feel and look, too, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

The DT 30 IE are a solid choice if bass and comfort are your priorities, but if you want a more balanced, detailed sound, or a more eye-catching design, there are better similarly-priced options available.

Sennheiser has just revealed the latest version of its flagship in-ear headphones, the Momentum 5 True Wireless earbuds. Taking the fight to the best wireless headphones from Bose, Sony and even Apple's all-conquering AirPods, the Momentum 5 have a notable sustainability feature that immediately caught my eye.

Alongside the audio upgrades (these buds feature Sennheiser's signature 7mm TrueResponse dynamic drivers) is a user-replaceable battery system in both the earbuds and the charging case. At a time when repairability is sorely needed, it's great to see a flagship product launch with the ability to swap the batteries "using only a compact screwdriver."

Lilika Beck, President of Sennheiser Consumer Hearing, said: “Balancing compact size, our signature high-fidelity acoustics, and a replaceable battery is a major breakthrough.

“With Momentum True Wireless 5, we are proving that cutting-edge performance does not have to sacrifice longevity.”

Enabling the user to swap out batteries is a huge step in the right direction and it's something I'd like to see other manufacturers implement wherever possible.

When it comes to the audio stuff, I'm not concerned. We gave the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 a 4.5 star review a couple of years ago and I expect things will have improved since then. The new earbuds come packing Bluetooth 6.0 with aptX Adaptive codec, meaning you'll get hi-res wireless audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz, provided your streaming service supports it.

Battery life claims

We can't confirm the battery life until we've tested them, but according to Sennheiser you'll get Up to 12 hours of playback per charge and 40 hours total with the charging case. That's with the ANC turned off, however. If you enable noise cancelling the battery life drops to six hours from the buds, with a further 20-25 hours supplied by the case. This is one area where Apple has Sennheiser beat: the AirPods Pro 3 will give you up to eight hours with ANC enabled.

Sennheiser says it has given the buds an all-new ergonomic design that improves comfort and portability. And users will be able to fire up Sennheiser's Smart Control Plus app to utilize an 8-band EQ and advanced personalization options. Which is a good thing as our review team is always unimpressed with earbuds that don't allow you to adapt the EQ.

Whilst these certainly aren't sports headphones, they're IP54 rated water and dust-resistant, so you can expect some protection against sweat or rainfall. Which is impressive when you consider you can replace the batteries yourself.

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 will be available from September 3 in a choice of Graphite, Cream, Copper, Denim or Lavender finishes. Pricing is set at $299 / £249 / AU$479 and CA$449.

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I’ve made it my personal mission to find the best pair of open-earbuds on the market. I find myself reaching for my open-earbuds almost daily, and I think everybody should have a pair in their audio gear rotation. But how do you know what to look for or how much to spend?

First, let’s address the elephant in the room — open-earbuds won’t be for everyone. They’re for a very specific person, such as office workers, runners and gym-goers who need to hear the ambient sound around them at all times.

When I first started testing open buds, I was skeptical. I was so used to in-ear buds that I wasn’t sure why anyone would want to sacrifice ANC (and indeed audio quality) in their daily listening. However, once you realize that having situational awareness and superior comfort in the office and at the gym is a game changer, I’m telling you, there’s no going back.

This style of earbud is still in its infancy, with the first pair of truly open earbuds being released by Bose in 2021. So this means that the space is still constantly improving, with brands innovating their open-ear styles and finding ways to replicate the sound quality of in-ear buds. My personal favorite style is the clip, but you can also buy hook-style earbuds that are better suited for high-intensity activities like running.

Open-earbud sound

In short, since you don’t get a seal around the ear canal, which you get with regular earbuds, sound waves escape. Open-earbuds rely on directing sound towards your eardrum, but there’s a lot of sound leakage. This means you can lose some frequencies, and with the addition of ambient sound, it can be tricky to listen to your music in detail.

Low frequencies that contribute to bass performance are often lost as they need trapped air pressure to effectively drive the sound. This means you’ll lose the low-end impact, according to Shokz.

Recently, I’ve been using the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. Bose is known for awesome bass performance in its products from speakers to headphones — but what about open-earbuds? Well, I can tell you they do a great job. Despite the obvious hurdles, these buds deliver a bass performance I’d be pleased with from regular earbuds.

However, for their $299 price, I was disappointed by the lack of detail I got from the Bose buds. I had high expectations because of the premium price tag and the sleek look, but ultimately, I felt let down. The sound was almost unnatural, and the bass priority was making my music sound muffled in the mid and high frequencies.

So while I enjoy listening with the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, they’re far from perfect. And if I’m paying $300, I need them to be perfect.

My perfect open earbuds

But fear not. My quest to find the best open-earbuds continued. And after months of testing, I think I found them. The buds to beat all other buds. The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO.

Reaching for a lower-priced competitor after being let down by a premium flagship product felt like a bit of a Hail Mary. But after spending months wishing I could get some real balanced detail from a pair of open-earbuds, the Beyerdynamics have delivered.

They are everything I’ve been asking for from open-earbuds.

Firstly, these buds have the same clip design as the Bose, but are far more comfortable as they’re highly flexible and don’t move much during workouts. The Beyerdynamics also have a higher durability rating, with dust and splash protection, whereas the Bose are only protected from water splashes. The studio tuning of the Beyerdynamics lends itself well to crisp highs and a natural sound, whereas the Bose buds sound almost artificial and manufactured.

The Bose buds are tuned to please a large consumer base, but the detailed studio tuning of the Beyerdynamics allows you to immerse yourself in the music wherever you are.

Keeping it real

Although the sound tuning of the Beyerdynamics makes them my winner, there are some trade-offs. The Bose buds have a longer total battery life of 27 hours in comparison to the 20 hours of the Beyerdynamics, and if you care about special features like head-tracking spatial audio, the Bose will be your bag.

Also, when you look at the cases side by side, there’s not much difference, so either pair will do the job well for portability.

The takeaway here is that spending more doesn’t always get you the best sound. Sure, the Bose buds are some of the best you can buy, but for a natural, balanced sound that translates well across a wider variety of genres, I can’t recommend the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZEROs enough.

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The Nothing Ear (3a) are the latest mid-range earbuds from budget British brand Nothing. The new buds sit underneath the flagship Nothing Ear (3), but there’s really very little between the two.

For $99, the Nothing Ear (3a) are a bit of a bargain. They offer striking design, plenty of features and decent sound quality (after some fettling in the EQ). If you’re only considering their core performance, these are some of the best wireless earbuds around for people on a budget.

However, I have one major concern around some new onboard recording features. In short, these earbuds will let you secretly record and store phone calls. So… spy buds. Is this a bug or a feature?

Want to know more? Keep reading my full Nothing Ear (3a) review to find out.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Specs

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Price & availability

The Nothing Ear (3a) cost just $99 / £99, undercutting the brand’s flagship Nothing Ear (3) ($149), as well as big-name rivals like the Apple AirPods 4 ANC ($179) and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 ($179). If you’re using either an iPhone or Galaxy phone, you’ll benefit more from the ecosystem integration of the latter two earbuds — the ability to swap seamlessly between an iPhone and iPad, for example. Otherwise, it’s difficult to recommend the big names over the Ear (3a), given the $80 difference.

At this price, the Ear (3a) are in direct competition with other budget-ish heroes like the EarFun Air Pro 4+ ($99) and CMF Buds 2 Plus ($79). The Air Pro 4+ are the toughest to beat, offering equally as powerful ANC and excellent sound. That said, the Air Pro 4+ look cheap and don’t offer the same number of features as the stacked Ear (3a).

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Design

Nothing is known for its striking design ethos. True to form, the Ear (3a) look phenomenal. Bold colors and Nothing’s trademark see-through design give pure cyberpunk vibes. I tested the hot pink variant, but there’s an equally striking yellow model, plus Nothing’s typical white or black colorways.

Build quality is excellent, with both case and buds feeling high quality. The case lid is magnetic and snaps closed reassuringly, while the buds click magnetically into place with similar confidence. The case is transparent, which looks scruffy pretty quickly, but I’ve yet to see a case that doesn’t reach that point eventually.

The flagship Nothing Ear (3) have a more premium case, with wireless charging and a microphone built into it. They also have a bone-conduction mic in the earbuds. But I wouldn’t say there’s enough there to justify an extra $50 on the Ear (3). They use the same 12mm drivers, while the Ear (3a) benefit from the new stem controls and the recording features I’ll cover later.

The Ear (3a) buds and case are each IP54 rated, just like the Apple AirPods 4, meaning they’ll stand up to rain if you’re caught in a shower, and you can use them for working out. The EarFun AirPro 4+ are IP55 rated, so a little tougher against water.

The CMF Buds 2 Plus have a slightly higher IP55 earbud rating, but only IPX2 for the case. That could be an issue if your clothes got wet with the case in your pocket. I’d rather have IP54 all-round.

Comfort

Mileage is always going to vary with earbud comfort, based on your individual ear holes. But I’ve found the Ear (3a) extremely comfortable. The tips are made from a softer, lighter silicone than my daily drivers, the EarFun Air Pro 4 ($79), and I noticed immediately how much nicer the Nothing tips felt. I wore the buds for two train journeys, plus daily life around the city, with no issues or soreness whatsoever.

Controls

I really like the Ear (3a) controls. You pinch either side of the drop stem, which I much prefer to the touch controls we often see on earbuds. The stem gives subtle haptic feedback to confirm you’ve actuated the controls, and they proved reliable and accurate when I used them while walking through central London.

You can reassign commands in the Nothing X app, with loads of combos to choose from. There are a few too many, to be honest. I simply memorized playback controls and the ANC toggle, which is all I really need.

Connectivity

The Ear (3a) use the latest Bluetooth 6.0, which is nice to see (and not a given) — even the Apple AirPods Max 2 launched in 2026 with the ageing version 5.3.

Bluetooth 6.0 offers higher data transfer rates and more modern codecs than older iterations, reduced power consumption, more stable connection, plus better pinpoint location detection (for ‘Find My’-type services). It’s always nice to see the latest tech in products, but especially budget ones like this.

Codec-wise, the Ear (3a) support the usual AAC and SBC, plus LDAC for hi-res streaming. There’s no LC3plus, an updated version of the LC3 low-energy codec, which is one of the key codec updates in Bluetooth 6.0 and improves latency. That’s not a huge deal, though.

The Ear (3a) feature multipoint connectivity, so I hooked up my phone and work laptop simultaneously and switched between the two. The Nothing X app shows you all connected devices with on/off toggles, so you can curate your connections easily.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Sound quality

The Nothing Ear (3a) stock tuning (i.e., how the equalizer is set up by default) needs work. It’s not awful. Treble and higher mids are clear, with lighter percussion sounding pretty crisp and vocals staying prominent. This is actually an improvement on the flagship Ear (3), whose treble we found overly bright and uncomfortable. Similar to the Ear (3) though, the (3a)’s low end is way over-amplified by default, at least for my liking — if you like bass and bass alone, it might be for you. Not me.

I found heavier and busier tracks difficult to listen to. Mid-range instrument separation effectively disappeared under overwhelming bass. Despite boasting impressive low extension (i.e. how low in the frequency range they can actually reproduce), the drivers can’t handle all the bass amplification EQ’d their way either. In deep electronic music like Burn Water’s Ikigai, larger warbles suffered distortion, as did the sweeping wave of sub bass in the final 20 seconds of SOHN’s Antigravity.

The low end simply needs controlling. Thankfully, you can retune the buds all you like in the Nothing X app. There are three different EQ modes. A simplistic version; some per-genre presets; plus a full and fantastic 8-band parametric EQ. After a lot of fettling in the parametric EQ, paring back bass in particular, the Ear (3a) sounded way more balanced.

Kick drums and basslines were no longer just boomy, fuzzy messes. Addison Rae’s Fame Is a Gun was no longer just one big kick drum, and I could hear the individual oscillations of the track’s wavy synths. Melvins’ Honey Bucket and The Smashing Pumpkins’ Siva, whose distorted, sludgy guitar riffs were effectively buried by booming before, now sounded fantastic, with a hearty amount of crunch and separation in the mid-range.

Likewise, with space to breathe, vocals sounded fantastic. I could pick apart each of Blusher’s voices in the harmonies of Your Love Is My Drug, and could hear the soft, slowly fading reverb on Chris Stapleton's vocals in Death Row.

Sure, it took a little time with EQ to get the Ear (3a) sounding grown up, but for $99, that’s not a big sacrifice to make.

Soundstage

The Ear (3a)’s soundstage is pretty decent for a set of ANC earbuds (which are inherently intimate) — Antigravity’s bouncy spatial intro had a convincing amount of width, for instance. There’s a ‘Spatial’ mode in the app, intended to boost three-dimensionality, but it isn’t worth it. It forces the EQ back into ‘Balanced’ and then just makes everything echoey. It’s how I’d imagine music sounds inside a medieval dungeon.

Listen along to my testing playlist on Qobuz, our favorite music streaming service for audiophiles.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: ANC

The Nothing Ear (3a) have three-level ANC (low, medium, high), plus an adaptive mode that changes automatically, and a transparency mode for staying aware of your surroundings. You switch between these via the app or stem controls.

Adaptive did a good job at tailoring the ANC to the scenario I was in, and I could hear it switching up to the highest level when I entered the busy Paddington Station in London.

The ANC itself is okay, too. It’s not the best, with nearby conversations and hubbub making it through during a train journey. However, lower-frequency sounds like the train’s engine were mostly cut. I also wore the buds while walking around the city, and the ANC cut most traffic noise, too.

You’ll get better ANC performance on the EarFun Air Pro 4+, but the Ear (3a) still did the job I needed them to do: I was able to work on the train with no distractions.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: App

I love the Nothing X app. It’s absolutely packed full of features, and useful for virtually every aspect of operating the buds, from sound (where it’s absolutely necessary) through to call recording, controls, ANC and updates.

Given the app plays such a pivotal role in using the buds, I’m glad it’s so slick and polished. It hasn’t crashed on me once, and is extremely easy to navigate and use.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Call quality

To test call quality, I called my wife while on a walk. With three bars of reception, she said my voice sounded weak and distant, although she understood everything I said. I didn’t sound hi-res, but then again I didn’t need to. The Ear (3a) got the job done.

Nothing’s flagship Ear (3) have the usual earbuds mics, plus an additional microphone built into the case. Given this is one of the only differences between the two sets of buds, it’s not enough reason to recommend the pricier model.

