The AirPods 5 are here, and I'm super excited about it. While the AirPods 4/AirPods 4 ANC only released last September, I personally wasn't a huge fan of the 2024 iteration — so I'm lapping up the AirPods 5 like a parched sailor after three weeks lost at sea.

But are the AirPods 5 the best earbuds for everyone, or should you spend an extra $100 on the flagship AirPods Pro 3? What are the main differences between the cheap model and the flagship model?

I pitted Apple's cheapest earbuds against its priciest earbuds to answer just that. I compared value, sound quality, ANC, features, design, comfort, battery and call quality — so let's get into it.

AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Specs

AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Price

The AirPods 5 come in two versions: with a wireless charging case (which provides a better battery), and with a standard charging case. The wireless charging case costs $149, whereas the standard charging case will set you back just $124. This is an incredible price considering the AirPods 4 ANC launched at $179. Both versions of the AirPods 5 have ANC by default.

The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple's flagship earbuds with a flagship price to boot: These earbuds cost $249 and come with a wireless charging case and ANC — as you'd expect from premium earbuds.

Even so, I genuinely think the AirPods Pro 3 are an incredible value. They offer some of the best sound quality, ANC, and quality-of-life features available today.

Despite this, I'm going to give the win to the AirPods 5. I was genuinely surprised when I saw the low launch price — $124 for AirPods with ANC is fantastic. I hope Apple continues with this affordable(ish) pricing.

Winner: AirPods 5

AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Design & features

The main design difference between the AirPods 5 and the AirPods Pro 3 is fit style. If you like silicone ear tips or want earbuds with a tight seal, you'd be better off with the AirPods Pro 3. However, if you don't like the feel of silicone ear tips, you'll need the AirPods 5.

Of course, there are pros and cons to each style of earbud: the silicone ear tips create a tight seal, resulting in superior ANC. The tipless style of the AirPods 5 might be better for super small ears (I'm thinking teenagers) or those who don't like the feeling of something tight in their ears.

In terms of case design, they're pretty similar: The AirPods 5 case is super tiny, just 0.8 inches deep and 2 inches wide, while the AirPods Pro 3 case is a little larger at 0.9 inches deep and 2.5 inches wide. Again, this doesn't really have a tangible effect on my overall experience with either earbud, but it's worth knowing if you only like tiny cases.

Personally, I prefer the design of the AirPods Pro 3 due to the silicone ear tip, but this is my opinion.

In terms of features, both the AirPods 5 and the AirPods Pro 3 have Apple's flagship audio chip, the H2. But what does this actually mean?

In short, the earbuds are capable of doing smart stuff like Live Translation. That's available on both the AirPods 5 and the AirPods Pro 3. Obviously, you need an Apple Intelligence-enabled phone to use any of these smart features, which is understandable.

So what can the AirPods Pro 3 do that the AirPods 5 can't? Where's that extra money going?

The AirPods Pro 3 have health features like heart rate tracking, hearing aid features, an 8-hour battery life (more on that later), and stronger ANC. In terms of generic AirPods features — Spatial Audio, Conversation Awareness, Live Translation — the AirPods 5 has 'em all.

Personally, if it's features you're interested in, I wouldn't rush to buy the AirPods Pro 3 — not when you can get 90% of the functionality with the AirPods 5.

Winner: AirPods 5

AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Sound quality

Sound quality is where the true difference lies.

The AirPods Pro 3 are some of the best-sounding wireless earbuds money can buy. I'm always enthralled by them. Every genre from rock to pop to blues to techno sounds clear, detailed, balanced, and, most importantly, fun. Every note trembles with life, every verse sounds like it's being sung directly into my ear.

I mostly listen to alternative rock and hyperpop — there's literally no in between — and every song I played during my comparison testing was perfect. "Cult of Celebrity" by Lambrini Girls snarled through the earbuds with enviable control across the growly bass and spoken-style vocals. "Michael" by Rebecca Black (yes, that one, and yes, her music is fantastic) was smooth and sophisticated, the '90s-Madonna-inspired instruments as slick as a waterslide.

I really wasn't expecting much from the AirPods 5 as I didn't love the AirPods 4 ANC. Oh, how wrong I was.

The AirPods 5 are miles, miles better than the AirPods 4. While the AIrPods 4 can be tinny at the best of times and down-right pinchy at the worst, the AirPods 5 are some of the best-sounding sub-$150 earbuds on the market, Apple or not.

"Nothing to Prove" by beabadoobee is an indie rock track with bubbly female vocals and gritty guitars in the chorus. The over-processed guitar effect was handled elegantly by the earbuds, with no unpleasant grinding sounds and a natural balance between the instruments and vocals.

Electronic sounds great, too. "I'm your girl, right?" by Tove Lo (Fcukers Remix) utilizes layered synths and stacked vocals on top of a deep sub-bass foundation. While the synths could have been a touch more nuanced in the upper mids — some detail was lost due to the over-processed effect — and this song sounded better with AirPods Pro 3, this is still an excellent performance for AirPods 5.

Winner: AirPods Pro 3, but the 5 are great for the price

AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: ANC

Apple claims the AirPods Pro 3 have three times the ANC of the AirPods 5. Do I believe it? Yes. Yes, I do.

Obviously I can't provide quantitative data here, but I can say this: the silicone ear tips combined with the strong ANC make the AirPods Pro 3 some of the best ANC earbuds I've ever used. The only competition would be the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2.

As the AirPods 5 lack the silicone tip, they physically can't create the "seal" you'd expect from the Pro-line buds. Even so, the ANC is decent. I wouldn't go as far to say it's industry-leading or suitable for really loud environments, but for open-tipped earbuds, it's pretty great.

I could still hear myself typing; I could still hear conversations around me; I could still hear traffic sounds while walking around the city. But without that silicone ear tip, it's impossible to create that all-important seal.

Winner: AirPods Pro 3

AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Call quality

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, but we've come so far in the world of wireless earbuds that, in general, most big-name brands will have fantastic call quality. The AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods 5 are no different.

The Pro 3 make my voice sound realistic and are phenomenal at blocking out external noise, even while walking on super loud city streets. Rumbling engines, screaming passers-by — all silenced by the Pro 3.

The same thing can be said of the AirPods 5. The earbuds minimize environmental noise without breaking a sweat. During calls, the person on the other end of the phone could hear everything I said clearly.

Winner: Draw

AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Battery

The AirPods 5 last for 4 hours with ANC, and 5 without. You'll get between 20 and 22 hours in the case — depending on ANC usage — and a five-minute charge will provide an extra hour of battery life. The wireless charging case provides 5 hours of playback rather than the standard case's 4.

Comparatively, the AirPods Pro 3 can go for up to 8 hours with ANC for a total of 24 hours.

Of course, there's a clear-cut winner here: the AirPods Pro 3 have an extra three hours, so I can't do anything but crown them the champion.

Winner: AirPods Pro 3

AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Verdict

The AirPods Pro 3 are near-perfect earbuds. But I know what you're wondering: do you need to spend more on the Pro model, or will the basic model suffice?

It depends on what you're looking for and what you value.

Is sound quality your biggest priority, or would you rather save money but still benefit from Apple's excellent ecosystem integration, top-notch call quality, and impressive newfangled features?

Personally, I would buy the Pro 3 as I value sound quality over anything else. But if you want AI features like Live Translation and integrated Siri for less — and you're not obsessed about getting the "best" sound — then save some money and get the AirPods 5.

Definitely don't buy second-hand or refurbished AirPods 4 — the AirPods 5 are launching at $30-50 less than the AirPods 4. Get the new model, please!

AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Ratings scorecard

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The AirPods 5 are Apple’s latest iteration of in-ear buds. Starting at just $124, these are the cheapest pair of AirPods… ever. Yes, ever. (The original AirPods launched at $159 in 2016 and, while the 2024 AirPods 4 base model cost $129, they lacked ANC.)

But the AirPods 5 offer ANC, great sound quality, and near-perfect call quality for just $124. Users with an Apple Intelligence-enabled phone also get AI features like Live Translation, though you'll still have to upgrade to the AirPods Pro 3 for the hearing aid and heart rate monitor features.

So, are the AirPods 5 the best earbuds on the market? For iPhone users on a budget, without a doubt. The sound quality is miles better than the AirPods 4, they’re supremely affordable, and the ANC is impressive for non-silicone-tip buds. For the full story, keep reading this Apple AirPods 5 review.

Apple AirPods 5 review: Specs

Apple AirPods 5 review: Price & availability

The AirPods 5 are available in two versions: standard and wireless charging case. I tested the wireless charging case model. The only difference is the charging case, which provides one extra hour of battery and, as you'd expect given the name, wireless charging.

There’s no difference in sound quality, ANC, call quality, or features between the two models. Unlike previous AirPods, both the cheaper model and the pricier model offer active noise cancellation (ANC).

The AirPods 5 are $124 from Amazon U.S., while the wireless charging model is $149 from Amazon U.S. This is markedly cheaper than the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 ANC, which launched at $129/$179.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the AirPods 5 effectively cheaper than the 4 — you get ANC for $55 less if you choose the standard charging case — so I hope Apple continues this trend.

In terms of overall value, $124/$149 are reasonable prices for AirPods: Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 cost $179, the same price as the AirPods 4 ANC. Apple has now undercut this by a whopping $50. Sure, you can get similar-spec earbuds like the EarFun Air Pro 4+ ($99) or CMF by Nothing Buds 2 Pro for less, but $124 for AirPods with ANC is still a great value.

Apple AirPods 5 review: Design

The AirPods 5 are essentially identical to the AirPods 4: shorter stem, no silicone ear tip, tiny charging case. When I say tiny, I mean it. The case is 0.8 inches thick and just under 2 inches wide.

I’m a huge fan of how they look. While they won’t break any design frontiers like the rectangular Status Audio Pro X, they’re inconspicuous and stylish, and that’s what most AirPods users want.

Comfort

As relatively small earbuds, the AirPods 5 are comfortable, even after long periods of wear. I never had to take them out. Due to the lack of silicone ear tips, the nozzle doesn’t irritate my ears. I’d recommend these earbuds for anyone who doesn’t like silicone ear tips, or doesn’t like the feeling of a seal in their ears.

I have really, really tiny ears — I need to use the smallest ear tip size every single time — and I wore the AirPods 5 for around six hours with zero pain.

Controls

So there are a couple of differences here: the standard charging case doesn’t come with a volume swipe control, but the wireless charging case model does. As I tested the $149 wireless case version, I got to play with the volume swipe.

If you’re familiar with the AirPods Pro 2 or Pro 3, you’ll also be familiar with the volume swipe control. It works identically on the AirPods 5 — simply swipe up and down on the stem to control volume. This is genuinely one of my favorite aspects of AirPods overall. Whenever I test other earbuds, I find myself inadvertently swiping up on the stem.

In terms of general controls, the AirPods 5 are identical to the AirPods 4. One squeeze pauses music, two squeezes skip a track, and a long press switches between ANC modes.

Connectivity

I’m sensing a theme here, but as these are AirPods, they boast all the benefits of the Apple ecosystem. If you’ve got an iPhone, Mac, iPad, or anything in between, you’ll get seamless connectivity between devices.

When I listened to music on my iPhone 16 Pro and started playing a YouTube video on my MacBook Pro, the earbuds automatically moved to my laptop.

Unfortunately, though, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I can’t believe I’m writing this in the year 2026, but the AirPods 5 still only have Bluetooth 5.3. When Samsung released the Galaxy Buds 4 in March 2026, they came with Bluetooth 6.1 as standard. If Samsung can do it — amongst budget brands like EarFun, by the way — then why can’t Apple?

Bluetooth 5.3 came out five years ago — so it’s nowhere near as future-proofed as Bluetooth 6.1, which was released in 2025. In short, Bluetooth 5.3 has inferior range and reliability, meaning the earbuds will cut out sooner and might suffer from broken connections more regularly.

In reality, I was able to get out of my apartment door and downstairs to the foyer before the earbuds cut out.

New features

Due to the revered H2 chip, the AirPods 5 (and 4) are almost as smart as the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2. While the hoo-ha surrounding the H2 chip can feel more like marketing jargon than useful information, its inclusion here brings a few noticeable benefits.

I’m not going to pretend the H2 chip is a newfangled thing — it was also present in 2025’s AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 ANC — but it’s still nice to see on such cheap earbuds. With it, you can access deeper Siri integration (with a compatible iPhone running Apple Intelligence, of course) and AI features like Live Translation. Live Translation works decently well, but still isn’t fast enough for real-life conversations.

Even so, there’s not a huge change between AirPods 4 and AirPods 5.

As you can see, the main difference between the 4 and 5 is “stronger” ANC (more on that later). If you want to unleash the newest health or AI innovations in earbuds, the AirPods 5 are not the buds for you. Don’t get me wrong, they’re much better than the AirPods 4 — but mostly because of the improved sound quality and reduced price.

For cutting-edge features, you’d be better off with the AirPods Pro 3, which can measure your heart rate and act as FDA-approved hearing aids.

