My non-negotiable for any kind of trip is a good pair of headphones. Public transport without a way to zone out from my surroundings? Unthinkable. A good podcast, playlist or audiobook can make any tediously long journey pass in double-quick time.

Day-to-day, my over-ear cans are my playlist-deliverer of choice, and so far I've been lugging them around on my vacations too, but I've decided it's time to invest in some earbuds for travel. The main benefit of an in-ear option is that it's significantly more compact for packing, but in hotter climes, I've also been struggling with overheating ears (it's a privileged problem, but a problem nonetheless, okay?) — and I'm concerned about what the sweat and suncream is doing to my earcup padding.

Luckily, the talented TechRadar Audio team has been busy testing dozens of pairs of earbuds, and I have plenty of well-reviewed options to choose from — I've rounded up my top contenders below. All of these come highly recommended, but the top three are 5-star buys. Click the 'View details' button for more info about each one, and why I'm considering it. For more options, head to our general roundup of the very best headphones for travel.

Brilliant travel earbuds

Bose headphones and earbuds are some of the best in the business. I'm a fan, having used a pair of Bose QuietComfort Headphones for many years now. And our audio experts rate them highly too, with many of the latest models scoring maximum five-star reviews. Now, several of those top-rated cans and buds are down to record-low prices at Amazon.

• Browse all Bose deals at Amazon

Let's start with these Bose QuietComfort Headphones at Amazon for $179 (was $359). This is the lowest price they've been all year and amazingly even lower than what they fell to during last year's Black Friday. It's a fantastic time to buy if you want some brilliant four-star Bose headphones for a price that I don't think will be beaten for a while.

You'd have thought that Prime Day was still going on with the level of deals available on these Bose headphones and earbuds. The sale is definitely over for another year, though, so I wouldn't wait too long if you're tempted by any of these offers. They could end at any moment now and likely won't be back until Black Friday in November.

Today's 5 best Bose deals at Amazon

Cleer Arc 5: Two-minute review

Almost every one of the best open earbuds I’ve tested, has been designed for sports users. They let you hear your surroundings at the gym, remain aware when running in a busy area, and keep alert when cycling on a road. I don’t think Cleer missed this memo – the brand’s intentionally going for something completely different.

The Cleer Arc 5 are open earbuds designed not for sports, but for the rest of us. I was skeptical when I first saw them, but they’ve surprised me — in both good and bad ways.

The presence of Dolby Atmos and THX Spatial Audio means these are suited for watching a TV show or movie on your commute, and their support for a range of better Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC and aptX Adaptive, shows Cleer is aiming for audiophile-quality earbuds here. Those are some exceptional features for a form factor that naturally competes with loads of extraneous background sounds.

Cleer’s app hides loads of other features too, including a posture test which uses the buds’ positional tools, and the ability to set sedentary reminders if you’re too often stuck in one spot.

The design department makes it clear that these aren’t sports buds. Though surprisingly sturdy during a run, the buds are much bulkier than your average svelte runners’ wear. And the presence of an on-case display, full of controls and settings, clearly signposts this as not for active users. When I go to the gym or for a run, the case is always left at home.

Unfortunately, despite the impressive specs and clear focus on listening quality, the Achilles’ Heel of these earbuds is the sound quality. There’s a real lack of expansie through the soundstage, and both treble and bass feel poorly defined. The open-ear form factor doesn’t help here, especially with a max volume that’s simple not loud enough, but many similar earbuds I’ve tested sound a lot better.

It’s a shame that these don’t sound fantastic, and is surprising too when you see the price tag. For some users, I see the feature set trumping the sound quality. The fantastic battery life, health features and spatial audio might trump below-average sound. But it begs the question who these are designed for, if not audiophiles or fitness fans.

Cleer Arc 5 review: Price and release date

• Released in March 2026
• Made their debut at $219 (about £170 / AU$340)
• Some of the priciest within their category

The Cleer Arc 5 were announced on March 16, 2026, only four months after their predecessors. That was a quick turnaround!

You can buy the Arc 5 for $219.99 (about £170, AU$340 — no word on a release outside the US, as with the Arc 4). So these are some of the most expensive open earbuds out there.

To my mind only the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and Shokz OpenFit Pro cost more, but they’re both explicitly designed for sports, while the Cleer is aimed at an audiophile market.

Cleer Arc 5 review: Specs

Cleer Arc 5 review: Features

• 12-hour battery life, 60 with case
• 8-band EQ, plus presets
• Loads of features including posture test

If there’s an area where the Cleer Arc 5 stand out, it’s in the feature set — it seems that this is what the buds were designed to do.

It starts with the basics: the battery life here is great for open earbuds. You’re getting 12 hours of listening per charge, with 60 hours once you factor in the charging case itself. Beyond a few endurance-focused earbuds, those figures are at the top of their class.

Boot up the Cleer+ app on your phone, and you’re getting a smorgasbord of tools — admittedly in a pretty confusing lay-out. You can use the app to toggle spatial audio, change between EQ modes and create custom ones, change what the touch and gesture controls do, change the case wallpaper, edit what tools are available via the case, and more.

The equalizer is an 8-band one, giving you some control over your sound, though in this day and age I’d say that 10-bands were more common. I preferred using this over the presets, which didn’t have a noticeable impact on a song’s sound.

The “and more” features I alluded to earlier are pretty out-there, hence needing a whole extra paragraph. They’re health ones: you can set up sedentary reminders to get you to move about, add volume limits to protect your hearing, and do a posture test which uses the gesture controls of the buds to evaluate whether you’re sitting straight.

For office workers, this latter is a genuinely useful feature, and I used it to ensure my seat and chair were level when working at my desk. However, for it to work properly, your phone needs to be at eye level too — I messed it up by leaving my mobile o,n my desk, and when I bent over to look at it, the test was ruined.

One feature you’re not getting in the Arc 5 is any kind of noise cancellation. It’s admittedly very rare in the open-ear space, but not unheard of (if you’ll pardon the pun).

• Features score: 4.5/5

Cleer Arc 5 review: Design

• Giant case has a touch screen
• Earbuds are on the large side, but fit solidly
• Only IPX7 protected

Let’s start with the Cleer Arc 5’s big new feature: its charging case. Big literally: it weighs 97g all on its own, and measures 8.3 x 6 x 2cm, making it one of the biggest earbud cases I’ve seen in years.

This size isn’t just to house some pretty big earbuds, but it does that with a few extra twists. It has built-in UV charging for the buds, and a mirror inside the case for some reason. For some reason, the left earbud is housed on the right, and vice versa, which was confusing for a while until I learnt to switch.

But no, the big selling point here is a screen build into the charging case. You can use it to flick between a few menus: battery, music controls, spatial audio settings, general settings, equalizer and remote camera shutter. The interface feels akin to a smartwatches’: very basic.

For changing quick settings like EQ or skipping songs, the case was quite handy: I didn’t need to dig my phone out of my pocket and get distracted by the 120 notifications from that group chat I forgot to mute. But you can’t use the case to change playlists, create an EQ or dig deep into settings, so it won’t replace your phone completely.

The earbuds also have touch controls too, which were quite easy to trigger with a tap anywhere on their body, yet never accidentally picked up an unintentional touch.

I suppose that brings us onto the earbuds. These are pretty huge, and heavy too, weighing roughly 24g each. I haven’t seen an open earbud quite this big, and was expecting them to fit pretty awfully; thankfully, I was totally wrong. I went on many runs with the Arc 5, and not once did they threaten to dislodge, or wobble more than the average open-ear does.