The Ear (3a) have some novel call recording features, but I’ll discuss these in the Privacy concerns section below.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Battery life

Nothing claims the Ear (3a) will last up to 10 hours with ANC off, or 6 hours with ANC enabled. This aligns with my testing, with the buds dropping about 30% over a nearly-two-hour train journey. In total, you can expect 42 hours without ANC from the buds and charging case combined, or 25 with ANC.

This is on the low side, but not awful. The Apple AirPods 4 ANC, for example, manage 24 hours in total with ANC on, while the (Nothing-owned) CMF Buds Pro 2 last 26 hours. The CMF Buds 2 Plus offer 33 hours, while the EarFun Air Pro 4+ can go for 36 hours.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Privacy concerns

I wouldn’t normally need to write a section on privacy — and the fact that I have should raise alarm bells. The Ear (3a) have a range of recording features, which look fairly innocent on the surface. There’s an Audio Snapshot mode, which will store the last minute of media playback — i.e. your favorite excerpts from music or TV.

They can also record and store two hours of calls or voice notes, with a transcription service available via a subscription in the Nothing X app. Very handy for any students or journalists needing to record and transcribe online meetings. But I have serious privacy concerns with this feature.

During test calls, initiating ‘call recording’ delivered a prompt to both parties saying “this call will be recorded in 3, 2, 1.” Fine — good, even! Not so fast. After hitting mute on my side, the other party heard no prompt whatsoever. I ran the test with my colleague Nikita, then again with my wife. Same result for both. So, the Ear (3a) can record calls without the other person knowing or consenting. Here in the U.K., that isn’t illegal, but in many U.S. states it is. Regardless, it’s immoral unless under specific public interest needs.

I don’t like the idea of this feature becoming widespread in earbuds, either. Sure, there are already plenty of ways to record calls nefariously. But adding this kind of thing to tech as ubiquitous as earbuds feels like it’ll make non-consensual recording much easier and more commonplace.

I’ve reached out to Nothing for comment on this issue, but it hasn't got back to me yet.

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Verdict

The Nothing Ear (3a) surprised me. I thought nothing could tempt me away from my long-term daily drivers, the EarFun Air Pro 4. But it seems Nothing can!

I really, really wish they didn’t make it so easy to spy on people, but, putting aside the privacy stuff just for a minute and judging these on their merits as earbuds, the Ear (3a) offer impressive performance for their price. Consider the striking design, premium build quality and decent comfort, and these buds start looking like a proper bargain — in fact, I’m not sure why you’d buy the pricier Nothing 3 flagship.

OK, the sound needs some work by default, but the drivers are inherently very good, and it only takes a little time in the EQ to sort everything out. For under $100, that’s time I’m more than happy to spend.

If you want to listen to your favorite songs the way the artist intended, you need a pair of in-ear monitors (IEMs) — and you don’t need to spend an extortionate amount on them either. The Sivga Lyrebird are phenomenal IEMs, and at just under $150, they give Sennheiser a run for its money. Sound quality is 10/10 with great instrument separation, powerful bass, and airy treble, thanks to the quad-driver configuration.

In addition to that, the Lyrebird are mighty comfortable, making them perfect for all-day wear, and they’re built well, too. The only drawback is that these IEMs utilize a 4.4mm jack, so you’ll need either an adapter or a DAC/Amp.

To find out if these are the best wired headphones for you, read my full Sivga Lyrebird review.

Sivga Lyrebird review: Specs

Sivga Lyrebird review: Price & availability

If you want to stream hi-res audio, the Sivga Lyrebird are excellent in-ear monitors (IEMs) that don’t necessarily break the bank. They have a retail price of $149 at Amazon U.S. / £125 at Sivga Shop U.K.

This puts the Lyrebird in the same price range as the Sennheiser IE 200 ($149) and the Sony Inzone E9 ($149) — though the latter are gaming IEMs. If you’re on a tight budget, the Dunu Titan X ($39) are much cheaper than the Lyrebird, but their eartip replacement is finicky and they’re slightly heavier than the Lyrebird (more on that shortly).

Sivga Lyrebird review: Design

The Sivga Lyrebird are beautiful IEMs, and I was impressed with their design as soon as I unboxed them. Unlike the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sony Inzone E9 — both of which are made of plastic — the Lyrebird are a sight for sore eyes. The Lyrebird’s earbuds feature wooden faceplates and CNC-machined aluminum housing (aviation-grade, according to Sivga) to give the IEMs a premium look.

In addition to looking great, the Lyrebird feel solid and well-built too. The Lyrebird’s braided cable features a tangle-free, flexible design, so you don’t need to worry about untangling every time you take them out of your pocket or their included case. They’re equipped with a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable, which means you can swap them with ease and increase the IEMs’ lifespan.

Weatherproofing

Wired earbuds and IEMs are rarely waterproof. Similar to the Dunu Titan X, the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sony Inzone E9, the Lyrebird don’t have an official IP rating. I wouldn’t recommend wearing them in the rain or during workouts. You may want to consider a pair of the best wireless earbuds if you want waterproofing.

Comfort

Alongside their lovely design, the Lyrebird are exceptionally comfortable, and I’ve had no problem wearing them continuously for over five hours. Each earbud weighs 0.22oz and fits snugly in my ears. The Lyrebird are lighter than the Dunu Titan X (0.45oz each) but slightly heavier than the Sennheiser IE 200 (0.14oz each) — they hit the sweet spot, in my opinion.

Just like the Dunu Titan X and the Sennheiser IE 200, you wrap the cables emerging from the earbuds around your ears to ensure they don’t fall off — and they didn’t in my testing, even when I was headbanging. I used the default size of eartips that came fitted straight out of the box, and Sivga happily includes three extra pairs of hybrid silicone tips for a stable fit and balanced seal, plus three pairs of soft silicone tips for superior comfort.

I also appreciate how easy it is to replace the eartips on the Lyrebird. On the Dunu Titan X, it took me 30 minutes to get a pair of eartips onto the earpieces because the tips’ opening felt ridiculously tight and rigid. On the Lyrebird, it took me about 20 seconds to replace the eartips — quick and easy.

Controls

Similar to other IEMs I’ve tested, the Lyrebird don’t feature any in-line buttons to control playback, so you’ll need to whip out your phone or use your audio source to play and pause music.

Connectivity & drive

The Lyrebird are wired IEMs, so no wireless Bluetooth or 2.4GHz connectivity. That means they need to be powered (driven) by a power source.

They’re not difficult to drive, but the Lyrebird only have a 4.4mm balanced cable to connect to your audio source. The advantage of a 4.4mm jack is that it separates the audio into left and right channels to keep interference to a minimum.

The downside of a 4.4mm jack is that very few phones, laptops and tablets, if any, feature 4.4mm ports. Due to this, you’ll need to grab either a 4.4mm to 3.5mm adapter, or a dedicated DAC/Amp — I recommend the latter as you won’t be sacrificing the balanced channels and will be able to enjoy your tunes fully. I used the FiiO K11 R2R ($175) to test the Lyrebird, and can’t recommend this DAC/Amp enough if you want to get the best out of your passive headphones or IEMs.

If you want to drive straight from your phone or laptop, the Dunu Titan X and the Sennheiser IE 200 are fitted with 3.5mm jacks.

Sivga Lyrebird review: Sound quality

Though they’re tiny, they’re mighty — and just like the Australian bird they’re named after, the Sivga Lyrebird truly sing. They’re fitted with quad-driver setups in each earpiece. Each earpiece utilizes a combination of 10mm dynamic, 9.2mm ceramic, balanced armature, and micro-planar drivers. Sounds like overkill, I know, but each driver has its purpose.

The dynamic drivers are there for reproducing deep, elastic bass; the balanced armatures deliver clear mids and details; the micro-planar drivers enable distortion-free treble; and the ceramic drivers act as super-tweeters to handle ultra-high frequencies. All of this is to say that the Lyrebird make music sound phenomenal. As I mentioned earlier, I tested the Lyrebird by plugging them into the FiiO K11, and listening to my mix of testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for hi-res audio.

The instrument separation and different atmospheric layers in Pink Floyd’s ‘Time’ jumped out as soon as I played the song. This is my favorite song of all time, and listening to it through the Lyrebird is the quintessential way. From the chiming clocks to the layered guitars and subtle keyboard textures, every element occupied its own distinct space while maintaining a cohesive melody. The track sounded and felt expansive and three-dimensional, while the vocals remained focused at the center.

Speaking of, ‘The Chain’ by Fleetwood Mac felt like an excellent showcase for the Lyrebird’s vocal presentation. The IEMs allowed each voice to remain distinct while blending seamlessly together. Lead vocals sounded expressive and packed plenty of detail, while the treble felt crisp and vibrant. Cymbals and acoustic guitar overtones had plenty of sparkle to them without coming across as fatiguing. I also appreciate that the sibilance remained smooth — “s” and “t” sounds weren’t harsh and didn’t sound like they were bleeding into one another.

Dire Straits’ ‘Sultans of Swing’ highlighted the Lyrebird’s ability to balance precision and musicality. The bassline sounded tight and articulate with plenty of oomph to it, and it provided a solid rhythmic foundation without overshadowing the rest of the mix. Every note plucked and the slides on Mark Knopfler’s guitar came through with exceptional clarity. The track sounded the most energetic it ever has, and I love that the Lyrebird successfully maintain the classic’s dynamic, engaging, and groovy energy.

I’ve also been impressed by the Lyrebird’s ability to remain distortion-free even when listening to music at high volumes (you shouldn’t be listening to music at 100% volume though as it can potentially damage your ears). Charli XCX’s electronic track ‘Von Dutch’ never sounded distorted at full volume, as the pounding kickdrums hit with authority and the bass remained tight and never bloated.

Listen along to my review with the Sivga Lyrebird testing playlist:

Sivga Lyrebird review: Verdict

The Sivga Lyrebird are simply outstanding. That’s it. That’s all you need to know; my job here is done.

No but really: the Lyrebird make music sound extremely detailed and like you’re in the recording studio with your favorite artist. With excellent instrument separation, deep and punchy bass, vibrant treble, and refined mids, the Lyrebird don’t give you lots to complain about.

They’re also extremely comfortable for all-day wear, and not only are they built well, they’re pleasing to look at, too. All of these qualities make the Lyrebird easy to recommend, especially if you need a pair of IEMs that doesn’t break the bank. Because these IEMs utilize a 4.4mm jack, you’ll need to get a DAC or an adapter — but that’s about the only drawback I can think of.

Open-earbuds are the best workout earbuds. In my mind, this is a fact. But how do you know which ones to buy? For me, the Panasonic RB-F10 are an easy recommendation. They’re lightweight and comfortable for workouts and all-day wear, and have a well-balanced, bright sound that will please most listeners. The call quality is great too, and the 25 hours of battery life lasted me for days on end.

But they’re not without their flaws. The bass performance lacks punch, and elements like drums and cymbals in the midrange are sometimes lost in the background, but this is to be expected when listening with open earbuds. Unfortunately, there’s no companion app for EQ customization to fix these qualms. The buds only have an IPX4 durability rating, which means they have no dust protection.

To learn more about the open-earbuds, read my full Panasonic RB-F10 review.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Specs

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Price & availability

The Panasonic RB-F10 open-earbuds are available to purchase from Amazon U.S. for $99 and from Amazon U.K. for £79. You can pick up the buds in Black or Beige, both of which look slick and understated.

These are hook-style open earbuds, like the Beyerdynamic Amiron 200, which are firm favorites of mine. The Beyerdynamics cost a little more than the Panasonic buds at $199, but the sound from the Beyerdynamics is truly unmatched in the world of open-earbuds. That said, the Panasonic buds fit excellently and are incredibly comfortable, just like the Beyerdynamics, for half the price.

In the same price range are the JLab Epic Open Sport buds for $114, which are secure even with intense movement. However, their hook-style fitment won’t be for everyone. So it’s worth checking out the EarFun Clip 2 for $99. As the name suggests, these clip to the outside of your ear. This style is better suited to glasses wearers too, which I appreciate.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Design

The Panasonic RB-F10 open-earbuds look great. I often find hook-style buds a little jarring, as they can look bulky on the outer ear, but I really liked the look of these buds.

The earbuds and case have a durability rating of IPX4, meaning they’re splashproof and can withstand splashes from any direction. However, they don’t feature any dust protection, meaning you can’t take them to the beach or work out anywhere dusty. This makes them a great option for running in some very light rain, but for anything more I would give these buds a miss and go for something with a higher durability rating like the EarFun Clip 2, which are IP55.

It’s great that these buds have wear detection too, so I’ve been able to pause my music just by taking them on and off without worrying about losing my place in my music or audiobook.

Comfort

The Panasonic RB-F10 earbuds are very comfortable to wear for extended periods. I wore them for a whole evening while running errands before going for a run and wasn’t bothered by them at all. Each earbud weighs 0.31 ounces, making them lighter than the Beyerdynamic Amiron 200, which weigh 0.4 ounces.

Controls

The Panasonic RB-F10 have touch-sensitive controls. These are very sensitive, as even brushing them when I tucked my hair behind my ear set them off. However, there is a slight delay of about a second between tapping and the action. This didn’t impact my listening but was annoying.

Connectivity

The Panasonic RB-F10 open-earbuds use Bluetooth 5.4 to connect to your streaming device. They have a 33-foot operating distance, so I was able to leave my phone in the house and head out to the backyard to get on with some yardwork without losing the connection.

You can connect the earbuds to two devices thanks to multipoint connectivity. This made it easy for me to switch between listening to music with my phone and listening to work calls on my computer.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Sound quality

The Panasonic RB-F10 earbuds have a very well-balanced sound for open-earbuds. They suffer in the bass department, but that’s to be expected because of the open design, which cannot deliver bass to the ear in the same way. However, I was disappointed by the lack of EQ customization. Of course, this isn’t essential, but it’s a feature available from most audio brands, including Beyerdynamic, Soundcore, and Sony — the list goes on. Having EQ customization from an app would have allowed me to improve some of the problem frequencies of the buds.

To evaluate bass performance, I listened to Sympathy is a Knife by Charli XCX, which is driven by deep synth. I’ll start by saying the Panasonic buds performed a lot better than other open-earbuds I’ve tested. There were no issues with distortion or crackling — but I wasn't exactly impressed either. The bass wasn’t powerful. It sounded fine, but lacked the power that I’ve come to expect from this track.

I then listened to Na Na Na by My Chemical Romance, a song with very prominent drums, to judge the mids performance. Again, I was a little underwhelmed. While it wasn’t awful, I felt the drums and cymbals became lost in the background and sounded weak. I also listened to Exile by Taylor Swift. Here, the piano sounded crisp and clear, so it’s clear these earbuds thrive with simpler songs.

