What if you didn’t have to decide between the best headphones or the best Bluetooth speaker when you’re packing? That’s what the TDM. Neo promises with its hybrid design. This device is creating quite the buzz right now. With Jimmy Fallon declaring it “legendary,” and a decent haul of awards at CES 2026, there’s a reason it turns heads.

The innovative design twists the headphones into a Bluetooth speaker, and it features impressive battery life. With the right EQ settings through the companion app, the sound quality can be pretty good too.

However, the price tag is a little steep, the volume is far too quiet, and getting the best positioning for the speaker takes some time. To find out more about the device, keep reading my full TDM. Neo review.

TDM. Neo review: Specs

TDM. Neo review: What I like

• Quirky design
• Battery life
• Sound quality adjustments

The TDM. Neo is an interesting device, and there’s a lot to like. The design is a major talking point here, and for good reason — it’s innovative and very useful. The battery life is very impressive, with up to 200 hours of listening in the headphones configuration, and the companion app makes the sound experience even better.

Quirky design

There’s no denying the design of the TDM. Neo turns heads. The headphones transform into a speaker with a simple twist of the headband. They connect with magnets on the side of the headphones so the speaker holds its shape. To listen to your music with headphones instead, you simply unravel the headphones, and the music mode automatically switches. The device weighs 12 ounces, comfortable enough to wear as headphones and to carry around with you as a speaker.

If you’re pushed for space when packing for a trip, I think the TDM. Neo is the perfect solution. When I’m heading on vacation, I always like to have a speaker with me for my room and a set of headphones for travel, and when trying to pack light, this can prove to be somewhat challenging. I honestly thought this would be just another gimmick, but this headphone/speaker combination is one of the most handy gadgets I’ve ever used.

Battery life

What’s more impressive than the design is the battery life. If you’re using the TDM. Neo as headphones, you’ll get 200 hours of battery life, and if using it as a speaker, you’ll get 16 hours. Obviously, this is a little trickier to put to the test, as I was switching between the modes regularly while using them.

Other headphones in this price range, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5, will give you up to 40 hours of listening. The Marshall Milton ANC headphones cost $229 and have upt ot 80 hours of battery life with ANC turned off, so you can find headphones with much higher listening times, meaning the headphones time of the DM. Neo isn’t that impressive, but the speaker time certainly is.

There is a quick charge option to get eight hours of music playback from five minutes of charge. However, it’s not specified whether this is for the headphones or the speaker mode. The battery module is also replaceable, meaning you’re less likely to have to replace the full unit down the line.

Sound quality with app

Is this the best sound quality of any headphones or speaker I’ve used? Absolutely not. However, the TDM. Neo’s companion app lets you adjust the EQ settings to make the sound much more balanced. To use the custom EQ feature, you need to create an account, or you can choose from one of the six pre-programmed EQs. I used Qobuz, our pick for the best music streaming service for audiophiles, to listen to music with the speaker and headphones.

During my testing, I created an EQ with increased bass and decreased treble. The high-frequency sounds were a bit tinny, so decreasing the treble made the sound much better. I listened to “Roman Holiday” by Fontaines D.C., which is a guitar-heavy track. It generally sounded good, but even with adjustments, the treble sounded a little tinny and clipped. This is fine for casual listening but makes the soundstage feel narrow. But the bass in this song was impressive and guided the rhythm of the track.

I also listened to “If I Get High” by Nothing But Thieves. This track starts off stripped back and slow, with the vocals as the focus. The vocals sounded amazing and clear here, but as the song built, we were met with the tininess again as the drums and cymbals kicked in. Again, the bass guitar shone here, making the sound much fuller.

Finally, I listened to “Witches” by Alice Phoebe Lou, which features shimmering sounds that carried very well, and actually avoided any tinny sounds at all. The vocals here are very delicate, but they were replicated well through the speaker.

I found the sound quality much better as a speaker when the device is in the carry case, as this acts as sound dampening, so the higher frequencies don’t sound as harsh.

TDM. Neo review: What I don’t like

• Pricing
• Too quiet
• It has to be positioned perfectly

Although I mostly like the TDM. Neo, and I love how innovative the design is, there are a few things that are a little annoying. The price tag seems steep; it doesn’t get loud enough, and it needs that Goldilocks positioning to get the sound just right.

Price tag

The first thing I don’t like about this device is the price tag. The TDM. Neo is available for $249 /£249 from the TDM. online store, but for this price, I would expect premium sound and build, which I don’t feel I got. The sound is certainly good, but is it $250-good? I don’t think so. Instead, you’re getting a budget pair of headphones and a budget speaker but paying for both devices — you’re paying for the convenience of a two-in-one product.

In terms of quality, I’d liken the speaker to cheaper options like the Tozo PE1, which costs $39. But for around the same price as the TDM. you could get the JBL Charge 6 ($199) that has 28 hours of battery life and louder volume.

If you consider headphones, $249 places you firmly in the premium category. The Marshall Milton headphones cost $229 and have a powerful bass performance, so if the headphones feature on the Neos is what you’ll use most, you should get the Miltons.

Volume

The TDM. Neo doesn’t actually get very loud in headphones or speaker mode. When I’m using a speaker, I want to blast my music throughout my whole house, but the sound just doesn't carry.

For massive sound from a small speaker, I’d recommend the Bose SoundLink Micro 2 ($129). This speaker has sound that carries easily and bass that booms when you need it to.

Speaker positioning

How good the TDM. Neo sounds is highly dependent on its positioning. This is the case for a lot of speakers, but with the twisting nature of the Neo, it’s more important to make sure it’s sat just right. The sound comes from two speakers on either side of where the headphone earcups are folded, so it can’t be placed flat on the table — although this feels most natural. Instead, it needs to be balanced on its side so both speakers are exposed.

This balancing act can feel precarious at times, but with the carry case for the speaker to sit in, you can clip it to something so it’s not touching any surfaces. This is how you’ll get the best sound.

TDM. Neo compared

Though I’ve made comparisons to other headphones and speakers throughout this review, it’s not exactly a fair competition. The TDM. Neo gives you the opportunity to have two devices in one, in theory saving some cash, but in doing so, both devices compromise on their overall quality.

With that said, there are a few similar devices on the market, but they’re not as polished as the TDM. version of the device. The HyperGear Flip ($34) headphones have earcups that flip outward to act as external speakers, but the design of the Neo is what makes it so functional.

Who should buy the TDM. Neo?

I think there is a place for the TDM. Neo in most people’s audio setup. The highly innovative design means you get two devices in one, and this is incredibly useful if you’re trying to pack light while traveling. The battery life is impressive too, and you can get good sound quality by making some adjustments in the companion app.

However, I personally think the price tag is a little steep for the quality you’re getting, and the speaker volume doesn’t go high enough for my liking. It’s also annoying that the speaker has to be perfectly balanced to get the best sound, although the carry case and strap make this easier.

Do I think the hybrid device is perfect? No. But do I think we’re now going to see more hybrid audio devices follow in its footsteps? Absolutely!

Reddit has many opinions — some worth your time, some not. But the HIFIMAN Sundara are some of r/audiophile and r/headphones’ most-recommended hi-fi headphones, and you know what? I agree.

At just $179, they’re pretty accessible for most people. Hi-fi headphones can very quickly start costing well over $500, but not the HIFIMAN Sundara. These inconspicuous cans are comfortable, affordable, and, most importantly, sound excellent. Texture and timbre is divine, and the warm tuning makes for a non-fatiguing listen.

Is this price and performance enough to make the HIFIMAN Sundara some of the best headphones? Almost undoubtedly yes. I’ll go over everything in detail in this HIFIMAN Sundara review.

HIFIMAN Sundara review: Specs

HIFIMAN Sundara review: What I like

From the $179 price tag to the sound quality, there’s a lot I like about the HIFIMAN Sundara.

Sound quality

Oh, the HIFIMAN Sundara sound like angels singing into my ears. To get the best sound, I used them with my FiiO K11 R2R DAC/Amp. With a low 32Ω impedance and sensitivity of 96dB/mW, the headphones are loud enough to power from a phone, so don’t require an amp. However, low-impedance headphones with large drivers like these perform best with stable power from an external amp, which helps the drivers move properly to avoid distortion and muddiness.

The Sundara are more expansive than a hot air balloon trip across the Alps. You can feel everything — every lick of sibilance, every singer’s inhale, every pulse of bass. Instruments are separated delicately and with precision, particularly in Charlotte Gainsbourg’s “Deadly Valentine”.

The atmospheric, dark alt electronic track is structured over two basslines, one a soul-inspired slap-bass and one a wriggling synth, both of which came through clearly. Gainsbourg’s smooth, buttery vocals were replicated with clarity and technical detail. This is music you feel, rather than merely listen to.

Even heavier genres fared well, which is a pitfall some cheaper Hi-Fi cans stumble into. “Knights of Cydonia” was a propulsive, energetic inferno. The arpeggiated synths were tucked deftly underneath the harmonized vocals, and the sci-fi sound effects bounced around the back of the soundstage like they were alive. While a touch of the higher-frequency synths were lost right at the crescendo, I’m willing to overlook this for $179.

Stereo imaging was also a standout, especially in “Vogue (Q-Sound Mix)” by Madonna. The soundstage was atmospheric and vast; the subtle sub-bass flickered in the background, allowing space for the finger-snap percussion. But the true excellence here was Madonna’s vocals: each whisper of “vogue” was a tangible, material (pun intended) sensation.

The HIFIMAN Sundara seriously punch above their weight in terms of sound. Subtle foreshadowing, but corners have been cut elsewhere to keep the costs down.

Price

At $179 from Amazon U.S. and £169 from Amazon U.K, the HIFIMAN Sundara are relatively affordable, all things considered. This price makes them accessible to casual hi-fi fans or beginner audiophiles.

Similar options are the FiiO FT1 Pro ($219), Sennheiser HD569 ($179), or the Sennheiser HD 560S ($199). The FiiO FT1 Pro are a little too pricey, in my opinion, so I’d recommend the Sundara over them. However, if you can spend a little more and prefer a neutral tuning, the Sennheiser HD 560S might be an overall better option. The 560S are famous in the audiophile world for a reason: they’re expansive and detailed, just like the Sundara, but they’re tuned a little flatter. The Sundara are a little warmer in the treble.

Comfort

Despite weighing 12 ounces, the HIFIMAN Sundara are relatively comfortable to wear for long periods. I have a small head and weirdly small ears — which I didn’t realize until I started doing this job and testing headphones all day, by the way — and I didn’t feel the headphones clamping or pressing in during testing. Equally, the headphones didn’t overheat my ears or cause any discomfort.

The pleather headband alleviates a lot of pressure, and the metal band takes most of the weight. Of course, you can adjust on both sides — there are eight adjustment notches on either side of the headphones. These were quite janky, but we’ll get into that more later.

I’d say these headphones are just as comfortable as something like the FiiO FT1 Pro, FiiO JT7, and FiiO JT3. They weren’t notably uncomfortable nor particularly luxurious. Just comfortable enough to forget I was wearing them, which is exactly what you want in reference headphones.

If you wear dangly earrings, I’d recommend removing them before long listening sessions as the cups tended to dig the backs into my head.

HIFIMAN Sundara review: What I don’t like

Although the Sundaras punch well above their weight in terms of sound quality, I fear they may be a “Frequently returned item” on Amazon for one key reason.

Build quality

Right, let’s get into it.

The HIFIMAN Sundara are cheap(ish), and, well — they look it. As briefly touched upon earlier, the size adjustment notches are incredibly stiff and janky. You can actually feel the metal grating during adjustments. There’s already an erosion mark on my testing sample, from just two people using the headphones. You can’t adjust while wearing; you have to remove them. I needed two hands to get enough strength to drag the poor metal prongs out of the notches.

It’s not just the adjustment notches, though. The metal headband is extremely flimsy. You can twist the headphones without even trying. I would be worried about leaving these in rooms accessible to kids or people with a proclivity for mischief.

You can also impress upon the mesh driver casing with even the slightest pressure. Although the Sundara are open-backs, which makes them less durable than your standard closed-backs anyway, this makes me wonder how protected the drivers are.

In short: Great for sound, not-so-great for longevity. You might be buying another pair a lot sooner than you think — but obviously neither of us has a big crystal ball. I’d recommend taking care of them well, treating them delicately, and keeping them in a safe location.

How does it compare?

Wired open-back hi-fi headphones are no longer an inaccessible, tax-bracket-restricted item. I’ve tested a whole bunch of affordable headphones, namely the aforementioned FiiO JT7 ($119) and even cheaper FiiO JT3 ($69). If you’re just starting out in the audiophile world, I would recommend spending as little money as possible and getting the JT3. You’d save $110 over the HIFIMAN Sundara, and the sound quality is genuinely impressive for the price. No, you won’t get the highest highs and the same expansiveness as the Sundara, but the JT3 are an honorable pick.

There’s also the previously referenced Sennheiser HD560S ($199), whose neutral tuning provides faithful sound quality. The Sundara are a touch warmer in the treble and are less fatiguing for long listening sessions, but some people prefer the completely flat tuning. You’ve also got the closed-back Sennheiser HD569 ($179), which are also tarred with Amazon’s pesky “Frequently returned item” brush, but offer Sennheiser’s classic studio sound.

Should you buy the HIFIMAN Sundara?

If you value sound quality above all else, the HIFIMAN Sundara won’t disappoint you. They sound truly gorgeous. Deep sub-bass, accurately replicated vocals, and balanced midrange make for a delicious listening experience. Furthermore, the open-back design provides expansiveness and immersion.

Personally, I would buy the Sundara. Despite build issues, the sound quality is good enough for me to overlook. I would simply keep the headphones in a safe space and only wear them inside (which is standard for hi-fi headphones anyway).

If, like me, you value sound quality above all, the HIFIMAN Sundara will not let you down.

You don't need to wait for Black Friday to save some smackaroos, and these deals prove it. Right now, Apple's flagship AirPods Pro 3 are just $199 at Amazon — while this doesn't quite meet the all-time low of $169 (July Prime Day), this is still a great discount considering we're out of deal season.

Bose has also slashed the price of its flagship QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen, down $70 to $229 at Amazon. If you value ANC over all else, these are definitely the best earbuds for you.

High-end earbuds aren't the only discounts, though. JLab's Go Pods ANC — my highest-rated uber-cheap earbuds — are $24 down from $31 right now. Don't let the super-low cost put you off. The Go Pods ANC are the best cheap earbuds on the market. And JBL's Live Beam 3 are under $100 — $91 at Amazon — and Bose's midrange QuietComfort Earbuds are just $129 at Amazon.