Workout features

Even though I use my AirPods for running, I only run 5ks. For a super-thorough analysis, I thought I'd ask our Fitness Managing Editor, Jane McGuire, for her experience using the AirPods 5 on a massive 22-mile run.

"I’ve always had a huge issue with Apple AirPods — they just don’t stay in my ears, which is why I’ve always recommended the AirPods Pro to runners, riders, or anyone who will listen. Yet with the new design features on the AirPods 5, namely the controls, allowing you to swipe up and down to change the volume of your music on the bud itself, and the IP57 water rating, meaning they’ll handle a downpour mid-run, I decided to leave my AirPods Pro at home and wear Apple’s latest release for a 22-mile adventure on the Thames Path.

I was impressed. While they still didn’t hold in place quite as well as other running headphones, they only really moved if I laughed at a podcast or moved my head erratically to see if there was a bike behind me. The ANC isn’t as good as the AirPods Pro 3, but for running outside, this isn’t a bad thing, as it means you can still hear the world around you while also hearing your music or podcast.

The only downside I found during my testing was the battery life — the AirPods 5 have four hours of playback time, but I found that by the time I’d walked the dog and run for three hours, my headphones were making that little noise all AirPods users dread in the final mile of my run. I wouldn’t trust these for a marathon, as I wouldn’t want to carry the case with me and top them up halfway round." — Jane McGuire, Fitness Managing Editor

Apple AirPods 5 review: Sound quality

To test sound quality, I listened to a range of genres on Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles, as well as Apple Music to test Apple ecosystem integration.

Let me tell you this — I didn’t expect such an improvement in sound quality. I never liked the sound of the AirPods 4. It’s tinny and flat at the best of times, and can even be unpleasant in treble- or bass-heavy genres.

But the AirPods 5 are completely different. Every genre I listened to was rich and detailed, with zero tinniness at the top of the treble and careful, well-controlled mids. Like the AirPods Pro models, bass is balanced rather than propulsive, better for detail listeners.

“Space Cadet” by sim0ne is a heavy hard house track with sped-up female vocals, euphoric ‘90s piano chords, and a squelchy, fast-paced bassline. Every element of this track sounded excellent. The angelic synths and processed vocals melted perfectly together, with zero fighting or battling for dominance. Every note was detailed, balanced, and euphoric. This was a near-perfect listening experience. I’m so much more impressed than I thought I would be.

Afterwards, I switched up the genre to “All Apologies” by Nirvana. Just like the electronic track, this song was immensely expansive and detailed. The layers of violins, guitars, percussion, and vocals sounded both wide and high. Even though the bass was more subdued than the lead guitar, this actually benefitted the track — it was a well-controlled complementary element than a driving force.

Finally, I listened to “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits, one of the best headphone/earbud-testing tracks. The opening synths were clear and immersive, and I could feel the music enveloping me. The lead vocals were textured — I could hear every tremble, making the song feel more alive — and the backing vocals were just as well-developed.

Audiobooks also sound great. I played a section of “Yesteryear” on Audible. The narrator’s voice was clear and warm, and I could hear every word perfectly.

Truly, I didn’t expect this performance from the AirPods 5. Those who know me will know I was really disappointed by the AirPods 4, but the AirPods 5 have healed that wound.

Apple AirPods 5 review: ANC

The main difference between the AirPods 4 and AirPods 5 is ANC. On the 4 model, you needed to buy the “ANC” version ($179) to get ANC. Thankfully, both versions of the AirPods 5 come with ANC as standard. This is a huge step in the right direction and I’m really impressed with this change.

ANC on the AirPods 5 is good, but it’s not groundbreaking in the same way you’d expect from the AirPods Pro 3, or, heck, even the AirPods Pro 2. I played a city sounds ambient track at 68dB to test ANC (and also wore the earbuds as my general earbuds for two days).

I could still hear some high-frequency sounds like car horns and indistinct chatter, but the earbuds did a pretty decent job. Transparency mode is great, isolating sounds like notifications and speech over music.

When I wore the earbuds as my main earbuds, I could still hear myself typing in the office (I can’t while using the AirPods Pro 3), and I could still hear conversations around me. If you need something that will really cut out every ambient sound, I’d recommend the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds ($179, non-Ultra) or the AirPods Pro 3. But for no ear tips, this is a great ANC performance.

However, I will note that there’s a weird hissing/fizzing noise with ANC enabled but with no music playing. This isn’t audible when listening to music, but might be a little annoying if you use earbuds for ANC and no music in busy rooms.

Apple AirPods 5 review: Call quality

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but we’ve got to a stage where any earbuds from a big-name brand — Apple, Samsung, Sony, Bose, etc — will have excellent call quality. The AirPods 5 are no different.

To test out the call quality, I wore the earbuds on a work call. One of my colleagues reported he was “surprised by how good they sound”. If you need earbuds for casual and professional calls, you won’t be disappointed by the call quality.

Apple AirPods 5 review: App

While the AirPods 5 don’t have an “app”, if you have an iPhone, you can customize the earbuds directly from your phone settings. Here’s a screenshot of what’s on offer.

As you can see, customization options are pretty thin on the ground, but still decent. You can configure call controls and toggle wear detection, but you can’t customize EQ in the traditional sense.

Apple AirPods 5 review: Battery

I’m as disappointed as you, but the AirPods 5 aren’t innovators in terms of battery life. The standard charging case offers 4 hours, while the wireless charging case offers 5 hours. This is majorly disappointing from such a big-name brand — and for arguably what will become the most popular “cheap” pair of earbuds.

If you want seriously good battery for cheap, I’d recommend the EarFun Air Pro 4+ ($99) or the CMF Buds 2 Pro ($69), both of which last for over 8 hours with ANC (and 11 hours without).

Apple AirPods 5 review: Verdict

I’m seriously blown away by the AirPods 5. The sound quality is much better than the predecessor, with zero tinniness and balanced, controlled bass. Vocals sound faithful, percussion is detailed, and the soundscape is remarkably expansive. On top of that, instrument separation is some of the best you can get for this price.

Of course, quality-of-life features are fantastic, too: crystal-clear call quality, surprisingly impressive ANC, and smart features thanks to the H2 chip. There’s Live Translation and integrated Siri AI — as long as you have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone.

If you’re an AirPods 4 user looking to upgrade or an AirPods newbie wondering if they’re worth the splurge, you will not be disappointed by the AirPods 5. They’re a genuinely worthwhile upgrade, in terms of both functionality and price. Sound quality go up, but price go down? That’s what I like to hear.

Bose has just announced two new additions to its open-ear audio lineup, and as a big fan of open-ear earbuds, I’m excited for what's coming. The new launches include the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen), an upgrade to the original fan favorites, and the new Sport Open earbuds, which prioritize stability and comfort during exercise.

The new Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) come with upgrades like immersive audio, longer battery life, clearer calls, and a refined design. I already like all those features in the original model, so I'm interested to see how Bose's upgrades bear out during testing.

But I’m most intrigued by the new Sport Open Earbuds. They share a lot of qualities with the Ultra Open Earbuds, such as stereo audio, onboard button controls, customization access with the Bose app, multipoint connectivity, and of course, that reliable ear cuff design. The Sport buds also feature an IP54 durability rating, so they should withstand water splashes, sweat and dust. Bose also claims they'll hold 22 hours of battery life with the charging case.

When can I buy the new earbuds and how much are they?

Pre-orders for the new buds open on September 19 on the Bose website and will be available on October 1. The upgraded Bose Ultra Open Earbuds 2nd Gen will cost $299, the same price as the original model, and the Bose Sport Open Earbuds are priced at $199, which is what we expect from high-end open buds.

The new buds are available in some new colors. The core colors of both models are Black or White Smoke, but limited-edition colors will also be available, including Cherry Chocolate, Olive Green and Sky Pink.

Wireless charging and a new 'Cinema Mode'

I like the original Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. In fact. They’re the pair I reach for when I’m heading out on a run because I know they’ll replicate any genre of music I listen to with ease — but there are some things I wish the earbuds had.

I hate clutter, so I opt for wireless charging where I can. A lot of earbuds these days will support Qi-certified wireless charging, but the Ultra Opens don’t. All that changes with the 2nd Generation and the Sport Open Earbuds. Both new buds are wireless charging compatible, and the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) will boast a claimed 28.5 hours of battery life with the charging case, a little more than the original buds.

Bose says the newly-engineered driver on the Ultra Open Earbuds (Gen 2) will deliver deeper bass and higher volume than the first-generation model. There's also a new "CinemaMode", powered by Bose TrueSpatial technology which is designed to bolster video content with a wider, more immersive soundstage while keeping dialogue sharp.

What could still be missing?

The original open buds also lacked automatic wear detection. This is one of the most annoying features to miss out on because if you’re listening to an audiobook or a podcast, you can easily lose your place.

Bose hasn't revealed whether we can expect wear detection on the new models, so it's the first thing I'll be looking for when Tom's Guide gets these earbuds in to review.

Are you excited for the new buds? Will you be purchasing an upgraded pair of Ultra Opens or the new Sport Open Earbuds? Let me know in the comments box below.

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For this article we've picked out six products — all of which currently have money off at Amazon, so you can save even more cash.

Apple perfected wireless earbuds in 2022 with the AirPods Pro 2. I'll still die on the hill that they're the world's best earbuds. Phenomenal sound, near-perfect ANC, and a pretty universal fit equals a slam-dunk. What more can you possibly want?

Nothing. I don't want anything else. It's 2026, and I still use my 2023 USB-C AirPods Pro 2 every single day. I've reviewed over thirty pairs of earbuds — everything from the brand-new Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless to the best bang-for-buck EarFun Air Pro 4+ — and yet, I can't quit my AirPods Pro 2.

But why? What kind of cosmic hold do these earbuds have over me — and can you even still buy them? Let's get into it.

What makes the AirPods Pro 2 so perfect?

I value three things above all else: sound quality, comfort, and convenience. The AirPods Pro 2 tick all those boxes for me.

Sound quality is my number one. The AirPods Pro 2 strike the balance between bass and detail perfectly. As I type this, I'm listening to the indie track "Boyface" by PVA. My AirPods handle the ethereal, echoey vocals and the discordant synths incredibly well, with no suppression of the percussion even in quiet periods.

The AirPods Pro 2 don't balk at heavier tracks, either. "Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden sounds propulsive, the fearless electric guitars, cymbals, and powerful vocals smashing together with zero reluctance. No wimpy, taciturn instruments here.

Next, comfort. Now, I'll preface this by saying I have weirdly small ears. This will not apply to everyone. If you have normal-sized ear holes, you'll be fine with the majority of earbuds. But for other small-eared folk, the AirPods Pro 2 are your perfect earbuds. I can't even wear the AirPods Pro 3 — but I'll get into that a little later.

Because the AirPods Pro 2 don't have the bump-out present in its successor, it's much more manageable for the cartilage-challenged amongst you. If you're struggling to find a pair of earbuds that don't hurt after a few hours, definitely try out the Pro 2.

Finally: convenience. This is one of the most important aspects of an earbud. In my opinion, you need something with wear detection and seamless multipoint connectivity as a bare minimum. I've tested many earbuds without wear detection, and while it's fair enough if the earbuds cost less than about $50, it's, admittedly, annoying.

Multipoint — specifically, multipoint so seamless you don't even notice it — is a non-negotiable. As I drift between my iPhone, MacBook, and iPad, I need my earbuds to follow along. And, as frustrating as it is, AirPods can do this best. They're literally designed for the Apple ecosystem, so, for me, they're best suited to my needs.

What do the AirPods Pro 2 do that other earbuds don't?

Sure, loads of other earbuds have excellent sound quality, comfort, and convenience. I've tested tons of earbuds I would recommend to anyone wholeheartedly.

In terms of sound quality, my favorites are: Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless, Status Audio Pro X, EarFun Air Pro 4+, Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, and for the super-budget-conscious amongst you, CMF Buds 2 Pro. All these earbuds have clear, detailed, satisfying, and faithful sound quality. Some are bassier than others — Samsung — and some are more detailed — EarFun — but they all sound fantastic.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen and Sony WF-1000XM6? Controversial, but honestly... take it or leave it. Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro do what the QC Ultra do but better, and the AirPods Pro 2 do what the XM6s do but better.

Comfort is, quite literally, not one-size-fits-all. Consequently, this isn't going to be an issue for many people. But even the best-sounding earbuds hurt my ears after a while: the Status Audio Pro X, the AKG Hybrid N5, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 True Wireless... the list goes on. Even the AirPods Pro 3.

Basically, if a pair of earbuds is too big, it doesn't matter how good they sound. They could sound like angels serenading me, but if they hurt, I'm not gonna wear them.

Finally, convenience.

This is, unfortunately, a war only Apple can win.

As someone with an iPhone, MacBook, Apple Watch, and iPad, I'm so deep in the Apple ecosystem I couldn't claw myself out even if I wanted to. What do you mean, replace all my tech? Not possible. I have an entire lifetime of photos on iCloud. It's just not going to happen at this point.