I’d put this down to some smart balancing of the bud and counterweight. They were always comfortable to wear, even if the weight didn’t exactly make them easy to forget.

The Cleer Arc 5 comes in black or white, and I tested the latter. They have an IPX7 rating, which makes them sweatproof but not suited to swimming. I would avoid taking them out in heavier rainfall too, just to be safe.

• Design score: 4/5

Cleer Arc 5 review: Sound quality

• Large 16.2mm driver
• Blunt and indistinct sound
• Max volume is too low for open format

I was expecting the Cleer Arc 5’s sound to be its outstanding feature. Between its 16.2mm drivers, support for LDAC, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, and high price, it seems like these could be some of the best open earbuds yet.

I’m quite surprised to report that I was wrong, and I didn’t really love listening to tunes on the Arc. The quality isn't terrible, but it's not on par with the expectations you'd have from those aforementioned specs.

Music sounds compressed, with neither the high-end nor low-end differentiated in a way that gives any sense of sound stage or distinction. Snare drums lack bite, distorted-guitar walls turn into crunchy puddles, bass wobbles over plenty of other low- or mid- instruments. The buds would perhaps sound better if they were in-ears, but hovering a few mm over your ears, it doesn't fly.

Low-end is poorly defined yet too prominent in the mix: The Human Race by BYRNE starts with a harmony that sounded more like a glitching speaker than a bass singer. This line’s meant to repeat in the chorus with a bass guitar, and it completely overrides the harmony. In 311’s Good Feeling, the bass trips over all the other instruments, replacing the usually-energetic, fun chorus with the sonic equivalent of a stubbed toe.

Also affected is the treble, as vocals and higher lines lose prominence and energy. Take, for example, Morningsider’s Thinking it Over: a string motif is dropped in the mix in the introduction, and completely lost in the pre-chorus.

I’ll concede that if you listen to acoustic or folky music, you may not notice this issue as much. In songs like Caamp’s 26, the reduced instrumentation meant I could still basically hear everything.

Well, I could hear it until I stepped outside. The Arc 5 falls into a common trap with open earbuds: their maximum volume isn’t high enough to compete with noisy surroundings. When I was running near a main road, I could barely hear my songs.

• Sound quality: 3/5

Cleer Arc 5 review: Value

• Features may go some way to justify price...
• ... but audio quality doesn't

The Cleer has quite a few neat features. I really like what the case display achieves, and the fit is solid. Plus, the movie listening features offer tools that many other earbuds don’t.

However that’s a really high price for any earbuds, let alone open-style ones — and especially not for ones that, frankly, don’t sound amazing.

There’s no way that these buds offer you value for money; you can get better audio quality for a lot less, especially if you’re happy to buy non-open-style buds.

• Value: 3/5

Should I buy the Cleer Arc 5?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Cleer Arc 5review: Also consider

How I tested the Cleer Arc 5

• Tested for one month
• Tested in a range of indoor and outdoor settings
• Used for music, gaming, calls movies and TV

I used the Cleer Arc 5 for roughly a month before writing this review of them. In that time, they were paired to a succession of Android smartphones, mostly the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Moto Edge 70 Fusion.

I listened to the Arc 5 on runs, walks around my neighborhood, office sessions, long trips on public transport and at home. I mostly streamed music via Spotify Lossless, and Apple Music, but also watched movies on a variety of streaming services, played games, and tested a few other music streamers.

I’ve been reviewing gadgets for TechRadar for over seven years now, including testing audio kit for nearly as long. In that time I’ve handled other Cleer gadgets as well as many, many other open-ear buds.

• First reviewed in May 2026

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Some of the most popular deals of Amazon Prime Day has been the discounts on AirPods, including AirPods 4 for $99 at Amazon (was $129), AirPods Pro 3 for $179 at Amazon (was $249) at Amazon, and AirPods Max 2 for $399 at Amazon (was $549).

However, Prime Day ends today, so these deals may end this evening as well.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

That's not confirmed — AirPods aren't labeled as Prime Day deals specifically, and they're also discounted at Walmart and Best Buy, so it's possible that all three retailers will keep these offers going past today. But what that means is that I don't know exactly when they'll end, and they definitely won't stick around for long, so my advice is to buy today if you want to buy a pair of AirPods.

Ah, but which pair? Surely the $99 pair is the most tempting? Well, I've tested them all, and I'm here to tell you to avoid the AirPods 4 today. $99 is now a pretty standard price for them, but last Black Friday, they fell to just $69. That's the price where they start to get tempting, because frankly they're just not very good value at $99 — the Nothing Ear (a) for $53.20 at Amazon (down from $79) are the better budget earbuds. They're half the price, but they sound better and have active noise cancellation.

So, maybe the AirPods 4 with ANC for $148 are a decent deal? Also no. These have fallen to $99 in the past, and that's a good price for them.

No, the only pair of earbuds here that are a stone-cold bargain are the AirPods Pro 3. Now, they fell to $169 recently, but Amazon's $179 deal is still a phenomenal price for earbuds this good — I wouldn't worry too much about the 10 bucks. If you can afford the extra $80 over the $99 AirPods 4, you'll get way more than that in extra value. If you can't stretch to that extra, that's totally fair — but again, I encourage you to get the Nothing buds and save yourself $45.

(I'm not really going to touch on the AirPods Max 2 here — they're their own thing, in their own price world, but $399 is their cheapest price to date, and is great value.)

In the UK? Scroll down for the best UK deals

Today's best AirPods deals in the US

Today's best AirPods deals in the UK

So why do I rate the AirPods Pro 3 so much better than the AirPods 4? They're better than the cheaper model in every way, offering massively better sound quality, active noise cancellation, and all the same features, plus a load of others that are genuinely useful, and complete game-changers in some cases.

Take the case, for example. AirPods Pro 3's case has a 'UWB' wireless chip, which means your iPhone can detect what direction it's in when it's lost, and can literally point you towards it, so you can see which jacket you left it in. And the case has a speaker in, which you can also trigger to help find it.

Or take the Live Translation of other languages in your ears, or the heart-rate tracking, so you can keep an eye on your fitness without a wearable.

Basically, AirPods 4 are a poor value for budget earbuds compared to the competition. AirPods Pro 3 are an excellent value for premium earbuds compared to the competition. Which means with just an $80 difference — which might easily pay for itself if the case stops you from losing them — the AirPods Pro 3 should be what everyone buys.

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & De'Longhi
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: up to 25% off SSDs & games
• Grand Theft Auto 6: pre-order now
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

Even though I think these cans deserve more online column inches, I'm going to be fairly brief since Amazon Prime Day ends at midnight — and I get it, you don't have much time to learn about them. That said, I do need you to know about it, so give me maybe four minutes of your time? You won't regret it.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

I think if you have heard of them, the Cambridge Melomania P100 SE perhaps got a slightly bad rep on their release. Why? Oh, purely because they were a fairly minor update on the original — and excellent — P100, to add some DynamEQ software (a slightly more V-shaped, optional sound profile in addition to the beautifully integrated hi-fi listen the originals already came with), a cushier headband, and a new colourway.

But all of that is water under the bridge. All you need to know is: they're excellent, they have all of the key features you're going to want, they're comfortable — and I know this because my other half has had them for nearly a year now, and wears them every single day — and they're only £169 (was £249) at Amazon.