Best early Black Friday earbuds deals: Quick links

• JLab Go Pods ANC: was $31 now $24 @ Amazon
• JBL Live Beam 3: was $129 now $91 @ Amazon
• Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024: was $179 now $129 @ Amazon
• Apple AirPods Pro 3: was $249 now $199 @ Amazon
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen: was $299 now $229 @ Amazon

Best early Black Friday earbuds deals

More from Tom's Guide

• I test Bluetooth speakers for a living — and these are the early Black Friday deals I'm recommending to music lovers
• Sonos Beam Ultra review: The compact Dolby Atmos powerhouse we’ve been waiting for
• Best Buy is knocking up to $200 off JBL speakers: 3 deals I'd buy now

SnoozeBand Original Sleep Headphones review: Review in brief

A few weeks back I visited a friend who shares a wall with a rambunctious neighbor. I was up half the night listening to drunken covers of Sweet Caroline. She slept through it all, thanks to her SnoozeBand Bluetooth Sleep Headband. I had to put it to the test. Does the SnoozeBand Original deserve a place among the best sleep headphones?

After testing it, the Snoozeband has become my secret weapon to falling asleep faster when I need to listen to something in order to nod off but don't want anything in my ear. Whether I'm staying at my friend's house with her karaoke-loving neighbors or I'm trying to sleep when travelling, the Snoozeband offers a comfortable cocoon to stream white noise and block out distractions.

The thin speakers, soft band and breathable design ensures the SnoozeBand is comfortable all night long. Yes, even for side sleepers. You might feel some light pressure on the ears but a quick readjustment should put a stop to it. I've tested a couple of Bluetooth sleep bands and the SnoozeBand has the thinnest speakers I've come across.

It's also super portable. You can tuck the band into your pocket while traveling, making plane journeys a touch nicer. But be aware, the mask delivers sound masking rather than total blocking. I found it covered most traffic but could only soften snoring.

As headphones, the audio's at its best when you're listening to simple white noise and ambient sounds. Things that don't require richness or clarity but provide enough masking to help you nod off, essentially. Stick on your favorite playlist and you'll notice distortion. And you might spot some sound leaking, which didn't happen with ambient fan noise — and which your partner might not appreciate.

The basic SnoozeBand starts at £39.99 in the UK, with some designs £44.99. In the US, all options are $49.99. So no reason not to splash out on Blush Pink. Standard delivery is free for all UK orders or $3.49 in the US. But it is free over $70, so keep that in mind if you're planning some holiday shopping. A 1-year warranty and 15-night trial is included.

Compared to the MUSICOZY, the SnoozeBand is a touch pricey. But the brand promises the thin speakers and high quality band are worth the difference. And the comfortable fit does justify the price, in my opinion. Although MUSICOZY is better for budget shoppers.

The SnoozeBand Original is a convenient and comfortable way to block out unwanted noise, whether that's loud neighbors or persistent traffic. It won't completely cover snoring but it will muffle it, particularly if you opt for low drone brown noise — and you'll find plenty of options in the SnoozeBand app, a free feature that provides you access to a vast sleep library.

SnoozeBand Original Sleep Headphones review: Features

The SnoozeBand Original consists of an elasticated headband fitted with two disk speakers and a central control panel. The stretch combined with the movable speakers means it should fit most heads, but some larger hat sizes might feel the squeeze. It's also relatively breathable, although on warm nights expect a sweaty forehead.

A control panel allows you to turn the SnoozeBand on and pair with your phone. You can also change track, adjust volume, answer calls and set a timer.

As well as a simple design, the SnoozeBand Original has simple functionality. It uses speakers to deliver consistent sound as you sleep, without putting anything in your ear. You can connect this to your chosen streaming service or meditation app. Or you can link up to SnoozeBand's app, which is preloaded with sleep-friendly sounds at sleep-friendly durations.

SnoozeBand also has an auto-off timer, to preserve the battery. But if you do want your sounds going all night (or journey, if you're wearing it while travelling), the estimated 10-hour battery life should have your back.

Beyond audio it's only other function is an ability to answer calls.

SnoozeBand Original Sleep Headphones review: Performance

I've been using the SnoozeBand for three weeks, assessing it in key areas of performance. Here's what I've learned.

Set up

The SnoozeBand Original uses Bluetooth 5.2 to connect to your smart device. It's simple enough but while my connection has never dropped, it sometimes takes a moment to connect.

You can connect to your chosen streaming service, a mediation app like Calm or Better Sleep, or SnoozeBand's app (more on that below.)

Then you just have to familiarize yourself with the buttons. Do that before you get in bed and turn off the lights, or expect some mistakes.

For my money, it's a little confusing that you change track by tapping and adjust volume by holding the button. I instinctively try it the other way. But that's a minor preference and probably based on my headphones. (JLAB Go Pods, FYI.)

Audio and sleep sounds

It's best to be upfront: sleep headbands are never going to deliver clear, crisp audio. Especially not for under $50. If you want high fidelity audio, I recommend the premium Soundcore A30 sleep ear buds instead.

But for a headband, it's not bad. The quality is at its best when you're listening to white noise or ambient sounds — nothing that puts too much pressure on the clarity. Spoken word is also decent, if perhaps a little blurred.

For your everyday listening, the SnoozeBand won't replace your go-to headphones. But they get the job done. I've just been to Iceland so celebrated with some Sigur Rós, which came through thin and sharp, rather than rich and layered. In my room, it was a disappointment. But during a jog or on a plane, I could overlook the audio flaws for the convenience and comfort of the SnoozeBand.

The app itself is easy to use (as well as optional.) Its packed sleep library includes masking sounds, binaural beats and meditations.

For me, however, the main benefit of the app is the timer function. While the mask itself allows you to set an auto-off for one or two hours, the app delivers shorter, more precise timings. That means I can enjoy just 30 minutes of ambient train noises, at which point I should be asleep without too much battery strain.

Battery

SnoozeBand promises a 10-hour battery life. Which, with the auto-off function, should ensure multiple nights of use.

Even better, if you don't want to stop the disco, a full battery should see you through the night (and then some.)

I've had the SnoozeBand on the desk next to me for over ten hours in one go and the battery was going strong. The SnoozeBand also charges quickly, going from dead to full in under two hours.

But for an even more powerful battery, check out the Silk Sound Sleep Mask, which can go for over 20 hours.

Pervious sleep headbands I've tested have had diminishing returns when it comes to battery life. But I've trawled the SnoozeBand reviews and seen little mention of it.

SnoozeBand Original Sleep Headphones review: Should you buy?

The SnoozeBand Original Bluetooth Sleep Headphones allow you to wind-down with your favorite white noise without hurting your ears or disturbing the person next to you.

Comfort is its greatest benefit. The material is soft and (relative to other sleep bands I've tested) breathable. The speakers are also impressively slim, minimizing pressure against the ear.

The audio quality is fine, although music comes out tinny. But simple sleep sounds are clear and guided mediations crisp enough. Add on the impressive battery life and you can comfortably listen to hours and hours and hours of waterfalls, trains, or something the (optional) SnoozeBand app calls "Quiet Cosmos."

There are some notable downsides, however. The band stretches but isn't adjustable, which makes it too tight for some heads. Plus, it's pricier than some alternatives. And while it masks most sounds, it won't entirely block snoring.

But if your white noise machine is bothering your partner, or your neighbors are butchering a Neil Diamond classic, the SnoozeBand is the comfortable solution.

SnoozeBand Original Sleep Headphones review: Alternatives

I’m an Apple fangirl, so when I say I enjoyed listening to something more than my AirPods? You know it’s real. That’s exactly how I feel about the Technics EAH-A100: they’re just so vibrant, fun, and energetic. I want to listen to them all the time.

If the U.S. name, Technics EAH-A1000, wasn’t enough — the U.K. name is as follows (big breath in): Panasonic Technics EAH-1000E. Why? Just why? At the end of the day, I guess it’s not that deep, but apologies when I just start referring to these cans as “the Technics”. My hand’s been forced.

So, are the Technics EAH-A1000 some of the best headphones? Yes. Well, semi-yes. If you can ignore middling ANC, then yes. If your neighbors love screaming or construction, then I’d err on the side of caution. To find out the full story, keep reading my Technics EAH-A1000 review.

Technics EAH-A1000 review: Specs

Technics EAH-A1000 review: What I like

There’s so much I like — nay, love — about the Technics EAH-A1000, so let’s get into it all now.

Sound quality

Right, so there’s no photographic or video proof of this (and I would rather be deleted from this planet than share it if there were), but the EAH-A1000 sound so good that I was dancing at my desk.

As always, I listened to a big ol’ bunch of music on Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles, but I’ll discuss three standouts to save your attention span.

“space cadet” by sim0ne is an energetic hard house track with a pummelling bassline, spiralling, almost clockwork-like keyboards flickering in the background, processed female vocals and euphoric ‘90s piano house sections. Not one layer of instrumentation was lost here: the propulsive rave drum machine clattered along the top, with the pulsing bass rounding out the track fearlessly. sim0ne’s vocals were pitch-perfect, isolated perfectly from the clockwork keyboards without stressing the treble.

Seriously, I have nothing bad to say about this sonic performance. This is better than the Sony WH-1000XM6, and I’ll go ten toes down on that. Better than the AirPods Max 2? The EAH-A1000 are softer than the AirPods Max 2 — there’s a certain warmth to the treble absent on the AirPods Max 2. I can’t say unequivocally which is superior, but the Technics are easier to listen to for longer periods.

Heavy genres also fare well thanks to the mixture of decadence and restraint in the low-end. “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” by Deftones sounded gloriously expansive, with width in the sludgy bass and over-processed guitar sections I’ve not often heard before. The vocals were a touch more pushed back than on the AirPods Max 2, but the fuzzed guitars were much easier to listen to on the Technics. If you want a set of headphones you can wear for hours and hours without getting tired — both wear-wise and listening-wise — then the Technics will not let you down.

USB-C playback is also excellent. Technics provide a USB-C cable and a 3.5mm cable. Detail and bass are somehow both even more pronounced. In “Kill Me” by Hayley Williams, I could feel every guitar string vibrating in my jaw. Every layer of Williams’ emotive vocals was clear, textured, and faithful. The EAH-A1000 are tight in the high-end, exemplified by the gloriously controlled alto harmonies and tangible texture to Williams’ timbre.

Naturally, there’s also Dolby Atmos in the Technics app. I’d recommend this for movies, but for music, it was a little uncanny. While it didn’t warp the sound like the Cambridge Melomania A100 SE earbuds, I’m a bit of a music purist now — so I’m not a huge fan of my music moving location.

This is high praise, and I don’t say it lightly, but the Technics EAH-A1000 may just be one of the best-sounding headphones I’ve ever listened to. If I’m reaching for the Technics over my AirPods Max 2, you know it’s special. These sure are special.

Battery & call quality not forgotten about

Despite being more in-line with your lifestyle-slash-audiophile cans, the Technics EAH-A1000 still have decent quality-of-life features. The battery is a whopping 45 hours with ANC — and the battery doesn’t go down while you’re listening wired, of course. I listened for eight hours, one of which was wired playback, and the battery still says 100%. Iconic behaviour, honestly.

This is much, much better than any other premium cans: AirPods Max 2 has a measly 20 hours, Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen 23 hours, Sony XM6 24 hours, and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 30 hours. 45 hours beats these without even breaking a sweat.

On top of that, call quality is decent. My colleagues reported I was intelligible, but there was a touch of fuzziness to my voice over Google Meet. When I phoned my boyfriend, he reported I sounded good, and he couldn’t hear the fuzziness.

Extremely comfortable

I say this as someone with glasses, a weirdly small head, and mild sensory issues — the Technics EAH-A1000 are extremely comfortable. I was able to wear them for over three hours before needing to give my head a break.

At 10.8 ounces, the EAH-A1000 are three ounces lighter than the AirPods Max 2, the audio world’s maligned heavyweight champion. Even so, the Technics are still out-skinnied by the Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen. To date, the Bose remain the best for long-haul flights or sensitive heads due to their lightweight feel (and best-in-class ANC).

Despite this, though, I have no reservations recommending the Technics as extremely comfortable headphones.

Price

Sure, $449 is objectively a lot of money. I’m not trying to dispel that. In an ideal world, there would be no headphones more expensive than my first car (£300). But premium headphones exist, and they bring a premium price tag to boot.

At $449, the EAH-A1000 are the same price as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen, $10 cheaper than the Sony WH-1000XM6, and $100 cheaper than the AirPods Max 2. There’s also the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, $469, so you’re saving $20 on the Technics here — and both have equally meh ANC.

Technics EAH-A1000 review: What I don’t like

Despite having industry-leading sound quality and music-focused features, there’s a reason why the Technics EAH-A1000 missed out on the top score.

ANC could be better

At $450, there’s very little room for error… especially when said error is so egregious. Two of the best ANC headphones hover around the same price — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen at $449 and the Sony WH-1000XM6 at $459.

In 2026, powerful ANC is essential in any lifestyle earbuds or headphones. And, unfortunately, I wouldn’t describe the EAH-A1000’s ANC as “powerful”. It’s more like the final wheeze of a dying man.

When I was testing the headphones in the open-plan Tom’s Guide offices, I could hear myself typing and general chatter. At the pub (I was writing my novel, not just ignoring my friends, I promise), I could hear everything. I could hear the friends I *wasn’t* ignoring; the hordes of screeching students; worst of all, the pub’s playlist over my far superior music choices. Even at home, every car driving down my road infiltrated my lovely music bubble.

It really breaks my heart writing this, but I wouldn’t recommend the EAH-A1000 for anyone who needs strong ANC. Public transport warrior? Neighbours love vacuuming at 3 am? Need to lock in at your busy office? Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen, Sony WH-1000XM6, or AirPods Max 2. I’m sorry, Technics, but the EAH-A1000’s ANC just isn’t good enough.

Technics EAH-A1000 compared

As mentioned thoroughly throughout this review, the EAH-A1000 have three big-name competitors: AirPods Max 2, Sony WH-1000XM6, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen. Of the more hi-fi brands, you’re also looking at the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 — or you could save $150 with the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE.

ANC requirers would be better off with the Sony or Bose options — Apple evangelists with the AirPods. However, if you want the best music performance at this price point, I’d wholeheartedly recommend the Technics. Personally, I would go for the Technics over the Bowers & Wilkins due to the lower price. If you want cheaper cans, then the $399 bass-forward Nothing Headphone (1) Pro might be good for you.

Then we’ve got the flat-tuned $299 Melomania P100 SE: controversial opinion, but I’m not a huge fan of these cans. I’m not a huge fan of the overly flat tuning, so I would always choose the Technics instead.

Should you buy the Technics EAH-A1000?

If you take music quality seriously and aren’t too fussed about ANC, you should definitely buy the Technics EAH-A1000. I loved every second of testing these headphones. Bass is warm and enveloping, mids are faithful and articulate, and the treble is energetic without pinching.

Of course, the ANC leaves something to be desired, but you might be willing to sacrifice that for delectable sound. Only you can answer that question.

If anyone asks me for a recommendation of the best noise-canceling headphones, I’m more than likely going to recommend a set of cans from Sony. And while I am in love with the sound and features of the Sony WH-CH730N, the price tag in the U.S. makes it hard to recommend them to everyone.

But if you want headphones with great sound quality, effective ANC, a super comfy design and battery life that lasts for days, they’re well worth your consideration. So if you’re in the U.K., where the headphones are a lot cheaper, I don’t think you can go wrong.