Finally, I listened to Next To Me by Kingfishr. This is an airy folk track rooted in its vocal performance and acoustic guitar. The harmonies were prominent throughout, and the whole track sounded perfectly bright. This is where the earbuds thrived. The guitar in the background was prominent, and the harmonica was crisp when it came in.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Call quality

The Panasonic RB-F10 earbuds have become a permanent fixture on my desk for taking calls. To make sure I sounded crystal clear, I called my mom, which is my standardized test. Despite having a lot of traffic whizzing past right outside the window of my home office, she could only hear my voice. This showed just how impressive the two beamforming microphones are for environmental noise cancellation.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Battery life

The Panasonic RB-F10 open-earbuds have a total battery life of 25 hours with the charging case. This is more than enough to get me through a couple of days before needing a charge. But if you need more, buds like the EarFun Clip 2 can offer 40 hours of battery. Each of the Panasonic earbuds holds seven hours of battery life, which is enough for me when I’m sitting at my desk all day long or heading out for a run in the evening.

The charging case takes two and a half hours to fully charge via USB-C, but if you’re in a rush you can get an hour of listening with 15 minutes of charging, which I found particularly useful before heading out on a run.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Verdict

The Panasonic RB-F10 open-earbuds have become a staple on my desk for ambient awareness at work and are also great for workouts. The buds are lightweight and comfortable — I can wear them all day long, and the 25-hour battery life meant I wasn’t worried about running out of juice. The call quality sounds great, and the audio is well-balanced for open-earbuds — bright audio quality made them lovely to listen to my music with.

While I enjoyed the overall sound of the buds, it’s worth noting that the bass lacks punch and mid-range frequencies such as drums and cymbals were sometimes lost in the background. This could have been fixed with some EQ customization, but unfortunately there’s no compatible app to pair the earbuds with. However, this is to be expected with open-earbuds due to their design.

I’d recommend these buds to anyone who wants to try out open earbuds for working out or staying aware in the office.

Following their release in 2024, we rated the original Ozlo Sleepbuds as one of the best sleep headphones you can buy. Today, the sleep brand has announced the launch of the Sleepbuds 2, an updated and upgraded version of the much-loved originals

I’ve been testing the Sleepbuds 2 for the past week and they still deliver on everything we loved about the originals. Most notably their lightweight, low-profile design, which makes them super comfortable in all sleep positions — including devout side sleepers like myself. According to Ozlo, the Sleepbuds 2 set the standard as the smallest earbuds designed specifically for sleep.

To find out more about what we could expect from the Sleepbuds 2 ahead of their launch, I caught up with Charles Taylor, Ozlo President and co-founder, to get the lowdown on the latest model.

“The SleepBuds 2 are really our improvement after years of listening to customers and we realized there's a handful of things that people really care about, and we wanted to make sure that we release something that really knocks those out of the park,” Taylor tells me.

“The biggest differences are around battery reliability and connectivity, making sure that when you are going to sleep, that we are doing our job of really protecting the night,” says the former Bose employee.

That means you’ll get 14 hours of battery life vs the original 10, along with 2-3 extra charges from the Smart Case. Plus, you can expect seamless Bluetooth connectivity — and no more connection dropouts during the night.

“We protect [against] the disturbances that wake you up, and we help coach you to sleep in the first place,” says Taylor. This happens through excellent noise masking technology (they’ve doubled down on their decision not to include ANC — more on that below) and via environmental sensors built into the Smart Case that highlight which external factors are disturbing you.

New notable features also include phone-free access to key controls (you don't have to pick up your phone to play a sleep sound or silence your alarm). Plus 5 different Sleep Modes so you can choose when and how you access your audio throughout the night.

I expected the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 to help me drown out noise disturbances so I could sleep better — and they do. Combined with my silk blackout sleep mask, the superb audio quality and noise-masking tech made me feel like I was climbing into my own sensory deprivation tank each night.

What I didn't expect was how the environmental sensors built into the Smart Case, which include light, sound and temperature, could help me unpack why I kept waking up in the middle of the night.

At $279, they're undoubtedly expensive. But if noise disturbances are currently stopping you from snoozing, they're a worthwhile investment in peaceful sleep.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Cheat Sheet

What is it? Ultra small soft silicone earbuds designed specifically for sleep
Who is it for? Those susceptible to noise disturbances during sleep, as well as those who like to fall asleep to sleep sounds or meditations
What does it cost? $279
What do we like? Comfortable, low-profile design and crisp audio for soothing sleep sounds
What don’t we like? Premium price (but we think they're worth it)

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Specs

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Price & availability

• The Sleepbuds 2 launch with a sale price of $279
• Premium price sits in line with biggest rivals, including QuietOn and Soundcore A30

Launching with a sale price of $279, the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 are undoubtedly on the pricey side.

In comparison, the Soundcore A30 (our current #1 in our guide to the best sleep headphones) retails at $229.99/£199. Meanwhile, the QuietOn 4 ANC-only earbuds retail at $299/£232.99.

So the Ozlos are priced comparably to their rivals. And as the fit is superbly comfortable (yes, even for side sleepers), the sound is crisp and clear and the noise masking tech actively drowns out disturbances that could wake you up, I'd say the price is justified.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Design & comfort

• The Sleepbuds 2 are the smallest earbuds designed specifically for sleep
• Lightweight, comfortable and sit flush to the ear
• Custom-fit soft, silicone wingtips ensure they stay in place all night

Like their predecessor, the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 are small, lightweight and sit flush to the ear, which means they’re comfortable for all types of sleeper. That includes those who sleep on their sides, who require a low-profile fit in order to avoid dreaded pillow pressure and earache.

According to Ozlo, the Sleepbuds 2 set the standard as the smallest earbuds designed specifically for sleep.

To ensure they stay in place all night long, they come with custom-fit soft, silicone wingtips that act as an anchor. The sizes range from 0 (the smallest) through to 3 (the biggest).

They come with size 2 wing tips pre-loaded, but it’s well worth experimenting to see which wing tip size best suits the shape of your ear (too small and they’ll fall straight out and too large and they’ll bunch up and pop out).

This clever design is hugely effective — the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 are the only earbuds I’ve worn to bed that have still been there in the morning. You don’t feel as though you need to wedge them into your ear canal, either. They sat comfortably in my ear and they stayed that way all night.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Features

• The Sleepbuds 2 rely on noise masking (not ANC) to drown out disturbances
• Biometric sensors in earbuds provide basic sleep tracking
• Environmental sensors in the Smart Case track your sleep environment

Like the original Ozlo Sleepbuds, the Sleepbuds 2 have shunned Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This, says Taylor, is down to the fact that ANC isn't as effective against night time noise disturbances as sound masking. Sound masking uses soft, consistent audio to cover up disruptive noises.

"Active noise cancelation, which is what your ANC is, is really effective for environments we understand," explains Taylor. "So think airplanes, with a very consistent noise. We found them less effective in a sleep environment.

"So when you're sleeping, it's already generally pretty quiet. There's not this large ambient noise. You get more jagged noises; the snoring of a partner, the bark of a dog. And ANC isn't really that great for that. It can ultimately be distracting in sleep."

Instead, the Sleepbuds 2 rely on noise masking technology to drown out noise disturbances so you can sleep comfortably all night long, regardless of what racket you're up against.

This does have some downsides when it comes to versatility. While sound masking might be good for sleep, if you want to use your earbuds on a plane or in the office, you don't have ANC to rely on. (An ANC earbud like the Soundcore A30 might be better for multiple use cases.)

The updated Sleepbuds also come with five new Sleep Modes, so you can customize how you listen. Plus, a Sleep Shield feature that blocks notifications while streaming from your phone.

Before bed, you can use your earbuds to steam music, audio books, or other content. But when you start to drift off, the in-built biometric sensors will detect you're falling asleep and automatically transition into sleep masking sounds. (Or you could set a timer, or ask it to make the switch once the content stops.)

I opted for the low-distraction mode of the Sleepbuds. That means as soon as I place them in my ear, they start playing my chosen sleep masking sound from the 30+ options available (Jade Static is my fave.) No scrolling on my phone or Bluetooth connection required.

As well as masking noise and protecting your rest (two things they do incredibly effectively), the Sleepbuds 2 provide basic sleep tracking. But, as Taylor point out, they are not a sleep tracker as such.

"We are not a tracker, and so we very much on purpose do not want to be a tracker," Taylor tells me. The sleep tracking provided, through accelerometers in the buds themselves, is able to detect sleep stages and timing.

This basic sleep tracking, combined with the light, sound and sleep temperature trackers built into the smart case, helps provide a picture of overall sleep quality. Including the disturbances that might be behind your late night wake ups.

Understanding your sleep patterns and environment will arm you with the knowledge of what you need to do to unlock better sleep, says Taylor.

"How cold or warm was the room? How loud was the external noise? How bright was it? So we try and give you all these data points, and then track how we think you're sleeping to ultimately let you make the decision on how to get better sleep," he explains.

For me, I liked being able to monitor the sound disturbances I encounter during an average night (note the 94-decibel sound my Smart Case detected at 03.17 a.m. the other morning).

As someone who frequently finds herself awake at 3 a.m., I found it useful to discover that noise disturbances could at least partly be to blame.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Audio quality

• Redesigned audio system leads to richer sound quality
• New Audio Tuning feature allows you to tweak audio to suit chosen sound

The Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 have been designed and engineered specifically for wearing to sleep, so they were never going to be heavy on the bass. However, the good-enough sound quality of the originals has been redesigned for improved sound clarity.

That means better sound masking capabilities and higher volume. A new feature for the Sleepbuds 2 is Audio Tuning, which adjusts the audio to suit the sound you're consuming.

"In part of adding a whole bunch of new things into the buds, one of those things is now the ability to do more audio tuning," explains Taylor. "So very simply, it's just changing the audio and changing the settings of the audio for an environment."

Playing around with the different profiles, which include Balance, Focus, Spoken Word and Airplane Mode, means you can choose a sound that suits your particular environment or audio.

The Focus Audio mode suits my needs best. It delivers crisp audio when listening to sleep mediations, masking noise disturbances or playing soundscapes.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: App & controls

• Improved Bluetooth connectivity prevents connection dropping out during sleep
• Smart Case acts as connection bridge between phone and Sleepbuds
• App access is required for Sleep Mode and sleep feature alterations

A phone and an active Bluetooth connection are necessary to initially set up the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 and to stream audio.

However, you can configure your buds to automatically play your chosen built-in sleep sound as soon as you take them out of the case (which, as a recovering doomscroller who's trying to kick the habit, I choose to do).

To access the Ozlo app you need to flick open the Smart Case and connect to your phone. It sounds like a fuss, but connection is seamless and happens within seconds.

Bluetooth connection in the Sleepbuds 2 is an improvement on the originals, says Taylor. This translates to better reliability and a longer range. I haven't experienced any issues with my phone finding the Sleepbuds, or connection dropping out (which some customers reported on original version).

Once in the app you're able to control how you use your Sleepbuds. Here, you can select your soundscape, sleep masking sound, set your in ear alarm, adjust the volume or change your Sleep Mode.

For a piece of tech that claims not to be one of the best sleep trackers, I found the sleep insights useful (and largely married up with the findings from my Fitbit Inspire 3).

The earbuds track sleep consistency, efficiency (the time it takes you to fall asleep) and duration. They also collect data surrounding your sleep cycles and wakeful periods. This is useful to track alongside the environmental sensors, so you can see if your sleep issues are down to external factors.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Battery life

• Battery life has been extended to 14 hours from 10
• The case includes an addition 2-3 charges
• I placed on charge after wearing to bed for five nights as a precaution

One of the biggest upgrades from the originals to the Sleepbuds 2 is the extended battery life. Thanks to their long-life, lithium-ion battery, the Sleepbuds 2 pack 14 hours of battery, compared to the original’s 10.

That roughly translates to two full night’s sleep of constant audio play, with the battery stretching longer when using shorter bursts of sleep sound. The case also packs an additional 2-3 charges. Approximately 28-42 hours more use.

Placing the buds back in their case after waking up tops them back up to full charge, while placing the case on charge every three days or so will mean your buds will always be operational. I listen to sleep audio at the beginning of the night, which means I can leave longer stretches between charges (I put on charge after five days as a precaution).

The case charges via a provided USB-C cable.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Should you buy?

A tiny pair of earbuds that drowns out noise disturbances, the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 get my recommendation. Whether it’s my husband’s snoring, the busy street below or my cat yowling in my face at 5 a.m., I’ve found the Sleepbuds effective at creating a peaceful noise barrier so I can stay dreaming through disruptions and comfortable in all sleep positions.

It’s important to note, however, that this is done through noise masking technology, not through Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). There’s over 30 sleep sounds available, featuring soundscapes that help you fall asleep to soothing masking sound to drown out disturbances.

But if you’re someone who likes to drift off in complete silence, the Sleepbuds 2 won’t be right for you. Instead, I recommend a comfortable pair of ANC earbuds for sleeping, like the Soundcore A30.

However, in order to accommodate ANC, the A30s come with an ever so slightly bigger build. That means they could be uncomfortable for some sleepers (our lead reviewer noted slight discomfort when sleeping on his side).

For complete silence only (and no other sound), go for the QuietOn 4 earbuds — zero connectivity, just total, reliable silence and superbly comfortable in all sleep positions.

After trying the Sleepbuds 2, I can say that I personally prefer the reliable sound of noise masking. The immersive feeling of the soundscapes and the masking sounds are predictably soothing, regardless of what racket is actually happening in my bedroom.

Are the Technics AZ100 some of the best earbuds you can get? Well, that’s what the next 1,000 words are for: Me to know and for you to find out. But if you want me to let you in on a little secret, come closer… Yes. Yes, they are.

With powerful, yet balanced bass, emotive and natural mids and clear treble, the sound quality is worth the $300 price tag. If you only listen to heavy genres like grunge you might be a little disappointed by the slight lack of detail in super muddy tracks, but for most people, I’m sure this isn’t a huge issue. I only noticed it in two of the many songs I listened to during testing. The clarity and control in every other genre more than made up for it.

So, ready to find out more about these premium earbuds? Of course you are.

Premium sound quality with a capital P

To test sound quality, I listened to a variety of genres on Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles. Obviously, I listened to much more music than I’m going to discuss here, but I’ll choose three standout tracks from different genres.

