Audio

The Urbanears Alby earbuds make a clear nod to Apple's AirPods styling, but the problematic sound and clunky features mean they're are better lookalike options that do better

The Creative Pebble V3 produce good sound for their size and price — and look good, too.

The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX speaker delivers great sound at a good price — if you’ve got the space for a subwoofer and don’t need Bluetooth.

The Ausounds AU-Stream True Wireless Earbuds get a lot right for the low price, but you’ll get superior audio quality and more features if you spend a bit more.

The feature-laden Skullcandy Grind Fuel lays the foundation for future brand releases, but it also loses focus on the basics.

The Klipsch AW650 Outdoor Speakers are big in size, sound and price.

With dynamic audio features and dependable ANC, the $129 Edifier NeoBuds Pro proves that high performance doesn’t always come at a premium.

Despite its large form and price point, the $499 Yamaha YH-L700A is a worthy spatial audio competitor to the AirPods Max.

The first-generation Sonos Beam delivers very good sound for a small soundbar, and comes with Alexa voice controls.

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) soundbar delivers sophisticated sound in a small package. A bounty of smart features and listening options make the new Beam an attractive follow-up to the original.

The Sonos Arc is premium in every sense — with its precise tuning software and Dolby Atmos support, it’s the best soundbar for Sonos fans who can afford it.

The Corsair HS35 Stereo Gaming Headset offers a well-rounded package for a low price. If you’re after a gaming headset on a budget, you could do a lot worse.

The dinky HyperX SoloCast is a more capable mic than it looks, with rich sound and an adjustable stand. For $59, it’s a great deal.

Polk Atrium 4 set the standard for wired outdoor speakers with a wide, balanced sound for under $200.

The QCY T5S is a solid wireless earbud option for music and occasional calls, with a comfortable design and reliable Bluetooth connectivity.

Despite some design flaws, few sub-$50 wireless earbuds are better than the waterproof, long-lasting EarFun Air.

The Yamaha NS-AW150W outdoor speakers produce a bright sound with full vocals, at an excellent price.

Presentation is key for aptly-named Sterling mic

At a decent price with a pleasing design, the Lasuna True Wireless Earbuds serves as a functional listening device. Just don’t expect exceptional audio quality.

With your own unique audio profile and lots of accessories, the NuraTrue earbuds will work for anyone.

The JBL Go 3 is an impressive little Bluetooth speaker with full waterproofing, plenty of bass and better-than-expected battery life.

The Rode NT-USB Mini is a solidly constructed microphone with good sound. At $99, it’s a solid choice for those just starting out in podcasting or streaming.

As a general gaming and streaming microphone, the EPOS B20 is easy to use and finely crafted. We’re just not convinced that’s enough for the money.

This Alexa-powered soundbar produces impressive bass without a subwoofer, though it lacks a truly wide soundstage.

The Fauna Memor Havana audio glasses won't change your mind about this kind of product, even if it's stylish and practical to use.

For $99, you can’t find a better USB microphone than the Rode PodMic. It’s a small, sturdy and intimate mic that brings studio-level professionalism to your podcast.

The Roku Streambar Pro, which combines a soundbar and Roku streaming device, is easy to set up and has good sound — but can be sluggish as a streamer.

The AirPods Max are the premium, noise-cancelling headphones Apple fans have been waiting for, and they don’t disappoint. Even if the price is hard to stomach.

The Sennheiser MKE 400 isn’t just a clean-sounding, nicely compact shotgun mic; with its smartphone support and easy setup, even inexperienced users can get quality recordings.

The Vizio M-Series M512a-H6 brings Atmos height, separate surrounds and a subwoofer at an affordable price — and with some effort required.