To find out more, keep reading this full Sony WH-CH730N review.

Sony WH-CH730N review: Specs

Sony WH-CH730N review: What we like

• Great sound quality
• Impressive ANC
• Comfortable
• Exceptional battery life

I’ve got to say, there’s a lot that I like, and even love, about the Sony WH-CH730N headphones. I’ve found myself reaching for them more than my flagship Sony headphones.

Sound quality

While it may not be flagship quality, the sound of the WH-CH730N is still something to behold. I heard an impressive level of detail across all my favorite tracks.

I tested these headphones using Qobuz, our choice for one of the best music streaming services. I first listened to She Moves In Her Own Way by the Kooks. The song sounded bright, and none of the layers competed with each other — there was enough space for the guitars, drums and vocals to shine.

I also listened to Shout by Tears For Fears. This track has a bassy synth tone that carries on throughout the song, and it was always consistent without rumbling when the higher-frequency harmonies complemented it. Again, vocals were strong here even though they are very breathy.

To further test the bass, I listened to Supercut by Lorde. The bass in this song is so deep that it can often sound like it’s rattling, but with the Sonys the sound was clear, and I was still experiencing the sheer force of the beat.

One thing I noticed when testing the headphones is the volume. If you listen too loud, that’s a sure-fire way to make them tinny. I recommend listening at around 40-50% volume to get the best sound replication. I liked that I could make changes to the sound EQ in the Sound Connect app too if I needed to, but I decided to stick with the default EQ as this was perfect for me.

ANC

The Sony WH-CH730N ANC is very impressive. It completely blocked out the chatter around me in the office, made me feel like I was the only person sitting on the train, and allowed me to stay completely focused on my book at the coffee shop.

There are two mics in each earcup to help isolate ambient noise. You also have adaptive control with an ANC button on the earcup to allow ambient sound in if you need to. I found this particularly useful when travelling on public transport as I could listen out for travel announcements and block out the outside world whenever I needed to.

Comfort

The Sony WH-CH730N are just as comfortable as my WH-1000XM5 headphones. They only weigh 7.3 ounces, so they didn’t feel heavy on my head, and the padded headband ensured there wasn’t too much pressure. The headband is also adjustable, so you can create a looser fit if you need to. The foam ear pads are also very comfy.

Even when I was running, the headphones felt secure, which I love as there’s nothing worse than feeling like your headphones are slipping out of place.

Design and build

Despite being cheaper than Sony’s flagship cans, the WH-CH730N feel pretty sturdy. Everything from the button controls to the headband adjustment is easy to use and responsive — the controls on the headphones are very easy to get to grips with. I also enjoy the color options, my favorites being beige and pink, as I think they make the headphones seem more expensive than they are.

At a glance, they also look a lot like older versions of Sony’s flagship headphones, like the Sony WH-1000XM4s, which again reinforce the whole ‘premium looks; affordable price’ mindset.

The headphones are foldable, so I’ve found it easy to take them with me everywhere. Even though the headphones don’t come with a carry case, I can just throw them in my bag whenever I need to and not worry about them taking up too much space.

Impressive battery life

The battery life here is seriously impressive. I mean, a possible runtime of 75 hours? You have to be kidding me, right? That’s with ANC turned off, but with ANC turned on, you can still get up to 50 hours of battery life. After a week of listening whilst commuting and working out, I’ve found this to be about right.

As someone who is constantly forgetting to charge their audio gear, I tend to opt for a model that can hold its own in the battery department, so I won’t need to charge two or three times a week. It just adds an extra dose of convenience to my life.

Sony WH-CH730N review: What we don’t like

• Price in the U.S.

Like I said, using these headphones is a real treat, and there’s hardly anything wrong with them. It’s just that price tag in the U.S. — yikes.

Price (in the U.S.)

Let me start off by saying that if you’re in the U.K., you’re in for a real treat with these headphones. At just $99 on Amazon U.K., the Sony WH-CH730N are the definition of a pair of headphones that are worth every penny. But a trip across the pond tells a different story.

In the U.S., the Sony WH-CH730N will cost you $179 on Amazon. Given their relative affordability in other markets, this seems down to tariffs. But it makes these headphones hard to recommend. At this price, they’re not exactly budget anymore. The price difference is also confusing since the WH-CH530, which were released at the same time, cost $68 yet £48 in the U.K. — nowhere near as big a gap.

How do the Sony WH-CH730N compare?

The Sony WH-CH730N have impressed me, but they sit in a very populated field of budget (or mid-range if you're in the U.S.) headphones. The Soundcore Space One Pros are a better choice if you’re in the market for some seriously thumping bass. They cost $199 and have 40 hours of battery life with ANC turned on.

Another set of cans in the sub-$200 price range is the Nothing Headphones (a) for $199. These look a little funky but also have an IP52 durability rating so won’t get damaged by working out or getting caught in the rain. They could be the right choice if you want the longest battery life possible since they can offer a whopping 135 hours.

The previous version of these cans, the WH-CH720N, is cheaper than the new model, but I’d still recommend forking on the newer headphones, as there are huge improvements to battery, sound, and design.

It’s well worth noting that Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM5 can often be found on sale for as little as $179. Yep, that’s right, the same price as the new “budget” cans. So, I’d recommend waiting for a price drop and getting your hands on all of the latest features, including better ANC and premium sound quality.

Should you buy the Sony WH-CH730N?

Are the Sony WH-CH730N worth your money? In short, no. At least in the U.S.

But first, let’s go over what I like. The sound quality is some of the best out there in the price range — it makes the headphones feel a lot more premium. The ANC is also very effective and kept me in my own little bubble during a busy commute. They’re comfortable to wear all day long and for exercising if you need to, and the battery life is very impressive.

What lets them down is the price tag in the U.S. They’re not very competitive in the market since flagship models like the XM5 are in a similar price range when on sale. That said, if you’re in the U.K., I’m telling you to go and grab a pair of these headphones right now because there, they really are a budget wonder.

I've reviewed so many earbuds and headphones that I've lost count. Last time I checked, it was somewhere around fifty. That's 5-0. Yep, I've put so many earbuds in my earholes that it's a marvel I still wake up excited to test more.

But because I've reviewed so many, I know which are the best earbuds, and which aren't worth your time. And really? Most of the "best" earbuds are below $300. Some of them are well below $300.

I'll die on this hill: no one should be spending over $300 on Bluetooth earbuds. No, not even the Sony WF-1000XM6 ($330). No, not even the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 ($499). No, not even the Noble Fokus Prestige Encore ($699). Hear me out.

Specs compared

Here are some of the most memorable earbuds I've reviewed, from cheapest to most expensive. Notice anything?

As you can see, the best-performing ANC earbuds are the AirPods Pro 3, Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen, Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, and Sony XM6. While all other earbuds we've tested have at least acceptable ANC, no other brand really comes close to the big names. And Bose? The best. Dr. Bose literally invented ANC. (No, seriously. That's not an aphorism. Literally.)

I'm not going to walk you through the objective specs like IP ratings, Bluetooth codecs, and battery life. The numbers speak for themselves.

Let's chat about the most important spec: sound quality. Of course, sound quality is an inherently subjective criterion. What one person loves, another will think is mediocre, and vice versa.

I am extremely open-minded when I analyse sound quality. I accept that some people prefer bass — like the Soundcore Space 2 Pro — and some people prefer neutral tuning — like the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen. I don't mark down audio products for a bassy signature unless it negatively affects the overall listening experience, and vice versa. However, I do explicitly note where each product excels and falls behind, so you get a holistic view before buying.

But here's an opinion I have yet to be disproved: serious audiophiles will have multiple earbuds/headphones for different use cases. Out and about? Wireless earbuds or headphones. At-home listening? Wired headphones or wired earbuds.

Why I would never buy $300+ earbuds

So what about everyone else? I don't think you should spend over $300 on earbuds. I've used $4,000+ headphones, and I'm still happy with my 3-year-old, $250 AirPods. Every single day.

Super expensive Bluetooth earbuds just aren't worth it. Earbuds are tiny, ergo: loseable and less space for drivers.

I'm an audio reviewer, and I've been using my AirPods Pro 2 for over three years now. Am I going to upgrade? No. Heck, no! A) I'm poor, and B) I have headphones for deep listening sessions at home. My Bluetooth earbuds are for everything else. And honestly, my AirPods do everything I want and more.

Despite being four years old now, AirPods Pro 2 still sound creme de la creme. Bass is well-rounded and controlled; mids are melodic and vibrant; the treble is clear and bright without getting anywhere near tinny.

My love of the AirPods Pro 2 got me thinking. Are $500 earbuds much different?

Our Reviews Editor, Pete Wolinski, uses the $499 Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 as his daily drivers. When I asked him if the earbuds were worth it, he said, "I wouldn't buy these earbuds, in all honesty. I would buy Bowers headphones in a heartbeat though, as the build quality, comfort, and SQ all make it worthwhile. Especially the Px7 S3 on sale."

"The Pi8 have the reference tune, and it's classic Bowers: spacious, high fidelity, powerful but controlled bass." However, despite praising the sound quality, he said, "Judging, well, literally everywhere else, the Pi8 aren't worth it. ANC is passable but nowhere near what it could be for in-ear buds, and therefore nothing on the Apple/Sony buds."

But I'm not saying no one should spend more than $300 on certain audio products

As you'll see in the headline, I specifically wrote "Bluetooth earbuds". By all means, spend more than $300 on IEMs or headphones. Wireless earbuds, though? No! Save your money! Please!

Bluetooth headphones cost more than earbuds — it's an occupational hazard — so I'll forgive spending even $500 on wireless cans. It makes more sense to me as an audio reviewer. Headphones like the $549 AirPods Max 2, $459 Technics EAH-A1000, and the "entry-level" $479 Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 are worth it.

The same goes for IEMs like the Noble Audio Iris ($699) or budget-friendly Meze Alba ($169). If you go wired, you can get much better sound quality for much less money. Of course, you don't get digital features like ANC, EQ adjustment, or a mic (for the most part), but IEMs aren't intended for that kind of use.

You can also get wired headphones for much, much less than Bluetooth earbuds — with ten times the sound. I've tested most of FiiO's budget lineup: FiiO JT7 ($119), FiiO JT3 ($69), FiiO FT1 Pro ($219). All of these provide textured, tangible sound quality and are much cheaper than AirPods.

So if you want reference sound quality, I would just buy some wired headphones or IEMs. For everything else — ANC, call quality, convenience — you can honestly get top-of-the-range earbuds for well under $300. The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 ($129), AirPods Pro 3 ($249), or Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro ($249) will not disappoint.

More from Tom's Guide

• The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro prove the third time’s the charm as they’re the brand’s best headphones yet — but are they worth $399?
• I asked an audio engineer which earbuds he actually wears — and it’s not Apple, Bose or Sony
• Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro review

If you’ve never listened to open-back headphones, boy am I jealous of you. The first time I put on a pair of open-backs, it was like I blinked and could suddenly see the entire color spectrum. A good pair of open-backs feels like music born anew.

The FiiO FT1 Pro are no different — if you’re listening to certain genres. As you might be able to tell from the 3.5-star rating, the FT1 Pro are great headphones, but they’re not as good at handling heavier genres without a secondary purchase. Indie, singer/songwriter, and pop all sounded clean, faithful, and immersive, with a nice warmth rounding out the bass. But trickier genres like grunge and DnB suffered from a touch of muddiness in the lower mids that I just can’t look past, especially considering the $219 price tag.

But don’t discount them — the FiiO FT1 Pro could still be for you if you’re a new audiophile who wants to dabble in the world of planar open-backs without spending your life savings. To find out if they’re some of the best headphones, keep reading this FiiO FT1 Pro review.

FiiO FT1 Pro review: Specs

FiiO FT1 Pro review: What I like

Considering the FiiO FT1 Pro are relatively well-priced open-back planar headphones, there’s a lot to like here.

Sound quality

As open-back planar headphones, the FT1 Pro have a certain expansiveness difficult to find on closed-backs. The midrange is decadently wide, almost capable of tricking your brain into thinking you’re listening to speakers rather than headphones, and the bass is controlled without overpowering the higher frequencies.

As always, I tested the FT1 Pro with Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles. “Kill Me” by Hayley Williams is an alternative rock track built over layers of acoustic guitars and vocals. In the second verse, Williams’ lower harmony almost vibrated through the drivers — just so deftly handled. I felt it in my bones rather than heard it.

The FT1 Pro didn’t just manage the vocals well, though. The processed guitar section towards the end was dynamic and vivacious, allowing for an encompassing, immersive listening experience.

Similarly, “Jump” by Madonna sounded incredibly wide, again almost capable of tricking me into thinking I was listening to speakers. In the verses, Madonna’s vocals embraced my ears, like she was singing directly to me. Drums and keyboards were layered with slick control, and the bass pulsed underneath energetically.

Without a DAC, the FT1 Pro will impress any budget audiophile who doesn’t listen to bassier genres. However, if you’re more of the grunge/heavy rock/basshead variety, you might need to invest in a DAC — more on that later.

Comfort

Thanks to the relatively light weight — for Hi-Fi headphones, after all — the FT1 Pro are comfortable even during long listening sessions. I wore the headphones for 5 hours, pretty much non-stop, and barely noticed them.

Although 13 ounces/374g is objectively heavy, the super-soft ear cups and padded headband mitigate the weight.

Price

At just $219 from Amazon U.S. and £179 from Amazon U.K., the FiiO FT1 Pro are some affordable audiophile headphones. They’re not the most affordable — that title goes to the FiiO JT7 or the FiiO JT3, which you should definitely check out — but you can easily drop $500 on Hi-Fi headphones like the Sennheiser HD660S, $679.

$219 is considerably cheaper than the spate of premium Bluetooth headphones available, though. Although open-backs and wireless cans are intended for different audiences and purposes, the sound quality on the FT1 Pro is undoubtedly better than the Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen ($359). Of course, you’re trading off convenience here, but for headphone users who value sound quality over Bluetooth and ANC, you might want to consider some planar open-backs (and save some money while you’re at it).

For the best of all worlds, I’d recommend the 4.5-star-rated Meze Audio 105 AER, which rock immaculate sound quality and Art Deco aesthetics to boot.

FiiO FT1 Pro review: What we don’t like

While the FT1 Pro sound great in most genres, they’re not perfect, and they’re missing some quality-of-life features.

Need a DAC for top-notch sound

As much as the overall sound quality impressed me, it’s worth noting that you’ll want to spend extra on a DAC/amp to get the best out of these cans.

Initially, I thought most bass-heavy genres sounded lackluster. But, even though the FiiO FT1 Pro are advertised as “easy to drive” from a smartphone or laptop, I had to use an external DAC/amp for top-notch sound. Low impedance headphones can struggle to fully power their drivers accurately without a decent amount of power, resulting in sub-quality sound in areas of the response curve.