First, I played “Violence” by Grimes using “Dynamic” EQ. This electronic track has a stuttering, string-like synth motif with pulsing bass layered under Grimes’ iconic floaty vocals. The bass sounded phenomenal: controlled yet powerful, all-encompassing yet balanced, indomitable yet complementary. Grimes’ vocals were brought to the focus of the track, and I could hear the texture in her voice, and the delicate synths weren’t overpowered. This track sounded utterly divine. I was immediately in awe.

I switched it up to “Celebrity Skin” by Hole. I switched to a custom U-shaped EQ, which highlighted the sub-bass and super high-end. This brought out the cymbals in the right ear and warmed up the crunchy guitars in the lower-mids. This didn’t sound quite as clear as the Grimes track, so I played “Moaning Lisa Smile” by Wolf Alice, another grungey female-led track (but much newer). I couldn’t clearly hear the sliding guitar during the chorus, so I upped the treble, but it still eluded me. I was a little disappointed by this — it’s there, but quiet.

Overall, though, the sound quality is sublime. This is what wireless earbuds should be about — clever, controlled sound that takes itself seriously and has a whale of a time while doing so.

Actually useful companion app

The Technics Audio Connect app boasts a litany of customization and control options. You can do literally everything you could think of. If I were to describe every function, we’d be here all day, and I know you’re all busy people — so let’s just discuss the standouts.

There’s an ear tip fit test that uses mics to analyze which ear tip suits your ears. I was told to use “Small”, but I found “Extra Small” fitted me best.

You can also activate Conversation Mode, which will activate transparency mode with one tap of the earbuds. The app can also decrease environmental calls if the person you’re speaking to is in a noisy environment, which is cool.

Of course, you’ve also got the usual suspects: EQ adjustment, ANC customization, and there’s the user manual, too.

As you can see, the Technics Audio Connect app looks sleek, is easily navigable, and has a ton of helpful features. I’d recommend downloading it and checking it out if you get these earbuds.

But a polarizing fit

However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows over here in Technics land. The bubble had to burst eventually, right? And in this case, it’s my concha (figuratively) bursting from the sheer size of the earbuds. Technics claims the AZ100 are smaller and lighter than the AZ80, and I don’t disagree. They are, technically, smaller and lighter than the predecessor.

But they’re not smaller enough. I could only wear these earbuds for around an hour before needing a break. I have super small ears, which I acknowledge and take into account when I review earbuds, but it’s not just me this time. I gave them to my boyfriend, who has normal man-sized ears, and he said they were too big. This is with the XS ear tips, by the way.

I know high-quality drivers need space (like that random guy you met online), but there’s a limit. This was a similar issue with the Denon PerL Pro — the earbuds sound lovely, but I could only wear them for an hour at a time. Conversely, I can wear my AirPods Pro 2 for six hours (until the battery runs out; yes, six hours is pathetic) without my ears aching.

I think you’d be fine if you have large ears, but small-eared folk: heed my warning!

Would I recommend the Technics AZ100?

In short: Yes!

I’m a huge fan of the controlled yet balanced bass, the faithful treble, and the clear mids.

There are only two downsides for me: the overly large concha fit and the slight muddling in heavy genres. If you have medium-to-large-sized ears and you don’t really listen to grunge, these won’t be problems for you at all.

I recommend the AZ100 for anyone who wants premium-feeling earbuds without going for the usual big names of Apple, Bose, and Sony. If you value lovely sound and a premium vibe, then the AZ100 are definitely for you.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple’s premium AirPods Max 2 just crashed by $100 at Amazon
• I gave my kid the JBL Junior 320 headphones: they look cheap but sound surprisingly good
• I tested the Denon Home 600 — and it’s one of the most ambitious smart speakers yet

We're now into July, which means we've done six full months of testing here at Tom's Guide in 2026. From coffee machines, through to vacuums, gaming handhelds, laptops and phones — not only is it our job to put tech through its paces, it's what our journalists, editors and contributors love to do.

I'm Pete, Senior Reviews Editor here at Tom's Guide, and I head up our reviews coverage on site. My team of dedicated reviews writers alone have lab tested and reviewed hundreds of products already this year, with the wider Tom's Guide editorial team having testing dozens more. If you've not had your finger precisely on the pulse of the latest tech this year, well, I don't blame you — it's hard to keep tabs on everything. That's why we exist.

To help, I've gathered the Tom's Guide team's favorite products from 2026 so far. Obviously, I can't fit everything into a single article, so I asked our subject experts across the site to give me their top picks, too. I've also curated the top five highest scorers, which stand above the rest. Every product on here has been tested by us, hands-on, as part of a full, extensive review.

Read on to see the tech Tom's Guide loved in the first half of 2026.

Tom's Guide's Top 5

Every product on this list has scored at least four stars, earning our TG Recommended or Editor's Choice badges. But there are five products on this list that scored our full five stars after testing. These are the best of the best so far this year. To save you some time, here are the links to our reviews.

• DJI Osmo Pocket 4 review ★★★★★
• 007 First Light review ★★★★★
• KitchenAid Artisan Plus review ★★★★★
• Gozney Dome XL Gen 2 review ★★★★★
• Samsung S95H OLED review ★★★★★

Keep reading to see the rest of our top tested picks for 2026.

AI

Rokid Glasses

After 5,000 miles in the Rokids, we were seriously impressed
Score: ★★★★☆

The best smart glasses without a display are cool and all, but their features are usually rather limited to just asking questions about what you see. The Rokid Glasses proved to me that adding a screen turns that superpower into an ambient computing platform — offering features only when you need them and disappearing into the background in some stylish specs.

With that display, you get real-time conversation translation with text subtitles so you’re not having to try to listen to your smart glasses talk over the person in front of you. And the multi-modality unlocked by asking a question and just getting answers you can see makes them much more subtle. Not to say they’re perfect — the camera quality for snapping pictures suffers in low light and some features are very China-specific (like Alipay). But arm these with Google Gemini in setup, and they’re a genuinely helpful companion on your face for a decent price.

Jason England, Managing Editor, Core Tech
Read Jason's full Rokid Glasses review

Cameras & drones

GoPro Mission 1 Pro

GoPro's return to form in the action camera game
Score: ★★★★½

After years essentially re-releasing the same Hero cameras with minor tweaks, GoPro has finally pushed itself. The Mission 1 Pro is pricey, but it’s the first GoPro I’ve been excited about in a while. It seriously impressed me with its powerful and versatile video credentials in testing, namely open gate 8K and a wealth of shooting features that make it ideal for its target market: professionals. Thanks to revised processor architecture and a shiny new battery, I managed to extract unparalleled battery life and thermals versus other action cameras in my standardized battery tests. GoPro is back!

Pete Wolinski, Senior Reviews & Cameras Editor
Read Pete’s full GoPro Mission 1 Pro review

DJI Osmo Pocket 4

The best all-around tool for content creation
Score: ★★★★★

I awarded the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 our full five stars in my review, and that’s because I literally couldn’t find anything wrong with it. Aside from the fact that it’s not available in America (yet?) due to tariffs and DJI’s ongoing feud with the U.S. government. The Osmo Pocket 4 improved on its predecessor in every single way that mattered: video, stabilization, storage, thermals, battery life, and more. If you’re after a single tool for professional-looking content creation, I really can’t think of anything better to recommend.

Pete Wolinski, Senior Reviews & Cameras Editor
Read Pete’s full DJI Osmo Pocket 4 review

DJI Avata 360

Although a little late to the 360 party, DJI absolutely smashed it
Score: ★★★★½

The DJI Avata 360 does exactly what you want a drone to do: make flying fun. It stakes its claim as the best 360° drone around (granted, there are only two at the time of writing, but still!) and its twin lenses capture every single angle in 8K at 60fps. 120MP hi-res stills, user-friendly editing software, and exceptional build quality make it the drone to buy today. It also undercuts its main competitor, the Antigravity A1, and with dual ways to fly (FPV and with a standard controller), the Avata 360 is versatile and oh-so-powerful. Every day I still think about it — and as someone who’s tested many, many quadcopters, that’s saying a lot.

Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Nikita’s full DJI Avata 360 review

Computing & gaming

MacBook Neo

Our favorite budget laptop, literally ever
Score: ★★★★½

Value for money in laptops has become a bit of a running joke this year (thanks, RAMageddon). But of all the companies building notebooks, I didn’t anticipate it would be Apple to deliver the goods and give you an honest-to-god well-priced system. Yes, there’s been a $100 increase recently, but even with that, the premium aluminum build quality, great display, tactile keyboard and zippy performance of that A18 Pro makes for a great system for the day-to-day essentials.

I must admit, to see Apple actually having fun with colors in its MacBooks is a refreshing change from the blacks and silvers of its more expensive lineage. All of this comes together into a laptop that has terrified the budget Windows laptop market, and the best ultra portable we’ve tested this year.

Jason England, Managing Editor, Core Tech
Read our full MacBook Neo review

Asus Zenbook Duo (2026)

Dual OLED panels = chef's kiss
Score: ★★★★½

Yes, this is a dual-screen OLED beauty of a premium laptop; Asus has really paid attention to the design and ergonomics of a system like this. But the real superpower is what lies inside that shell. Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (codenamed Panther Lake) has been a truly generational moment for Team Blue in its Windows laptops, and it comes down to huge updates to both the performance and power efficiency.

Those new CPU cores and efficiency architecture they’re built onto gives this a gargantuan battery life that would make a MacBook blush, while the superpowered GPU (alongside XeSS 3) gives this some serious gaming laptop chops too. Usually, you had to be considerate of just what you wanted to do with your Windows laptop and decide on the strengths and compromises around that. With anything that sports an X9 chip like this, though, that’s no longer a compromise you have to make.

Jason England, Managing Editor, Core Tech
Read Jason's full Asus Zenbook Duo (2026) review

MSI Claw 8 EX AI+

A true next-gen gaming handheld
Score: ★★★★☆

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ delivers the performance jump I’ve been waiting years for. With Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme chip, games are pulling a 20 to 30+ FPS advantage over AMD Z2 Extreme handhelds. Battery life gets a big boost too. I could hit the same performance as the Z2 Extreme at half the power consumption. Combine that with its major redesign bringing more Xbox-like controls, better haptics, and its large 8-inch 16:10 display, and you’re getting, in my opinion, one of the best handheld gaming consoles of 2026.

Paul Antill, Video Producer
Read our full MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review

007 First Light

Forget GoldenEye: this is the best Bond game ever
Score: ★★★★★

Gamers are being treated to a licensed games renaissance right now. The days of cheap cash-ins launched to coincide with a new blockbuster movie are over. But even in this golden era for video games based on popular media franchises, 007 First Light surpasses expectations.

Forget GoldenEye, First Light is the best James Bond game ever. With its ludicrously cinematic gameplay, compelling narrative that focuses on a younger Bond (played by Patrick Gibson), and deep commitment to authenticity, 007 First Light is easily the best thing to come out of this long-running spy series in 20 years, movies included. There’s a reason it was only the second video game I’ve given the full five stars. Whether you’re a longtime Bond fan or a newcomer, 007 First Light is quite simply unmissable.

Rory Mellon, Senior Entertainment Editor
Read Rory's full 007 First Light review

Epomaker Glyph

Nikita's dream keyboard
Score: ★★★★½

I’ve tested close to 100 keyboards in my time as a reviews writer, and it isn’t often that I get to proclaim, “I’ve found my dream keyboard.” Ever since I tested the Epomaker Glyph, it hasn’t left my desk, and it’s my daily driver when I’m at the office. Typewriter-like aesthetics, a return lever that acts as an Enter or Backspace key, beautiful RGB lighting, a creamy sound profile, and a typing experience that’s nothing short of stunning — all of these characteristics come together to deliver what’s probably the best mechanical keyboard I’ve used for typing. I’m a speed demon when I’m bashing out 109 words per minute of this thing.

Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Nikita’s full Epomaker Glyph review

(A note from Nikita's editor, Pete: "I can confirm, the Glyph genuinely hasn't left her desk!")

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36

Pro performance for under $1,000
Score: ★★★★½

It’s no secret that MSI knows how to make a great gaming monitor, and its MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is one of the most beautiful displays I’ve ever tested. Blistering 360Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time for buttery smooth gameplay? Check. Ridiculously accurate colors and wide color coverage? Yep. AI sleep and wake features that are actually useful and not just a gimmick? Oh yeah. And all of this is packed into a sleek design with plenty of ports. Not much to complain about here, really.

Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Nikita’s full MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 review

Viture Beast AR glasses

Beast by name, beast by nature
Score: ★★★★½

I’ve traveled the world testing all of this year’s biggest AR glasses releases, and Viture Beast stands head and shoulders above the pack as the best I’ve used this year (so far). There’s three reasons why: picture quality, comfort and features. Viture’s color science and fidelity really shines in those micro-OLED displays with a massive 58-degree field of view. There’s a little edge fringing on the sides, but given the massive vision field, it’s unlikely you’ll notice it. And this is packed into a nice-feeling pair of glasses with a soft-touch coating that sits gently on your ears with optimal weight balance. Cap it all off with plenty of customization built in, plus the SpaceWalker app for multi-monitor home office setups, and the Beast are…well…pretty beastly for work and play.

Jason England, Managing Editor, Core Tech
Read Jason's full Viture Beast review

Fitness

Fitbit Air

The best Whoop alternative, and subscription-free
Score: ★★★★☆

The Fitbit Air is my fitness tracker of the year so far. Discreet and distraction-free (no screen), this is a fitness tracker that's easy to use, lightweight, and oh-so-comfortable. Just $99 and subscription-free for core features, it offers a week of battery life and covers all the holistic metrics you'd expect from a modern device, like heart health, sleep quality, daily movement, and workouts. For most people, this is the best screen-free fitness tracker you can buy, and the new Google Health companion app makes viewing all your health data a dream.

Jane McGuire, Managing Editor, Fitness
Read our full Fitbit Air review

Salomon XT-6

Hike, shop or relax in comfort and style
Score: ★★★★½

The Salomon XT-6 shoes have become a staple in my closet. Whether I’m heading to the store or hitting up a challenging trail on the weekend, I know I’ll be supported. I wore these hiking sneakers on a city break, where I clocked over 93,000 steps and didn’t have a single complaint. Not only that, the multidirectional lugs kept me stable on even the trickiest terrain, as I hiked in mud, over rocks, and through water.

On top of their technical ability, the XT-6s are a fashion statement, worn all over New York by fashion-forward celebs; these shoes have earned a coveted spot in my daily rotation — although you’ll find me cleaning the mud off them after each adventure.