But, even so, I can't get the AirPods Pro 3 — they hurt my ears. I'm stuck with the AirPods Pro 2 ... but I'm not mad about it at all. I love my Pro 2. They sound great, feel like I'm wearing nothing, and still get new features thanks to the H2 chip.

Obviously, I know the AirPods Pro 2 aren't the be-all and end-all. I know the battery life could be better. But, really, that's the only major negative. Sure, I have to charge them every other day at this point, but do I care? Not really. When I unplug my phone, I plug in my earbuds. It's really not that cumbersome.

I'm touching wood as I write this, but when my AirPods Pro 2 finally croak, I'm just going to buy another pair. You can still get them refurbished at BackMarket in the U.K. and on Amazon U.S., so that's me sorted for another three+ years.

What do you think? Have you got one pair of favorite earbuds you would never upgrade from? Or do you love trying out as many pairs as possible?

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple AirPods 5 preorders — here's how to get yours today
• Apple AirPods 5 officially announced — here are the upgrades
• AirPods Ultra: Everything we know so far about Apple's camera earbuds

After weeks of rumors, Apple finally announced the AirPods 5 on September 9 at its "Surprise and Shine" iPhone Duo event.

Like the AirPods 4 before them, the AirPods 5 will come in two distinct flavors: a base model with ANC and a higher-end model with a wireless charging case and a volume slider on the stem.

Both versions of the AirPods 5 will be powered by the H2 Wireless Chip that offers personalized spatial audio and live translation, but is all that reason enough to upgrade from the now two-year-old AirPods 4? The answer isn't exactly clear cut.

AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: Price and availability

Because there are two AirPods 5 models, there are two prices: $129 / AU$219 for the base model and $149 / AU$249 for the higher-end model.

The AirPods 4, now a few years old, are obviously less expensive. They start at just $99 for the base model. Interestingly, however, the more advanced AirPods 4 with ANC is still sitting at $149. That's going to make the decision pretty easy if you need ANC.

My favorite Apple earbuds are the AirPods Pro 3, and those start at $249. It's a pretty big leap in price, but I think they're all-around a better option, especially when compared to the AirPods 4.

AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: Design

Admittedly, there's not a lot of difference on the design front. Apple claims the AirPods 5 offer "an all-new multiport acoustic architecture" but you certainly wouldn't know it just by looking at them.

The major design difference between the AirPods 5 and AirPods 4 can be found on the stems of the newer model. It's so small you'll likely miss it, but if you look close you'll see a touch-capacitive divot that acts as a volume slider. It's a very minor detail that the AirPods 5 take from the more-expensive AirPods Pro 3.

Speaking of nice-to-have features, the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case (the proper name of the more-advanced AirPods 5 model) do offer wireless charging (duh). You can use the same charger as the Apple Watch, Qi-compatible chargers or plain old USB-C if you don't already own a wireless charging mat.

AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: Controls

Besides the aforementioned volume slider functionality, both the AirPods 5 and AirPods 4 use touch sensitive stems to control your music.

Both pairs of true wireless earbuds can differentiate between squeezes and taps, but it's up to you to learn which one does what.

I've never been a huge fan of touch technology in earbuds and prefer to use my voice or my phone to control playback, but it's nice to have the option in a pinch.

AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: Sound quality

Here's where things are going to get a bit murky. Apple claims that, due to its improved sonic architecture, the AirPods 5 are going to sound better than the AirPods 4. Sound, as we all know, is subjective, and I can't really comment on their sound quality until I've heard them myself.

So until then, let's hear from someone who's listened to both.

Kate Kozuch, the Head of Video here at Tom's Guide was in Cupertino this week to check them out. According to her, the "bass was a noticeable improvement" on the AirPods 5. That counts for a lot in a pair of open earbuds like the AirPods.

Still, Kate didn't feel like there was a big enough difference between the two to warrant an upgrade. "This is coming from an AirPods 4 user: I don't think anyone needs to upgrade from AirPods 4."

If you want the best sound quality in a pair of wireless earbuds, then, your best bet is still going to be the pricier AirPods Pro series.

AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: Features

The AirPods 5 take some of the best features of the AirPods Pro (besides sound quality, obviously) and bring them down to a more affordable price.

Like the Pro, the AirPods 5 offer Spatial Audio support, live translation and "significantly improved" ANC. How significant? According to Apple, the AirPods 5 cancel out "50 percent more external noise compared to AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation." So pretty big.

Now, keep in mind that these are open earbuds, so the ANC isn't going to be world-class here. I'd still expect a pair of Bose over-ears to do a better job than the AirPods 5, but hey, I'll take any improvement we can get.

AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: Battery life

One of our biggest complaints against the AirPods 4 was that their battery life was a little lacking. You could get around 5 hours of listening with ANC off, and 4 hours when you turn it on. That's a lot less than the competition and it means having to constantly reach for a charger.

The base AirPods 5 don't seem to offer much of an improvement here, but the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case offer an additional hour with ANC turned on thanks to a redesigned battery.

Will an extra hour make or break the experience? Probably not, especially when rival earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM6 offer around 8 hours with ANC turned on.

AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: Early outlook

If you're just getting AirPods for the first time, the AirPods 5 seem to be worth the extra $30 to get the ones with wireless charging.

If you're someone who already owns a pair of AirPods 4, however, it's not so cut and dry. Spatial audio, the audio slider and live translation are all great, don't get me wrong, but I'm not sure I'd toss out my old earbuds just to tap into them, especially when key areas like battery life haven't been improved all that much.

There are also some really great AirPods alternatives out there and, if you don't mind spending more for them, the award-winning AirPods Pro Series that I use every single day are some of the best wireless earbuds on the market. If you can, skip the AirPods and go straight for the AirPods Pro, but if the budget is tight, the base AirPods 5 will get you half the performance for around $100.

More from Tom's Guide

• I interviewed Apple CEO John Ternus on the making of the iPhone Duo — here's what made him say 'yes, that's it'
• People are freaking out about the new 'always-listening' Apple Watches — here's what Apple CEO John Ternus told us
• Apple Watch Ultra 4 vs Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: price, specs and features compared

The best over-ear headphones don’t need to break the bank, and the Beyerdynamic Aventho Y almost prove that. Affordable at just $149, the Aventho Y boast effective active noise cancelation both indoors and outdoors. They come in a few fun colors, and they’re extremely comfortable for all-day wear. Promising up to 90 hours of stamina, the Aventho Y deliver on almost every front…. except for balanced sound.

Don’t get me wrong: the Aventho Y make vocals sound strong and clear, but the rest of the soundstage, not so much. It lacks openness and sounds mostly flat. You’ll need the companion app to customize the equalizer and salvage it. Call quality isn’t great either, as the headphones make you sound scratchy.

Should you still buy these cans? Read my full Beyerdynamic Aventho Y review to find out.

Beyerdynamic Aventho Y review: Specs

Beyerdynamic Aventho Y review: Price & availability

Announced at IFA in September 2026, the Beyerdynamic Aventho Y are the latest over-ears to join the brand’s extensive lineup of consumer headphones. Priced at $149 at Amazon U.S. / £129 at Polar U.K., the Aventho Y are Beyerdynamic’s cheapest lifestyle headphones, at the time of writing. The cans come in Blue Fusion, Liquid Black, Peach Blush, and Soft Jade colors.

The Aventho Y offer ANC, long battery life with user-replaceable battery packs, and are extremely comfortable. These are some of the cheapest mid-range ANC headphones we’ve tested, and they’re cheaper than the Sony WH-CH730N ($179), the Sennheiser Accentum ($179), the JBL Live 770NC ($199), and the Beats Solo 4 ($199).

Beyerdynamic Aventho Y review: Design

The Beyerdynamic Aventho Y make a strong first impression with their striking colors. The Peach Blush model I tested is certainly a looker, with light and airy accents that make them stand out in a market crowded with black and dark colors. The stylized “Y” engraved into each (large) earcup is a nice touch, and the subtle Beyerdynamic branding on the headband doesn’t draw much attention either.

The Aventho Y weigh just 11.14 ounces and even though they’re slightly heavier than my trusty Marshall Monitor III (8.8 ounces, $349), the difference isn’t that noticeable. They’re also heavier than their siblings, the Aventho 100 (7.76 ounces, $229), but the added weight is a decent trade-off if you want a user-replaceable battery and a more comfortable fit.

For easy transport, the Aventho Y are foldable so you can save some space in your day bag. A drawstring cloth bag is included in the box, too.

Weatherproofing

It’s normal for over-ear headphones to not have official IP waterproof ratings, but the Aventho Y do. These cans are IP53-rated, just like the Aventho 100, so they’re protected against dust and light water splashes. You should be just fine wearing them to the gym. In contrast, the JBL Live 770NC and the Sony WH-CH730N aren’t waterproof at all — JBL and Sony don’t specify that they are, at least.

Comfort

The Aventho Y are extremely comfortable headphones, and that’s thanks to their large, spacious earcups and cushioned headband. The ear cushions feature soft foam interiors, and they’re covered in soft leatherette. These ear cushions are magnetic so they can be twisted off and replaced if they get damaged.

Similarly, the headband’s metal frame uses the same leatherette cushioning for added comfort, and it relieves the pressure you’d otherwise feel on the top of your head. Having worn the Aventho Y for a six-hour stint, I can confirm that they’re suitable for all-day wear, as my ears didn’t overheat or feel sweaty.

Controls

Sporting a straightforward control scheme, everything, from volume to ANC, is adjusted via physical buttons and toggles on the Aventho Y’s earcups. You can increase or decrease the volume via the buttons on the right earcup. Located between these is a custom button which can be customized via the app to change tracks, enable voice assistant, and more. Controls for ANC and Bluetooth are on the left earcup. They’re all super straightforward to get a hang of.

Connectivity

The Aventho Y utilize Bluetooth 6.0 with support for SBC and AAC codecs. However, there’s no support for LC3, LDAC or aptX Lossless, and you’ll need to spend more on the Sennheiser Accentum if you want aptX. The lack of advanced codecs isn’t uncommon in this price range, though, as neither the JBL Live 770NC nor the Beats Solo 4 support them.

For those who want more versatile wireless connectivity, Beyerdynamic is planning on selling an optional 2.4GHz dongle (which can be handily stored inside one of the earcups) along with a detachable boom mic come October. Beyerdynamic is yet to officially announce sample rates for the dongle, but I’ve reached out to a representative to find out more. You can also use a USB-C cable for wired playback.

They also feature multipoint connectivity, enabling you to connect up to two devices simultaneously — I did so with my MacBook Air M2 and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. The Aventho Y say “Multipoint” out loud to you when two devices are connected at once. You also get Google Fast Pair and as soon as I put the headphones into pairing mode, my Pixel recognized and connected to them immediately.

Beyerdynamic Aventho Y review: Sound quality

The Beyerdynamic Aventho Y ulitize a 45mm driver to cover a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20KHz (so the entirety of the average human hearing spectrum). To test the headphones, I listened to my array of testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles — and I was left with mixed feelings.

Vocals are the Aventho Y’s strong suit. In ‘Cheers to Me’ by Self Esteem, Rebecca Lucy Taylor’s vocals felt raw and intimate. Each word sounded textured, every consonant felt sharp, and plosives never popped or bled into one another. The backing vocals panned wide to the far left and right, creating an immersive listening experience. As all the voices came together in the bridge, they sounded harmonious and powerful.

But unfortunately, the Aventho Y struggle with almost every other aspect of the soundstage. Without any EQ adjustments and straight out of the box, the Aventho Y sound boxy, hollow and lack openness. The dark pulsating bassline that drives ‘2515’ by Wasia Project sounded like someone had turned the bass off. The song sounded closed-in and hollow, and it felt like it had lost its three-dimensionality. While the vocals still sounded defined, the rest of the track didn’t.

I then listened to ‘One Inch Punch’ by Yin Yin to see if the treble sounded just as flat as the bass. While the electric guitar solos shimmered, they didn’t possess the same clarity and vibrancy you get when listening to the song through a more capable set of cans. It also felt like all the instruments were pushed into the background. The bassline sounded dull as did the drums. Heavy tracks like ‘Put Me in a Padded Room’ by Icon For Hire sounded muddled and like the headphones were easily overwhelmed.

Luckily, though, I was able to salvage a lot of the sound quality by adjusting the Aventho Y’s equalizer through the companion app (more on that shortly). I fixed a lot of the issues by simply playing around with the 10-band EQ and finding my ideal sound. It’s great to have such extensive customization at your fingertips, but I wish the Aventho Y sounded balanced straight out of the box — like the Sennheiser Accentum or the JBL Live 770NC.

Listen along to my review with the Beyerdynamic Aventho Y testing playlist:

Beyerdynamic Aventho Y review: App

The Aventho Y are accompanied by the Beyerdynamic app, available for free on iOS and Android. It enables you to customize the controls, adjust the level of ANC, enable Low Latency mode to minimize audio delays, choose an EQ preset, and customize the 10-band eqaulizer to your liking.

Beyerdynamic’s app is easy to use and it sports a clean interface without any intrusive pop-ups. That’s good because given that you need the app to fix the Aventho Y’s sound, I’d say it’s a necessity and not an optional download.