Connecting the headphones to my FiiO R2R K11 was no sweat off my brow and won’t be a problem for audiophiles, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re after your first set of detail headphones and don’t have a DAC already — especially if you like heavier genres.

The restrained bass in “flight fm” by Joy Orbison was unleashed when listening via the K11; the sub-bass rumbled with control and satisfying tension. This performs similarly to the Sennheiser HD550; a clean soundstage with well-placed instruments across the frequency range.

And while “Territorial Pissings” by Nirvana was a little repressed without the K11, with the DAC, the high-octane thrill of non-stop cymbals, ferociously scratchy guitars, Cobain’s screams, and prominent lower-mids were all isolated yet holistic.

Build quality

And then there’s the issue of build quality. At $219, there’s unfortunately not as much wiggle room as the designers up at FiiO HQ might like to believe. When you’re dropping two hundos, you’re well within your rights to expect decent materials — especially when the product literally has “Pro” in the name.

The ear cup feels quite plasticky, and the headband can twist if you’re not careful. I was pleased to see that the ear pads themselves are removable, though. This issue is also prevalent in the HIFIMAN Sundara ($179) — a “Frequently returned” item on Amazon.

There’s also no 3.5mm/1/4-inch to USB-C adapter, which is a huge shame considering the FT1 Pro are a new-for-2026 release. Surely a decent chunk of people listen via smartphone these days? Yes, even for at-home detail listening — TIDAL and Qobuz exist.

In the future, I’d like to see FiiO ship the FT1 Pro with a USB-C adaptor to account for every type of listener.

FiiO FT1 Pro review: How does it compare?

At this point, FiiO’s biggest competition is itself. Of course, there’s the aforementioned Sennheiser H550, but at the cheaper end of the spectrum, there’s also the FiiO JT7 ($119) and the FiiO JT3 ($69). You’ve also got the $179 HiFiMan Sundara and the $399 Meze Audio 105 AER — the latter of which I’d recommend if you really want to treat yourself without breaking the bank.

As much as I enjoyed testing the FT1 Pro, if you’re a totally new audiophile or someone looking for some home listening cans for as cheap as possible, I’d recommend looking at the JT3 and JT7 before dropping $219.

Both the JT3 and JT7 have a wide, faithful playback style. Similar to the FT1 Pro, the JT3 suffered from a little muddiness in heavier genres — but they’re only $69. That’s $140 cheaper than the FT1 Pro.

While the JT3 have a dynamic driver, the $120 JT7 also rock a planar magnetic driver. Naturally, the $219 FT1 Pro stretch up to 45kHz, while the JT7 tap out at 20kHz. I’d suggest sticking with the FT1 Pro. Typically, though, humans can only hear up to 20-22kHz — something worth thinking about.

Should you buy the FiiO FT1 Pro?

I can see two ideal consumers here: one, an audiophile looking to upgrade from their first cans, something like the closed-back $89 Sennheiser HD400S. And two, a brand-new audiophile looking for some first open-backs.

For the former, I’m not sure you’d be too impressed. I’d recommend investing a little more in the Sennheiser HD 599 ($239) or the Meze Audio 105 AER ($399). The forme have a flatter sound curve, while the latter are supremely warm.

If you’re part of the latter, then I’d recommend the FT1 Pro if you’re happy to spend $219. For those just starting out, perhaps check out the $69 JT3 or the $119 JT7. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed testing the FT1 Pro, but you can get similar performance for much, much less.

At the end of the day, the FiiO FT1 Pro go where few open-back planar headphones have gone before: they’re fun, shine with pop music, and are completely unpretentious. You just might need a DAC if you love grunge or DnB (and who doesn’t?).

If you’ve ever put on a pair of high-end noise-canceling headphones and felt like the sound just wasn't blowing you away, you’re definitely not alone. I had that exact same reaction with my own pair.

Your hardware is likely fine, it’s just being held back. In most cases, a quick adjustment to your device settings, factory EQ, and background processing features is all it takes to unlock their full potential.

More from Tom's Guide

• My $300 noise-canceling headphones started making a strange pop on every step — the fix was surprisingly simple
• I just discovered these 5 hidden AirPods features — and they're game-changers
• Your earbuds are damaging your hearing — 3 warning signs you're ignoring

At this point, I’ve reviewed enough kids-specific headphones that a baseline of comfort and sound has been established. So I was intrigued when Belkin offered its new SoundForm ANC noise-cancelling headphones to test out.

At $40, these headphones look more premium than others in that range and promise features that more expensive kids' cans typically come with.

After a month of listening, the Belkin SoundForm ANC won’t dethrone iClever Q950 as my favorite kids' headphones, but at half the price, there’s some good here and one major flaw.

Read my full Belkin SoundForm review to find out why.

Belkin SoundForm ANC review: Specs

Belkin SoundForm ANC review: Price & availability

The Belkin SoundForm ANC cost $39 at Amazon, a good deal for over-ear headphones which usually cost at least $20 higher or more.

I want to note that there are other Belkin SoundForm headphones. If you don't save the link here, I highly recommend using "Belkin SoundForm kids headphones" in your search; it can get confusing otherwise.

Belkin’s offering competes with offerings like the iClever Auraa headphones ($39) and the Puro Sound Lab BT2200s ($99) or the extremely low-cost $20 JBL Junior 320s. The Puro Sound Lab options and iClever Q950 are the more premium options, but if you’re trying to save a buck, the Belkin SoundForm ANC serve as a nice middle ground.

Belkin SoundForm ANC review: Design

With muted colorways (blue, pink, black and white), the Belkin SoundForm ANC look more adult than most kid headphones, which tend to be more vibrant. The ANC headphones are an extension of Belkin’s SoundForm lineup of noise-cancelling headphones for both adults and kids.

They have a matte finish and seem to have a fairly durable build. I performed some drop tests and twisted the headphones around a few times. It never felt like I was about to break them, though a particularly destructive kid would probably figure it out.

These over-ear headphones have extendable earcups that can fold in. The fold is where you can feel the price a bit. It clicks and feels like a spot where the headphones could break.

In the box, the ANCs come with a cheap cloth bag, which I immediately lost, plus a USB-A to USB-C charging cable and a 3.5mm headphone cable.

Mostly comfortable

Unlike some of the other kid headphones I’ve tested, the Belkin SoundForm ANC feels like they are meant for kids ears and not my adult elf ones. I was able to comfortably wear the headphones for a bit, but eventually the cups felt like they were squishing my ears.

However, my son had no complaints and his ears appeared to fit comfortably with no squishing. Not that you’re buying these for yourself, but if you find yourself needing headphones and these are nearby, you’ll be okay for an hour or two.

The headphones have a cushion in the middle of the headband that I noticed while wearing them, a personal discomfort when it comes to over-ear headphones.

At 10.2 ounces (289 grams), these are the heaviest kid headphones I’ve tested, even more than the 9.9-ounce iClever Q950, which I dinged for its weight. As an adult, I didn’t notice, but it adds up for kids.

Connectivity

The Belkin SoundForm ANC features both wired and Bluetooth connectivity. I’m a fan of having 3.5mm wired connections when available.

I found the sound pretty clean whether I used the 3.5mm wire or Bluetooth connection. The wire is plasticky but I can’t tell how it will hold up over the long run. For now, it’s fine.

SoundForm ANC features Bluetooth version 5.4, not the most recent version but still compatible with most devices.

Interestingly, these headphones are built for sharing. If you have two SoundForm ANC headphones, there’s a separate headphone port to connect the headphones for shared audio. You can also share wirelessly using “RockStar Mode.” This works pretty well even if my son wasn’t interested in sharing.

I was able to cleanly connect to an iPad mini and my Galaxy S26 Ultra with no noticeable dips or drops. That’s all you need, especially if you’re on a road trip and using movies on the tablet to distract.

Belkin SoundForm ANC review: Sound quality

With the caveat that most kid headphones aren’t providing you with the same sound quality as the best over ear headphones like the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or the Sony WH-1000XM6, you’ll notice a huge difference.

I would describe the sound as bright with a bit of an echo, whereas a higher-end set might give you warmth and a more compact quality. The difference is as if you walked from a big empty room into a smaller, pillow-laden bedroom.

That said, the trebles and mids are understandable without losing depth. The bass vibrates the headphones, but it’s pretty shallow. Maybe don’t try to drop some U.K. house music on these.

Of course, unless your kid is already an audiophile, they’ll probably be fine with how these sound.

Belkin SoundForm ANC review: ANC

A lot of kid-friendly headphones feature active noise cancelling, and I’m not sure any of them have figured out how to properly utilize it.

ANC is meant to keep kids from turning up the volume too loud by blocking out some outside noises. With the SoundForm ANC, I found that the ANC seemed to muffle the actual audio. I’m not sure it really muted outside sounds. I share an office, and keyboard typing can get loud, but with ANC on or off, I didn’t notice a real difference.

Strangely, I thought the headphones sounded best when wired and just acting as a pass-through for the audio with the power off. There’s a muffled quality when the power is on, and it seems to be even more with ANC on.

I’m not entirely sure how ANC is on these Belkin ones, but this is a common problem I’ve found with many ANC headphones for kids. When I use ANC on adult headphones like the JBL Tour One M3, it just deadens outside noise; it doesn’t fundamentally alter what I’m hearing.

It’s not necessary to use ANC, but if you or your child is bothered by too much outside stimulation, this is a significant drawback to the SoundForm ANC.

Belkin SoundForm ANC review: What the kids are saying?

My son tried out the Belkin SoundForm ANC headphones over a couple of sessions with an iPad mini and while playing Pokémon on the Nintendo Switch 2.

He never mentioned anything about the sound, which usually means that it's fine.

However, he has a mop of hair and specifically mentioned that he thought the headband was uncomfortable especially after a longer go with the Switch 2. It wasn't enough to stop him from using them, but when kids call something out, it usually means it's a big flaw.

Belkin SoundForm ANC review: Verdict

The Belkin SoundForm ANC headphones aren’t the best I’ve tried, but they aren't terrible either.

The headband is noticeable, and ANC is a big drawback. However, if your child doesn't use ANC and isn't bothered by the headband, these aren't bad.

Audio quality won’t blow anyone away, but the ability to share and swap between Bluetooth or wired is great. Other kids' headphones don't really have that feature, so it makes the Belkins stand out.

At $40, you could take a flyer on these and your kids should be pretty happy.

I love running outdoors, but when you live in a busy city it comes with a few perils. That's where bone conduction headphones come into the picture. They leave your ears free so you can hear all of your surroundings, whether it's a speeding car or an unpredictable cyclist.

Shokz makes the best bone conduction headphones we've tested and right now Shokz is taking 5% off sitewide via coupon code "SHOKZPDTG5". The coupon is valid throughout the month of October. As a Shokz fan myself, I recommend the OpenRun Air 2 for $123 via the aforementioned coupon code. They're lightweight, provide a secure fit, and let you enjoy your workouts while staying aware of your surroundings. Below I've rounded up three of our favorite Shokz headphones.

Quick Links

• shop all Shokz headphones
• Shokz OpenRun Air 2: was $129 now $123 via "SHOKZPDTG5"
• Shokz OpenFit Air 2: was $129 now $123 via "SHOKZPDTG5"
• Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: was $179 now $170 via "SHOKZPDTG5"

Best Shokz Deals

Third time’s the charm! Nothing’s latest flagship headphones, the Headphone (1) Pro, massively improve on their predecessors in key areas. They sound more refined and full-bodied, thanks to their triple-driver setup. They look gorgeous, so they’re perfect for anyone who treats their gadgets as fashion accessories. Their app enables extensive EQ customization. Battery life is long, and Nothing’s knocked it out of the park with their design.

But few things in life are perfect and alas, the Headphone (1) Pro aren’t either. They come with an AirPods Max-esque hardshell case that’s bulky and looks silly. Some controls are hard to reach, too, and competitors from Bose and Sony offer better ANC.

To find out if these are the best over-ear headphones for you, read my full Nothing Headphone (1) Pro review.

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro review: Key specs

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro review: What I like

• Powerful bass and bright treble
• Striking, sci-fi design that’s supremely comfortable
• Highly adjustable EQ via user-friendly app
• Long battery life

If it’s a pair of excellent-sounding and long-lasting headphones you’re after, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro should be your port of call. From their striking design to their user-friendly app, there’s a lot to love about Nothing’s flagship cans.

Sound quality

The most major improvement to the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is the sound quality, and they now feature a triple-driver setup in each earcup for more bass, better treble, and refined mids. They’re certified Hi-Res Audio for wireless and wired listening, too, offering lossless playback at up to 24-bit/192KHz. I tested the headphones by listening to my favorite testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles, with LDAC enabled on my Google Pixel 10 Pro XL.

I was impressed with the headphones’ wide soundstage when listening to ‘Knights of Cydonia’ by Muse. The galloping rhythms and layered guitars had plenty of separation, and the headphones’ expansive tuning meant that the music had room to breathe. In Lana Del Rey’s ‘In My Feelings,’ Lana’s vocals sat at the forefront, carrying the characteristic smoky and intimate quality without losing their delicate texture. The treble felt crisp and never became fatiguing either.

Listening to ‘Elephant’ by 070 Shake through the Headphone (1) Pro put the spotlight firmly on the low-end. The sub-bass had a satisfying sense of depth which gave the track a weighty foundation, while the bass sounded tight, controlled and very warm.

I would also like to give kudos to the Headphone (1) Pro’s spatial audio and head tracking feature here. With it toggled, the sound remains anchored in a fixed position, and turning your head slightly makes the presentation feel three-dimensional, adding a sense of space to tracks. It works extremely well.

Listen along to my review with the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro testing playlist:

Design & comfort

Keeping in line with the brand’s sci-fi design philosophy, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro feature a transparent design that blends matte aluminum, machined titanium alloy arms, and even shatter-resistant glass earcup windows — and my goodness, do they look drool-worthy.

The Headphone (1) Pro weigh just 11.53 ounces, and they’re fitted with soft ear cushions that make you feel like your ears are resting on clouds, as well as a soft headband. The Headphone (1) Pro are some of the most comfy cans I’ve used, and even after wearing them for around six hours, I didn’t feel like ripping them off my head.

App

The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro utilize the Nothing X app, available on iOS and Android. The app allows for extensive equalizer customization. As the headphones have a triple-driver setup, the app lets you adjust the settings for each driver to get your desired sound. You can also tweak Gain and Frequency, and essentially boost whatever you want. Fancy a bump at exactly 9,864Hz? You can have it.

The app also unlocks features such as spatial audio with head tracking, Auracast for broadcasting audio to multiple headphones, and my favorite of all, Personal Sound Profile. This is essentially a hearing test that takes about three minutes and at the end of it, a personal EQ is created. It works extremely well, in my opinion, and Nothing’s done a great job of really personalizing the sound to your ears’ anatomy.

Battery life

With ANC off, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro can last up to 68 hours, which drops to 30 hours when ANC is enabled. If you’re listening over LDAC, expect 53 hours with ANC off, or 28 hours with ANC on.