Ashley Thieme, Staff Writer
Read Ashley’s full Salomon XT-6 review

Homes

Dyson V16 Piston Animal Cordless

A powerful cordless Dyson that's perfect for pet owners
Score: ★★★★☆

I’ve tested my fair share of Dyson vacuum cleaners in my time, but I must say that the V16 combines all of my favorite features in one cleaner. First, its upgraded ‘Fluffy Cones’ head is designed to be used on both carpets and hard flooring without the need to swap over attachments. This is a great time-saver, and lets me quickly zip around my home without pausing. Perhaps my favorite feature is the dust-detecting green light which reveals those hidden dustballs lurking underneath furniture and in corners. Plus, it’s lightweight and easy to store, which is why it’s now my go-to for daily maintenance, and why I awarded our Editor’s Choice badge.

Cynthia Lawrence, Homes Editor
Read Cynthia’s full Dyson V16 Piston Animal Cordless review

KitchenAid Artisan Plus

The latest version of KitchenAid's legendary mixer, and the best one yet
Score: ★★★★★

I got to test KitchenAid’s newest stand mixer, the Artisan Plus, and it’s even better than I imagined. I’d been happily using KitchenAid’s Artisan stand mixer as my go-to appliance for a good few years, and I really didn’t see how it could be improved, but it has. It may only seem like a few tweaks, but they have made a big difference. From the sliding speed control that just glides, to the in-bowl light, which illuminates the mix — and let's not forget the double-edge flex beater that cleans the bowl as it sweeps past— I loved it so much during testing that I gave it a 5-star rating.

Camilla Sharman, Staff Writer
Read Camilla’s full KitchenAid Artisan Plus review

Gozney Dome XL (Gen 2)

The undisputed king of pizza ovens
Score: ★★★★★

If you’re a dedicated — and I mean dedicated — at-home pizza maker, the Gozney Dome XL (Gen 2) is the closest you’ll come to actually building a pizza oven from scratch. It can run on either gas, wood, or charcoal, has dual temperature probes, and is big enough to fit a 16-inch pie with room to spare. I loved its easy-to-ready displays, and the design of the oven is just gorgeous, too. Yes, it’s huge and it’s expensive (I’ve made equally good pizzas in much cheaper ovens), but this is the oven that’ll signal you’re the real pizzaiolo in your neighborhood.

Mike Prospero, U.S. Editor-in-chief
Read Mike’s full Gozney Dome XL (Gen 2) review

Fellow Espresso Series 1

Beginners or pros, coffee snobs or otherwise — this one is for everyone
Score: ★★★★½

When Fellow designed the Espresso Series 1, it looked at the other espresso machines out there and thought, “I’m going to do something different.” And different the Espresso Series 1 is. When I tested this machine, I loved that it provided coffee-snob-approved features while still being usable for complete beginners. On top of having a litany of customization options on the machine itself, I loved having the app, which walked me through how to make every type of coffee ever invented. You may think this is too ambitious, but for me, the Espresso Series 1 hits all its marks and comes out victorious.

Erin Bashford, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Erin’s full Fellow Espresso Series 1 review

Phones

Apple iPhone 17

A surprisingly solid update over the previous generation
Score: ★★★★½

Apple launched more new phones than in any previous year, but the iPhone 17 remains my favorite for several reasons. One thing that makes it stand out is that it finally got a long-overdue upgrade to a 120Hz refresh rate, making its screen look even more fluid than before in testing. On top of that, I really love how it didn’t get a price hike and still managed to get double the starting storage.

John Velasco, Senior Phones Editor
Read John's full iPhone 17 review

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The phone that'll get better over time
Score: ★★★★½

When it comes to Android phones, nothing caught my eye more than the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung’s flagship received all the iterative updates it deserved, but one particular new feature stood out most: the Privacy Display. It works like magic, making the screen look dark when someone tries to peek at it from the side. You can even customize it to block out specific parts of the display — like when you’re messaging someone. This exclusive feature is what sets it apart from everything else.

John Velasco, Senior Phones Editor
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review

Sleep

Saatva Zenhaven Mattress

What you should be sleeping on in 2026
Score: ★★★★½

The Saatva Zenhaven latex mattress blew our socks off during testing, thanks to its naturally cooling and supportive sleep feel for eco-conscious shoppers. Handcrafted in the US from (mostly) organic materials, the Zenhaven boasts a flippable design with a different tension on each side: Luxury Plush and Gentle Firm. We appreciated how one side boasted more cushioning for side sleepers, while the unyielding feel of the firmer side best-suited back and stomach sleepers. At $3,549 at full MSRP it’s a splurge, but cheaper during Saatva mattress sales. However, it’s worth noting that latex mattresses can last up to 20 years, so we think it’s worth the investment.

Nicola Appleton, Sleep Editor
Read our full Saatva Zenhaven Mattress review

Fitnexa SomniPods 3

If you struggle sleeping, these earbuds are for you
Score: ★★★★☆

The Fitnexa SomniPods 3 are compact sleep earbuds that helped me sleep better in even the most disruptive environments (like my neighbor's son playing basketball at unsociable hours). Fitted with built-in white noise, excellent active noise cancelation, plus sleep tracking features, they’re an easy recommendation for any troubled sleepers. But the real stand-out feature for me is the Fitnexa app. Here, your own AI coach waits for you, ready to provide personalized advice based on your sleep tracking data, activity logs and food diaries. The info isn’t quite on par with a qualified sleep professional but thanks to the wealth of data to draw from, it was pretty spot on in testing, helping take the SomniPods from sleep earbud to all-round sleep enhancer.

Ruth Jones, Senior Sleep Writer
Read Ruth's full Fitnexa SomniPods 3 review

Smart home & security

Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+

A fantastic way to improve security on a budget
Score: ★★★★☆

Blink has long been one of our favorite budget smart home brands, and its newest battery-powered video doorbell furthers its reputation as a value leader. The Battery Doorbell 2K+ delivered very good 2K video in our testing — not the tops, but for a sub-$100 device it was more than acceptable. And, while it runs on AA batteries, they’ll last up to two years on a charge. You can also use this video doorbell without a subscription (you’ll need to purchase a separate adapter), but Blink’s subscription price is relatively affordable.

Mike Prospero, U.S. Editor-in-chief
Read our full Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+ review

TV & Audio

Samsung S95H OLED

Supreme picture quality, even in bright rooms
Score: ★★★★★

I’ve tested countless TVs, but the Samsung S95H is the first unit in several years that truly surpassed all my expectations. It completely shatters the familiar rules of OLED, obliterating ambient glare and delivering an unprecedented, jaw-dropping brightness in the self-emissive category. Even the floating metal bezel (a design choice I fully assumed I'd hate) adds a striking, premium presence I grew to love. Between its breathtaking performance and how seamlessly it transitions into a decor piece via Samsung Art Store support, this is a flagship that stands as a definitive standard-bearer.

Kate Kozuch, Managing Editor
Read Kate's full Samsung S95H OLED review

AirPods Max 2

Everything is dialed up to 11
Score: ★★★★½

It’s impossible to be a tech lover and not have strong opinions about Apple’s new AirPods Max 2. Some people love them, some people hate them, but I’m firmly in the first camp. The AirPods Max 2 are headphones that know what they’re about, and they’re not apologizing for it. With gorgeous anodized aluminum ear cups and an all-metal headband, they’re not the lightest cans in the world, but the sound more than makes up for it.

Every detail is clear, mids are melodic and vivacious, and the bass is balanced, rich, and warm. Of course, you’ve also got industry-leading smart tech features like Live Translation and integrated Siri, but Apple users looking for the best headphones need look no further than Apple’s own.

Erin Bashford, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Erin’s full Apple AirPods Max 2 review

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO

Open earbuds that make no sacrifices
Score: ★★★★½

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO have completely changed the way I think about open-earbuds (and I’ve tested a lot). Up until testing the ZEROs, I’d accepted that if I wanted ambient awareness, comfort and stability while working out, I’d need to sacrifice sound quality — but they prove that’s not the case. They provided me with the detailed listening experience I love from Beyerdynamic’s other headphones, without compromising bass performance, delivering perfectly balanced sound. I wear them when I’m working, running, or hiking in the rain (thanks to IP54 durability). They’re the only open earbuds I’ve tested with no compromises.

Ashley Thieme, Staff Writer
Read Ashley’s full Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review

JBL Xtreme 5

The party speaker for summer 2026
Score: ★★★★½

The JBL Xtreme 5 came, it saw, and it conquered. JBL really understood the assignment with the surprise follow-up to 2024’s Xtreme 4. Everything about the Xtreme 5 oozes confidence: the deft, controlled bass that’ll have your floorboards shaking and your bones quaking; the literally unbeatable IP68 rating that protects it against rain, sand, and drops; the gorpcore, utilitarian design; and of course the rugged 24-hour battery life. This is the party speaker of 2026. I’ve tested hundreds of audio products and Bluetooth speakers, but the Xtreme 5 is a special one.

Erin Bashford, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Erin’s full JBL Xtreme 5 review

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You don’t need to break the bank to get good sound quality. If you’ve got £59 to spare, the Honor Earbuds 4 are a fine choice. Packing dual titanium-coated drivers, the Honor Earbuds 4 boast impressive audio performance with powerful bass — though the treble can sound tinny at times. With long battery life, a user-friendly companion app, and a comfortable fit, you wouldn’t think these buds cost under £60.

But what does remind you that these are budget earbuds is the lack of LDAC support, cheap-looking design, and equalizer that can’t be customized. If none of those things matter to you and you want a cheap pair of earbuds for casual listening, then these are worth considering.

To find out if these are the best cheap wireless earbuds for you, read my full Honor Earbuds 4 review.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Specs

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Price & availability

The Honor Earbuds 4 were first revealed in October 2025 and became available in select global markets in April 2026. With a retail price of £59, they can be bought directly from Honor’s U.K. website.

These are great wireless earbuds for budget-conscious buyers. The Honor Earbuds 4 are priced similarly to the CMF Buds 2 Plus (£49), the JLab JBuds Pods ANC (£59) and the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 (£49). They’re also cheaper than the EarFun Air Pro 4+ (£89) and the EarFun Air Pro 4 (£99). Though they face fierce competition from the aforementioned rivals, the Honor Earbuds 4 are up to the challenge as they boast surprisingly impressive sound quality and long battery life.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Design

The Honor Earbuds 4 come in either Black or White, and I tested the former. They sport a drop-stem design, similar to the EarFun Air Pro 4+, and just like the Air Pro 4+, the Honor Earbuds 4 look… fine? They won’t win any awards for their design, that’s for certain, as the glossy finish looks and feels a little cheap, and both the earbuds and the case feel a bit too plasticky. These are sub-£60 earbuds, though, so you shouldn’t expect world-class looks anyway.

Weather-proofing

The Honor Earbuds 4 are IP54-rated which isn’t uncommon in this price range. This means they’re protected against dust and can be used in the light rain and during workouts without risk. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 and the CMF Buds 2 Plus are both IP55-rated, as are the pricier EarFun Air Pro 4+. The core difference between IP54 and IP55 is water resistance. IP54 offers basic protection against splashes, and IP55 offers more robust protection and can even withstand low-pressure hosing — though I doubt you’d be washing down your earbuds that way.

Comfort

The Honor Earbuds 4 are extremely comfortable for all-day wear. Each bud weighs just 0.18oz, similar to most other earbuds I’ve tested. In my testing, I barely felt them in my ears, and I didn’t feel any discomfort even after wearing them for six straight hours. Just because they’re that light doesn’t mean that they fall out of your ears either.

Controls

These earbuds feature touch controls located on the buds’ stems. By utilizing a combination of pinching and swiping, you can play/pause music, change tracks, adjust the volume, cycle through ANC modes, and answer or reject calls. The controls can be remapped and customized via the companion app (more on that shortly). I found the controls responsive during my testing as all my commands were registered instantaneously.

Connectivity

As is the nature of wireless earbuds, the Honor Earbuds utilize Bluetooth 5.3 and feature multi-point connectivity to connect to two audio sources simultaneously. They worked like a charm with my MacBook Air M2 and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. The earbuds support SBC and AAC codecs but there’s no LDAC or LC3 (Android only), so you can’t stream hi-res audio. This is a little disappointing given that both the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 and the CMF Buds 2 Plus pack LDAC.

The Honor Earbuds 4 feature highly effective wear detection too, where playback automatically pauses when you remove an earbud and resumes when you put it back in. It worked as intended in my testing.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Sound quality

The Honor Earbuds 4 are dual 11mm and 6mm titanium-coated drivers which cover a frequency response range of 10Hz to 20KHz — so the entirety of the average human hearing spectrum. I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the Honor Earbuds 4’s performance, for the most part. I listened to my usual array of testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for hi-res audio.

Punchy bass with plenty of low-end impact is the Honor Earbuds 4’s speciality, and I couldn’t help but bob my head to the bassline in ‘Baby Driver’ by 070 Shake. The distorted bassline landed with plenty of oomph, lending a meaty backbone to Shake’s ethereal vocals. Full-bodied without becoming bloated, every kick drum had a satisfying sense of weight. The Honor Earbuds 4 maintained good control especially as the beat dropped towards the end of the track, and the layered bass response made the song feel more immersive than ever.

I then listened to ‘Afterthought’ by Tame Impala to test the Honor Earbuds 4’s dynamics. The opening felt intimate, and the earbuds ensured that the restrained percussion and soft synth textures sounded spacious, and there was plenty of room for all the instruments to breathe. The bass, again, felt controlled but powerful, while Kevin Parker’s primary vocals stayed front and centre, and backing vocals swirled around my head.

While the Honor Earbuds 4 sound mostly great, ‘Three Drums’ by Four Tet revealed discrepancies in the treble performance. I felt like the earbuds’ treble tuning occasionally leaned toward the overly bright side, where the cymbals’ textures and upper harmonics started to sound tinny. Some of the hi-hats felt like they were piercing through the rest of the soundstage too. Though not overwhelming, it was noticeable enough for me to skip to the next track.

Overall, the Honor Earbuds 4 boast superb sound for a pair of £59 earbuds — and as long as you don’t mind the treble being a bit overzealous every now and then, you’ll be happy with them.

Listen along to my review with the Honor Earbuds 4 testing playlist:

Honor Earbuds 4 review: App

If you want to customize the Honor Earbuds 4, you’ll need to download the user-friendly Honor AI Space app on either iOS or Android. Once you’ve either logged in or created a new account, you’ll be able to choose one of four EQ presets, remap the touch controls, adjust ANC modes, and even ring your earbuds if you’ve lost them.