Beyerdynamic Aventho Y review: ANC

The Beyerdynamic Aventho Y feature effective active noise cancelation that works well indoors and outdoors. Indoors, I wasn’t able to hear the kettle boiling, the clicking-clacking of mechanical keyboards, or other people talking. My partner had to wave several times to get my attention when I was testing the Aventho Y.

On a busy bus back from work, the Aventho Y managed to drown out the sound of people talking loudly. While I could hear the sound of the bus rattling, it wasn’t intrusive or too much, and the Aventho Y did a good job of ensuring I felt immersed in my tunes.

Beyerdynamic Aventho Y review: Call quality

Unfortunately, the Beyerdynamic Aventho Y’s call quality is quite disappointing. On a Google Meet team call, my colleagues winced when I started speaking — and they’ve heard me talk before so I know it isn’t me. I asked them how I sounded, and they noted that my voice was scratchy, distant, and “not great at all.”

To rule out the possibility that this was down to an unstable internet connection, I called my partner who said that my voice sounded muffled and she couldn’t understand my words very clearly. I’d recommend the Sennheiser Accentum if you want better call quality.

Beyerdynamic Aventho Y review: Battery life

An area the Beyerdynamic Aventho Y perform formidably is battery life. Beyerdynamic says that on a single charge, the Aventho Y can last up to 90 hours with ANC off, or 60 hours with ANC on. This is excellent, and the headphones outclass the Sennheiser Accentum (50 hours), the Sony WH-CH730N (50 hours) and the JBL Tune 770NC (44 hours) when ANC is enabled.

With ANC enabled and music playing at 50% volume, I left the Aventho Y running over a few nights. After approximately 50 hours, I had just 5% battery remaining. Beyerdynamic’s battery claims are, then, fairly reliable.

The Aventho Y feature a user-replaceable battery, which increases the longevity of the headphones. The manual specifies how to remove the battery carefully and safely, should you need to do so.

Beyerdynamic Aventho Y review: Verdict

The Beyerdynamic Aventho Y check almost every box. They boast up to 90 hours of battery life, effective ANC indoors and outdoors, a comfortable fit, a colorful design, and they come with a user-friendly companion app. Vocals are clear, strong and nuanced, yes, but everything else sounds flat — and that’s no bueno for a pair of headphones.

While the sound quality is salvageable thanks to the custom 10-band equalizer, it’s a shame that the Aventho Y don’t sound great straight out of the box. The bass sounds muddy and the treble struggles to shine. Call quality isn’t great either as several people noted that I sounded scratchy on their end.

Though the Aventho Y are fun-looking, comfortable and last a long time, it’s worth spending a little more on the likes of the JBL Live 770NC if you want solid sound as soon as you unbox the cans. At the end of the day, the Aventho Y deliver on some fronts but fall flat where it matters most.

The AirPods family just got bigger. Apple officially unveiled its AirPods 5 at its "Surprise and Shine" keynote. And whereas most of the devices announced at the keynote included higher prices, the AirPods 5 are actually cheaper than their predecessors.

AirPods 5 preorders are available now for $129 with ANC at Amazon or $149 with a Wireless Charging Case at Amazon. That's cheaper than the AirPods 4 which cost $129 without ANC and $179 with ANC.

The AirPods 5 feature the same H3 Wireless Chip found in previous models, but usher in live translation, full support for Siri AI, and 50% more noise reduction than the previous generation. They'll be available in stores on September 18.

Currently, there are no AirPods 5 deals available. However, it's only a matter of time before a retailer like Amazon or Best Buy knocks $10 off. (For more Apple deals, make sure to check out our Apple Store coupons coverage).

Quick Links

• AirPods 5 w/ ANC: for $129 @ Amazon
• AirPods 5 w/ Wireless Charging Case: for $149 @ Amazon
• AirPods 5 w/ ANC: for $129 @ Walmart
• AirPods 5 w/ Wireless Charging Case: for $149 @ Walmart
• AirPods 5 w/ ANC: for $129 @ Best Buy
• AirPods 5 w/ Wireless Charging Case: for $149 @ Best Buy
• AirPods 5 w/ ANC: for $129 @ Apple
• AirPods 5 w/ Wireless Charging Case: for $149 @ Apple

Apple AirPods 5 preorders

Apple AirPods 5 — what's new?

The AirPods 5 have an open ear fit with next-gen adaptive EQ. You also get better Siri features, real-time Live Translation, and a durable design that can withstand rain. In terms of battery life, you'll get up to 4 hours with ANC or up to 20 hours with charging case. The upgraded AirPods 5 model has a touch sensitive stem that offers 5 hours of battery with ANC and comes with a wireless charging case, all priced at $149.

Apple claims they remove up to 50% more noise than the AirPods 4 with ANC thanks to the new multiport acoustic architecture and improved computational audio algorithms. There's also a new Transparency mode that more naturally represents voices and nearby sounds, helping users stay connected to their surroundings.

Shop more deals

Apple just announced the AirPods 5 alongside a bunch of other products at the "Surprise and Shine" event in Cupertino, California.

Packed with new features, the AirPods 5 definitely look like a worthwhile alternative to the latest AirPods Pro 3.

They have the open fit the previous models were known for, which is great for people who don't like the Pro's tips. Apple says they'll have the best ANC for this type of earbud, which is a big deal.

Apple Watch 5 quick info

• Price: $129 / AU$219 for the base model with ANC. $149 / AU$249 for the higher-end model with a wireless charging case and volume on the stem.
• Availability: Announced at the "Surprise and Shine" event; available for pre-order today
• Features: Live translation, full support for Siri AI, 50% more noise reduction than the previous generation,
• Under-the-hood: H3 Wireless Chip
• Battery life: Up to 4 hours of listening time with ANC on, up to 20 hours with the charging case

What makes the AirPods 5 stand out?

Apple announced some exciting new features for the AirPods 5, but perhaps the most exciting element is the lower price. The base model, now with active noise cancellation, costs only $129 / AU$218. That's the same price as the AirPods 4 without ANC.

At the same time, Apple announced an upgraded version, the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, for $149 AU$249. That's cheaper than the high-end AirPods 4. In today's economy, prices don't drop often, so this is exciting.

As the name implies, it offers wireless charging, but it also has a force sensor with volume swipe, which the company says is a first for the open-ear form factor.

The other big change for the more expensive model is longer battery life. The cheaper model is rated to last about four hours with ANC on, while the upgraded model should last about five hours.

Obviously, audio quality is critical for any pair of headphones, and Apple is making some lofty promises. It described a "new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ deliver richer, more detailed sound across an even wider range of ear geometries."

Apple is also integrating AI features like Live Translation and Siri AI, so you can take advantage of them at a lower price point.

More from Tom's Guide

• Best AirPods: Top Apple models tested and rated
• Apple Watch Ultra 4 needs these 3 features to compete with the likes of the Garmin Fenix 9
• Apple September event live blog

Sony announced three new pairs of headphones — well, new-ish. They're the upgraded versions, or refreshes, of their predecessors. After having sold 10 million units globally, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is being succeeded by the Sony WH-1000XM4C. And there's more: the Sony WH-CH730N is here to replace the three-year-old Sony WH-CH720N, and the Sony WH-CH530 now succeeds the budget-friendly Sony WH-CH520.

If that sounds like a lot to take in, don't worry: I'm here to break it down for you. The XM4C announcement comes hot on the heels of Sony celebrating 10 years of the WH-1000X series. That's right: the first model, the MDR-1000X, came out in 2016. Along with that milestone, Sony says it is also celebrating 80 years of audio innovation.

So, what's new, what's changed (and hasn't), how much do they cost, and should you buy them? Let me walk you through it.

WH-1000XM4C: 'A modern classic'

When the Sony WH-1000XM4 came out in 2020, they were an instant hit, and Sony says that the headphones that redefined its cans have sold over 10 million units globally. It's no wonder they're back in the form of the WH-1000XM4C — and they sound like a hoot. While the overall design and active noise cancellation remain unchanged, Sony is introducing a new lavender color, which looks gorgeous.

So what's new? Upgraded sound tuning thanks to 40mm drivers and Bluetooth 6.0, for starters. The XM4C inherits the XM6's and the 1000X The Collexion's tuning to deliver a versatile sound that outperforms the original XM4. Vocals are now richer and clearer, and the XM4C are meant to boast superior frequency separation and an expansive soundstage, alongside improved dynamics.

They also include a 10-band equalizer, gaming EQ, and Quick Access, which lets you launch your preferred music streaming service with headband gestures.

The biggest upgrade is user-replaceable batteries, keeping in line with the new EU battery regulations. This comes at a cost, though: the XM4C's battery life is rated at 27 hours, down from 30 hours on the original XM4.

For those wondering where the XM4C sits relative to Sony's other headphones, here's the answer. According to Sony, the 1000X The Collexion are "Luxury"; the XM6 are "Performance"; and the XM4C are "Classic Standard." They're designed for everyday use without sacrificing sound quality.

The Sony WH-1000XM4C are available for $299 / ~£220.

WH-CH730N: Now with 75 hours of battery life

The Sony WH-CH720N came out in 2023, and they're already getting refreshed — and the new WH-CH730N packs some big upgrades. Like the XM4C, the design stays mostly the same, but the CH730N now has a foldable design for easy transport, plus a cushioned headband.

They also feature stronger ANC and improved AI-powered call quality. They also include a 10-band customizable equalizer, DSEE music upscaling, and support for Sony's 360° Reality Audio. The battery is, again, replaceable, but unlike the XM4C, battery life has received a substantial bump. It's now up to 75 hours, up from 50 hours on its predecessor. Charging the CH730N for three minutes also yields an hour of playtime.

The CH730N utilizes Bluetooth 6.0 with Bluetooth LE and Auracast. Another new feature is Max Volume Control, which you can use in the app to cap the maximum volume and protect your hearing. In addition to black, blue, pink, and white, the CH730N now comes in beige as well.

The Sony WH-CH730N is available for $179 / ~£120.

WH-CH530: The new budget king?

When we reviewed the Sony WH-CH520, we awarded them 4.5-stars and noted they were fantastic value for money. We expect the new WH-CH530 to be just as good, if not better.

Out of the three refreshed models, the CH530 has received the fewest upgrades, but substantial ones nonetheless. They now come in coral (off-red/orange) and cobalt, as well as mint, pink, off-white, and black.

Battery life has received a five-hour bump, and the CH530 is rated for 55 hours (up from 50 hours). Three minutes of charge yields 90 minutes of playtime, which is excellent. Similar to the CH730N, the CH530 also gets Max Volume Control, Bluetooth LE audio, replaceable batteries, and AI noise reduction for calls.

The Sony WH-CH530 is available for $69 / ~£60.

Which headphones are you most excited for?

As someone who reviews the best headphones day in and day out and spends a lot of her time listening to music, it goes without saying that I'm very excited to try Sony's new cans. The XM4C, CH730N, and CH530 introduce notable quality-of-life improvements, including replaceable batteries and better sound tuning.

It remains to be seen whether these headphones impress me and my fellow reviewers, so we can't wait to get our hands on them. Personally, I'm most excited to check out the XM4C, especially in the lavender skin. Who knows, maybe they'll replace my trusty Marshall Monitor III? Stay tuned for full reviews!

More from Tom's Guide

• I listened to 10 of Sony’s new ULT party speakers together — and they offer something for everyone
• Sony WH-1000XM6 3 months later: here's my honest verdict on how Sony's flagship cans hold up
• I tested Sony’s $650 fashion headphones — the 1000X 'The Collexion' are more than just pretty

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.

Apple's huge "Surprise and Shine" is just days away and the first major event under the leadership of incoming CEO John Ternus' promises to be a big one. And now we have a fairly clear picture of what the company should announce.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has dropped a massive report that outlines everything Apple should release over the next year. And we expect 9 of those new devices to come at the Apple September event, including Apple's first foldable phone in the iPhone Ultra.

We've got a full breakdown of the devices likely headed your way, from the iPhone 18 Pro series and Apple Watch 12 to a new HomePad.

When is the Apple event?

Apple has slated its "Surprise and shine" event for Wednesday, September 9 at Apple Park. Typically, Apple would hold its event on a Tuesday, but this year it's coming right after Labor Day, meaning it's being pushed to Wednesday.

This has happened before and Apple's reasoning has been that the company doesn't want to ask attendees to travel on the holiday weekend. As an example, the iPhone 14 launched on Wednesday, September 7, following Labor Day on Monday 5.

The event is set to take place at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST and will be livestreamed on various social media platforms as well as Apple's own site.

iPhones generally go up for pre-order the Friday following the Apple event, but this year that's September 11. Gurman has reported that pre-orders will be pushed to Saturday, September 12.

New CEO John Ternus is expected to host the monster event, and his tenure appears ready to start with a bang.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

This year, we believe that Apple will only launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. The entry-level iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Plus reportedly won't debut until next spring alongside the iPhone 18e.

