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Headphones

Headphones were the original piece of wearable technology and they remain as essential today as ever. But they are starting to change rapidly now, as things like noise cancelling and Bluetooth wireless technology enable the dream of completely cable-free living. What will the best headphones of the future look like?

Audio-Technica’s latest earbuds have marathon battery life and a useful trickAudio-Technica’s latest earbuds have marathon battery life and a useful trick
The Shokz OpenFit 2 is an almost perfect update to the originalsThe Shokz OpenFit 2 is an almost perfect update to the originals
JBL’s Tour One M3 headphones wirelessly connect to older devices using a touchscreen transmitterJBL’s Tour One M3 headphones wirelessly connect to older devices using a touchscreen transmitter
Wes Davis
Wes Davis
You might be able to fall asleep wearing Belkin’s new wireless earbuds.

Belkin announced the SoundForm Anywhere. I saw these in someone’s ear during a briefing — that funky, flat, fin-shaped part sits upright inside your ear, not jutting out like normal stem-style earbuds.

Odd look, but it could mean they’re comfortable enough to rest your head on. Belkin is aiming for a Q2 2025 release. Pricing details will come later.

SoundForm Anywhere earbuds — ordinary-looking earbuds portion but with a flat fin-like outer part that sits upright in the folds of your ear.
The SoundForm Anywhere, with one in its charging case and the other outside of it.
SoundForm Anywhere earbuds hovering over their case.
The SoundForm Anywhere sitting in their case.
1/4
Belkin’s SoundForm Anywhere go for comfort over looks.
Image: Belkin
2024: a good year for earbuds

This year paved the way for a future where earbuds are much more than audio accessories.

Chris Welch
Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones are nearly 50 percent off right nowSony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones are nearly 50 percent off right now
We rounded up 40 last-minute gifts you can still grab in time for the holidaysWe rounded up 40 last-minute gifts you can still grab in time for the holidays
Sony’s noise-canceling WF-1000XM5 are cheaper than they were on Black FridaySony’s noise-canceling WF-1000XM5 are cheaper than they were on Black Friday
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation hit new all-time low with $40 offAirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation hit new all-time low with $40 off
Master & Dynamic revived a pair of wired earphonesMaster & Dynamic revived a pair of wired earphones
The best Cyber Monday headphone and earbud deals you can getThe best Cyber Monday headphone and earbud deals you can get
Apple’s latest AirPods Pro are cheaper than the AirPods 4 right nowApple’s latest AirPods Pro are cheaper than the AirPods 4 right now
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
Let a Gundam protect your AirPods Pro.

Following its collaboration with Neon Genesis Evangelion last year, Casetify has announced a new anime collection featuring Gundam-themed cases and accessories. The standout is this $155 RX-78-2 Gundam head case for the AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2 that’s more expensive than what the latest version of the earbuds are currently selling for during Black Friday promotions.

Casetify’s RX-78-2 Gundam Collectible Earbuds Case for the AirPods Pro 2 pictured from two angles.
Casetify’s new anime collection includes a Gundam head AirPods Pro case.
Image: Casetify
Bang & Olufsen’s new $499 earbuds have better ANC and replaceable batteriesBang & Olufsen’s new $499 earbuds have better ANC and replaceable batteries
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
JVC’s new open earbuds are smaller and cheaper than Bose’s Ultra Open.

Borrowing the design of Bose’s open-style earbuds, the JVC Nearphones attach to the side of your ear and position a 10mm driver inside so you can hear your music plus everything else around you. They’re smaller and lighter than the $299 Bose Ultra Open, and at $99.95 they’re a more affordable solution if you find regular earbuds uncomfortable.

JVC’s Nearphones wireless earbuds pictured in five different colorways.
JVC’s Nearphones are available in five colorways with matching charging cases.
Image: JVC
Sonos speakers and soundbars are up to $200 off ahead of Black FridaySonos speakers and soundbars are up to $200 off ahead of Black Friday
Apple’s third-gen AirPods are on sale for under $100 ahead of Black FridayApple’s third-gen AirPods are on sale for under $100 ahead of Black Friday
Bowers & Wilkins’ excellent-sounding PX7 S2e headphones are $120 offBowers & Wilkins’ excellent-sounding PX7 S2e headphones are $120 off
The latest AirPods Pro are on sale for $1 shy of their all-time low todayThe latest AirPods Pro are on sale for $1 shy of their all-time low today
Bose is taking up to 40 percent off headphones ahead of Black FridayBose is taking up to 40 percent off headphones ahead of Black Friday
Sony’s noise-canceling XM5 have dropped to one of their best prices yetSony’s noise-canceling XM5 have dropped to one of their best prices yet
Beats Solo 4 and Studio Pro headphones are an impressive 50 percent offBeats Solo 4 and Studio Pro headphones are an impressive 50 percent off
Razer added RGB lighting to its Barracuda X wireless headphonesRazer added RGB lighting to its Barracuda X wireless headphones
AirPods are good for your (hearing) healthAirPods are good for your (hearing) health
Ozlo Sleepbuds hands-on: resurrected and I’ve slept so goodOzlo Sleepbuds hands-on: resurrected and I’ve slept so good
Apple’s AirPods Pro hearing health features are as good as they sound

The AirPods Pro 2 will soon offer more robust hearing protection and a new hearing aid feature. But it’s the hearing test that really hooked me.

Chris Welch
JLab now sells $30 wireless earbuds with ANCJLab now sells $30 wireless earbuds with ANC
Oura Ring 3 Horizon drops to $299Oura Ring 3 Horizon drops to $299
Quentyn Kennemer
The best Prime Day deals you can still grab for $25 or lessThe best Prime Day deals you can still grab for $25 or less
Quentyn Kennemer and Sheena Vasani
The best Prime Day Apple deals you can still get on MacBooks, iPads, and moreThe best Prime Day Apple deals you can still get on MacBooks, iPads, and more
Our favorite deals under $50 from Amazon’s October Prime Day saleOur favorite deals under $50 from Amazon’s October Prime Day sale
The best headphone and earbud deals on day two of Amazon Prime DayThe best headphone and earbud deals on day two of Amazon Prime Day
Samsung’s new AirPods Pro look-alikes are nearly $100 off alreadySamsung’s new AirPods Pro look-alikes are nearly $100 off already
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are at their lowest-ever price for Prime DayApple’s AirPods Pro 2 are at their lowest-ever price for Prime Day
The last-gen Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are now a staggering $220 off (update: sold out)The last-gen Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are now a staggering $220 off (update: sold out)
Sony’s best ANC headphones and earbuds are getting Google’s Find My DeviceSony’s best ANC headphones and earbuds are getting Google’s Find My Device
Anker’s Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro earbuds add a charging case screenAnker’s Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro earbuds add a charging case screen
You can easily upgrade all of Apple’s AirPods to USB-C using these smart casesYou can easily upgrade all of Apple’s AirPods to USB-C using these smart cases
Wes Davis
Wes Davis
What’s really different about the AirPods 4 models?

iFixit x-rayed and ripped Apple’s new earbuds apart, and found two things the AirPods 4 with ANC have that the regular model doesn’t: A “$2 microphone” and a speaker in the case are what accounts for the $50 price difference between the two.

Of course, that doesn’t account for any software Apple has to license to make its ANC work.

Sony’s new LinkBuds add voice controls without a smart assistantSony’s new LinkBuds add voice controls without a smart assistant

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