While it’s nice to have EQ presets to choose from (Bass Boost, Treble Boost, etc.), you can’t customize your own EQ, which is a little disappointing given that similarly priced buds, like the JLab JBuds Pods ANC and the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2, offer custom EQ.

What you do get, though, is access to AI Translation — Honor’s taken a leaf out of Apple’s book here. There’s a Chat mode as well as an Interpreter Mode. Chat Mode is useful for face-to-face conversations where both you and the other person wear an earbud each, and the app translates your conversation into one of 11 languages.

Interpreter mode, on the other hand, is like Live Translation on the Apple AirPods Pro 3 ($249), where the earbuds translate spoken words directly into your ears — handy for when you’re traveling to a foreign country. I found the AI translation to be quick and mostly accurate in my testing. This is a great feature to have on such a cheap pair of earbuds.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: ANC

Honor says that its Earbuds 4 are capable of canceling out up to 50dB of sound — and the buds’ active noise cancelation (ANC) is certainly effective. Indoors, I couldn’t hear myself or my coworkers typing away on their mechanical keyboards, or the kettle boiling when I was standing right next to it. My boss had to wave at me a few times because I simply couldn’t hear him.

But outdoors, even with the ANC set to Ultra, I could still hear cars zooming past me, and sounds from the construction site too. I wasn’t expecting much from these sub-£60 buds, though, and they feature good ANC for the most part. If you want even better ANC, I’d recommend the CMF Buds Pro 2 which my colleague was extremely impressed with.

The Honor Earbuds 4’s ANC can be set to Cozy, Moderate and Ultra, but to be honest, the level of the ANC remains pretty much the same. There’s also an Awareness mode for when you want to be able to hear your surroundings. It works well and doesn’t impact the sound quality negatively.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Call quality

Mic and call quality on the Honor Earbuds 4 is good, and I tested it by calling my partner. She said I sounded clear and that my words didn’t feel like they were bleeding into one another. I then spoke to her in a crowded parking lot to test the AI Call Noise Cancelation. She noted that my voice sounded slightly metallic, which it usually doesn’t when I’m using my Marshall Monitor III ($379), but it didn’t negatively affect the overall call quality.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Battery life

If it’s long battery life you’re after, the Honor Earbuds 4 should be your port of call. With ANC off, the earbuds are rated for nine hours or a total of 46 hours with the case. The earbuds’ battery drops to five hours with ANC enabled.

In my testing, it took the Honor Earbuds 4 just under nine hours to run out of charge — living up to Honor’s claims. This testing was done with ANC disabled and music playing at approximately 50% volume.

The Honor Earbuds 4’s battery life is similar to that of its competitors. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 are rated for 11 hours (43 hours with case) while the JLab JBuds Pods ANC can last up to 10 hours (56 hours with case). Meanwhile, the CMF Buds 2 Plus are rated for a whopping 14 hours (61.5 hours with case). Honor’s offering even trumps big-name buds, like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 ($299) which are rated for a measly six hours. Nice one, Honor.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Verdict

There’s a lot to love about the Honor Earbuds 4. The comfortable, all-day fit, powerful bass, user-friendly companion app, and AI live translation features make the Honor Earbuds 4 worthy of a recommendation. I’ve been extremely impressed with its soundstage… for the most part, as the tinny treble leaves you wanting more. In addition to all those goodies, you get long battery life too.

But the Honor Earbuds 4 aren’t perfect. Unfortunately, the EQ isn’t customizable and there’s no LDAC support — both of which are offered by the CMF Buds 2 Plus and the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2. Oh, and the Honor Earbuds 4 look quite cheap too.

If those are compromises you don’t mind making, and all you want is meaty bass response and a pair of earbuds that you can wear all day, then the Honor Earbuds 4 will serve you well. They cost just £59 — less than the average weekly shop for someone in the U.K.!

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 are some of the best workout earbuds I’ve had the pleasure of testing. They have seriously impressive audio quality that can be further improved with EQ customization in the companion app. They’re comfortable to wear all day long, whether I’m working out or just working from my desk. The 36-hour battery life also makes these buds a winner, and 11 hours in each bud makes them perfect for all-day wear.

Unfortunately, there’s no wear detection with the buds, so any audiobook fans are going to need to be sharp with pausing their listening. The touch controls are also very sensitive, but I ended up turning them off in the app to make things easier for myself, so this wasn’t a deal-breaker.

I love these earbuds, and if you want to find out why, you can read my full Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review below.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Specs

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Price & availability

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 open-earbuds are available for purchase on Amazon U.S. for $199 or on Amazon U.K. for £159. The earbuds come in three colors: White, Black, or Sport.

These earbuds have a hook style, much like the JLab Epic Open Sport, which I love for working out. The budget JLab buds are $114, but only come in one colorway, so the Beyerdynamics offer more style flexibility.

Hook earbuds are very secure for running, but you could also try wrap-around headphones like the H2O Audio Tri 2 PRO ($199). These use bone conduction technology, and the sound quality is nowhere near as good as the Beyerdynamic.

Speaking of excellent Beyerdynamic sound quality, you could also pick up the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO ($179), which are clip-style open-earbuds (my personal favorite). If this were a toss-up between the Amiron ZERO and the Amiron 200 buds, I’d go for the ZERO, but check out the rest of the review to decide which ones will work best for you.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Design

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 are hook-style open earbuds that wrap around the top of your ear and sit with the speaker directed towards your ear canal. I like these buds, although my personal preference is clip-style open-earbuds — like the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO or the EarFun Clip 2 ($99) — which offer a more secure fit. I tested the white colorway and think they look very sleek.

The Amiron 200 buds have an IP54 durability rating, making them ideal for outdoor training, such as running, without worrying about light rain or sweat affecting their performance. Unfortunately, these buds don’t have wear detection, so your music will keep playing even when you take them off; just remember to hit pause — especially if you’re listening to an audiobook, which I learned the hard way.

Comfort

I’ve been wearing the Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 earbuds for working out and all day at my desk, and I hardly notice them. They’re incredibly lightweight at just 0.4 ounces per bud, and the earhooks fit very securely. I’ve noticed some movement with HIIT workouts, but nothing that feels disruptive to their performance.

Like with other open earbuds, there is some sound leakage. This is to be expected and doesn’t cause any disruption until you start creeping over 50% volume — but I didn’t need to, as the audio is clear and well-defined even at low volumes.

Controls

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 have very responsive touch controls — overly sensitive, in fact. There were a couple of instances where simply brushing my hair away would trigger the controls, which was a little annoying, so I ended up turning off these controls in the Beyerdynamic app.

Connectivity

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3 and offer a 49-foot connection range. This meant I could walk around and get on with tasks without having to take my phone.

The buds only support SBC and AAC audio codecs, so they don’t offer any hi-res capabilities, but they’re great anyway. I’m a big fan of the level of detail in Beyerdynamic products, so there’s no love lost there.

You can connect the buds to two devices at once via multipoint connectivity, making them great for my workday, where I often need to switch devices for calls.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Sound quality

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 earbuds are very impressive, with a wide soundstage that can cope with a variety of genres. They’re open earbuds without the usual sound quality sacrifice, and that’s down to Beyerdynamic’s engineering. I’m a big fan of its studio headphones, like the DT 270 Pro, for detailed listening, and was also recently blown away by the audio performance of the Amiron ZERO clip-on earbuds.

Firstly, I listened to The Louvre by Lorde to check out the bass performance. When I listen to this song with other earbuds, I often notice the lower vocals becoming muddy; however, that didn’t happen here. The Amiron 200 earbuds have amazing instrument separation, allowing the bass notes to melt into the background, while the vocals remain the focus of the track.

I listened to Bags by Clairo to test the mid performance, as the song combines forceful drums with a brighter synth. The earbuds do a great job of finding a balance between the two. The driving drumbeat remained at the forefront throughout the song, even with the introduction of the brighter synth.

To test the treble and vocal performance, I listened to Edge of the Earth by The Beaches. This song has a repetitive groove that focuses on the rhythm and lead guitar. The vocals here were very crisp, and the layers of harmonies remained prominent with reverb — after testing lots of open buds, believe me, not many open earbuds can achieve that. The lead guitar also stood out and wasn’t overwhelmed by the rhythm guitar.

While I love the sound from the Amiron 200 earbuds, I would choose the Amiron ZERO buds because they have an even closer replication of in-ear buds.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: App

After testing a whole host of companion apps for audio products, the Beyerdynamic app is one of my favorites. It’s not overly complicated and gives you quick shortcuts to make alterations with just a few taps.

For sound customization, there are EQ presets to enhance things like bass or loudness, or you can create a custom EQ. I made a V-shaped EQ, which is what you’ll find in most commercial headphones since it complements a wide range of genres, and this worked well for me.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Call quality

I called my mom while wearing the Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 earbuds (my usual microphone test) while running, and she was impressed with the audio. She noted that the mic on these buds isn’t as clear as the Amiron ZERO buds but is still better than my Apple AirPods 3.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Battery life

The battery life on the Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 is very impressive, offering 36 hours with the charging case. The buds themselves have 11 hours of battery life each, which is more than enough to last me all day. This is almost double the battery life of the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO, so the 200 is the better choice for longer listening sessions.

The 36 hours from the Amiron 200 are far more impressive than the more expensive Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ($299), which only have 27 hours of playtime.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Verdict

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 open-earbuds are an impressive addition to my collection. The sound quality is on par with some of my favorite in-ear earbuds, and the simple but useful companion app features an EQ to make the sound even better. I’m also impressed by the 36-hour battery life. I can listen all day and rely on them for trips where I may not be near a charger for a few days.

Unfortunately, there’s no wear detection on these buds, but if that’s something you need, you can look at the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO instead. I also found the touch controls on the Amiron 200 to be overly sensitive, but this isn’t a deal-breaker as they can be turned off in the app.

I’d recommend these buds to anyone who’s looking for a reliable pair of buds for working out or everyday use in an office environment.

After testing the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO open-earbuds, I’m certain that everyone will love them. The sound quality makes them some of the best earbuds I’ve ever tested, and the open-ear design means they’re perfect for anyone needing to listen out for ambient sound around them.

Open-earbuds aren’t for everyone since noise-cancelling is a must for some, but these buds will change your mind. They’re extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, given their lightweight design, and the IP54 durability rating makes them a great companion for anyone sporty or who spends a lot of time outdoors in all-weather conditions. The customizable EQ settings in the companion app also meant I could make the most of my music.

My only issue is the battery life, which at 20 hours isn’t exactly competitive. It’s not a deal breaker for me, but it is something to keep in mind if you’re considering these buds. To find out more, you can keep reading this full Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Specs

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Price & availability

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO open-earbuds are available to purchase from Best Buy for $179 in the U.S. and on Amazon for £129 in the U.K. The earbuds are available in three color designs, including Black, White and Sport.

They’re on the more expensive side of open-earbuds, but they also come with the best sound quality I’ve experienced in this style of bud. My favorites up until now have been the Soundcore Aeroclip earbuds, which cost $129. But I think the extra $50 is well worth it for the Amiron’s better sound.

And while the Amiron ZEROs aren’t exactly a budget option, they’re still a whole lot cheaper than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which cost $299. However, the Bose buds have an extra seven hours of battery life on the Beyerdynamics.

You could also look at the cheaper EarFun Clip 2 earbuds, which cost $99. They offer awesome performance and comfort. They also have a whopping 40 hours of battery life with the charging case.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Design

There’s no denying that the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO are good-looking earbuds. The design is completely minimalistic, unless you get the Sport colorway, which has bright orange accents — that’s sure to make you stand out. But the Black and White color options are far more subtle.

The buds hook around the cartilage of your ear like a cuff, and I much prefer this design to hook-style open-earbuds like the JLab Epic Open Sport ($114). The cuff style feels a lot more secure. I’d also recommend this style to runners rather than wrap-around headphones like the H2O Audio Tri 2 PRO ($199), especially if you have long hair like me.

With a durability rating of IP54, the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO are protected against water splashes and dust, making them well-suited to resisting sweat during your workout or coping with unpredictable weather.

The buds also have wear detection, which I find useful as I never want to miss a second of my music, but you can switch this off in the app if you prefer.

Comfort

Since they’re lightweight at just 0.2 ounces per bud, the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO earbuds are extremely comfortable to wear all day long. Since these are open ears, you can hear everything going on around you, so I always felt comfortable in my surroundings when out and about.

It’s worth considering that since these are open-earbuds, there’s a lot of sound leakage. My colleague Erin sits next to me in our office and said it sounded like the earbuds were actually in her ears instead of mine — sorry, Erin.

Controls

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO have touch controls that are customizable through the Beyerdynamic app. This is easy to do, and you can use a series of taps to skip through and play and pause songs.

I found the touch controls responsive, even when moving around, such as when I was out hiking. I usually prefer to have button controls for more deliberate touches, but the touch-sensitive controls are really great here as they quickly beep to let you know how many taps you’ve made, and therefore what function is taking place.

Connectivity

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO use Bluetooth 5.4. They have a connection range of 15 meters (50 feet), so I was able to walk away from my phone and move around without worrying about losing connection. The buds only support SBC and AAC codecs for wireless audio, so they have no hi-res capabilities, but the audio sounds great anyway.

You also get multipoint connectivity for pairing the buds with up to two different devices. You can control these connections in the Beyerdynamic app, and it’s very easy to set up. It made it easy to switch between my phone and laptop when working in the office.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Sound quality

Beyerdynamic makes some of my favorite detailed listening headphones, the DT 270 Pro. Despite being open-earbuds, the Amiron ZERO are no different — they’re perfect for appreciating the finer details of your music.

The earbuds have a wide soundstage that lets me appreciate the layers of the music and take in all the instruments at once, while still hearing the ambient sound around me. I created a V-shaped custom EQ for the earbuds, as this is the way I prefer to listen to my music. This increases the bass and treble while decreasing the mids, and it's the type of default EQ setting you’ll find on most commercial headphones.

To test out the bass performance from the earbuds, I listened to Television/So Far So Good by Rex Orange County. There’s rumbling bass throughout this song, and the earbuds did a good job of keeping the lower frequencies warm and balanced throughout. I had no issues with distortion here, which can often be the case with open-earbuds.

For the mids, I listened to The Downtown Lights by The Blue Nile, as it uses a driving drum beat and bright synth sounds. The whole song was well-defined, and the guitar sounded clean throughout. The drums also stood out even though they’re very far back in the soundstage.