The design of the Pro models should look similar to last year's iPhone 17 Pro models. However, the Dynamic Island should be smaller, with a 24MP selfie camera. Rumors suggest the Pro Max model will also gain exclusive access new variable aperture lens and might also have a longer 6x zoom.

Both models should feature Apple's new 2nm A20 Pro chip and a new C2 modem. A recent leak suggests the A20 Pro could feature the largest ever GPU inside an iPhone, meaning better, more efficient performance. Speaking of performance, the latest rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could pack a new battery somewhere between 5,391 mAh and 5,567 mAh, and if Apple pushes the silicon's efficiency performance closer to 30%, it could last over 23 hours on a single charge.

For more, see our iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max comparison.

Unfortunately, analysts have predicted that the new iPhone 18 Pro models could cost between $200 and $250 more than the iPhone 17 Pro family. Here's hoping you have that extra money saved to cover the difference.

iPhone Ultra

The biggest announcement of the Apple event is sure to be the debut of the foldable iPhone Ultra.

An unboxing video from this week revealed a squat passport shape similar to the new Galaxy Z Fold 8, with a 7.8-inch foldable display and a 5.5-inch cover screen. Apple has allegedly made a crease-free display, one of the hangs up that stopped the company from making a foldable until now.

The Ultra could measure between 4.5 and 4.8mm when unfolded, making it one of the thinnest iPhones ever.

Inside, the Ultra would also feature the A20 Pro chipset and Apple's in-house C2 modem, plus a Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the power button — in lieu of Face ID. It's supposed to feature a fairly larger 4,883 mAh battery.

The rear panel should house two 48MP cameras horizontally positioned (wide and ultrawide) and two separate 24MP selfie cameras — one for the cover display and one for the interior screen.

Apple reportedly delayed releasing a folding iPhone until it could eliminate the crease in the display, but whether it's accomplished this remains to be seen. Even Samsung and Oppo, despite their long lead time, have only had moderate success.

One downside is that the iPhone Ultra price could be very expensive, costing anywhere from $2,000 to 2,500. And a recent leak suggests that iPhone Ultra may not be immediately available, with only "extremely limited" availability.

Just keep in mind that the iPhone Ultra could have a number of trade-offs versus the iPhone 18 Pro, including the lack of a telephoto zoom.

AirPods 5

The rumor mill has been excitedly leaking information about the AirPods Ultra, which could feature a camera that will feed into Siri to allow it to "see" the world. But according to a Mark Gurman report, we aren't expecting the AirPods Ultra until 2027 at the earliest.

Instead, we should get a slightly upgraded pair of AirPods 5. AppleTrack claims the design will be similar to the current AirPods 4.

Only two real upgrades have been suggested, including a better chip, volume control on the buds and a heart sensor similar to the Pro models. From a software side, the new AirPods 5 will likely take advantage of the more powerful Siri AI releasing this fall, though what features it gets remains to be seen.

Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4

Similar to the AirPods, the leakers have been fairly quiet about the next Apple Watches. We are expecting to see the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

The designs shouldn't change too much, though Apple might offer a ceramic case option for the new watches. The biggest change might be a new kind of band attachment. This does mean that your old bands might not be compatible with the new watches.

AppleTrack suggests Apple will put a new S12 chip in the watches with a focus on speed and battery life, though exactly how fast and how much better was not revealed.

Both watches should get new health and fitness features. We already know that watchOS 27 will bring new AI features, an updated Workout Buddy and more useful data tracking. Plus, it should feature better integration with the upgraded Siri AI, which we've already seen in the iOS 27 beta.

Apple TV 4K

Apple hasn't released a new version of the Apple TV 4K since 2022. We're long overdue for an upgrade — even if it's only a more powerful chip for stronger performance.

Like everything else this year, don't expect new designs. It should look similar to older editions. Rumors have repeatedly suggested that the streaming box will feature the A17 Pro chip — the same as in the iPhone 15 Pro models. It should also get the in-house N1 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Outside of chips, the big upgrade would be Siri AI, which could let you connect the Apple TV as a hub for smart devices. One rumor suggested that Apple might release a set-top box with a camera, which would allow for FaceTime calls and gesture-based controls.

AppleTrack suggests that the new Apple TV will be expensive, possibly costlier than the current edition, which is currently priced at $199 and $179 following price hikes this summer.

Smart Home

Since Apple Intelligence was introduced in 2024, rumors and leaks have hinted at Apple's ambitious plans to create a suite of smart home devices, and it all starts with revamped HomePods. The problem has been a lack of a viable AI-powered Siri, which will finally come to fruition thanks to iOS 27.

If it actually releases and works as pitched, this year could actually be the start of Apple Home.

HomePad Home hub

The totally redesigned HomePod would likely get a new name, the HomePad, because it's functionally an iPad stapled to a HomePod speaker.

Several different iterations of this device have been rumored, including one with a $1,000 robot arm. Currently, rumors claim it will launch in two versions: the iPad/speaker and a wall-mounted touchpad similar to the Google Nest Hub or Amazon's Echo Show 8.

The system would run a new HomeOS, based on watchOS. It could have a FaceTime camera for video calls and presence sensors to initiate smart home routines. The camera might enable face recognition that would display personalized displays based on the user.

For more check out our HomePad rumor roundup.

HomePod mini 2

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, long a reporter of the rumored HomePod updates, believes that a new HomePod mini could launch this September alongside the rumored HomePod Home hub.

A new HomePod mini might debut, but it probably won't be as big of an upgrade as the Hub. Most rumors suggest that it will feature a new chip and audio improvements. The current version debuted in 2020, and like the Apple TV 4K, is long overdue for an update.

Like the HomePad, it will use Siri AI to run smart home routines, though only through voice commands.

Apple's future products

While the Surprise and Shine event will take the headlines next week, Gurman's report reveals a total of 41 devices that Apple could launch over the next three years.

This includes everything from an OLED iPad mini and M6 Macs to a MacBook Neo refresh and the iPhone Air 2. There is even speculation on devices that could launch in 2028 and beyond. We'll get into all that elsewhere but for now, here's what should round out the year.

Other Apple devices slated for 2026

Outside of new M6 chips, the big updates on this list are all about adding OLED to Apple's Mac lineup. If Apple sticks with its usual schedule, these will launch around October, maybe early November at the latest.

• iPad mini with OLED screen: Outside of chips, the iPad mini has retained the same design since 2021. An OLED display would be one of the biggest updates in years. It should making gaming, watching media and general tasks more enjoyable. Though with everything getting more expensive don't expect the same $599 price tag.
• M6 iMac refresh: We've already seen the M6 chipset in action with the announced M6 Mac mini, which proved efficient. The iMac should get a similar update this fall.
• M6 14-inch MacBook Pro refresh: Like the iMac, we're only expecting a chip update from the M5 to the M6, but it should prove powerful.
• First MacBooks with touch display and OLED: Like the iPad mini, MacBooks might finally get a touch display and OLED panel this year. However, it will likely feature the M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, not the M6. Additionally, it might get a new name, MacBook Ultra, and a higher price tag.

Will you be tuning in to Apple's event? Let me know which device you're most hyped for in the comments.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone Ultra exclusive: Gurman on price, release date rumors and 'day one' weapon against Android
• 'We're not changing it': MapQuest hits No. 1 in App Store after refusing to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America
• iPhone Ultra and 18 Pro Max unboxed ahead of Apple event — these could be the final designs

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) aim to deliver premium noise cancellation and comfort for commuters and frequent flyers. Sitting in the premium mid-tier of the category, they replace the first-generation QuietComfort Headphones and bring over standout features like Immersive Audio, from the pricier Ultra series.

But it's a crowded market, and I can’t confidently say these are the best headphones $350 or so can get you when the Sony WH-1000XM5 are permanently discounted for less. The lack of wear detection means you have to manually power them down to save juice, and a 24-hour battery life is merely middle of the pack.

On the positive side, Bose absolutely nails the comfort and ANC, providing 10 levels of highly effective noise isolation and plush padding that makes wearing them for hours a breeze. The addition of a color-matched 3.5mm-to-USB-C cable for lossless audio input is also a massive win for the variety of ways you can enjoy these cans.

Find out more in my full Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Price and availability

• $359 MSRP but expect discounts
• Competes closely with higher-end Bose models on sale

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) costs $359 at Amazon, direct at Bose, and other major retailers. While this still feels like a steep initial asking price, it is highly likely that it will eventually settle closer to $299 during sales events. For context, the original QC Headphones have dropped as low as $229.

Bose's higher-end QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen Headphones have also been on sale for as low as $369. Meanwhile, the first-generation QuietComfort Headphones are still available and often discounted to around $250. You have to weigh the price against the newly added features, which I’ll elaborate more on now, starting with design.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Design

• Supremely comfortable with plush padding
• Intuitive physical buttons
• Folds into a convenient carrying case

Aesthetically, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) maintain a familiar, somewhat plasticky build, but they are offered in a massive color selection. I tested the light green (officially, Eucalyptus Green) and it adds a fun, seasonal pop to an otherwise traditional frame.

Bose has become a master at the color game recently, regularly doing splashly color drops across its lineup of audio products, so I’d expect an even greater selection of options coming soon.

What these headphones might lack in premium metal flair, they more than make up for in sheer wearability. They fold up conveniently into an included carrying case, though I’ve already resorted to hooking them around my luggage when traveling to save space.

The headphones are not IP-rated for weatherproofing. This means there is absolutely no guaranteed protection against water or dust. I generally hate when people wear over-ear headphones to the gym, (specifically, AirPods Max) and it's especially risky here. They are not safe for workouts or getting caught out in the rain. Waterproofing over ears is difficult, so typically you need to spend more on something like the $899 Noble Audio FoKus Artemis or $1,250 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 to get an IP-rating.

Comfort

Comfort is where these headphones truly shine. The earcups feature just the right amount of plush padding, and Bose extended the padding almost fully around the headband, whereas the previous generation only padded the top quarter.

There are no clamping issues here; speaking from experience on my recent cross-country flights, they are genuinely comfortable to wear for 8-plus hours without experiencing pressure or fatigue.

Controls

I love that Bose stuck with physical buttons, as they are overall intuitive and highly satisfying to touch. All playback and volume controls sit on the right earcup, while the power, Bluetooth, and ANC toggles are on the left. Because they are physical, there is no risk of accidentally changing the volume when I brush my hair out of the way or lean against a plane pillow.

But there is a major downside: they lack wear detection. With no on-head detection, you have to physically turn them off, or the battery will just continue to drain. Call me crazy, but I firmly believe $300+ headphones should have some version of this feature.

Connectivity

These headphones are equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, a notable step up from the previous model's Bluetooth 5.1. It’s still behind the latest Bluetooth 6.0, though, which other mid-range headphones like the JBL Live 780NC launched with in 2026.

Multipoint connectivity works flawlessly; I enjoyed great auto-playback detection while seamlessly switching between my iPhone and iPad.

While they do not feature LDAC, they do support USB-C lossless audio input up to 24-bit/48kHz, and Bose thoughtfully includes both color-matched 3.5mm-to-USB-C and USB-C-to-USB-C cables nestled inside the carrying case.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Sound quality

• Bose’s Immersive Audio added
• Lossless USB-C support
• Warm bass but slightly capped treble

Bose hasn't upgraded the actual drivers here, yet these headphones somehow manage to sound better than the original QC Headphones. The biggest addition is the Immersive Audio feature with head tracking, which was previously exclusive to the Ultra series.

When listening over Bluetooth, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)’s overall profile is warm and engaging. To test the bass and soundstage, I played Milky Chance's Stolen Dance. The intro beats were incredibly punchy. While the soundstage isn't the absolute largest I've heard, the depth and separation during the bass drum build-up in Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car hits beautifully, offering a controlled, thick low-end.

Moving to the mid-tones, I cued up Bon Iver's Wash. to see how the headphones handled instrumental separation. The contrast between the layered vocals and the piano had a haunting, distinct clarity. Mid-tones are powerful and well-defined, and listening to David Bowie’s Heroes revealed excellent instrumental distinctions that kept his voice sounding true to the original recording.

However, the treble and higher vocals can feel a bit restrained. When testing Michael Jackson’s P.Y.T., the high notes were slightly capped, reinforcing the fact that the highs here don't have quite the same sense of openness. Tracy Chapman's angelic voice on Fast Car has definitely sounded a bit brighter on other high-end models, establishing that while these cans offer great bass, they are somewhat limited on the highs.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: App

• Clean and easy to navigate
• 10 levels of ANC adjustment
• Controls for Immersive Audio

The companion Bose app is simple, professional and essential for getting the most out of these headphones. Available on iOS and Android, it allows you to tweak connections, check battery life, and apply basic EQ tailoring.

I also found a little easter egg that suggests inventive names for your headphones based on the color, if you’d like them labeled as something other than the comparatively-sterile product name.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: ANC

• Incredibly effective isolation
• 10 adjustable levels
• Immersive audio modes

Bose continues to be one of the best in the business when it comes to ANC, and the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) easily earn their name. The ANC here is next-level effective. While testing on flights, I felt completely tuned out from the roaring engines and cabin chatter. I even switched between these, the Sony WH-1000XM6, and the Apple AirPods Max 2, and found the Bose to be noticeably stronger at blocking out environmental noise.