The Nothing Headphone (a) ($199) and the Nothing Headphone (1) ($299) offer longer battery lives, though, at 135 hours and 80 hours respectively — but the Headphone (1) Pro sound a whole lot better, so swings and roundabouts.

The Headphone (1) Pro trump their competition here, as the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) ($359) last a measly 24 hours, while the pricier Sony WH-1000XM6 ($450) offer up to 40 hours. Though the Marshall Monitor III ($379) still take the crown for longest battery life in their price range — 100 hours — the Headphone (1) Pro are far from disappointing.

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro review: What I don’t like

• Bulky case just looks silly
• Competitors offer better ANC
• Controls a bit hard to reach

There isn’t a lot wrong with the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro. These cans excel in most areas, but I’m not entirely sold on the bulky AirPods Max-esque case that looks… really silly. Competitors also offer better ANC at the same price.

Bulky case

Looks like Nothing took a leaf out of Apple’s books when it was designing the Headphone (1) Pro’s case. Now, the OG AirPods Max’s ($549) unconventional “bra” case was controversial enough, but I’d argue that the Headphone (1) Pro’s case is worse. Unlike Apple’s soft leather case, the Headphone (1) Pro’s case that covers just the earcups is made of hardshell. It also features strap loops, and Nothing recommends adding a strap so that you can carry the headphones like… a crossbody bag.

I’m not sold on the Headphone (1) Pro’s case. It’s bulky and it looks ridiculous. The case, on its own, weighs 13.52 ounces, while the headphones weigh 11.53 ounces. Together, that’s 1.56 pounds! That’s a lot of added weight if you already have a full backpack. And no, you can’t stash the 3.5mm or USB-C cable in there. Bizarre design choice.

Hard-to-reach controls

The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro’s physical buttons are either hard to reach or accidentally clickable. Nothing features a Flat EQ toggle, located on the top inner edge of the left earcup. It’s quite difficult to reach when you’re wearing the headphones, so you need to remove them to swap to the Flat EQ, which is frustrating. The other controls, though well-placed and each sporting a unique shape, feel accidentally knockable. Even the softest touch increases or decreases the volume, for instance.

Mid ANC performance

Nothing says that the Headphone (1) Pro can block out up to 46dB of noise thanks to the silicone sound seal and 10 mics — but they can’t hold a candle to the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), unfortunately.

ANC performance isn’t bad per se. Indoors, I couldn’t hear my colleagues and they had to wave to get my attention — but I was able to hear the loud clicking and clacking of my Epomaker Glyph mechanical keyboard. Outdoors, the headphones did well to block out idle chatter on the bus, but I could still hear loud honking. The Headphone (1) Pro’s ANC performance is on par with the Marshall Monitor III’s, but worse than the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)’s and the AKG N9 Hybrid’s ($399).

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro compared

As I’ve mentioned throughout, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro face fierce competition in their price range — from the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), the Marshall Monitor III, the Sony WH-1000XM6, and the AKG N9 Hybrid. One of the most compelling reasons to get the Headphone (1) Pro over all of them is the sci-fi design which is unlike any other. Marshall’s got the rock and roll look which is also a class apart, and while I’m not a fan of Bose’s or Sony’s designs, they’ll be better if you don’t want to stand out.

ANC is one of the most important features in this price range, and the Headphone (1) Pro are outdone by the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)’s and the AKG N9 Hybrid — though they provide better active and passive isolation than the Marshall Monitor III. And while the Headphone (1) Pro’s battery life is solid at 68 hours (and better than most of its competition), the Marshall Monitor III offer up to 100 hours if beefy battery is important to you.

When it comes to sound quality, the Headphone (1) Pro sound warmer and have a wider soundstage than the pricier Sony WH-1000XM6. Treble is also crisp and bright, and sounds more controlled than through the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen). Given all this, the Headphone (1) Pro have their pros and cons, and do a good job of justifying their price. I’d get them for their design alone.

Who should buy the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro?

If you’re design-conscious but also an audio enthusiast, and you’re looking for studio-grade tuning, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro should be your port of call. They look beautiful with their sci-fi aesthetics, and they’re ridiculously comfortable, too. The warm and meaty sound is the real star here, and there’s LDAC support as well as Hi-Res Wireless streaming capabilities. With extensive EQ customization and great features, like spatial sound and IP52 waterproofing, the Headphone (1) are almost the complete package.

I say “almost” because if you want ANC that makes you feel lonely, you may want to consider the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) instead. Bose’s offering doesn’t come with a silly-looking bulky case either, if that’s a dealbreaker for you. For anyone who wants a competent pair of headphones that look good and sound even better, the Headphone (1) Pro are a no-brainer.

I’m a big fan of Sony headphones. Their tuning is hands down one of my favorites, but you are going to be paying a pretty penny for one of the flagship models. That’s where the Sony WH-CH530 come into play.

They bring premium tuning in a more affordable package, making it more accessible to music lovers who don’t have hundreds of dollars to drop on a new set of cans. The headphones are also lightweight with a comfy headband, and can deliver up to 55 hours of battery life.

Could these be some of the best cheap headphones to buy right now? Well, the on-ear design may be uncomfortable for some people, but they’re otherwise perfect budget cans. Keep reading this full Sony WH-CH530 review to find out more.

Sony WH-CH530 review: Specs

Sony WH-CH530 review: Price & availability

The Sony WH-CH530 headphones are a cheap option from the audio giant and cost $68 on Amazon U.S. and £49 on Amazon U.K. The headphones come in a variety of funky colors, including Pink, Coral, Mint, Cobalt, White and Black. They were released in September 2026 and came with the announcement of the WH-CH730N and the WH-1000XM4C (an updated version of the XM4), strengthening their entry-level lineup.

Sony has a whole host of affordable cans on their website, including the WH-CH520, which cost $59. These are the predecessors to the WH-CH530 and are a little cheaper but have a shorter battery life and don’t support the same audio codecs. There are also options from budget brands, such as the Anker Soundcore H30i for $39. They come with a very impressive 70-hour battery life, but they don’t sound as crisp as the WH-CH530.

But on-ear headphones aren’t for everyone, so if you need the comfort and better noise isolation of over-ears, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC could be for you. They cost $79 and have great sound — it’s all about the style you want.

Sony WH-CH530 review: Design

The Sony WH-CH530 are a sure-fire way to get a pop of color into your outfits, and they've certainly brightened up my day. I tested the cobalt color, and although I’m not one to usually reach for a splash of color — I much prefer color drenching with a black outfit — these are actually very pretty. That said, I felt like I was in 2014 trying to decide which color of the Beats Pill I should buy.

The headphones are made of 30% recycled plastic, which is commendable, but they feel a little on the flimsy side. They also don’t have a durability rating, so they’re not equipped to withstand any moisture or dust. This is normal for headphones, which are very difficult to waterproof. If you’re just using them on public transport, in the office or at home, it shouldn’t matter. But if you need a set of headphones for workouts or to survive light rain, check out the IP52-rated Nothing Headphones (a).

Comfort

I’m not the biggest fan of on-ear headphones, but even though I’m a hater, I initially found the WH-CH530 headphones surprisingly comfortable.

This was pretty short-lived, though, since the on-ear design caused pressure on my ears. This is likely going to be down to individual anatomy and preference — while testing these headphones on my commute, I noticed plenty of people wearing on-ear cans, so people must like them. They’re just not for me.

That said, the earcups are made from the same material as the premium models from Sony, so they were comfier than cheaper on-ear models like the Anker Soundcore H30i. Although the WH-CH530 headphones don’t have any ANC capabilities, the earcups did a good job of blocking out external noise, and I could hardly hear my colleagues trying to talk to me.

The headphones weigh 5.29 ounces and are very lightweight, and the padded headband is comfortable too. I didn’t feel like it was pushing down on my head at all.

Controls

The Sony WH-CH530 headphones use button controls, which were easy to use and responsive. There’s a power button and two buttons on either side for volume. The power button doubles as play/pause, and the volume buttons can be held down to skip songs.

Connectivity

The Sony WH-CH530 headphones use the latest Bluetooth 6.0, which offers more stability than previous versions and can support higher-efficiency codecs like LC3 and LE Audio (for better battery life). Bluetooth 6.0 also supports Auracast to stream sound from LE Audio devices. This is great to see in a pair of budget cans as it makes typically high-end features a lot more accessible.

Sony WH-CH530 review: Sound quality

The Sony WH-CH530 headphones sound brilliant. For $69, the sound quality is very impressive. It’s nothing like flagship models from Sony, but still in a league of its own in this price range.

I cycled through the EQ settings in the app and kept landing back on the standard EQ as my favorite, so I carried out all my testing on this setting. I also listened with DSEE enabled, which essentially rebuilds a compressed audio file to give you the best sound possible from basic SBC and AAC audio codecs, which usually have the lowest sound quality of all Bluetooth codecs. . The headphones are actually very well balanced, with a warm sound that replicates midrange frequencies very well.

Firstly, to test the bass performance, I listened to party 4 u by Charli XCX, which is a track with bassy synth and enhanced vocals. The modified vocals were crisp with no distortion, and the bass reproduction was very impressive, again, with no distortion. Even the deepest synth notes were well supported without overpowering the rest of the song.

Next, I listened to Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap. Mid-range separation was great — all of the instruments and vocals had room to breathe and were easy to tell apart. There was lots of detail in the treble, too. Sweet Disposition starts out with a riff and vocals that have a slight echo. This echo isn’t replicated very well on some headphones and earbuds, but it was prominent with the Sonys. Backing vocals were clear, and I could still hear the gentle shimmer of the cymbals in the background.

I really enjoy listening to music with these cans. I’d expect nothing less from Sony.

Sony WH-CH530 review: App

The Sony WH-CH530 headphones are compatible with the Sony Sound Connect app. Though it’s the audio companion app that causes the most division in our office, I personally like it. You can do a lot with the custom EQs, and seeing the information at a glance makes the experience very simple.

There’s space in the app for two of your own custom EQs. By using the 10-band EQ, I got a sound I was happy with across all genres. You can also enable DSEE in the app.

If protecting your hearing while enjoying your music is on your mind, then the Sound Connect app can help. You can choose from five maximum volume levels for the headphones. I opted to go with the quietest option since, as a concertgoer, I’ve become mindful of my hearing.

It’s worth noting that you don’t get as many controls in the app when using the WH-CH530 as you do with premium models. But, again, these are pretty basic headphones; you don’t need all the bells and whistles you get with the latest flagship model.

Sony WH-CH530 review: Call quality

The Sony WH-CH530 headphones have AI noise reduction for calls, which is always a feature I love to see in a cheaper pair of earbuds or headphones. Ultimately, the lower price can mean a lower-quality microphone, but AI noise reduction helps to focus in on your voice and filter out environmental sounds.

I called my mom, as I always do when testing out new audio gear, and asked her what she thought of the microphone performance. She said that she couldn’t hear the traffic around me and my voice was clear. This shows me the AI noise reduction works well.

Sony WH-CH530 review: Battery life

The Sony WH-CH530 headphones have up to 55 hours of battery life. This is very impressive to see in such cheap headphones. After using the headphones for 10 hours, the battery depleted by around 20%, which is what I would have expected.

Now, it’s worth discussing that Sony says the headphones have a maximum battery life of 55 hours with general usage. That’s calls, music, watching videos, and accounting for times when they may be idle. Sony lists an active use battery life of 35 hours, which is more realistic. So you can stretch it to 55 hours, but I would curb your expectations and expect a little less. Still, 35 hours is very impressive. Some flagship cans have a much lower battery life than this, with the Apple AirPods Max 2 managing a maximum of 20 hours.

If, like me, you often find yourself heading out the door with no charge in your headphones, fear not. The WH-CH530 are equipped with quick charging that can give you 1.5 hours of listening in just three minutes.

Sony WH-CH530 review: Verdict

The Sony WH-CH530 are the headphones to buy if you’re looking for an affordable option but don’t want to compromise on sound quality. The sound quality of these cans really is great and has many of the qualities I love from flagship Sony headphones, like the balanced, warm sound. They have a decently good battery life and are very lightweight.

Keep in mind that these are on-ear headphones, and however light they may be, they can still fatigue your ears. But that’s really the only bad thing I have to say about them, and mileage will vary.

I don’t feel like I’m missing out on flagship features when I listen to my music with these headphones, and I think they’re the perfect choice for affordability.

I'm just gonna come out and say it: there are way too many earbuds on the market. Heck, there's way too much of everything on the market. I type "earbuds" into Amazon and over 40,000 products come up! How are there so many people making so many earbuds? Most importantly, who's buying all these earbuds? Are there even enough ears on the planet to sustain this?

Okay, crash out over. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

No, but seriously. There's too much out there. Decision fatigue is real, and I've been using the same AirPods Pro 2 for three years now. What will I do when they break? Probably buy some refurbished AirPods Pro 2 off BackMarket. They might just be the best earbuds... until...

I got to talk with Mehul Kochar, Senior Director of Business Development for Knowles Specialty Audio, a brand known for making balanced armature drivers. In layman's terms: drivers that make music sound real nice. So, naturally, I had to ask him which earbuds he uses.

The answer made me feel oh-so vindicated — because he started talking about earbuds I gave 4.5 stars and haven't shut up about since. I told you!

It's the Status Audio Pro X, baby

Full disclosure: Knowles engineered the balanced armature driver in the Status Audio Pro X, so it makes sense from a business perspective that Kochar recommended the earbuds to me. Of course Kochar wants more people listening to the Pro X — Knowles has skin in the game.

I, however, have zero skin in the game. I review countless audio products: every week I've got some earbuds, headphones, a speaker, or a soundbar on the go. Review, rinse, repeat. Some earbuds are good, but not memorable. Some are memorable for all the wrong reasons. A very small minority are the perfect recipe: near-perfect and memorable.

So when I am still talking about a pair of earbuds eight months later? You know it was special.

And, boy, am I still talking about the Status Audio Pro X. Sometimes I feel like I'm screaming into the void. "Please!" I cry, tears streaming down my face. "Someone please hype these earbuds! I can't do it on my own anymore!"

So when Kochar mentioned the Status Audio Pro X were his current earbuds, I grinned so hard my cheeks hurt.

Why are these earbuds so great?

Easy answer: the sound. The Status Audio Pro X sound divine. At $300, they're expensive, so you'd hope they sound good, right? I mean, yes, but the Pro X are seriously gorgeous.

In my review of the Pro X, I wrote, "Vocals sounded particularly decadent; so affecting, complex, and emotive. There was no muffled bass, no tinniness, and fantastic instrument separation."

This rang true across all genres I tested them with. Even heavy metal, often belaboured by muddy lower mids, excelled. "‘Groping Dogs Gushing Blood’ was utterly monstrous — rolling guitars reminiscent of Queens of the Stone Age thrashed their way across the soundscape, bodacious percussion rounding out the female vocal."

Detail is one of the things I look out for when testing earbuds: can I hear the music, or can I feel the music? I want to feel it. I want the vocals to jump off the page, so to speak, and dance around in my head. I want to sense the vibrancy and the dynamism in my body.