The treble performance of the earbuds is great, too. I listened to Soda by Nothing But Thieves, as the lead singer’s vocals are incredibly strong, but can sometimes become lost if the balance isn’t quite right. The vocals were crisp and clean, with good replication of the reverb. The detail from the whole song is impressive, and I felt like I was listening with studio headphones with the benefit of an open-ear design.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: App

As discussed, most of the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO’s settings — like the touch controls — can be customized in the Beyerdynamic app. The app is simple but effective, putting everything you need in one place without too many bells and whistles. It’s much easier to use than rival apps from EarFun or Soundcore.

For music customization, the app has a five-band EQ where you can use EQ presets and create a custom EQ. I enjoyed using all of these settings, and it gave me a lot of different options based on what I needed from the particular track. I may have settled on my favorite V-shaped EQ for the most part, but I appreciated having the option to change it up every so often.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Call quality

To test call quality, I called my mom while using the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO earbuds (my standard microphone test), and her voice sounded crisp and clear. On the other end, she said I also sounded clear, and much better than I sound when I use my Apple AirPods 3.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Battery life

When up against other open-earbuds, the battery life of the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO looks disappointing. The earbuds have a total battery life of 20 hours with the charging case, with six hours from the earbuds on a single charge.

The EarFun Clip 2 earbuds have a whopping 40 hours of battery life, and the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have 27 hours. Despite the disparity, I’m personally able to overlook the battery shortfall since the overall performance of the Amiron ZEROs is so impressive, and six hours is likely to be enough time for one listening session anyway.

You can see the battery percentage and remaining hours in the Beyerdynamic earbuds in the companion app. The case charges with a USB-C cable and a 10-minute charge gives two hours of listening time, which I found ideal for a quick juice-up before leaving the house.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Verdict

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO open-earbuds are, for me, the ones to beat. After a year of testing open-earbuds from many different brands, these are the only ones I’ve tested with performance to match a pair of in-ear earbuds.

They have excellent sound quality with impressive detail, and the intuitive app makes using the earbuds even better. The customizable EQ settings also give complete control over your music. They’re lightweight and totally comfortable to wear for long periods of time, while the IP54 durability rating means they’re reliable come rain, shine or sweat.

Nothing’s perfect, and I do have a qualm with the Amiron ZEROs… but it’s a small one. The battery life just isn’t as strong as other open-earbuds on the market. This isn’t the end of the world, though, and it’s certainly not a dealbreaker considering how amazing the sound quality is.

Open-earbuds aren’t usually for everyone, but the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO could and should be.

If you're a serious music fan, you likely have a pair of the best headphones sitting at home. And if you're an audiophile, you probably have some of the best studio headphones too.

I love having studio headphones on hand when I'm at home to listen to my favorite music, but I can't exactly use a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro wired headphones when I'm hiking. I usually opt for my Apple AirPods 3, which don't give me the same crisp audio quality. Beyerdynamic seems to have noticed that there are people like me who want the benefits of studio detail and the convenience of earbuds.

But what if I were to raise you one better: open-earbuds. They are the ultimate convenience solution, but because of the added ambient awareness, the sound quality can sometimes suffer. However, after reviewing the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO, I know I can have the best of both worlds.

Here's what I think of the earbuds after using them as my everyday earbuds for everything from commuting to hiking.

Excellent sound quality

First things first, sound quality. Although I'm a big fan of open-earbuds, I know they're not for everyone. That's because they don't have the acoustic seal you get from traditional earbuds, meaning their sound quality can suffer.

This usually results in bass that isn't as punchy and poor instrument isolation. But somehow the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO earbuds have blown me away with some of the best sound quality of any earbuds I've tried. Seriously.

The earbuds have a wide soundstage and let me listen to all the layers of the music and take in all the instruments at once.

When I can immerse myself and enjoy the music I'm listening to, I end up focusing for longer. Give me a good playlist, and I can walk much farther than usual, so these earbuds are serving as a great source of motivation.

A winning design for hikes

Open-earbuds let in a lot of ambient sound, making them the perfect hiking companion. Staying aware of your surroundings is a must, and taking in all the natural sounds around, like the birds chirping and the swaying of the tree branches, is incredibly therapeutic.

The buds have a durability rating of IP54, meaning they can withstand water splashes from all directions and are dustproof. I have no worries about getting caught out in the rain with these buds, and I know they can cope with a little sweat too.

Battery life isn't competitive, but I'll live

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO are without a doubt the best open-earbuds I've tested... but the battery life lets them down. It's just not competitive.

There are other open-earbuds, such as the EarFun Clip 2, that have a whopping 40 hours of battery with the charging case, but the Amiron ZEROs have just half of that. But 20 hours of battery life isn't bad, and you can still get a lot done. The battery life didn't affect me at all, and given how awesome the sound quality is, it's something I can look past — but it's worth considering.

To find out more, you can read my full review of the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO earbuds.

More from Tom's Guide

• I’m a music geek, and the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro are a dream come true — here's why I'm sold on studio headphones now
• I've been testing this new open-earbud upgrade from EarFun — and they're an instant win for gym goers
• I’m a gadget-loving dad. Here are 6 great Father’s Day gifts I’m showing off live on TV

As a side sleeper who needs complete and utter silence to drift off, I'm pretty much the ideal candidate to test out the best sleep headphones — especially ones that purport to have cutting-edge ANC to drown out distracting noise.

The QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds, billed as the "world's smallest ANC earbud the designed specifically for sleep", came to my attention after reading glowing customer reviews. Deigned in Finland and engineered specifically for sleep, the QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds shot straight to the top of my to-test list.

After testing the ANC earbuds during a heatwave where my bedroom window was constantly open (allowing the racket of the busy city noise to stream in), I can honestly say these are the most comfortable sleep headphones I've ever tested. The QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds feel soft and non-invasive even when sleeping on my side, and the long 28-hour battery life is a big drawcard.

With an MSRP of $299, they are a premium purchase. For context, the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds, which we rate as the best earbuds for sleep you can buy, cost $229 at full MSRP. However, with their ultra tiny and comfortable design for all sleep positions, outstanding ANC and long battery life, I think the QuietOn 4 are well worth the investment. Here's why...

• Read more: The Ozlo Sleebuds 2 launch today and I’ve been testing them for a week — here’s how they're already helping decode my 3 a.m. wake ups and sleep through the night

QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Cheat sheet

What is it? The world's smallest ANC sleep earbuds that offer extensive sound reduction and long battery life
Who is it for? Side sleepers looking to block out noise and replace it with soothing sound, alongside gaining sleep tracking insights
What does it cost? From $299 at full price but some retailers offer discounts
What do we like? Excellent ANC, 28-hour long battery life; soft, side-sleeper friendly design
What don’t we like? Premium price, 15-second activation window

QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Specs

QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Price & availability

• $299 to $315 at MSRP, putting the QuietOn 4 firmly in the premium price tier
• Small discounts at some US retailers, reducing the earbuds to $280
• Free one-year warranty included, but shipping is $15+

The QuietOn 4's streamlined design, long battery life, and state-of-the-art ANC mean that you're looking at a premium MSRP of $299. QuietOn is a Eurocentric brand, so US customers won't find the 4 Sleep Earbuds at major retailers such as Walmart or Target.

In the US, the earbuds are sold at two retailers: HearFIT and Native American-owned Salish Medical & Dental Supply.

At the former, there is a small 6% discount that takes them down to $280, and QuietOn's one-year warranty for international customers. However, expect to pay at over $25 for shipping. At the latter, the MSRP is higher at $315, but shipping is $10 cheaper.

Return policies differ depending on which retailer you purchase from, but HearFIT offers a 30-day returns policy. This means that unopened QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds are eligible for a full refund while opened QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds may qualify for a refund minus a restocking fee. (QuietOn's own official web shop offer 30 days to return from delivery date.)

In comparison, the app-controlled Fitnexa SomniPods 3, which features an AI sleep coach, ANC, sleep tracking and soundscapes, are $189.99 at MSRP (and are often $30 off in the sales). However, the SomniPods have one glaring flaw: they only offer 6.5 hours of ANC on a single charge. For the average sleeper, this sound proofing won't cover a whole night's sleep.

Meanwhile our top-performing pick, the Soundcore Sleep A30, offers up to 10 hours of continuous ANC on a single charge and is priced at $229 (often reduced to $199 in the sales).

While there's little doubt that the QuietOn 4 Earbuds are a splurge (especially if you want sleep earbuds that come with a variety of additional features, such as sleep tracking and soundscapes), the longer 28-hour ANC playtime on a single charge makes them a foolproof sleep tool. The absence of apps and Bluetooth, also means there's no hidden costs or subscriptions.

QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Design & comfort

• Soft foam tips feel comfortable in ear canal
• Side-sleeper friendly, customizable, and compact
• Ultra-small dimensions for an ANC earbud

In terms of design, I'm going to begin with QuietOn 4's unique selling point: they are the world's smallest ANC sleep earbuds.

Three times smaller than the best wireless earbuds (such as Apple's Air Pods earbuds), the QuietOn 4 are barely an inch in length and the default earbud tips have a diameter of just 0.375" — and the tiny, streamlined size means the earbuds are incredibly comfortable and have a forget-they're-there feel.

The earbud tips are customizable and come with four different sizes. For me, the default Small (S) pair are a great match for my ears, but you can try the Extra Small (XS) , Medium (M), or Large (L) if needs be. The tips are made of a soft, spongey foam and they are easy for me to clean with a damp cloth dipped in soapy water.

The ultimate test for determining a earbud's comfort is side sleeping, as a chunky or hard earbud can feel as though it's digging into your ear as soon as the side of your head hits the pillow.

I found this discomfort when trying out the Fitnexa SomniPods, as the softness of the tips were cancelled out by the hard, metallic body. Meanwhile, testers for the Soundcore Sleep A30 felt the addition of ANC made the A30 model thicker and more uncomfortable than previous models.

However, I never had this problem while testing the QuietOn earbuds. They are small enough not to feel a nuisance and cushioning enough to eliminate any hardness, and the good news is that they are still nestled in my ear every morning.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the travel-friendly QuietOn 4 earbuds' sleek 4.5" black and silver case, which also doubles as a portable charger.

QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Features

• Ultra-quiet ANC, but you have 15 seconds to activate
• No internet connection, Bluetooth, or apps required
• Portable charging case included plus 28-hour battery life

No apps, no AI sleep coaches, no tracking, and no rainforest sounds — the QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds are only here to cancel out distracting noise for a silent sleep space.

And they deliver on that promise. The ANC is outstanding and is designed to eliminate lower frequency sounds, such as snoring or bass of techno music infiltrating through your walls, but still allow you to catch your morning alarm.

In the summertime, I have to open my windows wide to try and sleep cooler when I don't have air conditioning. Open windows mean city noises come flooding in to my room, but I didn't hear a single thing when wearing QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds.

There's a slight nuisance, though: You only have a 15-second ANC activation window. Basically, this window means that, once you take the earbuds out of their charging case, you only have 15 seconds to put them in your ears to activate the ANC. But I quickly got the hang of this.

If you're quick enough, the noise cancellation should begin within a few seconds. (When you first put them in your ears, you hear a slight static sound, followed by silence.)

The ANC, on the other hand, separates it from regular foam earplugs, such as the Loop Quiet 2 earplugs, and noise-masking (rather than active cancelling) earbuds such as the Ozlo Sleepbuds.

That said, if you do want earbuds that offer more than 'just' noise reduction, the Ozlo Sleepbuds do offer an in-ear personal alarms and sleep sounds (such as white noise and nature noises), while the Fitnexa SomiPods can track your sleep and provide an AI sleep coach.

However, as someone who has tried the latter product, I know that these AI powered tools can seem a little gimmicky and the sleep tracking can be rendered futile when the earbuds such as the Fitnexa never seem to still be in your ear upon awakening.

Overall, if you want a no-nonsense pair of ANC sleep earbuds that deliver the quiet night they promise without relying on Bluetooth and internet connection, then the QuietOn earbuds will be the right match.

QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Battery life

• Lasts up to 28 hours on a single charge
• Charging the case requires USB-C cable
• Charging takes three hours up to twice a week

A huge benefit of the QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds is the long battery life, which lasts up to 28 hours on a single charge (which takes around three hours).

This means that, for the average 8-hours sleeper, the QuietOn 4 earbuds last around three and half nights and require just one or two three-hour charges a week.

Compare this battery life to that of the the Fitnexa SomniPods (6.5 hours of ANC on a single charge) or the Soundcore Sleep A03 (up to 10 hours of ANC on a single charge).

To charge the case, I use the provided USB-C cable (the kind that you use to charge the iPhone 15 and its successors) to charge the portable charging case.

QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds: Should you buy?

While those who want a variety of sleep features from their earbuds, such as sleep tracking or nature sounds, will find the QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds too basic, I can honestly say the quality of their ANC is anything but.

The QuietOn 4's battery life and noise cancellation is a reliable way to create a distraction-free sleep environment all night. They're comfortable and snug enough to stay in your ear until morning, and its lack of reliance on Bluetooth and apps mean it has a failproof, no-fuss operation.

The 15-second ANC activation may seem like a hassle at first, but I got used to it after the first couple of nights. Their ultra small design and sleek portable charging case also makes them travel-friendly and perfect for anyone wanting to get some sleep in noisy environments like a a plane or shared hotel room.

Yes, it is a splurge at around $300 at MSRP, and I would totally understand if you'd rather spend your money on a sleep headphone that provides all the sensor-operating bells and whistles. But if all you're after is a night free of your neighbors' music belting out or or your partner's snoring, then QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds are worth it.

QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds: Alternatives to consider

The last few years have seen the resurgence of retro tech. Video cameras have been inspired by and designed after Super 8s. iPods, MP3 players and even cassette players have grown in popularity. And, best of all, wired earbuds have made a strong comeback.

More and more people are ditching wireless buds for wired ones, not just for style, but because wired earbuds — or in-ear monitors (IEMs) — deliver superior hi-res audio. Something Bluetooth can't compete with.

I, for one, am thrilled that wired earbuds are back in vogue. Thanks to wired connections, you don't lose any data (as you do over Bluetooth) so you can listen to music just the way the artist intended. And because technology has come leaps and bounds, you don't need to spend hundreds on a good pair of IEMs either — just look at the Dunu Titan X.