I cannot tell you the full value this represents. But as TechRadar's Audio Editor, I'm going to try, so let me start out by saying that these headphones have stood the test of time. My other half plays tennis and football, plus he cycles and surfs regularly, albeit not always in headphones (to be clear, there's no IP rating here, so don't head into the sea with these headphones) and so they're been in a few sweaty bags without issue.

And the sound? It's really, really good. But that's not actually why I gave them to him: we're both huge fans of What We Do in the Shadows and Toast of London, you see. And if you select 'Southwark' in the voice prompts menu, you get Matt Berry's outstanding voice prompts to update you on battery life, noise cancellation profiles and so on…

Today's best Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE deal

See, there they are, on his desk right now! We've got the fan on and the curtains closed (working from home in a heatwave, aren't we?) but soon, he'll put them back on and continue with his listening — which, if I know him, will be Public Service Broadcasting's Every Valley on a day such as this ("Retro? GO! Fido? GO!").

Not after cans this Prime Day? That's OK! My colleague Rowan has written about the corresponding, Matt Berry-enhanced earbuds from the brand, and I'll link a little Prime Day deal block below. Also, I've got a roundup of the best earbuds and headphones deals still live this Prime Day, which might help you out.

But for me, the over-ears are too good at this price to consider buds. If I could simply scream 'BAT!' and flap my wings over to an Amazon warehouse — although (whisper it) the deal's also live at Richer Sounds, if you prefer — and nab myself a pair so I didn't have to keep stealing his, I would.

Again, Prime Day ends tonight, at midnight (when Laszlo Cravensworth and the vampires of Staten Island all come out to eat, of course) so don't say I didn't warn you…

More Prime Day deals

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

We're fast approaching the end of Prime Day, and there are still plenty of deals left to take full advantage of. This is especially more important than ever for gamers across PC and console, as prices continue to skyrocket for hardware due to the RAM crisis.

If you're already lucky enough to own a PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, or PC, then it's worth considering which new accessories will further help enhance your visual and audio experience — and I've found the best deals for the latter.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is available on Amazon for $179.95 (was $279.99), with a 36% discount, making it one of the most affordable gaming headsets currently available.

The Nova Pro is undoubtedly one of the best headsets any gamer could opt for, thanks to its wide range of compatibility, working with a PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It thrives in audio immersion with premium hi-fi drivers and 360 spatial audio.

Fortunately, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is available on Amazon for £199.99 (was £329.99) in the UK, with a slightly bigger 39% discount, making it an easier acquisition this Prime Day.

It doesn't stop there, though. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox is available on Amazon for $249.99 (was $379.99), with a steep 34% discount knocking $130 off the original price. It's the ideal option for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S owners, as it's designed for the platform via a dedicated Xbox port — but can also work on other platforms via its second USB port.

The same white model of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox is available on Amazon for £249.99 (was £329.99), great for UK consumers.

Today's best Prime Day SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro deals in the US

Today's best Prime Day SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro deals in the UK

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

Given that I review audio gadgets for a living, I tend to hoard headphones the way most people collect loose change. But there's only one pair I rely on literally every day: the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, which is why I was pleased to see they've gotten an awesome discount this Prime Day.

You can currently buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 for £255 (was £399) at Amazon UK. Not only does it make them much more affordable, but it actually brings them down to their lowest price ever. And don't feel left out if you're based in the US — you can still get a decent discount on them where you are, for $409.99 (was $479.99) at Amazon.

As reviews editor at TechRadar, I've used a ludicrous number of headphones over the years, from the absurdly premium Focal Clear MG to budget bangers like the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100. But there's only one pair that I come back to again and again, that have earned their place as my trusty workhorse when other headphones can't quite fit the bill: the Px7 S3.

So if you're looking to get superb audio without having to pay a premium for it, I definitely think you should check out this deal.

Honestly, this discount makes these headphones a valid contender for some of the best headphones out there. There's a reason we gave them 5 stars in our Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review after all.

The main reason I love the Px7 S3 for everyday use is that I can count on them to punch way above their weight in terms of sonic quality. Thanks to their aptX Lossless connectivity, they're able to stream music at what is essentially CD quality, while the soundstage they offer up feels precise yet spacious. Without spending a significant chunk more, you won't get more deft sound than this.

I also love how faithful their sound is. While I'll admit they don't offer the same driving bass as headphones like the much spendier AirPods Max 2, they also don't neglect some frequencies just to emphasize others, a shortcut many mid-range and budget cans take advantage of. They're faithful enough that I happily trust them for everyday music production, which is not something I can say about a lot of Bluetooth headphones.

And with this massive discount, I'd honestly say you can't lose with the Px7 S3.

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

I’ve been reviewing audio gear at TechRadar for years now, and there’s nothing I enjoy sinking my teeth into than a brand new pair of noise cancelling headphones. I’ve tested more than 15 pairs so far, some of which have been mind-blowingly good, and some…less so.

In a highly convoluted market, it can be tough to pick out just one pair of headphones to buy, but today, I’m here to narrow things down for you. I’ve picked 4 of the best noise cancelling headphones that I’ve tested so that you can get great bang for your buck and enjoy your tunes without compromise.

There are options for a range of budgets here, from a top-class budget-friendly set all the way up to a premium pair that’s sure to bless your ears. Curious to know what made the cut? Scroll on down and discover my top picks.

1. The budget big-hitter: 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51

I’ve raved about the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 plenty of times, and for good reason. These headphones almost feel too good to be true — and on multiple counts.

Firstly, they’re incredibly cheap. They’re regularly available for less than $90 / £90, making them far more affordable than models from the likes of Apple and Bose. But that low price-point doesn’t come at the cost of quality. The Sonoflow Pro plate up surprisingly strong sound quality, with rich bass, clean mids, and controlled highs. They even have LDAC support for higher-res Bluetooth listening, which is a great feature for a product at such a budget-friendly price-point.

Another area these headphones excel in is ANC. Sure, you’re not getting Bose QuietComfort Ultra levels of noise-nixing, but they’re effective at dulling external sounds right across the frequency range, making them a nice pick for commutes or daytime walks. Pair that with an extraordinary 100 hours of battery life (65 hours with ANC on) and a sleek look, and the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are an easy recommendation.

2. The best all-rounders: Sony WH-1000XM6

If there’s one pair of noise cancelling headphones I’d recommend to everyone, it would be the Sony WH-1000XM6. These are the headphones that I use every single day, and in my eyes, they’re the perfect all-rounders, delivering class-leading ANC, stellar sound, and an ingenious design.

Let’s start with ANC which is so good here, that it even beats out Sony’s newer, more expensive headphones, the Sony 1000X The Collexion. The XM6 make use of Sony’s QN3 processor, which harnesses the power of 12 microphones to block out noise from your environment, and while they’re great across the board, they’re especially good at keeping low-end sounds away, even outdoing Bose in this area in my view.

Yes the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2 are arguably a bit better at banishing higher-pitched sounds, but we’re talking about fine margins here. And I’d pick the XM6 over their Bose rivals every time for one key reason: they sound a good deal better, in my view.

The XM6 were co-designed with leading mastering engineers for a studio-inspired sound, and take a more balanced approach than their predecessors, the still excellent Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony WH-1000XM4. They still sound nice and punchy however, and their tight and dynamic sound is a joy to behold. Again, LDAC is here if you want a more detailed listen — as is 3.5mm wired connectivity.

On top of this, the XM6 offer top-tier touch controls, scene-based listening, a ten-band equalizer, and an effective transparency mode. In our best headphones guide, we ranked these as our best overall pick, and I’d strongly recommend you try them for yourself and find out why.

