All posts tagged: earbuds

These JBL Vibe Beam Earbuds Are Still at a Record-Low Price of

These JBL Vibe Beam Earbuds Are Still at a Record-Low Price of $25

Whether you’ve got a new device or you want a wallet-friendly upgrade to your headphones, we at CNET are big fans of JBL audio gear thanks to its high value for the price. These models have budget earbuds that offer clear sound that consistently wows us. The JBL Vibe Beam earbuds are one of the best sets of wireless earbuds. They are already a budget-friendly $50, but they’re currently on sale for a record low of $25 at Amazon and Best Buy. That’s exactly half off and cheaper than the Prime Day low, but don’t wait to buy. We don’t know how long this offer will last. These earbuds aren’t going to compete sound-quality-wise with the best wireless earbuds on the market, like a set of high-end Bose or Apple earbuds, but they’re designed to have clear bass and balanced sound. They’re also IP54 waterproof and dustproof, providing peace of mind if you enjoy outdoor workouts in less-than-perfect weather. The case is also IPX2-rated for water resistance. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, …

Our Favorite High-End Earbuds Are Currently  Off

Our Favorite High-End Earbuds Are Currently $80 Off

Whether it’s to accompany a new device you got for the holidays or you’re just overdue for an upgrade, the new year is an excellent time to invest in some top-tier headphones. And though many of the postholiday sales have begun to fade, we just spotted an excellent deal on the best sounding wireless earbuds of 2024. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 buds are down to just $319 on Amazon right now, a dramatic 20% price cut that saves you $80. In his initial review of the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 buds, Executive Editor David Carnoy noted that they were “easily among the best-sounding earbuds out there.” And in his roundup of the best wireless earbuds of 2024, Carnoy said, “The Pi8s are fantastic-sounding earbuds that also benefit from having a clearly improved design from the Pi7 S2 and Pi5 S2.” Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Carnoy was also impressed by the improved ergonomics and active noise cancellation. Another feature he noted is the Bowers & Wilkins …

Bose’s Wacky Open Earbuds Won Over My Reluctant Heart

Bose’s Wacky Open Earbuds Won Over My Reluctant Heart

After testing the Bose long term, I began to unlock niche use cases that even the best noise-canceling buds can’t match. Dog walks are blissfully better, especially with any trace of wind, which can blast your ears when using transparency mode. I used to just roll with a single bud for those situations, with one ear open for awareness. Now, I recoil at the thought of settling for mono sound on our morning stroll, even if the traffic sometimes harshes the vibe. I soon found other idiosyncratic ways in which these buds fill the gap, from working in the office or kitchen while chatting with my wife to strolling through a store or conversing with the neighbors over yard work. Why kill the tunes, when you can have it all? Bose has been working on additional ways to give its pricey buds a higher value quotient. If you’ve got a new Bose soundbar like the Smart Soundbar (8/10, WIRED Recommends), the Open Earbuds can now double as personalized surround sound speakers, creating a sort of …

I love running in these luxury open earbuds – and they’re still on sale before Black Friday

I love running in these luxury open earbuds – and they’re still on sale before Black Friday

Nina Raemont/ZDNET What’s the deal?  The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are on sale for $250, $50 less than their original price. This deal applies to the Black, White, Lunar Blue, Moonstone Blue, and even the Diamond 60th Anniversary Edition colorways. You can find this deal on Amazon Walmart, andBose’s website. ZDNET key takeaways At $300, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are a great alternative to bone-conduction headphones.  Thanks to Bose’s OpenAudio technology, the earbuds are ideal for runners who want to enjoy music while remaining aware of their environment.  A lack of touch controls means you need to keep your phone close for navigation. Living in the city, I’m not the biggest fan of using noise-canceling headphones or earbuds while I exercise in the park, walk around on busy streets, or commute on the subway. But I’m a music lover who cares a lot about the sound quality of what I listen to. Sure, bone conduction headphones exist, but they often have a one-size-fits-all approach, either feeling too loose or bulky on the head. You could also …

One of the most comfortable earbuds I’ve worn aren’t made by JBL or Bose

One of the most comfortable earbuds I’ve worn aren’t made by JBL or Bose

ZDNET’s key takeaways Available for preorder for $200, Sony’s new LinkBuds Fit are shaping up to be a gym-goer’s new workout buddy. These earbuds boast a solid ANC feature and a comfortable design that is second to none. Their audio output, however, isn’t very powerful. more buying choices What is the most important aspect of a pair of earbuds? My answer changes depending on the circumstances. I prefer power and volume when I’m at home listening to music. If I’m at the gym, I need something rugged and capable of blocking out sound. Sony’s new LinkBuds Fit meets my needs. Also: The best headphones for working out in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed I had the opportunity to try out a pair for the past week or so, and they quickly became my go-to workout buddies. I never left home without them. Before I get into the many reasons why I love these buds, I want to quickly give a shoutout to the charging case. I received the pale green model with a marble lid and a …