While the app offers Bose’s signature 10 levels of ANC adjustment, the implementation is so subtle that I rarely wanted anything less than full effectiveness.

The added Immersive Audio feature offers excellent "Still" and "Motion" modes, providing a spatial audio experience that acts as a fantastic alternative to standard stereo listening. People are usually torn on this kind of feature, but I’ve personally liked Bose’s implementation of it since I tested the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Call quality

• 24 hours maximum
• Drops to 18 hours with ANC and Immersive Audio
• Middle of the pack performance

Bose rates the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) battery life at up to 24 hours on a single charge, which drops to up to 18 hours if you have both noise canceling and Immersive Audio activated. In real terms, this means you can get through a few days of commuting or a very long international flight, but it sits squarely in the middle of the pack.

For comparison, the Ultra version gets up to 30 hours, and rivals like the Marshall Monitor III or CMF Headphone Pro can reach up to 100 hours.

In my testing, the battery drained exactly as expected based on Bose's claims. I used them heavily with full ANC and Immersive Audio engaged, and the resulting 18 hours of playback felt a bit limiting if you're someone who often forgets to charge their devices. The lack of wear detection exacerbates this issue, as leaving them powered on while fumbling to disembark will quickly eat through whatever juice you have left.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Verdict

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are an incredibly comfortable set of travel cans that successfully integrate the excellent Immersive Audio feature from the brand's flagship lineup. They provide some of the absolute best noise cancellation on the market, easily hushing noisy plane cabins, and the tactile physical buttons are a joy to use when you need to make quick adjustments on the fly.

But the lack of wear detection is a frustrating omission that requires you to babysit the power button, and a 24-hour battery life feels quite average given the $359 price tag when compared to modern stamina champions. Additionally, the lack of an IP rating means you'll want to keep these strictly for commuting and desk work rather than gym sessions.

Ultimately, if you prioritize wearing comfort, physical controls, and world-class ANC over battery longevity, these headphones are a solid travel companion.

The Noble Audio FoKus Artemis are the latest over-ear ANC headphones from high-end, although slightly niche IEM manufacturer Noble Audio. The Artemis follow up the FoKus Apollo Pro, adding an extra set of drivers to take the tally to three: each side now has a dynamic, a planar magnetic, and a balanced armature driver.

There’s also a slew of other upgrades, from Bluetooth and codec compatibility to water resistance. Most importantly, they sound utterly, and I mean utterly divine — those triple drivers aided by a clever personalized EQ that compensates for per-ear hearing loss.

Even so, they’re not perfect. At $899, these cans are competing with some serious players — your Bang & Olufsens; your Bowers & Wilkinses. While premium, the Artemis can’t quite match the luxurious build or polished companion apps of rivals.

But do the Artemis still rank as some of the best noise-canceling headphones for audiophiles? Find out in my full Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review.

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: Specs

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: Price & availability

As I mentioned above, at $899 / £799, the Artemis are pricey enough to mix it with the big boys — the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 ($1,250 / £879), and the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 ($799 / £675). I own both the H95 and Px8 S2, so I’ve tested all three.

In short, if all you care about is sound, the FoKus Artemis edge it, with greater audio finesse thanks to the triple-driver array and excellent personalized EQ. If, however, you want a holistic luxury package for your close-to-a-grand, it’d have to be the H95. The Px8 S2 are the cheapest of all three but still feel more luxurious and put-together than the Artemis, plus they sound fantastic.

In the U.S., the Artemis are in pre-order at Noble Audio as I write this, although they're already becoming available via its established retailers in Britain.

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: Design

There’s no denying: the FoKus Artemis are hella pretty headphones. The glorious swirling matte patina on the outer cups is borderline addictive to behold. The sliders and earcup hangers are polished to a semi-matte, with a muted, syrupy luster as the light catches them. The hangers feel reassuringly chunky, I ought to add.

But while the Artemis look charming and feel premium, they don’t convey luxury, which I’d expect at this price. As I mentioned above, when you charge $899 for headphones, there’s nowhere to hide, and some incredibly fierce competition. Noble is splashing around in Bowers’ and B&O’s paddling pool — and that means it’s a pool constructed entirely of titanium and lambskin leather.

The Artemis simply cannot match the opulence of the other two, who leave no detail without attention. The Artemis’ milled edges are just that little rougher; the etching slightly less sharp; the ear pads (while comfy) not nearly as pillowy-soft. The buttons look plasticky and cheap, while the legends look either very slightly mis- or double-printed on both my test units — you wouldn’t find a basic error like that on a set of Bowers, no siree, and I’m pretty sure someone at B&O would be facing a firing squad for it.

There’s a felt-like material on the back of the Artemis earcups, which unless cossetted will doubtless grubby up quicker than you can say ‘balanced armature’. And the headband fabric looks uncannily like that on the Jabra Evolve3 75 conferencing headset I tested recently — there’s nothing overtly wrong with it, and it’s perfectly comfortable… but $900 to look like you’re on a work call?

By $500 headphone standards, the Artemis sure are lovely. But Noble has chosen the $900 mark, so by that yardstick shall these cans be measured, and shall they ever-so-slightly disappoint.

Still, the Artemis boast some worthy design features. The earcups and battery are replaceable, theoretically benefitting longevity. IP52 dust-/water-resistance means they’ll survive a light shower and the odd workout — although I dread to think what that earcup felt will look (not to mention smell) like once sweated into. You can replace the earcups on both the Px8 S2 and H95, but only the latter is water resistant (also IP52) and neither can have their batteries replaced (not by you anyway).

The Artemis come with a hardened fabric carry case. It’s a little slimmer than the Px8 S2’s equivalent and wholly easier to travel with than the H95’s chunky, scratch-magnetic hard-shell case. I’ve travelled with all three and prefer the Artemis’ case, as it took up the least space in my bag.

Controls

Their cheap-ish looks aside, I’m a big fan of the Artemis’ buttons and controls. They’re reliable, unfussy and sensibly positioned, which is all I really want and need. I had no issues locating and operating the Artemis’s controls by touch, even while walking around Copenhagen on a press trip. Sure, I like the physical and touch controls on my Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 and H95, but how many do I really use day-to-day? Four: power, volume, playback and ANC.

Connectivity

The Artemis use Bluetooth version 6.0, providing greater connection stability and lower power consumption than earlier versions. Even the Apple AirPods Max 2 launched in 2026 with the older version 5.3, so (unfortunately) the latest iteration isn't something you can take for granted.

The Artemis support hi-res codecs, including LDAC, aptX HD, and now aptX Lossless — an upgrade from the Apollo. Again, you can’t take these for granted, as the $2,500 B&O H100 only support basic AAC/SBC codecs, meaning no hi-res wireless.

The Artemis also pack wear detection with customizable auto-off timing, multi-point connectivity and smartphone control via a (rather janky) companion app. You can also run the cans truly lossless via USB-C, and there’s a USB-C 3.5mm adapter included.

Annoyingly, multipoint didn’t work too well during testing — when taking work calls, I occasionally had to turn the Artemis off and on again for Google Meet to recognize them as an audio/mic source. Could be a Meet issue, though.

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: Sound quality

I tested over Bluetooth using AAC, and over USB-C in hi-res on Qobuz. As I mentioned above, the Artemis sound insanely good. The three-driver setup comprises a dynamic driver for bass and mid-range impact; a planar magnetic driver for super fast response, particularly in the mid- and upper ranges; and a balanced armature driver for fine treble detail. It’s a heavenly ménage à trois.

Treble is ultra-precise, airy, and rarely fatiguing — I was caught out a couple of times by songs with inherently sharp treble baked into their master, although admittedly I was hungover on both occasions. For the most part, though, I found the treble comfortable enough for hours on end.

The balanced armature (BA) drivers and ultra-responsive planars offer exceptional detail. In Blusher’s Your Love Is My Drug, I heard every minute enunciation, every mouth noise, every lip smack, and the gentlest whisps of the breathy vocals during harmonies. The balanced armature drivers also help with airiness and space — the subtle pop of interference at the start of Queens of the Stone Age’s Medication was imaged perfectly, crackling upward and forward in my left ear like a firing nerve ending.

Vocals steal the show, though. They sound mesmerizing across the board, always perfectly isolated from percussion and other mid-range noise. In Stereophonics’ Just Looking, Kelly Jones’ voice commanded the track, his husky vocals floating around my head like tobacco smoke in an 80s dive bar — I almost forgot the song had a riff and drum track.

That fast mid-range response also works wonders elsewhere, with strong instrument and tonal separation. Guitars sound fantastic. I could hear the individual plucks and natural stringy timbre during the acoustic guitar bridge of Porter Robinson’s Cheerleader. Distorted stuff works, too, with bags of texture and definition in sludgy metal riffs.

The Artemis aren’t overly bassy headphones — no Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 tuning for the masses. But when you need the bass, it’s there, impactful and well-controlled. The powerful warbles of Burn Water’s Ikigai were thick, rich and velvety-textured.

Sub-bass response isn’t the strongest, at least not on my personal EQ. The last 20 seconds of Sohn's Antigravity — essentially just a wave of the deepest sub bass you can get before feeling rather than hearing it — sounded fairly thin. But that stuff is tricky for pretty much all headphones I’ve tested save the $2,200 Beoplay H100 and $4,500 Audeze LCD5-S.

As I mentioned above, these headphones are surprisingly spacious for closed-backs, but there’s an extra mode to supposedly increase three-dimensionality: Audiosphere, available in either Subtle (weak) or Immersive (strong) settings. Like most software-based 3D modes I try, it’s pretty poor, making everything sound metallic and echoey rather than actually increasing spatiality.

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

Personalized EQ

The Artemis’ standout software feature is undoubtedly its personalized EQ, courtesy of the audio algo-nerds at Audiodo, a Swedish company specializing in personal EQing. The personalized EQ runs a hearing test and then adapts the EQ profile to your individual ears, compensating for any hearing loss at different frequencies in one ear or the other. As a tinnitus sufferer, motorcyclist and former DJ, this is exactly what I need!

I was blown away by the results. My personal EQ was highly effective, brightening up the treble and bringing noticeable space to the sound without compromising anything else.

There’s also a standard 10-band EQ, plus various presets. I like that your EQ is also saved onboard the headphones, too, so if your app goes kaput (which, spoiler alert, it probably will), your chosen EQ should remain on the cans... and yes, that is some not-so-subtle foreshadowing.

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: App

The Artemis’ Achilles heel (staying on the mythical trend) is its app. It’s a little unpolished, with a few slightly awkward something-to-English direct translations (“Go test” and the “Setting” menu), plus a somewhat boxy, dated and disconcertingly left-justified interface.

However, a more concerning issue during testing was the app’s jankiness. It sometimes failed to recognize the headphones at all, and once thought they were Noble’s Karma open earbuds. It also crashed each time I tried to update the Artemis — not ideal given my first test set was running early firmware.

I flagged this to Noble’s representative and the manufacturer quickly patched the iOS app, which is fine, although after the update one of my two personal EQ profiles was overwritten by a duplication of the other (thankfully, the one I preferred). It’s not exactly confidence-inspiring.

At $899 and in 2026, I’d expect a little more polish given the smartphone app is so pivotal to the Artemis’ user experience — personalized EQ and updating et al. The B&O app, by contrast, is wonderful and feature-packed, while the B&W app is fairly basic but at least reliable and slick.

I should mention that, thankfully, despite the jankiness, I could still use the FoKus app fairly reliably to customize the Artemis at a fundamental level (controls, ANC levels, etc), and most importantly use the EQ. Given the EQ is saved onboard the headphones, after setting that you can mostly live without the app anyway until you need to tweak EQ or update the cans.

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: ANC

The FoKus Artemis’ ANC is pretty good. I took the headphones on a flight to Copenhagen, and they cut out enough hubbub in the busy departures terminal for me to get on with some work in peace. On the plane, they competently drowned out the noisy Airbus A320 I flew on, the people behind me talking, plus a passenger on my row snoring. They couldn’t cut the noise of a screaming kid behind me on the return flight though, which the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 did last time I flew (returning, coincidentally, from Copenhagen).

The Artemis did a respectable job in daily life, too, cutting most traffic noise while walking around the Danish capital. I didn’t get along with the pressure levels at times, as the ‘High’ ANC setting occasionally made me feel nauseous, but your mileage will vary based on individual ear anatomy.

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: Call quality

For the Artemis, Noble did away with the Apollo’s detachable boom mic, which is a good thing. This is a set of ANC headphones, not a gaming headset. The new internal mic does a fairly good job for calls. I called my wife, who reported my voice sounded clear and natural, if not a little bit thin.

She noted, however, that the Artemis mic picked up literally every single background noise, from rustling paper to unwrapping a parcel to merely pulling my keys from my pocket. Apparently this was very distracting, and with no environmental noise cancelation on the mic, there was nothing I could do about it.