3. The noise-nixing on-ears: Marshall Milton ANC

Here’s something a little different. Yes, the recently released Marshall Milton ANC aren’t like any other entries in this list, as they’re actually on-ear headphones. The Milton ANC look to blend the iconic look and feel of the Marshall Major line with the noise cancelling prowess of the Marshall Monitor III ANC, and what do you know, they pull it off to perfection.

When I reviewed the Marshall Milton ANC, they honestly outstripped my expectations. See, I’m not generally a fan of on-ears, as I tend to find them uncomfortable, and their tendency to leak sound usually means I’ll just reach for my over-ears instead. But the Milton ANC are by far the comfiest on-ears I’ve ever tested, with a generous, flexible build — and they honestly sound great too, with less leakage than some rivals I’ve tested.

Out of the box, the Milton ANC are pretty bass-heavy, which will appeal to a lot of listeners I’m sure. However, the Marshall Bluetooth app provides an equalizer for toning things down a bit if you want a more even spread across the frequency range. Unlike previous Marshall products, these also feature LDAC for higher-res listening, but you’ll also get USB-C audio passthrough for lossless playback.

What’s more, the Milton ANC feature a colossal 80 hour battery life (with ANC off), a soundstage mode for more immersive listening, Auracast connectivity, and a gorgeous retro-style design. They’re also made of 42% recycled materials, and you can get replaceable parts in the situation that they break, which makes them feel like a worthwhile long-term investment.

OK, the ANC is a little limited as a result of the on-ear design, but they still restrict outside noise pretty effectively, and I’ve happily used them on trains and buses with very little distraction from whatever I’m listening to. So, if you want the flexibility that on-ears can offer with the benefits of noise cancelling, then the Marshall Milton ANC are without question my top choice.

4. The premium pick: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

Last and most definitely not least, we have the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3. If you want something that feels, looks, and sounds truly premium, this is it — this is what you’ve been looking for.

The first time that I put these headphones on, they took my breath away. They conjure up a sense of space that few rivals in this price bracket can muster, with incredibly immersive, almost three-dimensional sound. Bass is full-sounding, extends deep, and hits with striking agility. Mids are brilliantly defined, and vocal separation adds a layer of nuance that will keep you coming back for more and more. And the treble is vibrant without sounding uncontrolled or fatiguing.

And the Px7 S3 almost look as good as they sound, with an enticing faux-leather, metal, and fabric combination. They even come in an eye-catching range of colors, with Indigo Blue and Canvas White being my personal favorites. Mix in aptX codec support, much-improved ANC (compared to their predecessor), and a comfortable fit, and you’re getting a brilliant overall package.

While their sibling, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is the superior pair of headphones, they are far more expensive than the Px7 S3, which I think are fantastic in their own right, and I’d recommend with confidence.

I need to make something abundantly clear, gentle reader. I ought perhaps to mention that we're tracking every Amazon Prime Day deal worth noticing if that's what you're after (and that the event is ongoing as I type), but, probably because of this big sale thing, I've been getting the question a lot and wanted to pin my colours to the mast.

Right then: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and no other set of earbuds before or since these June 2025-issue buds still offer the best active noise cancellation on the market, provided your source device doesn't have a piece of fruit with a bite taken out of it etched on the back. I test earbuds as a full-time job and have done so since 2019 (I know, nice work, etc.), so it's my job to know these things.

Other buds can offer better sound; I might point you towards Technics or Bowers & Wilkins here. And there are further buds I'd nudge you towards if you want novel features (here it is impossible not to note Samsung's own sets with live translation, as well as the ubiquitous ice-white offerings from Tim Cook's behemoth, some of which can monitor your heart rate). But for solid ANC, with music present and correct? Bose wrote the book on the technology, and Bose's buds are emphatically still the best.

And although I'm contractually bound to tell you that right now, you can get the QCU Earbuds (2nd Gen) for a whopping £89 off, since they're now £209 rather than £299 at Amazon (and their lowest discount before today was to £249, so it's big), that's not why I'm here.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

No, I want to set the record straight once and for all. Until such time as a new set of earbuds swoops in and steals the spoils, this is the current, up-to-the-minute hierarchy.

Yes, AirPods Pro can cut out the noise, and I've got a roundup of the top AirPods Prime Day deals if you need 'em. But unless you own an iPhone, those won't serve you as well — which is how Apple wants to keep it. If you're on Android, I maintain that the earbuds you're reading about now are hands-down the best. And they don't care what file format or streaming service you're listening to when it comes to offering the excellent head-tracked spatial stuff, too…

Today's best Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) deal

My in-depth Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review is the place to go for my own even more detailed appraisal, but a cursory glance at the maximum five-star rating is perhaps all you need, along with this: They're just really, really good.

Also, for those with particular interest, the 'Sonic Sangria' finish pictured above is in the deal (hurrah!), and please believe me when I tell you they get plenty of compliments when I wear them. (All other finishes are included in the deal, though.)

I keep these buds beside my home desk, because the tree surgeons have been out in force recently (joy), and nothing cuts out chainsaw shrieks and the sound of falling timber quite like these. I also keep them here for when I'm testing the active noise cancellation efficacy of the competition. Yes, the Bose QCUE (2nd Gen) are essentially my reference product for ANC — a benchmark for what can be achieved in an in-ear design, if you've got a very special set of skills.

With this particular second-generation model, you get wireless charging from the box (which wasn't so with the originals) and multi-point connectivity that works seamlessly, something the original QCU Earbuds also bizarrely lacked on their release.

I also need to point out that I adore the Immersive audio profiles, which somehow mix device- and streaming service-agnostic spatial audio plus Bose's iconic noise-nixing to provide various vigorous, zealous, exciting soundstages for your movies or music.

Some of the best earbuds on the market? Oh absolutely. And one of the best Prime Day earbuds deals I've seen? Oh, OK then — 100% yes.

More Prime Day deals

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

If you're looking for a pair of dependable, excellent quality headphones for a great price, I can recommend the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Black/Copper which are available for $179.95 (was $270.20) at Amazon US: a return to a record-low.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

If you're in the UK, the Momentum 4 Black/Copper are available for £160.99 (was £172.99) at Amazon UK, another record-low price.

There have been some terrific Amazon Prime Day deals on the best headphones, but this is my pick. I use the Momentum 4's every single day and since I bought them in November 2024, they've been an excellent companion.

Today's best Sennheiser Momentum 4 deals

Perfectly balanced

While the Momentum 4 may be a couple of years old now, and their successor the Sennheiser Momentum 5 have arrived, the Momentum 4 are still an excellent pair of headphones that I enjoy using every day.

Their main strength for me personally is their sound profile. While it's on the more neutral side, as opposed to the more bass-centric sound of Sony for example, I find the Momentum 4 can cover a wide range of genres really well.

Whether it's the delicate piano of 'To Zanarkand' from Final Fantasy X as I sit at my desk, the crunching, relentless guitars and drums of Dir En Grey or an electro-pop banger from Lady Gaga like 'Abracadabra', I've found the Momentum 4 do a great job offering punchy bass, clear trebles and highs, plus refined mid-tones — all well balanced and giving every aspect room to breathe.

During my travels I've found that the Momentum 4 offer excellent noise-cancelling, effectively shutting out loud conversations on busy public transport. Within the easy-to-use Smart Control app, you can control the level of ANC you want and its transparency setting in particular is excellent for busy city centres.