Just like the AirPods Pro 3 and the Sony WF-XM6, Status focused on detail while engineering the Pro X. Instead of womping you with bass, à la Bose (which some people like, I may add), the Pro X are delicate, expansive, and detailed. You can hear every strata of your music. "You don’t miss anything with these earbuds," I wrote in my review. "Not a single cymbal, breath, or guitar string. Everything is laid out bare, exactly as it’s supposed to be."

Thanks to the unbeatable sound quality, I've not shut up about these earbuds since testing them.

You'd hope so, for $250

So I've got good news and bad news.

The good news is this: Status Audio reduced the MSRP from $300 to $250! Yay!

The bad news is this: the Status Audio Pro X are still $250. At $250, they're premium earbuds. These are not the everyman 'buds.

I discussed this thoroughly in my review, but I'll chat about it here, too: a small-name brand pricing its debut premium earbuds the same as the AirPods Pro 3? That's certainly a choice!

How can you entice people through the door when you're no cheaper than the most popular premium earbuds in the world... and no one knows who you are? It's tricky, because the Pro X sound that good. Yes, these are $250-sounding buds. But even so, as good as they sound, they're still relatively unknown.

Priced almost as steeply as the Sony WF-XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen? It's harsh competition. I really wish the Pro X were $239 — $10 cheaper than the AirPods Pro 3 — to get them over the finish line. At $239, this'd be a no-brainer.

But what do you think? Would you take the risk and drop $250 on underdog earbuds? What would make you invest?

More from Tom's Guide

• Cambridge Audio L/R X review: Big on bass, big on features, big on price
• Apple and LG smart home products just leaked ahead of Apple October event — here's what the new images tell us
• I tested the Soundcore Space 2 Pro and it's a killer Bose alternative for $160 less — as long you ignore the AI features

Ahem, I have something I’d like to say. I’m actually over audio brands releasing earbuds with AI features. Bring back the good old days, when earbuds did nothing but play music block out annoying ambient sound. Those were the best of times, eh?

Well, Cambridge Audio is, consciously or unconsciously, bringing back that bygone era. And me? I’m all here for it. The new Melomania A100 SE are everything I want them to be: affordable, great-sounding, and straightforward. These are music-focused earbuds, and they’re not sorry about it. I can tell every bit of care has been put into how they sound — and it’s enough to make them some of the best earbuds of 2026.

So, are these entry-level hi-fi-tuned earbuds right for you? I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess “Yes”. I love these bad boys. But to find out, keep reading this Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE review.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE: Specs

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE review: What I like

• Pretty, pretty price tag
• Warm, inviting sound quality across all genres I tested
• Just about the music, no AI features

The Melomania are super lovable for four main reasons: affordability, sound quality, battery life, and music-focused features.

Price

Look, the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE are cheap. In 2026, $149 for earbuds with a hi-fi-adjacent sound profile, ANC, wear detection, and music-focused features is a great deal. You can buy the Melomania A100 SE for $149 at Cambridge Audio direct or £129 at Amazon U.K.

At this price point, the competition’s looking less like the Sony WF-100XM6 and more like the Apple AirPods 5 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. Even so, the Melomania crowd is still a little different to the AirPods/Bose crowd — these are everyday earbuds for people who take sound a little more seriously.

Although the AirPods 5 were a major improvement on the AirPods 4, the Melomania A100 SE sound warmer and more well-rounded. Similarly, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds go too far in the other direction — Bose’s bassy signature sound can be a bit too much for some audiophiles.

Sound quality

Overall, the Cambridge Melomania A100 SE sound excellent. Although a warmer earbud than traditional hi-fi IEMs — like the Sennheiser IE 200 — self-professed audiophiles will surely be pleased. Disappointed by Bowers & Wilkins’ Pi6’s shoddy connectivity and weird fit? Neither issues are present on the Melomania A100 SE.

Sub-bass is proficient, especially in sim0ne’s hard house track “Space Cadet”. The pulsing kick drum came through energetically here, leading the track with the energy of a ‘90s raver. Even so, sub-bass didn’t overpower the highest-frequency sounds — namely the shining synth stems layered over the verses and the skittering keyboards in the middle.

The A100 SE are surprisingly expansive, too. Muse’s “Soldier’s Poem” enveloped my ears with control, delicately layered above the acoustic bass and arpeggiated guitar sections. Undoubtedly, the vocals were the star of the show: each harmony was pronounced yet complementary, with zero muddling between tiers.

The biggest thing I look for in earbuds is dynamism and vibrancy — both of which are present here. Even a grunge, sludge-rock track, “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” by Deftones, oozed attitude. With my custom U-curve EQ, the dramatic low-end and upper treble worked in tandem to breathe body and excitement into the song. There was no tininess in the crashing cymbals, and while some listeners might be looking for a touch more detail in the sludgey guitars, this would most likely impress most of you.

On the whole, the Melomania A100 SE are accurate, faithful earbuds. There’s no vacuum in the bass, and there’s clarity across the treble. While not tuned as neutrally as IEMs, the richer soundstage is more appealing to the masses, so I’d recommend them to all music lovers amongst you.

I’ll quickly discuss the built-in “Dolby Audio” feature. I wasn’t a huge fan of how this feature made my music sound. It stretched the bass and made some of the upper mids tinny. This is unfortunate, but I’d recommend this more for watching Netflix or the like on your phone rather than music. It’s worth noting that no audio brand has really got Spatial Audio like Apple — Dolby Atmos on the AirPods Pro 3 is truly excellent.

Android users will also benefit from LDAC and aptX Lossless Bluetooth support on compatible devices.

No AI features

I swear to you, I have never thrown my hands into the air with so much verve and gusto. When I downloaded the Cambridge Melomania app, I set it up with my buds… and held my breath. Reader — the relief I felt upon seeing zero AI “features”. Just music. No AI translation. No heart rate monitor. No AI note-taking. No AI call screening (although that does sound useful… hmm…). No AI chatbot built into the headphones (ahem, Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro). Nothing.

Just. Music.

If you’re the kind of person who is seriously fed up of getting “innovative” AI features no one asked for shoved down your throat, these are the earbuds for you. Sure, the app has “Dolby Audio” mode, which upmixes your music into an Atmos-adjacent sound profile, and “DynamEQ”, which automatically configures bass and treble at low volumes, but these are music-oriented features.

I personally didn’t like how Dolby Audio made my music sound — it dampened bass and made vocals a little echoey — but this is a music feature, not AI nonsense.

Lifestyle features: Battery life & call quality

Without looking, guess how long the Melomania A100 SE last (without ANC). If you said 39 hours, then well done! Give yourself a pat on the back.

Yes, 39 hours. This is such good battery life. Apple released the AirPods 5 with just 4-5 hours in the buds and 24 hours in the case — I listened to the Melomania A100 SE for 4 hours with ANC and the buds only went down to 70%.

Of course, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ go for 54 hours without ANC, so you might want them if you need unbeatable battery — but the Cambridges are better for serious music lovers.

Naturally, pretty much all decent earbuds have great call quality these days, and the Melomania A100 SE are no different. To test out the call quality, I phoned my boyfriend, who reported my voice was clear and audible, if a touch fuzzy in the sibilance. Even so, he said they were “comparable” to my AirPods Pro 2.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE review: What I don’t like

• ANC is quite mid
• The app is a little buggy

While not necessarily a con, I, the world’s representative for the small-eared, must announce the Melomania A100 SE are quite large. Even with the smallest tips, my ears ached after a couple of hours.

Besides that, there are a couple of things worth keeping in mind if you’re thinking of buying the Melomania A100 SE.

ANC is mid

If your upstairs neighbour loves drilling and your downstairs neighbour has a newborn baby, the Melomania A100 SE might not be for you. I tested the earbuds across multiple situations: in the Tom’s Guide office, at home, and while gallivanting around the city.

When testing in the office, I could still hear myself typing and my colleagues fussing with plastic bags.

Frustratingly, ANC also changes how music sounds. Only slightly, but it’s noticeable — much more than on the AirPods 5 or Bose QuietComfort. With ANC on max strength, bass is a little flatter and there’s a tightness in the treble. Again, this is incredibly slight, but I have the ears of a foxhound.

The app

Unfortunately, the Melomania app is a little buggy. Sure, the A100 SE only came out a week ago (at the time of writing), so this could be teething problems. Cambridge hi-fi gear like the Cambridge Audio L/R X use StreamMagic rather than Melomania. StreamMagic works a treat, so hopefully the Melomania issues are temporary.

The touch controls selection menu is buggy: you can’t actually customize the controls yet. Although the app brings up a customization menu, you can’t click on the settings, so you're essentially stuck with the default settings.

I’ve reached out to Cambridge’s representative, so hopefully this won’t be an issue for much longer.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE compared

As mentioned earlier, the $149/£129 price tag aligns the Melomania A100 SE more with the AirPods 5 than Sony’s XM6s. At this price point, you’ve also got the EarFun Air Pro 4+ ($99), Nothing Ear (3a) ($99), and Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max ($149).

I’d recommend spending $50 extra and grabbing the Melomanias over the EarFun or Nothing options as the former sound a touch warmer. While the bassier Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max sound equally as decadent, I’d recommend the Cambridges for hi-fi lovers due to the more basic UI. If you want earbuds developed under a mantra more like “How can we make these sound even better?” than “How can we put even more features in these earbuds?” then the Cambridges are for you.

However, if you want a big-name brand, you’re looking at either the AirPods 5 or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024). At $129-$149/$179 respectively, both Apple and Bose’s entry-level options would treat you nicely. For supreme ANC, look into the Bose, but for superior Apple ecosystem integration, I’d check out AirPods.

Of course, the Melomania A100 SE have multipoint — which worked seamlessly and without frustration for me — and a “Find My” feature, so Apple isn’t the be-all and end-all here.

Should you buy the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE?

If you’re a serious music lover who wants earbuds reminiscent of a simpler time, then I wholeheartedly recommend the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 SE. There’s no intrusive AI features like the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max, they sound richer than AirPods 5, and they’re more detailed than the Bose QuietComfort (2024).

I can’t speak for everyone, obviously, but I’ve had it up to here with AI and health features in earbuds. I’m ready to strip everything out of all my audio gear — or switch to wired buds altogether. The A100 SE perfectly strike that balance of serious music earbuds with Bluetooth convenience, and I’m so here for it.

I think at this point you’d be forgiven for calling me a Beyerdynamic super-fan — and I don’t exactly try to hide it. From their headphones to open-earbuds, I can reach for a pair and rest assured that I’m getting detailed sound at an affordable price. The Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro headphones are no exception.

These headphones have a sleek and professional-looking design, and despite offering no ANC, there’s some passive noise cancellation thanks to the thick, padded ear cushions. The ear cups also swivel, and the headband is adjustable to get the best positioning possible. I could also hear amazing detail in more stripped-back tracks.

However, in heavily layered songs, the high end was lost a little for me, and as with all on-ear headphones, they can get uncomfortable after a while. If you would like to find out more, keep reading this full Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro review.

Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro review: Specs

Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro review: Price & availability

The Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro headphones are available for $149 on the Beyerdynamic website, and £99 on Amazon in the U.K. Beyerdynamic doesn’t ship directly to the U.K., so you need to buy the headphones from a third-party retailer. These headphones are only available in black.

They’re a little bit cheaper than the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro headphones in the U.S., where they are priced at $159. I tested the DT 270 Pro at the beginning of the year and absolutely loved them for music practice in particular. I’d say the DT 270 Pro sound replication is superior, but I much prefer the passive noise isolation and the comfort of the DT 275 Pros.

This style of headphone is very basic, but if you want something better suited to studio monitoring and long listening sessions, then you can look at the Rode NTH-50 headphones. These are a little cheaper at $109/£99, but have textured and detailed sound reproduction, making them ideal for making music, not just listening to it.

Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro review: Design

The Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro headphones have a closed-back, on-ear design, which isn’t typically my go-to. I tend to steer clear of on-ear headphones because they can be a little uncomfortable to wear, but more on that later.

While they don’t have any ANC capabilities, the closed-back design naturally isolates passive noise from my surroundings. I found this nice in a chatty environment like the office. I’ve also tested the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro, and they don’t block out as much sound.

The DT 275 Pros look very sleek and professional, so I feel comfortable wearing them in most environments. The cans come with a drawstring bag to protect them from dust when not in use.

Comfort

The headphones have swivel earcups, so I could position them where they were most comfortable, and I like the faux leather finish on the cups too. I found this more comfortable to wear for long periods than the plush earcup material of the DT 270 Pros, which became pretty warm after a few hours of wear. The headband of the DT 275 Pro headphones is padded and adjustable, so I was able to find the right fit.

Since these headphones have an on-ear design, they’re never going to be the most comfortable cans in the world. They exert a lot of pressure on your ears, so be prepared to slide one earcup off for a break now and again.

Connectivity

The Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro headphones are passive headphones, but very easy to drive from a phone, laptop or computer. They use a 3.5mm jack cable that can be attached to a 1/4" adaptor. The 3.5mm jack can be plugged into the left or right earcup and twists to lock into place, so I was never worried about accidentally tugging it free.

Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro review: Sound quality

For testing, I listened to the headphones using the 3.5mm jack cable and Qobuz, which we think is the best music streaming service for audiophiles.

The sound profile of the Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro headphones is a little strange. At first, I noticed the driving bass, which I could feel pulsing against my ears — it’s very powerful. Unfortunately, that can mean frequencies toward the top end of the range, like cymbals and breathy vocal details, are drowned out or have to battle with the lower frequencies. But when the bass is stripped away for a vocal-heavy, acoustic track, the sound is detailed and refined.

A perfect example of that stripped-back track is Over Country by Lizzie McAlpine. Her breathy vocals are glassy, and the whole track is delicate and balanced. Since the bass is less prominent in the track, the DT 275 Pro let details shine through, and I could hear every movement over the frets along the neck of the guitar. The pared-back bass simply added more dimension rather than overrunning the track.

More bass-heavy tracks became too much for the DT 275 Pros. When listening to Safe and Sound from Capital Cities, the cymbals were completely lost, and other details started to disappear. The rest of the main instruments, like guitar and drums, sounded fine, as they have enough body to hold their own against the pulsing bass. Ultimately, for a bassy song like this, it’s no great loss, but it shows how the low end can quickly take over through these cans.

I finally listened to Witches by Alice Phoebe Lou, which is an upbeat, groovy track with delicate vocals. This is another track the headphones worked well with, as there wasn’t too much going on and I could hear a lot of dimension in the song. Instruments in the mid-range were clear throughout, and it wasn't too bassy.

But overall, the headphones sound good. The sound quality isn’t something to complain about in general, but the bass can be overwhelming depending on the genre.

These headphones perform best with speech. They’re designed to be used with a filming rig, so when testing the speech replication, I listened to a few audiobooks and watched some TV, and all of the speech was clear with perfect diction.

Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro review: Verdict

The Beyerdynamic DT 275 Pro headphones are another win for the audio brand. They put an impressive amount of music detail into a sleek and comfortable package. The adjustable headband and swivel earcups mean you can adjust the headphones to suit you. There’s also some passive noise cancellation, which isn’t typical in studio headphones, but the padding and closed-back style make it possible here.

While they’re mostly comfortable, the on-ear design won’t be for everyone as it puts a lot of pressure on the ears. And even though they replicate acoustic tracks well, they can struggle with heavily layered songs

Ultimately, these are a great choice for casual monitoring or video editing, but for more accuracy in music production, I would recommend the 270 version of these cans.

Prime Day is always flooded with massive discounts on Bose, Sony, and Apple, but every year the exact same thing happens: the absolute best audio deal gets completely buried beneath the mainstream hype.

After years of using them every single day, I can confidently tell you that the Sennheiser Momentum 4s easily outclass the competition — and with a $100 discount bringing them down to $199, they are a total steal.

Here is why nothing else comes close.

What completely sold me on the Sennheiser Momentum 4's, and what makes me love them every single day, comes down to pure, uninterrupted audio quality. The moment music plays, you notice a dramatic difference: the sound is rich, punchy, and layered with a level of depth and crystal clarity that cheaper or hyped-up brands just can't match.

I constantly catch subtle instrumental layers, backing vocals, and intricate production details in tracks I thought I knew inside and out. While podcasts and movies sound crisp and full, music is where these drivers truly show off.

Comfort is a total home run, too. They are hands down the most comfortable pair of over-ears I’ve ever put on. The ear cushions are plush without getting hot, and the frame is so ridiculously lightweight that I constantly forget I'm wearing them — to the point where I've done the "where are my headphones?" panic search while they're sitting on my head.

The Active Noise Cancellation hits the exact sweet spot: it effortlessly blocks out background chatter, engine hums, and low-frequency noise without creating that weird, dizzying ear-pressure sensation common in other ANC headphones. And one quick tap turns on Transparency mode, so you can hear the world around you.

Then there’s the 60-hour battery life, which speaks for itself really. I plug mine in maybe once a week strictly out of habit

At $199 for Prime Day, this is exceptional value for a seriously underrated pair of headphones. Sony, Apple, and Bose might dominate the mainstream marketing hype, but dollar-for-dollar, nothing touches the sound, comfort, and performance of these cans.

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We're in the swing of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, or October Prime Day, with discounts on tons of products, including kid-friendly headphones.

At Tom's Guide, we've been on a mission to find headphones built for children that are meant to protect their hearing. Adult headphones and earbuds don't have volume caps built in, which can lead to hearing loss in both children and adults.

Right now, for Prime Day, I found savings on three kid-friendly headphones that I've already tested, including the iClever Q950, one of the best-sounding kid headphones I've ever tried. All of my picks here have an 85dB or lower volume cap, meaning over time it should protect your little one's hearing.

Some of these headphones aren't on sale, but they're already low-priced, so you're saving money anyway on a recommended set.

Keep reading to see my current Prime Day headphone recommendations. (And don't forget to sign up for an Amazon Prime membership to get find more discounts!)

Quick Links

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• iClever Auraa: was $29 now $27
• iClever Q950: was $69 now $47
• JBL Junior 320 Wired: from $20

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October Prime Day is filled with plenty of great deals, but just because something is on sale doesn't make it an epic value. Oftentimes, those epic purchases are on previous-gen devices which are just as good — or in a few cases — even better than their newer counterparts.

For example, right now you can get the previos-gen Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones for just $198 at Amazon. That's the all-time lowest price I've seen for these headphones. However, you can also get the current-gen Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones for $378. Again, that's an all-time price low for Sony's flagship 'phones. But which deal is the best value?

Quick Links

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• WH-1000XM5: was $399 now $198
• WH-1000XM6: was $459 now $378

Sony Headphone Deals

When we first tested the Sony WH-1000XM5, we rated them as the best noise cancelling headphones you can buy. However, the newer WH-1000XM6 instantly dethroned them. Today is the first time both models are selling at their all-time price low, so which should you buy?

In our Sony WH-1000XM6 vs WH-1000XM5 comparison, we flat-out say that you can't go wrong with either pair. However, the $198 WH-1000XM5 are the clear winners in today's Deal Duel. So what's the difference between the two headphones? Well, the WH-1000XM6 feature a new chip, called the "HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1." As a result, there is a tangible increase in the noise canceling over the XM5. However, the XM5 still block plenty of noise.

Call quality on the XM5 is also very good. The multitude of mics means that voices sound clear and natural, while the noise canceling is capable of picking out your voice in noisy environments. While it's true that the WH-1000XM6 are slightly smaller, those of us with larger ears might be better off with the WH-1000XM5.

In terms of battery life, both headphones are nearly the same. You can expect up to 30 hours with ANC, or up to 40 hours with ANC off. Plus, both headphones support USB-PD, meaning a 3-minute quick charge can get you 3 hours of listening time.

So while both deals are great — my value badge goes to the WH-1000XM5. At a time when everyone's trying to stretch their dollar — this is a deal that goes above and beyond.

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Does newer mean better? No, not really. Audio technology hasn't developed enough in the last three years, in my opinion. I personally use AirPods Pro 2 more than the AirPods Pro 3 — and they sound almost indistinguishable.

The same can be said for the new Bose QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen. Although the new Bluetooth cans came out just a month ago, I'd still buy Gen 1 for myself. Especially seeing as Gen 1 is currently just $169 at Amazon for Prime Day — a huge 53% off.

Of course, the two generations have a few differences — which I'll get into below — but here's the TL;DR: I would buy Gen 1 for myself.

What are the differences between the Bose QuietComfort 1st and 2nd Gen?

So, there aren't major differences between the two models. Both have Bose's signature comfort and ANC — our reviewer, Kate Kozuch, notes the 2nd Gen "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".

On top of that, the headphones use the same audio hardware: the same 40mm dynamic drivers with Bose's bass-forward tuning. If you're the kind of listener who loves details and a neutral soundscape, I'd recommend checking out the Sony WH-1000XM6 instead.

And one major drawback: both iterations lack wear detection. This means the headphones will not automatically power off when you take them off. I've been burned by this before, so please learn from my mistakes and switch off your headphones, lest you sit down on the train to 0% battery. Of course, you can use the audio cable for playback even on a dead battery.

What does Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen have that the 1st Gen doesn't?

There are a few differences between the 2023 model and the 2026 model.

The biggest difference is the inclusion of Immersive Audio in the 2nd Gen. This is a feature borrowed from Bose's flagship Ultra line. In short, Immersive Audio behaves like spatial audio or digital Dolby Atmos — it makes the music sound like it's coming from all around you rather than directly into your ears. A fan of this? Then grab the 2nd Gen. I personally never use this on my AirPods Pro 3 or my AirPods Max 2, so take from that what you will.

The main difference, though? The price. And this is the QC headphones' second-lowest price ever.

As you can see above, the lowest price was $159 around Black Friday last year. I would like to see the headphones drop even further — maybe to around $149, as they're now the "old" model — but $169 is still a fantastic deal. You're saving $190.

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More from Tom's Guide

• 17 October Prime Day deals actually worth it from Apple, Lego, Shark and more
• I spent the last year testing open earbuds — these are my top picks in the October Prime Day sale
• We found the 55+ best Amazon Prime Day deals on Apple, Dyson, Ninja, Sony and more — all the October sales actually worth buying

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days start right now! And I, for one, am happy to see some of the best audio gear I've tested over the past year on sale.

Recently, I've been focused on open earbuds because I think everybody should have a pair, and these prices make some of the best-sounding buds I've tested very accessible. I've rounded up four of the best open buds I've used with big discounts on Amazon so you don't have to search for them yourself.

Quick links:

• Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO: was $179 now $109 @ Amazon
• Bose Ultra Open: was $299 now $179 @ Amazon [$120 Off]
• SoundPEATS UU2: was $59 now $45 @ Amazon
• EarFun Clip 2: was $79 now $56 @ Amazon

Savings Squad Widget

My wife is not very good at looking after her wireless earbuds, and there have been multiple instances of her losing stray buds while out in the world. They're quite compact buds too, which means connecting them with some sort of wire is completely out of the question. So what can we do, aside from replacing those buds every time she loses them?

Having seen that the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are discounted to $179 ahead of Prime Day, I'm wondering whether I should do something that seems totally illogical. Rather than continually buying cheap, semi-disposable wireless earbuds, the more expensive option might be more appropriate.

Yes, I know how that sounds, but hear me out.

The thing about my wife's earbuds is that they are cheap, easily replaceable, and lack any kind of advanced features. For general listening, they're pretty good for what they do. But the fact that she's lost one of her buds on at least three occasions means that she needs some buds with a little more vigor. Features that will either help her track down lost buds or stop her from losing them in the first place.

The main one is that AirPods Pro 3 have Apple's Find My support baked in. That means you can track down lost individual AirPods, even if they're outside of their charging case. Better still, the Precision Finding feature should help us track them down to a much narrower area than the regular Find My tracking.

Obviously, this isn't a foolproof system, and individual AirPods can still be lost and end up in an untrackable situation, but considering my wife always seems to lose her buds around home, it should increase the odds of being able to successfully track them down.

Likewise, she tends to lose her buds when taking them out to talk to people. The fact that a lot of her clothes don't have easily accessible pockets only makes matters worse. The solution? Don't take them out; use transparency mode instead. I know this is not exclusive to Apple's earbuds, but she is an iPhone user, so there are plenty of exclusive features she can take advantage of as well.

Those features include live translation (with Apple Intelligence), heart rate monitoring, improved active noise cancellation and water resistance, plus up to eight hours of battery life per charge with ANC switched on

Finally, I'm hoping that the fact AirPods are expensive means she will be a little more proactive about looking after them than she is with her current buds. You can't just buy another set of AirPods for $20 and lament your poor luck.

That said, if none of this works, at least AirPods Pro 3 have the stalks that can be tied together with some sort of wire or cable. At least that will stop them from getting separated.

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That's right, Amazon's October Prime Day deals have arrived. So you might be thinking about picking up a new set of AirPods — maybe the flagship Max 2. Hold on a second, though. Don't add them to your basket just yet.

I test a lot of headphones for my job, and my take is that the AirPods Max 2 are overpriced, even on sale (I mean... it is Apple we're talking about here). They're good, but not $549 good. That got me thinking about which cans I'd recommend instead.

Thankfully, there are lots of headphones out there that performed excellently in our testing, and beat the AirPods in many ways. Five of my top picks are on sale right now. The standout deal for me is on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, which are currently reduced to $479 at Amazon, that's $270 off. Huge.

Of course, if it absolutely has to be AirPods, the Max 2 are also on sale for $429, so $120 off. But I still think that's overpriced. My money would be spent a pair of the headphones below instead.

Better sound quality

We scored these headphones: 4.5*
Check out our Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 review

Better ANC

We scored these headphones: 4.5*
Check out our Sony WH-1000XM5 review.

Better for workouts

We scored these headphones: 3.5*
Check out our Nothing Headphone (a) review.

Better for travel

We scored these headphones: 4*
Check out our Marshall Monitor III review.

Budget pick

We haven't officially scored these headphones yet as our review is in progress (but spoiler: we love 'em).

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It's hard to beat the Apple AirPods Pro 3. They have almost every feature you could want, including what Apple calls the "best in-ear noise cancellation" on the market. As someone who's used the AirPods Pro 3 for a couple of months (I finally upgraded from the AirPods Pro 2), I can say without question that they're the best in-ear headphones I've ever owned.

I paid full price for mine, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. But I would have liked to pay $179 for them, which is what they're currently selling for on Amazon. That's $70 off the regular price, which puts them at only $30 more than the new AirPods 5, but with more features and better sound quality.

There's not much new to say about the AirPods Pro 3 that hasn't already been said by everyone on the internet. Our Fitness Managing Editor Jane McGuire wore them to every workout for a week, and she said that Apple "created a set of AirPods that stay put in my ears, no matter how much I skip, hop, or jump through my workout."

She's not easy on headphones as a marathon runner, so if they handle the jostling she puts them through, they can probably handle whatever kind of workout you intend to do.

And if you're not into exercising, our resident audiophile Tammy Rogers tried them purely based on the audio quality and said: "This is the best pair of AirPods that Apple has ever released, with massive and tangible upgrades to one of the best sets of buds from the last five years."

We gave them a 4.5 in our general AirPods Pro 3 review, and we don't hand out that score lightly. Seriously, they're just a good pair of earbuds at any price. At this price, though, they're as close to a no-brainer as you'll find.

When I reviewed them in 2025, the original Soundcore Space One Pro proved to be one of Anker’s biggest curveballs. I honestly expected something extremely mid from the mid-priced headphones. So when the Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro launched in September 2026, I couldn’t wait to try them out.

While I love the overall sound quality and the personalized EQ feature, there are a few quality-of-life issues that prevent the Space 2 Pro from receiving the coveted 4-star “Recommended” rating. If you value products with their advertized AI features actually working as intended, you’re not in the right place.

But don’t care about AI in headphones? Then, the Space 2 Pro could be some of the best over-ear headphones available today. It totally depends on what you’re after. Don’t fret — I’ll walk you through all the details in this Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro review.

Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro review: Specs

Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro review: Price & availability

The Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro (say that ten times fast) cost $199 from Amazon U.S. and £199 from Amazon U.K. This is the same launch price as the predecessor, Soundcore Space One Pro, which I like to see.

$200 places them firmly in the mid of mid-range. Even so, the similar-performance Bose QuietComfort Headphones Gen 2 (not Ultra) will set you back a lot more — $359, to be exact. The brand-new Beats 360 are $349, but have an IPX4 rating (more on that later) and interchangeable ear cups.

At this price point, you might even want to check out Sony’s recently refreshed WH-1000 XM4, which were initially released in 2021. Now you can snag these cans for $298, which isn’t bad for the high-quality sound.

For those looking to save even more money, you might want to check out Soundcore’s budget option, the Space 2, which sound much better than their $99 price tag might suggest.

For the Space 2 Pro, Soundcore ditched the, well, Soundcore branding and added the parent company’s name: now it’s Anker Soundcore. Consequently, the app is now called Anker Soundcore rather than Soundcore.

Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro review: Design

In terms of design, the Soundcore Space 2 Pro are both inconspicuous and sleek. I tested the lovely grayish mauve, which would be my choice if buying these for myself. If you want something a bit more eye-catching, you might want to check out the aforementioned Beats 360.

Unfortunately, there’s no IP rating. While this isn’t unheard of for over-ear headphones — the AirPods Max 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6 lack one, too — the Nothing Headphone (a) are rated IP52, making them splashproof, while the Beats 360 are IPX4 rated, making them water- and sweat-resistant, so excellent for working out.

Comfort

The Space 2 Pro are oh-so comfortable. I wore the headphones for eight hours while donning glasses, and the cups never pushed my glasses into my skull. I barely felt them — checks out, considering they’re just 9.2 ounces. This is a whole ounce lighter than the Space One Pro and the Beats 360.