Your earbuds are trash—you need these

Your earbuds are trash—you need these

Face it: Those freebie earbuds you got with your phone are pathetic. Even if you treated yourself to AirPods, they still don’t compare to these. If you want optimal noise-canceling, better sound quality, and battery life that lasts almost three nonstop days, you need these JBL wireless headphones. Yeah, the old-school kind that go over your ears instead of inside. There’s a reason why you’ve been seeing more people wearing these instead of AirPods—they’re just better. And you can get a black or white pair here for $69.99 with free shipping (reg. $99.95). 3 reasons to ditch your earbuds for good We know it’s hard to give up something that’s served you well—so far. But there are too many reasons not to stay stuck in the past. Get the JBL on-ear headphones for: Noise-canceling: Tune out distractions while you work, study, or jam to music. Do your earbuds even have this? Better sound quality: Rock out to Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar, and even Taylor Swift with JBL Pure Bass sound (the same technology that powers …

Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds for 2024

Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds for 2024

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 S2: In 2023, Bowers & Wilkins upgraded its fantastic-sounding PI7 noise-canceling earbuds. The new S2 model has better battery life and Bluetooth range, now up to 25 meters (double the previous range). Additionally, the buds now integrate into the new Bowers & Wilkins Music app for iOS and Android and have a much-improved setup experience. Sony LinkBuds S: Unlike the “open” LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S are traditional noise-isolating earbuds with tips that jam in your ears. They’re more compact and lighter than Sony’s former flagship WF-1000XM4 and also feature Sony’s V1 processor (Sony has since released the more compact WF-1000XM5). While their sound and noise canceling don’t quite measure up to either XM4s or XM5s, they’re still quite good. They’re the Sony buds for people who can’t afford Sony’s flagship earbuds but want 80% of those buds’ features and performance for significantly less. Sony WF-1000XM4: Released in 2021, Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earned a CNET Editors’ Choice Award. They’re still excellent earbuds, but Sony has now released the next-gen WF-1000XM5. They may be …

These transparent earbuds by Nothing made my AirPods look and sound boring

These transparent earbuds by Nothing made my AirPods look and sound boring

Nina Raemont/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways  For $99, the new Nothing Ear (a) earbuds offer clear sound and a thoughtful design.  Their affordability, comfort, and long battery life make them a great option for budget-conscious shoppers. Unfortunately, its middling noise-canceling tech doesn’t protect you from external noises.  Most of the audio tech on the market right now errs on the side of aesthetic caution. I’ve tested plenty of earbuds this year, and something I’ve noticed is that many manufacturers sacrifice style for functionality, opting for blacks, grays, and enough matte finishes to fit inside a therapist’s office — much to my chagrin. In the words of the late, great Andre Leon Talley, “it’s a famine of beauty” over here.   Also: Why I ditched my AirPods Pro for Nothing’s new transparent earbuds (and don’t regret it) So when Nothing sent me its new earbuds, I was excited to finally see a cool, fresh, and exciting design, and they’re worthy of a callout. I’ve been testing the new Nothing Ear (a) earbuds since launch, taking them on a ten-mile …

Beats Solo Buds review: Apple’s budget earbuds rock | Headphones

Beats Solo Buds review: Apple’s budget earbuds rock | Headphones

Apple’s latest Beats-branded earbuds offer the sound, fit and Android-loving features of its popular Studio Buds but in a smaller, much cheaper and longer-lasting package. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. The Solo Buds follow in the footsteps of last year’s Buds+, offering full integration with Apple’s various devices and Google’s Android, making the best of both platforms. But Beats has cut a few features here and there to reduce the price to £80 (€90/$80/A$130), which is half the cost of the brand’s other true wireless buds. They look remarkably similar to the Studio Buds and Buds+, keeping the compact pill shape but with a little refinement in the shape that touches fewer parts of my ear for even greater comfort. They feel light and fit very well, with a range of four sizes of earbud tips included. The top of the earbud protrudes slightly from your ear to make them easy to grip. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian A hidden button just …

These Bose earbuds are by far the best noise-canceling earbuds — and they’re  off right now

These Bose earbuds are by far the best noise-canceling earbuds — and they’re $50 off right now

Nina Raemont/ZDNET What’s the ZDNET-recommended deal?  Right now, Best Buy and Amazon are discounting the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, taking $50 off the original price of one of the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy.  As earbuds become more capable and packed with sophisticated features, it can be a laborious task to find which earbuds will work best for you. Choosing from different shapes, sizes, and capabilities leaves you with a sea of options. Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones But the latest from Bose, the new QuietComfort Ultra earbuds promise improved noise-canceling, higher-quality sound, all-day comfort, and an interesting take on spatial audio, and may just be the all-encompassing pair that shoppers have been waiting for.  I spent many weeks with the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds and took a deep dive into its very best features. Are these the top earbuds you can buy? How do they stack up against the competition? And are they worth the price tag? I answer all of those questions below. View at Best Buy The QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, which I’ll refer …