Battery life on the Momentum 4 is remarkable. I use them for multiple hours a day and rarely have to charge them more than once a week. Boasting a 60 hour battery life with ANC ON (yes, on) means the headphones can go. And go. And...

Aesthetically, the Momentum 4 are a little plain, and they don't have a folding design like other headphones (see Sony WH-1000XM6), but I think the trade-off in design is worth it for the sound quality. In terms of comfort, I've personally worn these headphones for up to 10 hours in a row and never found them uncomfortable.

I bought these headphones for £249 ($320 converted) in November 2024, and I thought they were excellent value then, down from their $349 / £300 launch price. At $179.50 / £160, they're a steal.

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

Sorry Sony (and Bose, and AirPods) I know the best earbuds I've ever tested — and they're a Technics product called the EAH-AZ100.

I know, try to see past the immediately forgettable name, because once you get past that alphabetty spaghetti, there's a seriously good set of earbuds in a great little offer here.

Do you like my lead image? I just went out into the full glare of the sun on the hottest recorded UK day in June — for a full three minutes — to get it, to prove I'm using them right now. I also snapped the photo above because the most-asked question I get when I tell people I'm TechRadar's Audio Editor is 'What are the best earbuds with noise cancelling?'

Take note of the subtle shift in phrasing there; not the best noise cancelling earbuds — no, the best current earbuds with noise cancelling. They're quite different things actually, because one can be read as 'I just want the closest thing to actively-generated silence I can get, in a small box please', whereas this specific question above prioritises sound quality, but adds ANC because it is a desirable extra. And I love that.

Anyway, people want a definitive answer and leave the complicated reasoning to Scarrott. Obviously I'm flattered, because it means they trust my judgement (well done there. I do know my stuff). But I've already spilled the answer above: it's these Technics buds, and has been for quite some time.

They came out in January 2025, and they're built on the original May 2023-issue EAH-AZ80, which were also excellent. And both products are somehow still the only earbuds on the market able to offer multipoint to three devices simultaneously, rather than two. Think it's a small perk? Try it for two weeks, then give them back to me. You won't be able to…

Today's best Technics EAH-AZ100 deal

Look, the Technics EAH-AZ100 are still sitting pretty at the top of my guide to the best earbuds for a reason. They're incredibly secure and comfortable to wear; Technics pioneered a 'concha fit' design (which initially looks a little deep for a top-plate, but works beautifully), and it's a trick several rivals soon adopted in a post-AirPods-stem market, whether they'd choose to admit it or not.

They also offer LDAC support, which is one of my favourite hi-res wireless codecs and a simple route to better-quality audio streaming for Samsung and Sony smartphone owners.

And did I mention the call handling? It's excellent. Technics deploys both its known Sidetone tech (to slightly amplify your own voice, so it's not muffled by the buds in your ears as you talk) plus its newer proprietary JustMyVoice technology here, which captures your speech while simultaneously suppressing background noise.

Noise cancelling is also very good, but best of all, though, is the sound. As we enthused in our Technics EAH-AZ100 review, the soundstage is neutral and natural, yet simultaneously expansive, engagingly dynamic, and energetic.

I've used the EAH-AZ100 earbuds practically every day since they launched. Before that, I'd used their older siblings every day, and let me tell you: they're the best. I say this as someone with much of the consumer earbuds oeuvre at their disposal (I'm not bragging, it's work — my job is to review earbuds and headphones), so I do know the best from the also-rans.

Yes, I typically prefer over-ears for sound quality, but when running around, earbuds are more portable — especially in a UK heatwave where those ear cups can get a little hot. And in an in-ear design, I love the sonic performance of these buds, especially when the Prime Day deal is this good.

I've seen a lot of amazing deals in the Amazon Prime Day sales, but this one tops them all : you can score a huge saving on the class-leading Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones, now down to $378 (was $459.99) at Amazon. That's a record-low price!

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

For those of you in the UK, I've got good news: the Sony WH-1000XM6 are £284.99 (was £399) at John Lewis. That's another lowest-ever price for Sony's top-tier wireless headphones, and you don't even need to be a Prime member to snag this particular deal up.

I use these headphones every single day — I even wore them while writing this article — and they're easily my favorite wireless headphones I've ever used. They deliver a beautiful combination of well-rounded, dynamic sound, out-of-this-world ANC, a gorgeous yet practical design, and a gigantic featureset, resulting in a top-tier user experience. Want to hear more? Then scroll on down for more info on these exceptional offers.

Today's best Sony WH-1000XM6 deal in the US

Today's best Sony WH-1000XM6 deal in the UK

In my Sony WH-1000XM6 review, I described them as "a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones that combine the best design elements of their predecessors, while leveling up the sonic and ANC capabilities of what came before." And one year later, that still rings true.

To this day, I'm still astonished by how great the XM6 sound — their well-balanced, punchy, and dynamic audio is seriously addictive. They also married the convenience of the XM4's foldable design with the sleek look of the XM5, while improving the headband for an ultra-comfortable, flexible fit.

For me, the Sony WH-1000XM6 beat just about every rival in their price bracket, with more intricate, balanced sound than the Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 can plate up, and superior battery life and value compared to the AirPods Max 2. Sony's cans are just great all-round performers, and so it will come as no surprise that they sit atop our guide to the best headphones.

And at less than $380 / £285, there really is no better time to get your hands on Sony's best noise-cancelling headphones. As someone who uses these cans every day, and has done for over a year now, they're easily my top recommendation — especially at this price!

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

When you’re shopping for a new pair of headphones, you naturally want them to sound good, but how often do you actually think about how they look?

As someone who lives and breathes headphones, I think I’m experienced enough to claim that most pairs look the same. A simple, minimalist set of cans, usually available in black or white, and maybe with some chrome or coloured accents.

Pretty boring, right?

That’s certainly not the case with the Nothing Headphone (a) which, along with the flagship Nothing Headphone (1), completely reinvent headphone design for the better — and the former has now received a huge 36% discount at Amazon in the run up to Prime Day 2026 in Australia.

These are Nothing’s second over-ear headphone attempt, and they earned a glowing 4.5-star rating in our Nothing Headphone (a) review. We claimed them to be the “dream tech version 2.0” over the flagship Headphone (1), thanks to improved, more spacious sound, while retaining the same fantastic set of controls to adjust playback.

And then there’s how they look. The Headphone (a) are unmistakably a Nothing product, but the design has been softened a little compared to the flagship pair. The cassette tape look has been subbed out for a solid colour, available in white, pink or yellow. The pink colourway has received the biggest discount of 36%.

The Headphone (1) are still a fantastic pair of cans in their own right. They also come with the bold claim of being tuned by esteemed hi-fi brand KEF. As we said in our Nothing Headphone (1) review, the sound is “reasonably refined, well-balanced, and broadly enjoyable”.

The slight downside is that the Headphone (1) sound a little compressed — I’ve used these headphones and can vouch for that comment. I personally don’t think it’s a huge deal breaker, though, and the amount of personalisation on offer via the companion app more than makes up for it. Plus, as our tester noted, “if they get a price drop, these could be great headphones”, and here it is.

With both pairs now costing similar money, your buying decision could well just come down to aesthetics. Regardless, you’ll be catching looks wherever you go.

For all the iPhone’s talents, there’s still one glaring area that’s plagued it since its launch, and where it’s arguably inferior to certain Android devices: wireless audio quality transmission. More specifically, high-resolution, or lossless, audio.