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: Battery life

Noble promises 55 hours of battery life with ANC off and 35 with ANC on. This sits between the 38-hour and 30-hour ANC figures of the H95 and Px8 S2 respectively. It’s a lot better than the 20 hours you can expect from the AirPods Max 2.

Real world results will of course vary based on your individual usage and whether you’re using USB-C for playback. In real terms, though, I used the Artemis extensively over a three-day press trip without charging them and was left with around 50% left, so there’s more than enough juice for a short trip away, and you’ll very likely be able to find a power socket in that time anyway.

The Artemis also have a neat trick up their sleeve: take off the left ear pad and you’ll see a battery held in place with a screw! That means you can replace the battery yourself, theoretically increasing the Artemis’ longevity. We’ve seen this before on the Sennheiser Momentum 5, but it’s not commonplace. Of course, it relies on Noble still making these batteries whenever in the future you need to replace yours. Despite questionable upsides, though, there are certainly no downsides to this.

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: Verdict

The FoKus Artemis aren’t perfect. When you’re being charged $899, you deserve a certain level of polish that, unfortunately, isn’t quite there in places. Admittedly, most of this is fairly minor, like the Artemis’ overly sensitive mic, or their lacking the sheer opulent finish and attention to detail of similarly priced rivals. The amateurism of the companion app is more worrying, though, given its importance to the headphones’ core operation. Thankfully that’s something which can be improved over time (and really needs to be, Noble, if you’re reading).

That said, I’m still head over heels in love with the FoKus Artemis, and there’s no question that they deserve my recommendation. Because that sound — mah gawd. It's what these cans are all about. Fire them up, sort out your personalized EQ, and you’ll quickly realize what you’ve paid for. The sound is simply exquisite, with detail, space, power in abundance, yet balance. The $900 finesse lacked elsewhere is made up for in triumphant fashion by just listening to the things. And that’s a compromise I can live with.

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

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.

It’s easy to look at the new $449 Sonos Ace Ultra and wonder why anyone needs living room headphones when standard TV Bluetooth and other playback hand-off options already exist.

I’ll take it one step further. I’ve historically been skeptical of "at-home" headphones. I don't have kids sleeping down the hall or roommates to tip-toe around during a late-night movie binge, so headphones have always felt like a tool for travel, not my couch.

But after trying out the headset alongside the Beam Ultra in a living room setting, I believe it reveals a fundamental shift in flexible listening. The Ace Ultra bypasses traditional Bluetooth constraints entirely to operate in respect to the rest of a Wi-Fi-connected, whole-home audio system.

No, your Bluetooth headphones can’t do this

Connecting standard Bluetooth headphones to a smart TV comes with major trade-offs, including potential lip-sync latency, compressed audio, limited range and the general annoyance of digging through settings menus when you want to switch back to your TV speakers.

The Ace Ultra takes a different approach. With dedicated Headphone Engine 2 silicon, it can connect to your local Wi-Fi network rather than relying solely on a Bluetooth connection to your phone or TV. This enables uncompressed, zero-latency spatial audio.

And instead of applying a generic virtual surround filter, TrueCinema room calibration uses living room spatial data to map audio to the exact physical acoustics of your room. Because it streams over Wi-Fi, you can walk throughout your entire house without audio stutters or range limits. This made the Ace Ultra feel less like a pair of headphones connected to a TV and more like another endpoint within the Sonos network.

No, the original Sonos Ace also couldn’t do this

While it’s true that the original Sonos Ace released in 2024 introduced TV Audio Swap, that feature was strictly a point-to-point link locked to a single soundbar. The Ace Ultra breaks out of that single-room boundary through the broader architecture of Sonos 27, what Sonos is calling the latest software version of its system.

Through new Headphone Linking capabilities, the headset interacts directly with your whole home setup. Walking up to virtually any Sonos speaker in your house and tapping the physical action button on the earcup instantly pushes or pulls whatever audio is playing in that room.

The TV does not need to be on, an app does not need to be opened and your phone can be completely turned off in another room.

I think Apple has the closest version of this kind of hand-off implementation between its Homepod speakers and mobile devices, but again, you still need to physically tap your iPhone to the speaker to initiate the switch even if using AirPlay. You also cannot directly hand off audio from a HomePod to AirPods with a button press on the headphones themselves. Sonos is doing something genuinely distinct by making the headset an independent network node.

Yes, you can use them outside of your house, too

Even if you think you’ll rarely use the direct system-linking in your living room, the Ace Ultra makes a strong case as a travel-first flagship. In a loud event space packed with overlapping audio demos, the physical hardware excelled where traditional commuters care most.

Powered by a 10-microphone array, the noise cancellation cuts through heavy ambient room noise while maintaining clean separation between vocal and instrumental layers.

Sonos re-engineered the custom 44mm driver with a lighter, stiffer diaphragm, optimizing the power-to-weight ratio to deliver crisp dialogue, broad dynamic range and deeper bass.

You get up to 35 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. And beyond Wi-Fi linking, the headset offers Bluetooth, USB-C and 3.5mm wired options, finished in new matte colors.

At $449, the Ace Ultra delivers the acoustic isolation, long-haul comfort and battery life required to go head-to-head with travel staples from Sony and Bose.

But by removing the phone as the middleman and turning the Ace Ultra into a physical extension of your home network, Sonos is making a compelling case for keeping its headphones on when you walk back in through your home’s front door.

More from Tom's Guide

• Sonos is ready to steal back the soundbar crown with the new Beam Ultra
• I just set up the ultimate Sonos surround system
• Change these Sonos soundbar settings immediately

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.

As someone who’s always listening to music and looking for the best headphones to replicate the sound of my favorite artists, I was excited to test out the Grado SR325. I’m a big fan of detailed sound, and the Grados deliver it in abundance.

They have amazing vocal reproduction while also delivering detailed mids performance, so you can take in your favorite guitar riffs and drum fills. I found them best for mellow music, but they perform well across the board.

But while the design is sleek and retro, I had some issues. The on-ear style of the headphones isn’t for me. I found them uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and the cheap foam padding made this even worse. To find out more about the headphones, you can keep reading this full Grado SR325 review.

Grado SR325 review: Specs

Grado SR325 review: Price & availability

The Grado SR325 headphones are available in the U.S. on Amazon for $350 and in the U.K. on the Grado website for £349. When it comes to open-back headphones, you’re likely to be forking out a fair bit of cash for great sound, so that’s to be expected.

For around the same price, you can pick up the FiiO FT13 ($329). These cans provide a deep, rich sound with impeccable instrument separation. Similarly, the Meze 99 Classics Gen 2, which cost $349, can provide an even cleaner sound. The Mezes are over-ear headphones with a light headband, making them comfortable to wear for long periods, unlike the Grados.

The Meze Audio 105 AER are another solid choice, offering warm sound, some of the best clarity you’ll find, and much better comfort. That’s all for $299, which makes them a true no-brainer when compared with the questionable sound and $350 price tag of the Grado SR325.

Grado SR325 review: Design

The Grado SR325 are on-ear headphones with an open-back design. They have built-in wires, so there's no need to plug in each time you listen. The headphones look sleek with black aluminum details and a faux leather headband. I think they look great and more than a little retro, but the headband feels flimsy as it’s not very thick. The headphones don’t fold and don’t come with a case either, so you’d need to invest in a headphone stand to ensure they stay in tip-top condition.

Comfort

While the Grado SR325 are comfortable to wear for short listening sessions, I would much rather use a pair of over-ear headphones like the FiiO FT13 ($329) for comfort over extended periods of time. The on-ear style Grado headphones rest directly on my ears, making the cartilage ache, which is annoying if, like me, you want to listen to music for hours on end. Also, the cheap, thin foam used to cover the earcups is uncomfortable and a little bit scratchy. It reminds me of the foam covering on the Gadhouse Wesley headphones, which are significantly cheaper at $69. For $350, I expect more care to be taken with the comfort of the Grado cans.

The headphones weigh 14 ounces and didn’t feel too heavy, but the top of my head became sore where the headband was resting after about 45 minutes because there’s not much padding.

Connectivity

The Grado SR325 headphones have built-in wires connected to both earcups that merge into one aux wire. You have the choice between a 3.5mm jack or a 6.3mm adapter when connecting to your device.

While listening, I used the FiiO K11 R2R DAC to power the headphones, and my colleagues also tested the cans with the iFi hip-dac 3 and FiiO K15. While the SR325 aren’t very hard to drive and can be powered by your laptop or phone, using a good DAC ensures they’ll sound their best, and I could hear a stark difference between listening with and without.

Grado SR325 review: Sound quality

The Grado SR325 headphones have a very interesting sound profile. It’s a sound I completely enjoy, and they accentuate different areas from other audiophile headphones I’ve used, but this original sound is fuzzy, adopting an analog tone, like a cup of tea on an autumn afternoon.

I listened using Qobuz, one of the best music streaming services, and used the FiiO K11 R2R desktop DAC to amplify the sound. The headphones offer a well-rounded sound across most genres. They thrive with simpler, acoustic music, but they also enhance layers in more complex tracks.

Firstly, I listened to Music On The Radio by Empire Of The Sun to test the bass performance. While it didn’t deliver the same depth of bass I can expect from my everyday drivers, which are the Sony WH-1000XM6, I was able to appreciate all of the layers of the track without the bass becoming crackly or overwhelming. This means the headphones strike a good balance and allow me to hear more of the vocal performance. Bass certainly takes a backseat, but it’s still there, gently warming the track from the bottom up.

To test out the mid-range performance, I listened to Birds by Turnstile, as it has a prominent guitar riff complemented by heavy drums. The hi-hats stood out between the verse and the chorus, and the guitar riff was incredibly powerful when it kicked in. The soundstage wasn’t as wide as when I listen using my Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro, but the level of detail made up for that.

Finally, to test the treble performance of the Grados, I listened to The Last Man On Earth by Wolf Alice. This song focuses on the vocal performance before exploding with the addition of harmonies, drums, and bass. The vocals were bright throughout and so detailed that I could hear every breath. When the drums kicked in, I experienced some very slight fuzziness, but that’s why I think these headphones do a better job with simple tracks.

Overall, I think the Grado SR325 headphones are a great option for detailed listening, especially for people who like detailed tracks.

Grado SR325 review: Verdict

The Grado SR325 headphones have a sleek-looking, retro design that is sure to look great next to any audio setup. My favorite thing about these cans is the amazing vocal replication. The mid-range is also exceptionally detailed, with guitar riffs taking the forefront where needed. The warm sound makes these cans very pleasant to listen to.

And while the sleek, retro design looks good, I can’t help but notice that the foam padding on the earcups feels very cheap. This doesn’t help that the on-ear style is uncomfortable for long listening periods.

Overall, these headphones are a great choice, but for $350, you may be expecting a little more comfort with your sound.

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.

More from Tom's Guide

• AirPods Ultra: Everything we know so far about Apple's camera earbuds
• iOS 27’s safety filter was ruining my FaceTime calls — here’s how I turned it off
• Best Buy's 60th Anniversary Sale is live — here are my top 9 TV deals on QLEDs and OLEDs starting from $279

Apple's September event is here, and it's likely to bring us a new pair of AirPods, either the recently rumored AirPods 5 or the entirely new, cutting-edge AirPods Ultra.

Reporting from folks like Mark Gurman at Bloomberg claim that the so-called AirPods Ultra will leverage a new H3 chip, built-in cameras and Apple Intelligence to detect objects around you. They'll be a step in between the AirPods Pro 3 with heart-rate detection and more intrusive wearables like Meta's "pervert glasses."

So, what exactly do we know about these futuristic earbuds? Here's a full breakdown.

AirPods Ultra: Potential release date

The earliest reports of a camera-equipped pair of AirPods came from noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a report dated July 1 2024, Kuo said that "the cameras can detect changes in the environment" and could "potentially enable in-air gesture control to enhance human-device interaction."

The legend of the camera-equipped AirPods Ultra has only grown from there.

These days, the person who seems to know the most about the AirPods Ultra is Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Back in January of 2025, Gurman said in a newsletter that Apple was “exploring other types of wearable products” that included a pair of AirPods that could come with miniature infrared cameras. Back in June, he said that we're likely looking at a 2027 release date. This was then repeated in a post on X.

It's possible Apple might unveil them at this September's iPhone 18 event, but I'm not entirely convinced. Apple is rarely in a rush to release a product, especially one as potentially complex as the AirPods Ultra are rumored to be, so I'm not exactly putting money on this.

The most likely scenario based on the reports I've read peg the AirPods 5 as the most likely candidate for the 2026 event and the AirPods Ultra for a Spring or Fall 2027 launch.

AirPods Ultra: Potential features

So what are the AirPods Ultra going to do different from the current-gen AirPods Pro 3? Well, it turns out, quite a lot.

As far as we know right now, there are two different models in the works: There's a B790 model and a B798 model. The former is closer to launch than the latter, and it's unlikely that both will debut at the same time.

On the outside of the earbuds will be IR cameras that can scan objects around you using Apple's Visual Intelligence. (If you have long hair that impedes the view of one of these cameras, the earbuds will ask you to move it to the side.)