The Titan X cost just $39. Thirty. Nine. Dollars. Given that most of the other IEMs I've tested cost over $100, the Titan X feel like a game-changer. Having used them for a week, I've been blown away by their detailed and spacious soundstage, premium build and design, and their sheer value for money.

I never thought budget IEMs could sound so good.

All about the bass. And treble. And mids

Using wired earbuds or IEMs has its advantages, the biggest being that you don't lose data as you do over Bluetooth. This means that you can enjoy plenty of detail across frequencies, and the Dunu Titan X are up to the challenge. These IEMs are fitted with 10mm dynamic drivers and dual-magnetic circuits to cover a frequency response range of 5Hz to 40KHz.

The average human hearing ranges from 20Hz to 20KHz, so this means that the Titan X are more than capable of reproducing sound accurately.

Truth be told, the only other time I've been able to appreciate the sheer amount of detail in my favorite tunes was through the Sennheiser IE 200 — IEMs that cost $150. That alone says a lot about the Titan X as these cost just $39.

Regardless of the song I listened to — whether that was Tame Impala's psychedelic tracks, Lana Del Rey's liquid smooth vocals, or an orchestral arrangement from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — I was left gobsmacked. The Titan X's vocal capabilities are incredible as voices possess striking clarity. Bass response is powerful and controlled and it never sounds booming. Treble is vibrant without sounding too piercing.

The highs, lows and mids are all well-tuned and refined, and Dunu has really knocked it out of the park. For a detailed analysis of the sound quality, check out my full Dunu Titan X review.

Bang for your buck

I know what you're thinking, "The Dunu Titan X cost $39, surely there's something wrong with them — perhaps the build quality is shoddy." It really isn't. Unlike pricier IEMs, like the Sennheiser IE 200 or the Sony Inzone E9, the Titan X's earpieces are enclosed in high-density alloy housing which is scratch- and sweat-resistant. The gunmetal finish lends the IEMs a premium touch too.

In addition to the fantastic earpieces, the Titan X's braided cable features a 2-pin detachable design, which means you can swap the cables with ease, so the IEMs can still be used if the stock cable breaks.

The silver-plated copper cable itself sports an anti-tangle design. As someone who spent countless hours untangling wired earbuds as a teenager, you have no idea how much I appreciate this design choice.

I'll be honest: I'm usually skeptical of super-budget audio products. I've tested a couple that I dare not even think about, so I was a little apprehensive about the Titan X. They sounded too good to be true — but oh, how they have proven me wrong.

They're ridiculously comfortable. They sport a design that makes them look classy and pricier than they are. They boast insanely good sound for the price.

$39 can buy you perhaps six iced coffees in Los Angeles — bang-for-your-buck IEMs really don't get better than this.

More from Tom's Guide

• Forget spending $150 on Sennheiser IEMs — I just tested the $39 Dunu Titan X and they’re perfect for audiophiles on a budget
• I just tested a $40 pair of wired earbuds perfect for beginner audiophiles — they sound incredible for the price
• I test headphones for a living — here are the 5 best wired headphones I recommend to friends and family

There’s no better way to listen to your favorite tunes than through a pair of wired earbuds — or IEMs, if you want best-in-class sound and detail. If you’re an audiophile on a budget, I’ve got good news for you: I’ve just tested a pair of super budget IEMs that delivers incredible sound quality. Not only are the Dunu Titan X built extremely well thanks to their metal housing, they’re comfy for all-day listening too.

As for the sound, it’s 10/10 from me. Meaty bass without sounding booming, vibrant treble that doesn’t overpower the rest of the soundstage, and a detailed midrange, the Titan X will have you appreciating your favorite artists in newfound ways. While there are no in-line controls and eartip replacement is finicky, neither of those are massive dealbreakers.

To find out if these are the best wired headphones for you, read my full Dunu Titan X review.

Dunu Titan X review: Specs

Dunu Titan X review: Price & availability

IEMs, or in-ear monitors, don’t always come cheap, and the Dunu Titan X has carved itself a niche here. Priced at just $39 for the 3.5mm version or $44 for the USB-C with mic model, it’s one of the cheapest ways to stream hi-res audio. It’s available in just one color only: gray.

The Titan X are priced similarly to the Sennheiser CX 80U ($39) and the Final VR500 ($44) but those are wired earbuds and don’t call themselves IEMs. See, IEMs are the premium, high-performance subset of wired buds, so the Titan X compete with the likes of the Sennheiser IE 200 ($149) and the Sony Inzone E9 ($149) but as you can see, these IEMs are far pricier than Dunu’s offering.

Dunu Titan X review: Design

For the price, I wasn’t expecting the Dunu Titan X to be built this well and look so premium. Unlike the pricier Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sony Inzone E9, the Titan X don’t utilize plastic in their construction. They feature a high-density alloy housing with a gunmetal finish, and Dunu claims that this makes the IEMs scratch- and sweat-resistant. Having used the Titan X extensively, I can confirm that they’re indeed built very well — and the gunmetal finish is nothing short of stunning.

Just like the Sennheiser IE 200, the Titan X’s braided cable features a 2-pin detachable design, which means you can swap the cables with ease — handy for making the IEMs last as long as possible. Speaking of, the silver-plated copper cable has a tangle-free design which means that you don’t need to worry about untangling the IEMs every time you take them out of your pocket.

Weatherproofing

IEMs and wired earbuds are rarely waterproof, and the same applies to the Titan X. They don’t have an IP rating so I’d be reluctant to use them in the pouring rain. This isn’t unique to the Titan X — the Sennheiser IE 200, the Sony Inzone E9 and the Sennheiser CX 80U aren’t weatherproof either. You may want to consider a pair of the best wireless earbuds for that.

Comfort

Having worn the Titan X for four straight hours, I can confidently say that they’re very comfortable. Like I mentioned earlier, the Titan X feature alloy housing, and the metal build makes them heavier than the Sennheiser IE 200. Each earbud weighs 0.45oz, which is substantially more than the IE 200 (0.14oz each). While that feels like a lot when the IEMs are in your hands, you realize the Titan X have fantastic weight distribution when you put them in your ears. The cable wraps around each individual ear too to help with that.

Included in the box are six pairs of silicone eartips of different sizes: three of these are designed for vocal clarity while the others are for extra bass, according to Dunu. This is down to how airtight the seal is, and I’ll discuss this in the sound quality section shortly. All you need to know is that the eartips themselves are quite comfortable, and depending on the size you pick, they sit snugly in your ears.

But one of the most annoying things about the Titan X is the eartip replacement. It took me 30 minutes to try and get a pair of eartips onto the earpieces. And I failed. I then asked my colleague to try and she got the eartip on one earpiece and struggled with the other, before I somehow managed to put it on.

Controls

Similar to other IEMs, like the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sony Inzone E9, the Titan X don’t feature any in-line buttons to control playback. You’ll need to use your smartphone, laptop or other audio source to adjust the volume and play/pause music. The Sennheiser CX 80U feature in-line controls if that’s a priority for you.

Connectivity

Unlike wireless earbuds which feature either Bluetooth or 2.4GHz connectivity, the Titan X IEMs can be used wired-only. You can get either the 3.5mm model, or the USB-C version. All you need to do is plug the jack into your phone or laptop and you’re good to go. No need for any apps or finicky Bluetooth pairing — simply plug and play. If you're going to be mainly streaming from a smartphone or USB-C device, the USB option is the one to get.

Dunu Titan X review: Sound quality

The Dunu Titan X are well-endowed IEMs, featuring 10mm dynamic drivers and dual-magnetic circuits to cover a frequency response range of 5Hz to 40KHz (compared to 6Hz-20KHz on the Sennheiser IE 200). This means that the Titan X cover the entirety of the human hearing spectrum (20Hz-20KHz) and reproduce most sound accurately.

To test the IEMs, I plugged them into my MacBook Air M2 and listened to my favorite testing tracks on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for hi-res audio, starting with ‘Radio’ by Lana Del Rey. The first thing I noticed as soon as I hit play was that the Titan X provided fantastic noise isolation even without featuring ANC. I couldn’t hear anything or anyone else, and I felt fully immersed.

The Titan X’s vocal capabilities are incredible, as Lana’s voice emerged with striking clarity. Her subtle vibrato and layered harmonies were rendered with impressive precision, and the song sounded more expansive and spacious than it does on most wireless earbuds.

To test the bass, I listened to ‘Elephant’ by Tame Impala. The Titan X showcased just how satisfying a well-tuned bass response can be. The track’s iconic fuzzy bass riff hit me with impressive weight and texture, as well as solid low-end impact. The IEMs delivered a thick, gritty growl that felt powerful without becoming bloated. I also appreciate how well the Titan X captured the bassline’s distortion: they preserved its raw energy as well as excellent definition between notes.

The Titan X handles treble beautifully too, ensuring that it never pierces through the rest of the soundstage without making it feel too dim. In Of Monsters and Men’s ‘Mountain Sound,’ the bright acoustic guitars shimmered through the Titan X, and the crisp percussion cut through the mix with vibrance. I noticed that the Titan X lent plenty of air to the track, which allowed high-pitched cymbal strikes and the tambourine to breathe without sounding fatiguing.

Overall, the Titan X are outstanding IEMs for detailed listening, and for those who want to enjoy their favorite artists to the fullest.

Listen along to my review with the Dunu Titan X testing playlist:

Dunu Titan X review: Gaming performance

Alongside being excellent for listening to music, the Dunu Titan X are fit for gaming too, especially FPS titles where you want to be able to pinpoint footsteps with precision. If you get the 3.5mm model, you should be able to plug the IEMs right into, say, your PS5’s or Xbox Series X’s controller, and your computer of course.

I played some Cyberpunk 2077 to see how the Titan X performed, and they didn’t let me down. I was able to pinpoint footsteps with precision, even when enemies were behind doors and I couldn’t see them. This helped me adjust my strategy accordingly, and I was able to infiltrate the gang’s base with ease. I also appreciated how the Titan X brought the techno soundtrack to life, as I could headbang to the OST while riding my bike through the streets of Night City.

Of course, if you want gaming-specific IEMs, I’d recommend the Sony Inzone E9 — but the Titan X suffice if you want a pair of earbuds that do it all.

Dunu Titan X review: Call quality

Whether you can answer calls with the Dunu Titan X depends entirely on the model you get. The USB-C version comes with an in-line mic. Unfortunately, I tested the 3.5mm model which doesn’t feature a mic, so I couldn’t test the IEMs’ call quality.

Dunu Titan X review: Verdict

Great sound doesn't have to come with a premium price tag, and the Dunu Titan X prove just that. For less than $40, these budget-friendly IEMs deliver an audio experience that rivals products costing several times more, such as the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sony Inzone E9. They combine impressive detail with controlled but powerful bass, as well as clear mids in a package that feels pricier than it is.

While the lack of in-line controls may be disappointing for some, and the finicky eartip replacement may prove frustrating at times, neither should stop you from getting the Titan X. Given that these IEMs cost just $39, they’re perfect for audiophiles on a budget. If you’re looking for an affordable entry point into the world of IEMs, few are better than the Titan X.

Over a year ago, I ditched in-ear buds for over-ear headphones and didn't look back. You'll usually find me with my trusty Marshall Monitor III headphones around my neck, or sitting atop my head while I jam to my favorite tunes. While I love my headphones, I'm no stranger to itchy ears from sweating, and due to the very nature of over-ear cans, they can be tricky to wear for long periods of time during the summer.

The solution is a simple one, of course: get a pair of in-ear buds. In-ear buds don't sit around your ears, like over-ear headphones do, so they don't feel suffocating during the year's hottest months. And you don't need to spend big bucks to get a decent pair — which is why I'm opting for the Sony WF-C710N.

I tested the WF-C710N back in April 2025, and to date, they remain some of the best wireless earbuds I've ever tested. They're lightweight and ridiculously comfortable, and their see-through Glass Blue design is nothing short of delicious. Meaty bass, crisp treble, refined mids, and with highly effective ANC — these earbuds have got it all. And the best part? They're $170 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2. It's time to upgrade your life for less with the WF-C710N.

Like you aren't even wearing them

Having tested and used many earbuds in my time, I believe that the true hallmark of a good pair is when you don't even realize they're in your ears. I should be able to go about my day without feeling earbuds digging into my ear canal. By that standard, then, the Sony WF-C710N are simply excellent.

Each earbud weighs just 0.18oz which is practically nothing. In my ears, they fit snugly and never once have they fallen out, even when I've been walking briskly or headbanging. There have been times where I've forgotten that the WF-C710N are in my ears, and that says everything you need to know about their comfort level.

In addition to that, the WF-C710N are sure to turn heads because they look stunning. Available in white, black and blue, I'd personally recommend the third option. You can see the wires and hardware on the see-through Glass Blue model, and this sets the earbuds apart from any others on the market right now.

They sound amazing

I would never recommend a pair of earbuds unless they sounded downright fantastic — yes, even if it's very comfortable and good-looking. The Sony WF-C710N have that covered, with their 5mm drivers delivering powerful bass and vibrant treble. Thanks to Sony's trademarked Digital Sound Enhancement Engine technology, sound is reproduced as close to the original recording as possible.

Through the WF-C710N, the distorted bass in 070 Shake's 'Elephant' and the reverberating bassline in Twenty One Pilots' 'No Chances' sound fantastic. It's powerful enough that you can you feel the music in your skull but not so booming that it overpowers the rest of the soundstage.

Treble is crisp but not overzealous, so you can clearly hear the high-pitched coins in Pink Floyd's 'Money' but that sound doesn't pierce through the soundscape or undermines the other instruments.

For a pair of in-ear buds, the WF-C710N provide an excellent, immersive listening experience. Combine that with the highly effective ANC that goes toe-to-toe with Bose, and you've got a winning formula. The ANC is so good that you can't hear the kettle boiling or the TV indoors, and the noise of a bus rattling while you're traveling is also muted. You're getting bang for your buck here.

In the summer, you need a pair of earbuds that enable your ears to breathe — and while headphones are great, they clamp down on your earlobes, leading to some discomfort, especially during heatwaves. Conversely, when it gets colder, over-ear cans are a great choice, because they can double as earmuffs and provide some warmth to your ears when temperatures drop.

What do you think? Do you swap between over-ear headphones (or on-ears) and in-ear buds depending on the weather? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

More from Tom's Guide

• Sony WF-C710N review
• Do you need to spend $449 on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen when you can get the new Marshall Milton ANC for $229? I tested both and I’m very surprised
• Not all on-ear headphones are uncomfortable: I’ve been using the new Marshall Milton ANC for 3 weeks and they’re ridiculously comfortable and offer outstanding sound too