Yes, despite Apple offering select albums and tracks in up to hi-res lossless audio quality via Apple Music — at no extra charge, no less — no pair of Apple headphones actually supports the format. The AirPods Max 2, and the refreshed first-gen set of Apple’s over-ear headphones, support lossless audio when connected via USB-C, but not true high resolution.

For the majority of music fans it won’t matter that iPhones don’t support higher quality audio codecs. But considering Android devices do support them, and the fact there are genuine audible benefits to higher quality streams, why wouldn’t you want to get them if the option was there?

It continues to be a peculiar oversight by the tech giant, I feel, but fortunately there is a super simple workaround to unlocking the sonic benefits of high-res, all thanks to Sennheiser and a plug-in USB-C adapter. And for the low price of just AU$59.

There are plenty of reasons for wanting to unlock high-res audio from your smartphone. First and foremost, there’s a very good chance it’s already included with your music streaming service subscription. Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz and now even Spotify all offer higher-res versions of millions of songs. Look at it this way — you’re paying for that quality, but if you’re listening with an iPhone and a pair of AirPods you’re missing out on a vastly superior music experience.

This Sennheiser dongle fixes that, although as previously mentioned, you will need a pair of compatible headphones, and nothing from Apple itself makes the cut. While the BTD 700 can transmit high-resolution, or lossless audio from an iPhone via aptX Adaptive, the AirPods won’t receive it, and will instead revert to inferior AAC or SBC codecs.

If you need some suggestions, there are some top-rated pairs on sale now for EOFY that support either aptX Adaptive or aptX Lossless, or both, that will take full advantage of what the BTD 700 transmitter can offer.

What is lossless audio?

Lossless audio can be a bit of a contentious subject in some circles (here’s looking at you audiophiles). Some claim it’s the best thing since sliced bread, while others claim they can’t hear any noticeable difference in quality.

Throw in myriad codec options that each do something a little different, and it’s easy to see why it’s not only confusing, but also hard to really care about.

In theory, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs are capable of carrying more information than AAC or SBC (which the iPhone supports). Lossless audio streams go one better by delivering a bit‑perfect CD‑quality stream.

Even then, however, it’s not fully guaranteed, because you need every step in the chain to be working at its full potential. You first need a good recording that actually contains all the extra information, and then you need a capable set of headphones. And, since we’re talking about wireless transmission here, it can still be susceptible to interference, which can have a negative effect on sound quality.

But if you already own decent Snapdragon Sound cans, the BTD 700 finally lets them run the codec they were designed around instead of being stuck on AAC, which is a genuine quality win — especially from an iPhone.

If you’re keen to reap the benefits of higher quality sound, you may want to jump on this deal. I’ve seen it going in and out of stock on an almost daily basis.

Gotta be AirPods? Gotta be AirPods Pro 3? Well you're not alone — and that's good, because they're the most popular headphones in the world for a reason. The even better news is: the best and newest models are discounted — and they're discounted well.

We're covering Amazon Prime Day constantly, throughout the huge three-day shindig, but I've corralled the best savings across all sites and regions right here, on this page.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Top of the heap for me would be the excellent AirPods Max 2, which are now just $399 at Amazon (was $549) if you live Stateside. Yes, the new ones and yes, it's as cheap as we've ever seen Apple's newest and most flagship of headphones.

Need those ice-white buds? In the US, AirPods Pro 3 are now down to just $179 (was $249.99) in another corker of a lowest-seen-price deal.

In the UK, the AirPods Pro 3 deal isn't quite as good as 32% off, but they're still a tidy 20% off, taking their price down to just £175 (was £219.99).

And Brits, don't think I haven't got more for you too! AirPods 4 are now just £79.80 (down from a regular price of £119) and also, the fourth-generation set with ANC are now just £125.40 (down from £169).

Not the exact models you were after? That's fine, simply scroll for the best AirPods deals where you are, all live now.

Today's best Prime AirPods deals in the US

Today's best Prime Day AirPods deals in the UK

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

How many more times (and in how many more ways) can I say this? Nothing's most recent batch of colorful, joyful and hang it all refreshingly different listening gear is nothing short of excellent for the money.

And the thing is, those already-excellent asking fees have just been further reduced, in some cases by up to 49% off for Prime Day.

• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale

My pick of the over-ear headphones bunch would be the excellent noise-cancelling CMF Headphone Pro, which have absolutely no business looking this good, or indeed sounding so fabulously fun, for just $65 — a massive 34% off an original launch fee that's barely eight months old.

And if you're after earbuds, it'd be easy to just opt for the cheapest of the cheap, and let me be clear, 49% off the CMF Buds 2a, making them just $19.99 rather than $39 is incredibly low, however you try to slice it. But for me, the Nothing Ear (a) still win out, with a new lowest-seen price of just $53.20 (was $99 at launch, although $79 is their most-recent discounted price) .

And I'm not even done! I also love the firm's second stab at flagship headphones, the Nothing Headphone (a), not to be confused with the inaugural Heaphone (1) which do not feature in this list (yes, I know Nothing's naming strategy can be confusing. That's why you stick with me). No, this newer, far better set of over-ears retains the unusual aesthetic of the original effort but adds much better, fuller, more expansive audio and offers excellent on-ear controls to further enhance it all, plus a battery life that's, well, nothing short of excellent.

Not after headphones or earbuds? It's OK, you can see the best of the new deals, as they drop, in our Amazon Prime Day live blog.

Nothing's insane Prime Day savings – quick links

• CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro: was $99, now just $61.75
• Nothing Headphone (a): was $199, now just $151.05
• CMF by Nothing Buds 2(a): was $39, now just $19.99

Nothing's huge Prime Day sale — the cans and earbuds to snap up

If I had to pick, I'm still going for the delightfully fresh, luxuriously padded teal CMF Headphone Pro, which I regularly reach for (and I test headphones for a living, remember) owing to the easy-breezy on-ear controls and fun, zealous sound when I'm out and about.

That said, there's a little more clarity in the Headphone (a) and I do love the cassette-type look of the ear cups. But if you need a bit of wiggle room in your bag for other essentials, earbuds suddenly start looking very good indeed, no?

That said, the Nothing Ear (3) are the best if you regularly record your voice, thanks to their 'Super Mic'. It's the shiny button directly under the snappy case magnet labelled 'TALK' and it's a lot of fun. It's best to think of it as very much like those little clip-on wireless mics content creators hold very close to their mouths on social media — except now, they might hold an earbuds case to their lips to add voiceovers.

Nothing calls Super Mic a "breakthrough dual-microphone system driven by ambient-filtering technology." Essentially, the dual MEMS beamforming mics built into the case focus on your voice, cutting through surrounding noise (up to 95dB is the claim) for clearer calls and voice notes. And no other product in this little roundup has it. Food for thought, then…

More Amazon Prime Day deals

• Amazon Prime: sign up for a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire TV, Ring & Blink from £21.99
• Apple: AirPods Pro 3 for a record-low price
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja, Tefal & Sage
• Essentials: household goods from under £10
• Laptops: from £149.99
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £125
• TVs: from £129.99

Here at TechRadar, we test dozens of pairs of headphones every year. And while we've been won over by many an ultra-pricey set of cans, we also love a cheap pair of headphones that punches above its price tag. This article is dedicated to showcasing these wallet-friendly wonders. I asked TechRadar's audio specialists which headphones they'd recommend to buyers on a budget, and you'll find their suggestions below.