A video purportedly found in the latest macOS Tahoe 26.7 software shows what this could look like in action.

The AirPods Ultra's IR cameras are, reportedly, lower resolution than Meta's AR glasses and will feature a light-up LED that will turn on when it's scanning, which should mean that they'll be less of a privacy concern than other wearables we've seen lately.

There are a number of potential uses for IR-enabled earbuds, including proximity detection to other people that can improve ANC functionality.

To power this functionality would be a new H3 chip. Little is known about it other than the fact that it is the key driver of the deeper Apple Intelligence integration. Better processors usually enable better noise cancelling, however, so expect to see that as a feature Apple touts sometime in the future, too.

AirPods Ultra: Potential price

All this cutting-edge tech isn't likely to come cheap. A fair assumption right out of the gate is that the AirPods Ultra will cost more than the current-generation AirPods Pro 3 that currently sit at $249 / £249 / AU$429.

I would not be surprised if Apple charged $349, which would be $100 more than the AirPods Pro 3. There is some wiggle room if Apple wants to increase the sticker price of its new earbuds: Two of the AirPods' biggest rivals, the Sony WF-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2, cost $299.

For now, all we can do is prognosticate what Apple will do with pricing as the AirPods Ultra are truly a one-of-a-kind device that doesn't really match up with anything on the market at the moment.

AirPods Ultra outlook: Why I'm skeptical

The AirPods Ultra do sound like an extremely inventive innovation in the world of wireless earbuds. The ability for a pair of earbuds to detect objects around a user has major implications for the future of wearable technology.

However, I have two major reservations about the AirPods Ultra.

The first is that it's unlike Apple to jump first when it comes to launching a new type of product. Apple wasn't the first AR glasses manufacturer, for instance, and it certainly wasn't the first to make an MP3 player or laptop. What Apple usually does is that it lets competitors lead and then presents a more elegant solution.

Even if the AirPods Ultra are production-ready, that doesn't mean Apple will put them out without waiting for something else on the market first.

I'm also skeptical about the cameras themselves. Apple paints itself as extremely privacy focused. Putting cameras on a pair of earbuds flies in the face of that stance. Unless there are some serious limitations of the technology (like the only data it collects are IR images), it'll be hard for Apple to keep its privacy-first reputation.

But if Apple finds the balance between features and privacy, locks in at a reasonable price and gets developers on board, the AirPods Ultra could truly be the next big thing in wireless earbuds.

More from Tom's Guide

• AirPods Ultra with cameras are 'nearly ready' — here's 4 features you need to know
• AirPods Ultra 'almost certainly' hinted at in iOS 27 code — and they could be a huge audio (and camera) upgrade
• Apple iPhone 18 event — all the new products expected to launch in September

Apple's AirPods are a mainstay on our list of best wireless earbuds due to things like sound quality, noise canceling, and the way they fit seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem. While the AirPods are almost universally loved, the next iteration of the famous white buds could prove a bit more divisive.

We've heard rumors for awhile that a new pair of AirPods reportedly called the 'AirPods Ultra' could feature on-board cameras for the first time. These are believed to act as a visual input for Siri and could be revealed next month at Apple's iPhone 18 event.

Now, the team at MacRumors claims to have uncovered a video in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate showing the AirPods Ultra in action.

The video shows a man picking up a book and glancing at it while wearing a pair of distinctive white AirPods. Meanwhile, a Siri-esque voiceover says, "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later."

According to the site, if an obstruction like long hair is in the way of the AirPod cameras, the wearer receives an alert that reportedly states: "To get the most accurate information about things in your environment, make sure AirPods are not covered."

Unlike some of the best smart glasses, the cameras on the AirPods Ultra aren't designed for taking pictures. Instead, they're believed to act as a way to feed Siri information for Visual Intelligence without users having to take out their iPhone to snap a picture. A small LED is expected to be included that will reveal when the earbuds are capturing information from the outside world.

Avoiding a backlash

Launching any kind of head-mounted wearable with cameras attached is turning into a risky endeavor right now. There's a growing privacy debate about the 'pervert glasses' aspect of smart eyewear and Apple could easily fall into this trap if it doesn't nail the messaging.

A quick glance over at X shows plenty of users ready to be concerned about what Apple has planned.

The user @MatheasRomak wrote on X: "Yuck… I don’t need the NSA stapled to my head."

But an equal number seem convinced that Apple will integrate this tech in a non-intrusive way.

For example, the X user @imlwi writes: "We're seeing Meta AI Glasses get banned due to privacy. I'm guessing these AirPods will temporarily capture a few frames, identify the object, send Siri something like the book/author, throw away the camera frames."

I don't imagine Apple will face the same kind of backlash that's currently plaguing Meta, especially if it sticks to privacy-centric messaging.

Furthermore, the AirPods are one of Apple's best-selling and most popular products with a dedicated install base. Apple goes to great lengths to process data on-device and if the company can demonstrate that the AirPods Ultra can meaningfully improve Siri's capabilities without compromising privacy, I think adoption will overcome the criticism.

Genuinely useful

Apple's innovations with the AirPods have already helped those who are hard of hearing, and giving the AirPods cameras could be a game-changer. One of the rumors I'm particularly excited about is that the AirPods Ultra will be able to use external landmarks to help you navigate through unfamiliar areas. Voice prompts will tie to what the earbuds see and guide you around a foreign city.

When you combine this with the buds' real-time translation feature, you arrive at a genuinely useful feature for anyone who travels regularly.

Let me know in the comments below if you find the idea of camera-equipped AirPods concerning. In the meantime, here's everything we expect to see at Apple's iPhone 18 event next month.

More from Tom's Guide

• AirPods Ultra with cameras are 'nearly ready' — here's 4 features you need to know
• AirPods Ultra 'almost certainly' hinted at in iOS 27 code — and they could be a huge audio (and camera) upgrade
• Apple iPhone 18 event — all the new products expected to launch in September

Apple's annual iPhone event has been officially confirmed to take place on September 9, and it could easily be the biggest Apple event in years. We're expecting a slew of new devices to be unveiled as John Ternus takes the reins as Apple's new CEO.

And all of that is before we discuss the launch of the long-rumored, much-hyped foldable iPhone Ultra — Apple's first attempt at a foldable phone. It's not clear when the device will actually launch, but at the very least, its reveal is almost certainly right around the corner.

In all, Apple is expected to launch up to eight different devices, from the expected new iPhones and upgraded Apple Watches to several new smart home-focused products.

Here's what we expect to see at Apple's 'Surprise and shine' September event, and when it's kicking off

When is the iPhone 18 event?

Apple has officially confirmed its "Surprise and shine" event will be held on Wednesday, September 9 at Apple Park. Although Apple normally holds its events on a Tuesday, the Labor Day weekend means it's being moved forward to Wednesday.

This has happened in the past, and the reasoning is that Apple doesn't want to ask attendees to travel on a holiday weekend. For example, the iPhone 14 launched on Wednesday, September 7, following Labor Day on Monday 5, and that'll likely be the case this year too.

The event is set to take place at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST and will livestreamed on various social media platforms as well as Apple's own site.

iPhones usually go up for pre-order the Friday following the Apple event, but this year that's September 11. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that pre-orders will be pushed to Saturday, September 12.

This year's edition will be hosted by incoming CEO John Ternus, and it looks like his tenure will start with a bang.

New iPhones

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

This year, Apple is expected to launch only its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. The entry-level iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Plus reportedly won't debut until next spring alongside the iPhone 18e model.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are both tipped to feature Apple's new 2nm A20 Pro chip, a smaller Dynamic Island and Apple's new C2 modem. And both phones should get larger batteries.

However, the iPhone 18 Pro Max might have some exclusive upgrades, including a variable aperture camera and longer zoom. For more see our iPhone 18 Pro vs Pro Max comparison.

Unforutnately, analysts have predicted that the new iPhone 18 Pros could cost between $200 and $350 higher than the iPhone 17 Pro family.

iPhone Ultra

The biggest announcement of the Apple event is sure to be the debut of the foldable iPhone Ultra.

Leaks have suggested that it will have more of a wider shape, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, with a 7.8-inch foldable display and a 5.5-inch cover screen. It could measure between 4.5 and 4.8mm when unfolded, making it one of the thinnest iPhones ever.

It's rumored to sport a 4,883 mAh battery, the A20 Pro chipset, Apple's in-house C2 modem, and a Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the power button. The rear is expected to come with a pair of 48MP cameras, horizontally positioned like the back of the iPhone Air, alongside two separate 24MP selfie cameras — one for each screen.

Apple reportedly delayed releasing a folding iPhone until it could eliminate the crease in the display, but whether it's accomplished this remains to be seen. Even Samsung and Oppo, despite their long lead time, have only had moderate success.

One downside is that the iPhone Ultra could be very expensive, costing anywhere from $2,000 to 2,500. And a recent leak suggests that iPhone Ultra may not be immediately available, with only "extremely limited" availability.

Just keep in mind that the iPhone Ultra could have a number of trade-offs versus the iPhone 18 Pro, including the lack of a telephoto zoom.

AirPods Ultra

These ones are a little surprising as based on a previous Gurman report, we weren't expecting the AirPods Ultra until 2027 at the earliest. However, rumor aggregator AppleTrack just reported this week that the Ultra version of AirPods will launch at the iPhone event.

The big change with these headphones is they will allegedly feature a camera that will feed into Siri to allow it to "see" the world.

It would utilize a version of Visual Intelligence to let you ask Siri questions about your surroundings or get turn-by-turn directions from the more powerful AI Siri releasing this fall.

The AirPods Ultra has also just appeared in a leaked video buried within the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, and it shows how they'll help you identify objects in the real world.

Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4

Unlike the iPhones, we know a bit less about the next Apple Watches. We are expecting two new models in the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

The leaks have been sparse, but Apple is reportedly not bringing many upgrades this year. The biggest change might be a new kind of band attachment. This does mean that your old bands might not be compatible with the new watches.

Reportedly, Apple could offer a ceramic case option for the first time in years. It should also sport new health and fitness-related upgrades. We already know that watchOS 27 will bring new AI features, an updated Workout Buddy and more useful data tracking. Plus, it should feature better integration with the upgraded Siri AI which we've already seen in the iOS 27 beta.

Smart Home

Apple's smart home ambitions and the rumors surrounding them need to be taken with a massive grain of salt. Leaks have suggested Apple is planning on introducing a suite of smart home devices starting with a revamped HomePod and an AI-powered Apple TV 4K streaming device.

Those rumors have existed for more than two years and largely feed into the company's promises around the AI-powered Siri.

However, this year with iOS 27, Apple may finally have the chatbot that was promised. If it actually releases and works as pitched, this year could actually be the start of Apple Home.

HomePod Home hub

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, long a reporter of the rumored HomePod updates, believes that a new HomePod mini could launch this September alongside the rumored HomePod Home hub.

Several different iterations of this device have been rumored, including one with a $1,000 robot arm. The most common version involves a wall-mounted touchpad or a HomePod speaker with a touch display about the size of an iPad mini.

This device would have a FaceTime camera for video calls and presence sensors to initiate smart home routines.

HomePod mini 2

A new HomePod mini might also debut, but it might not be as big of an upgrade as the Hub. Most rumors suggest that it will feature a new chip and audio improvements.

To be clear, this one feels even more far-fetched than the Hub; the HomePod mini 2 has been on our rumor radar since at least 2023. The current version debuted in 2020, and like the next device, is long overdue for an update.

Apple TV 4K 2026

Like the HomePod series, Apple hasn't released a new version of the Apple TV 4K since 2022. We're long overdue for an upgrade — even if it's only a more powerful chip for stronger performance.

Previously, it was suggested that a new Apple TV could feature the A17 Pro chip, but it's more likely it'll get the new A20 or, to save some money, last year's A19. The device should also get the rumored N2 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Outside of chips, the big upgrade would be Siri AI, which could let you connect the Apple TV as a hub for smart devices. One rumor suggested that Apple might release a set-top box with a camera, which would allow for FaceTime calls and gesture-based controls.

Will you be tuning in to Apple's event next month? Let me know which device you're most hyped for in the comments.

What we don't expect to see

Even with a huge event like this, there are still going to be devices that won't make an appearance. Due to staggered release schedules and supply-chain timing, Apple is spreading its hardware roadmap across multiple release windows over the next year. As a result, the following devices are unlikely to make any sort of appearance at the event.

• iPhone 18: Apple is reportedly holding back the base model until early 2027 to drive early demand toward the Pro models.
• AirPods Ultra: Rumored AirPods with cameras for Siri AI context are reportedly delayed until 2027 due to software and supply-chain bottlenecks.
• New Macs: Upgraded M6 MacBooks and touchscreen models are typically saved for dedicated computing announcements in October or later.
• OLED iPad mini: The next refresh of the compact tablet is slated for an October arrival rather than competing for stage time with the new iPhones.
• Apple Watch SE (4th gen): The entry-level wearable update will sit out this event, with Apple likely to focus on the Series 12 and Ultra 4 instead.

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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.