Controls

There are controls on either ear cup, and, thankfully, no touch controls. Woo-hoo! While simple to use, I wish the controls had more customization. There’s no option to configure skip forward/skip back or pause… surely the most important buttons on an audio product? No, Anker has decided to forgo actually useful audio-related controls in favor of AI controls and assistants. Great! It just makes no sense.

Connectivity

I found connecting the headphones supremely easy. Multipoint also works seamlessly: I was connected to my phone and laptop within seconds. All you have to do is press the Bluetooth button for each additional device, and it works exactly how it’s supposed to.

The headphones use Bluetooth 6.0 and also have LDAC (a high-resolution codec available on most modern Android phones). I’m extremely relieved to see Bluetooth 6.0 as Apple released both the AirPods Max 2 and the Beats 360 with Bluetooth 5.3 / 5.4, respectively. Yes, in 2026. I know.

In short, Bluetooth 6.0 will provide a longer range and more stable connection. In reality, I was able to go downstairs and to the front door before the Space 2 Pro disconnected.

Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro review: Sound quality

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

Just like its predecessor, the Space 2 Pro are very bassy. If you like a bassy sound signature — similar to the JBL Live 780NC or the Bose QuietComfort/Bose QuietComfort Ultra — you’ll like it. Of course, you can adjust the default EQ to whatever suits you. I’ll discuss this more in the “App” section below, but you can also do Soundcore’s HearID game to find your “optimal” EQ.

With my personalized EQ, I listened to “Hot Dog” by Limp Bizkit. The heavy, crunchy guitars in the chorus chugged through the headphones without unbalancing the vocals. In the verses, the softer guitar riffs fluttered around the background of the track. Most present of all was bass, which led the track like a knight commander running into battle.

Details are pronounced, too. I switched back to Anker Signature EQ for my next track. The chattering synth flicks in “Bias” by Floating Points were clear enough to trick my mind into thinking my jaw was trembling. I could feel the vibrations around my skull. Through the rest of the track, the sub-bass (the lowest bass, and the stuff you can feel rather than hear) grumbled along with intensity; although it might be a touch too rounded for some, I love powerful bass (as long as higher frequencies don’t suffer because of it).

The playful licks of synth towards the end of the track were layered beautifully over that pumping sub-bass. Each flickering synth was clear and well-formed, with no crispiness or overly bright processing issues. This song sounded immense.

All that being said, the propulsive bass might be a little too intense for some listeners. While details are still clear, the bassline dominated in “Superscar” by ADELA. Let me reiterate: this is not inherently a bad thing. I personally like this sound signature because I get a naughty bass response without the vocals being pushed back.

Overall, the Space 2 Pro sound like their predecessor with a little more oomph. Bass steals the spotlight, but without shoving higher-frequency details into the wings.

Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro review: ANC

ANC, as expected, is great. I tested the headphones both in the office and while walking around the city. I couldn’t hear myself typing or conversations around me.

When I was walking around the city, I could hear some construction (drilling) noises, but chatter and general human noise were completely silenced. If you live near a super busy road or are often on public transport, these headphones would suit you fine. However, if you want to obliterate nearby drilling, they might not be enough (but is there anything capable of blocking out a concrete drill?).

Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro review: Call quality

Anker’s marketing claims the Soundcore Space 2 Pro hold the Guinness World Record for the world’s clearest call quality. Well, I’ll be the judge of that.

To test call quality, I called my boyfriend, who has listened to every pair of headphones and earbuds I’ve ever tested. I played a drilling noise track at max volume (75dB) to test the environmental sound reduction capabilities.

He said my voice was clear and audible, around the same as my AirPods Pro 2, but it wasn’t anything special. He also reported he could hear the drilling noise track in the background; however, the headphones isolated my voice and he could hear everything I said.

Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro review: App

Because the Space 2 Pro come with Anker’s new “Thus AI” chip, they have an upgraded AI assistant. If you’re the kind of person who uses AI in headphones, this’ll be music to your ears. Personally, I never use AI in any earbuds or headphones, so this is redundant for me.

Even so, “Anka” (yes, that’s its name) is supposed to be able to do a number of interesting things: adjust your EQ, take notes, and even tell you a joke. The joke, however, is that Anka can’t do any of these things.

Haha. Really funny. It couldn’t even answer the pre-programmed suggested questions. If you want headphones with AI that actually works, the Space 2 Pro might not be the ones for you.

I do find it ironic that Anker uses AI-generated images in its advertisements but its own AI doesn’t work. It feels serendipitous.

Anker's representative confirmed that these AI features are only in development — they're not supposed to work at this time.

So why are they in the app? If the AI features aren't finished, why are they accessible from the app?

It’s incredibly frustrating that Anker is selling an unfinished product: don’t advertize AI features (by including them in the app) that don’t work.

Apart from the non-functional chatbot (seriously, who asked for this?), the Soundcore app can do everything you’d expect. You can customize EQ manually, configure the controls (kind of), and cycle through ANC modes. As far as apps go, it’s standard.

Of course, there’s the HearID function, as in the Space One Pro. I love this feature. I’m a sucker for gamified personalized EQs.

My HearID was markedly quieter in the low mids than Anker’s Signature EQ, but a little more pronounced in the sub-bass. Naturally, you can adjust the EQ on the fly, too, so you can easily switch between bass and balanced when you go from rock to pop, for example.

Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro review: Battery

The Soundcore Space 2 Pro last for 60 hours with ANC off and 30 hours with ANC on. I listened for 8 hours and it went down by 20%, which checks out.

Although I’ve tested headphones with seriously unkillable batteries — like the EarFun Wave Pro (55 hours with ANC) and the EarFun Tune Pro (80 hours with ANC), 30 hours is more than enough to get you through at least a decent chunk of the week.

But please remember — you have to turn off the headphones manually. They don’t sleep after a certain amount of dormancy. I woke up one morning to find my headphones dead.

Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro review: Verdict

The Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro are great headphones. Are they better than the predecessor? As good as they sound, I’m going to say no. Not when the advertized AI features don’t work. Again, this is super personal — I do not care about AI in headphones, full stop, so I could overlook this. But it does leave a sour taste in my mouth. What other features don’t work?

As far as I’ve tested, everything else works. HearID? Yes. 30-hour battery? You got it. Rich, high-quality sound? Yep. Supremely clear calls? Uh-huh. Cloud-cushion comfort? Another yes. Honestly, though… I think I’d buy the Space One Pro on discount instead of paying full price for the Space 2 Pro. The improvements, while seemingly impressive, aren’t worth the extra cash. True, we’re still waiting for said discounts, but with Black Friday around the corner, I’m sure there’ll be some decent savings on the older model now.

Even so, if you want the newest version, you won’t be disappointed. The Space 2 Pro sound excellent, feel super comfy, and have great call quality and ANC. Just beware of those “AI” features.

The Shokz OpenFit Air 2 is the new entry-level model in the brand’s line-up of open earhook headphones, and comes in considerably cheaper than the Shokz OpenFit 2+ and OpenFit Pro.

They don’t quite match the sound quality of those headphones, but still sound good and have a flexible, lightweight design that creates a great fit for workouts in particular.

I rate them among the best running headphones I’ve tested with an open design, and if you need an earhook to keep your buds in place when getting sweaty, the OpenFit Air 2 offers a nice middle-ground between budget options and pricey flagship models.

Shokz OpenFit Air 2: price and availability

The Shokz OpenFit Air 2 launched in August 2026 and cost $129 in the U.S. and £129 in the U.K., which is $10/£10 more than the price of the original Shokz OpenFit Air, though those can often now be found on sale.

They are the cheapest model in the current OpenFit line-up, sitting beneath the Shokz OpenFit 2+ and Shokz OpenFit Pro. The more expensive models offer longer battery life, better sound quality and, in the case of the OpenFit Pro, noise reduction.

Shokz OpenFit Air 2: design and fit

The Shokz OpenFit Air 2 are currently available in three colors: black, white and light blue. As the name suggests, they’re the lightest OpenFit model, weighing just 0.25oz/7.2g per earbud.

This lightweight design, along with the flexible earhook, makes them exceptionally comfortable to wear for long periods in my experience.

They stay securely in place during all kinds of workouts, but don’t put any pressure on the ear, and I was happy to wear them for several hours at a time, going from work to workouts.

The reshaped speaker sits near the ear canal without blocking it, with Shokz’s DirectPitch tech helping to avoid too much sound leakage.

If you don’t need the earhook to keep the headphones in place during workouts, however, I do think the clip-on design of buds like the Shokz OpenDots Air is less fussy and just as comfortable for long periods of use.

Shokz has also reduced the size of the case compared with the older model, though it’s still not the most easily pocketed compared to the tiny case you get with buds without earhooks.

The OpenFit Air 2 has an IP55 rating, so they are sweat- and water-resistant, and offer multipoint pairing to two devices at once via Bluetooth V6.1.

Shokz OpenFit Air 2: controls

One of the things I disliked about the original Shokz OpenFit Air was their touch panel controls, which were not the most reliable and easy to use during workouts with sweaty fingers.

The new pressure-sensitive buttons on the OpenFit Air 2 are a big improvement. The small buttons sit on top of the speaker of each earbud, so you can grip both sides to press the button.

I found this new design much easier to use during runs and other workouts, and they’ll also be easier to use with gloves in the winter.

Shokz OpenFit Air 2: sound quality

The OpenFit Air 2 sound good, but not great. As with all open headphones, you lose out on bass and noise cancellation compared with in-ear buds, but they also fall a little short of the clarity and power of the more expensive OpenFit 2+ and OpenFit Pro.

However, I do think they live up to their price in terms of sound quality, and I enjoyed using them during and outside of workouts. They’re loud enough to still hear your audio when running by busy roads too, though can be drowned out when traveling on trains.

The bass is powerful enough to deliver the motivational punch I’m looking for when I put on my rock-heavy running playlist, and in quieter environments tracks like Phoebe Bridgers’ “The Governor's Waltz” sounded bright and clear.

You can customize the EQ on the headphones in the Shokz app too, which is worth doing to ramp up the bass in particular.

There’s always a trade-off to consider with the sound on open headphones, but the extra awareness you get from the OpenFit Air 2 is worth it for me as a runner, and while these aren’t the best sounding open buds you can get, I don’t think you’ll do much better for the price.

Shokz OpenFit Air 2: battery life

The OpenFit Air 2 lasts up to eight hours on a charge and offers a total of 36 hours including the charging case.

It’s not as much as the OpenFit 2+ and OpenFit Pro, but that’s a lot of battery life, and in my use, they lived up to the listed stats.

Even when running with them every day and using them for a couple of hours of work, they lasted over a week, and you can get three hours of use from just 10 minutes of charging in a pinch.

Should you buy the Shokz OpenFit Air 2?

The Shokz OpenFit Air 2 offers a good middle ground between budget open headphones and the impressive, but expensive, top options in the Shokz OpenFit line-up.

If you just want the best sound you can get from open earhook buds, I’d opt for the OpenFit Pro, but the OpenFit Air 2 sounds good enough for me and is almost half the price, and I think the balance of features, fit, and price they offer is very good.

Cheaper alternatives to consider include the OpenFit Air, which will now be on sale and, while not as good as the new model, still offers decent sound and a great fit, and the JLab Epic Open Sport, which aren’t as comfortable and don’t sound as good, but are $99.

If you’re flexible on the exact style of open headphones you’re after, I’d also look at the Shokz OpenDots Air and OpenDots 2, because I prefer the clip-on fit myself, and the case is smaller. Having been a long-term user of earhook buds for my runs, clip-ons have become my go-to, and the OpenDots Air are the same price as the OpenFit Air.

I run every day and listen to music or podcasts on almost all my runs, but I very rarely use over-ear or on-ear headphones for this. For the most part I prefer open earbuds that clip on or hook over my ear, which have smaller, sweatproof designs.

However, the new Beats 360 over-ear headphones are touted as great for workouts thanks to their swappable pads and sweat-resistant build, so I was curious to see how they actually felt on a 10-mile long run.

I was pleasantly surprised at their performance. There are drawbacks to the bulkier design, which does get hotter and sweatier than earbuds, but if you prefer to use over-ear cans for everything then I’d say the Beats 360 are the best running headphones you can get.

The Beats 360 were comfortable and secure throughout the run

Over-ear headphones are bigger and heavier than the buds I normally use and I worried the Beats 360 would either be loose and slide around during the run, or have such a tight fit to avoid this that they became uncomfortable after a few miles.

I needn’t have worried. The fit on the Beats 360 is spot on and they stayed securely in place throughout my run without ever putting undue pressure on my ears.

Even when running downhill (which can make headphones bounce around), they didn’t budge, and they never actually felt too heavy or bulky.

I will give one caveat on comfort though, which when wearing traditional glasses or sunglasses I do get a bit of pressure where the arms are pushed in by the headphones. On the run I used Ombraz Teton glasses that have a cord rather than arms, and didn’t get this pressure.

My ears did get hot, and the cushions take some time to dry afterwards

No matter how well-designed over-ear headphones are, they’re going to make your ears hotter and sweatier during workouts than smaller earbuds, and the pads on the Beats 360 were damp with sweat by the end of my 10-miler.

It was a pretty cool day and I didn’t find that this was uncomfortable during the run, but it took the performance knit cushions around five hours to fully dry afterwards.

Having a couple of sets of the swappable cushion kits are a must if you plan to use the headphones for workouts. It’s very quick and easy to take the cushions off and mix up the look and feel of the headphones.

That said, the fabric covering the driver also felt a little sweaty after my run, and though it dried quickly, I’m a little concerned about how long-term workout use might affect the headphones, which are only IPX4-rated.

This means they are water and sweat resistant and usually I’ve found that this is a high enough rating for workouts and runs with earbuds, but the extra sweat produced by wearing over-ear headphones might be more of a stretch.

The sound quality is great, and the transparency mode keeps you aware

The benefit of the Beats 360 compared with in-ear and open-ear buds is the great sound quality and active noise cancellation you get from the design, which is even more apparent outside of workouts.

During my run I used them in their transparency mode to stay aware of my surroundings — I was mostly on traffic-free paths in a forest, but had a couple of short stints on roads.

If you turn the volume down and use transparency I do think you get enough awareness, though not as much as with open headphones of course.

Then you can lock in and use ANC when it’s safe to do so, like when training in the gym or traveling.

One thing I did notice with the Beats 360 is that they don’t filter out the sound of the wind well when I was running outdoors with the transparency mode on, so they can sound a little gusty when you hit a headwind.

The best over-ear cans I’ve run with, but I’m still going back to earbuds

I was impressed by the Beats 360 and if you love over-ear headphones, these are the best for running I’ve tried. I’d happily use them regularly, but I still do prefer the fit and feel of smaller buds myself, especially those with an open design.

The Apple AirPods 5 and Shokz OpenDots 2 are my favorite running headphones at the moment and they offer more awareness and a less sweaty fit. If you don't need the open design, then the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are a strong pick for workouts and runs thanks to their earhook.

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