If it's true wireless in-ears you're after, you'd struggle to do better than the Nothing Ear (a) buds, which Audio Editor Becky Scarrott awarded a perfect five stars, calling them "a resounding home run" for the British startup and praising the noise cancellation, sound quality and battery life in particular. In the current Amazon Prime Day deals, they're unbeatable value at under $55 / £50.

In the over-ear arena, standouts are the CMF Pro and the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51, both of which earned 4.5 stars in our tests. The former were put through their paces by Becky, who was impressed with the "superb" sound quality in general, and was pleasantly surprised to discover "the sort of... personal sound profile curation [we're] more used to seeing in headphones much higher up the food chain". The latter were reviewed by our review's team's resident headphone specialist Harry Padoan, who praised the "adept audio, noise-crushing ANC and eye-catching design". Both are even better value than usual right now, too, thanks to those Prime (and rival-Prime) deals.

Read on for more budget-maximizing buys — and hit the 'View details' button for a summary of what we thought of them in our tests, plus links to the full reviews.

Top cheap earbuds and headphones

Do you need headphones for the next semester or term? I get it. And is money, er, relatively tight? Again, I understand — and the good news is, a huge sales event known as Amazon Prime Day is here to help.

See all early Prime Day deals at Amazon

I'm also here to help, as TechRadar's audio editor and full-time headphones tester since 2019. So, even if I do flatter myself, I know what makes a good set of headphones — and which pairs will lend themselves to studying that aren't those flagship sets few people can afford on a student loan.

When I went to college, there was no Bluetooth audio (why thank you but no really, it's true). There were also no music streaming services and the MP3 format was very much in its infancy.

What I did have was a portable CD player and some Sony headphones. And let me tell you that I owe every exam I passed to these products (plus my local HMV store, which I scurried along to armed with money from a part-time job waiting tables at a Wimpy restaurant).

As a dancer since age two, it turns out I have always needed music and simultaneous movement (or the compulsion to move) to retain information from books. I've since found out I'm not alone — and maybe that's why you're here.

What follows are the four best pairs of headphones I've found for students. I'll explain why briefly, and link to the best deals live now. And don't worry, you've got this.

1. CMF Headphone Pro: artsy over-ears that won't break the bank

Did you know that CMF is simply Nothing's more affordable arm — so these headphones carry a lot of Nothing Headphone (a) magic, just in a more affordable build? And what a lovely original build it is too.

I tested these budget-friendly, very comfortable and surprisingly customizable over-ear headphones and if zealous, bass-hungry sound quality sounds like a bit of you, you'll love these. Add to this the outstanding battery life, the kinds of hearing tests (and personal sonic profile curation) I'm more used to seeing in headphones much higher up the food chain, an 'Energy-slider' that can ramp up the low end even further and a glorious volume wheel on the right ear cup that's something reminiscent of much pricier headgear (the kind made by a company named after a fruit, if you get me) and they're a winning combination.

All of this for a sub-$100 / £80 fee — before we start looking for discounts? OK, the ANC is acceptable rather than amazing and you don't get a hard case, but still, you’ll struggle to find a more original set of affordable headphones that offer this much for this little. Need more? Read my glowing 4.5-star CMF Headphone Pro review.

CMF Headphone Pro

TechRadar's official review scores

Features

4.5

Sound Quality

4.5

Design

4.5

Battery Life

5

Noise Cancellation

4

Value

4.5

Overall

4.5

Group 1 Data

Product	Features ()	Sound Quality ()	Design ()	Battery Life ()	Noise Cancellation ()	Value ()	Overall ()
CMF Headphone Pro	4.5	4.5	4.5	5	4	4.5	4.5

2. OneOdio Focus A6: one of the team's best budget headphones by a mile

For one of the TechRadar team, these are the best affordable cans they've ever tested — and it's not even close, as a quick scan of our 4.5-star review of the OneOdio Focus A6 shows.

You know the flagship Apple cans I vaguely mentioned before — the ones that very few of us can afford? This particular team member prefers the product you're looking at here to those elite over-ears, for sound. What else makes them so good? Well, USB-C audio support, a solid and classy build quality, plus a super-slick companion app you very rarely see at this level and Bluetooth 6.0 for starters.

Again, the ANC is very good rather than stellar, but this is budget-friendly territory and you will struggle to better it at anything like this price point. Highly recommended.

OneOdio Focus A6

TechRadar's official review scores

Features

4

Sound Quality

4.5

Design

4.5

Battery Life

5

Noise Cancellation

4

Value

5

Overall

4.5

Group 1 Data

Product	Features ()	Sound Quality ()	Design ()	Battery Life ()	Noise Cancellation ()	Value ()	Overall ()
1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51	4	4.5	4.5	5	4	5	4.5

3. 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51: ignore the name — focus on the value

Try to get past the name that sounds like some sort of water filtration system (sorry, maybe just me?) and there's a musically sensitive and expressive set of headphones here that'll reward you time and again for your nominal asking fee.

In fact, we called them the "ultimate in sound-per-pound value" in our 4.5-star in-depth 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review. The aesthetic is much more 'your average set of basic cans' here, but at school, college or university (where the security of your valuables will never be far from your mind), that's no bad thing. And although they might look fairly anonymous, the budget has certainly been spent on the drivers under the hood, because they sound fantastic for the money.

Here, the app isn't especially slick, but it's functional. Also, the battery life is extensive, the ANC is up to scratch and you can even listen via 3.5mm with the bundled cable in the box. If you don't mind their relatively anonymous looks, it's a winner.

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51

TechRadar's official review scores

Features

4

Sound Quality

4

Design

4

Battery Life

5

Noise Cancellation

4

Value

5

Overall

4.5

Group 1 Data

Product	Features ()	Sound Quality ()	Design ()	Battery Life ()	Noise Cancellation ()	Value ()	Overall ()
1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51	4	4	4	5	4	5	4.5

4. Sony over-ears, but not as you know them

Alongside the flagship Sony WH-1000XM6 and even newer, arguably even fancier Collexion set of cans, there exists a cheaper set of Sony over-ears. And while they're a little older now (having launched in Spring 2023) they still boast effective noise cancellation and many aspects of the Sony sound quality that made their upmarket siblings the industry standard.

The name — Sony WH-CH720 — is instantly forgettable, but the sound quality is not. OK, the build is a little bit plasticky and you're not getting hi-res codecs, but the ANC does a great job at nixing extraneous sounds for this money. And while the sound feels just a tad compressed when pitted against pricier rivals, Sony's Sound Connect companion app helps to tweak things and make them a fantastic option for the money.

Also, given their relative age, I'd look out for extra discounts on Prime Day…

Sony WH_CH720

TechRadar's official review scores

Features

4.5

Sound Quality

4

Design

4

Battery Life

4.5

Noise Cancellation

4

Value

4.5

Overall

4

Group 1 Data

Product	Features ()	Sound Quality ()	Design ()	Battery Life ()	Noise Cancellation ()	Value ()	Overall ()
Sony WH-CH720	4.5	4	4	4.5	4	4.5	4

I've been a hardcore headphones user for almost four years (thank you, Sony), but when I picked up the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100s a few months back, they restored my faith in earbuds.

Since introducing one of the best earbuds back into my life, I've been using them alongside my headphones interchangeably — headphones are better for certain things, and vice versa — but the performance exceeds the low price, and Amazon Prime Day just made them cheaper.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Your next audio upgrade is waiting for you for less than £80, and Amazon UK has dropped the A100s down to £79 from £119, saving you £40 on a solid pair of earbuds we awarded five stars.

Today's best Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 deal

I stopped using earbuds years ago after going through a number of models and being let down each time. From there, I swore that earbuds would never give me what I needed quite like headphones do.

However, since I started using the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100s, all the things I enjoyed about earbuds suddenly came flooding back to me.

For starters, they're just far easier to carry around with you, and though over-ear headphones win in the comfort department, the convenience aspect wins by a landslide. However, that's not to say the Melomania A100s aren't comfortable. If anything, they fit quite pleasantly and come with different-sized sponges for you to swap out.

On the audio side of things, the Melomania A100s' noise cancelling is quite impressive for in-ear buds — I find they block out sounds just as well as headphones. That said, switching between noise-cancelling, normal, and transparency settings is very simple. All it takes is a small tap on the left earbud.

Because of their price, you're not going to get all the health tracking bells and whistles as you do with the AirPods Pro 3, but for earbuds that are centred on dynamic and well-defined audio offerings, these earbuds are really all you need.

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

If you're looking to get into the world of audiophile-grade sound, or want to upgrade your gear, then now could be the perfect time. And that's because Amazon Prime Day is finally upon us, and we've spotted a bunch of amazing deals on head-fi, with some mega bargains on IEMs, headphones, and music streamers.

• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale

I've got the rundown on some awesome offers from the likes of Astell & Kern, its affordable sub-brand, Activo, Meze, and Sennheiser, with big discounts, bundles, and more available.

As someone who's been testing audio gear for years, and has tested IEMs and headphones from all of these brands — including the featured Activo Volcano and Sennheiser IE 200 — I have to say that these deals are seriously tempting, even for me. So, whatever you do, don't miss out on some of this high-quality, yet low-priced audio gear!

Prime Day sale – quick links

• Shop Amazon's Prime Day headphones deals

Excellent Prime Day head-fi deals

More Amazon Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: sign up for a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire TV, Ring & Blink from £21.99
• Apple: AirPods Pro 3 for a record-low price
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja, Tefal & Sage
• Essentials: household goods from under £10
• Laptops: from £149.99
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £125
• TVs: from £129.99

You're here to see which flagship noise-cancelling headphones are best, and I get it. One way to deduce which is the better buy might traditionally be newness, right? Not so easy here. One set of headphones here has a September 2025 release, one boasts a newer March 2026 launch date — but that's far from the whole story.

You see, on looks alone, the AirPods Max 2 could be a 2020 release, despite actually being the newer set of cans. Why? Oh, because the build looks exactly the same as the first-generation set, despite hiding newer H2 chips under the hood and upgraded amplification. Meanwhile, the B&W Px8 S2 has all the physical trappings of a generational upgrade as well as the sonic upticks to back it up.

When whittling down the best noise cancelling headphones of 2026 (or just the best over-ear headphones you can buy today) it will come as no surprise to learn that both of the products — and indeed manufacturers — in the title of this versus are in the picture for the win. Both firms are, make no mistake, excellent at what they do. And although one gained a five-star review and one a half-star off that, there's very little in it.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 launched on September 24, 2026, whereas the Apple AirPods Max 2 landed on March 16, 2026. But weirdly, the newer set are seeing a huge $150 Prime Day discount if you live in the US. Hurrah!

I tested them both, so I'm well placed to put these sets of high-end, flagship wireless cans side-by-side (someone's got to, right?) to discover which pair will ultimately get you better sound-per-pound value.

It's actually not as easy as it sounds. Human beings all seem to prioritize different things — your other half wants to watch movies on their iPad; your colleague is an avid gamer; you just want glorious silence to be able to get some shut-eye on long-haul flights.

I've spent countless hours listening to some of my favorite albums, podcasts and movies on these headphones in order to compare features, noise cancellation, call-handling, extra perks, and elements of the design and build quality (both physical and in terms of software) that you ought to be aware of. Either set of headphones is a top buy, our reviews will state as much — that's not why you're here. You want make the best choice for you, between these two top dogs. So let's get to it!

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: price & availability

As mentioned above, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are the older of the two in a 'tale of the tape' style side-by-side, but only by six months. The B&W cans arrived in September of last year (2025) while the AirPods Max 2 arrived in March 2026. That said, on looks alone you'd never be able to tell that the Max 2 are newer, because their actual design (read: looks, save for one or two new finishes) hasn't changed since the original 2020-issue set. And that is a fact which left some fans disappointed…

And they're like heavyweight boxers in terms of desirability as well as talent and fame: the B&W option will set you back a not-insignificant $799 / £629 (approx. AU$1,299) while the AirPods Max 2 cost $549 / £499 / AU$999.

You don't need me to tell you that the AirPods Max 2 are the cheaper of the two here (and isn't that an unusual position for Apple to find itself in?), but you also don't need me to tell you that we really do have to go much deeper into the features, comfort, sound quality, ANC efficacy and overall user experience to see where the real value is. So come on then!

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: specs

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen): features

Apple's cans are newer, so let's kick off with them. The inclusion of newer H2 chips — yes, there's actually one in each ear cup — add a swathe of new features, with one big caveat: you need an Apple iPhone that's either the iPhone 15 Pro or newer to get at most of them.

Provided your source device is one of those though, new features abound, including Adaptive Audio (the Transparency mode can adjust itself to block some unnecessary sounds, and there's an optional slider to tweak just how 'adaptive' you want it to get), Conversation Awareness (so the over-ears can automatically lower the volume of your music and filter external sounds should you start talking to someone, then put everything back again once you stop chatting), plus Loud Sound Reduction and Personalized Volume to help protect your hearing but keep the sonic profile how you like it.

There's also Live Translation, which is for me the star of that Apple-Intelligence-and-iPhone ecosystem. I thoroughly enjoyed using it here over Apple's AirPods Pro 3, because it's so much easier to access via a long press of AirPods Max's on-ear Listening Mode button.

Elsewhere, Head Gesture support means you can nod to accept a call or check a message, shake your head to dismiss a message or decline a call, or nod to Siri silently. You don't have to perform these actions violently either. Also, the new Camera Remote feature means you can now take snaps on your iPhone camera using AirPods Max 2's Digital Crown, and despite not being much of a photographer, I used that more than I thought I would.

Apple's new Voice Isolation software also improves your call quality when it's loud or windy around you — and thanks to some extra processing power afforded by that H2 chip, you get much better voice capture from the headphones' three mics for voice pickup (two are shared with the ANC system, and one is an additional dedicated microphone) in the nine-mic total. If it's a fight over which set of cans takes calls better, I'd hand it to Apple.

Of course I left the best for last: Apple says that the active noise cancellation is "up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation" and when Tim Cook's behemoth boasts, it's best to listen. The noise-nixing here is honestly next-level — and I mean near-silent, cocooning, calming and enveloping. It's like stillness as a backdrop to your music. If that's what you need, these headphones win over the B&W buy, hands down.

Switching to the competing set in this particular bout, as we said in our Px8 S2 review, "When it comes to active noise-cancellation, Bowers & Wilkins must — just like every other brand — accept it’s competing for second place". And in this particular battle against AirPods Max 2, B&W hasn't won. The ANC is good, don't get me wrong, but it's not as good as Apple's.

Now, let's focus on the B&W option. Ever noticed how elite audiophile-adjacent headphones tend not to be, er… overburdened by features? B&W hasn't changed the game here. That said, ‘elite’ is still great way to describe the Px8 S2 and while the feature-set here is 100% business, there is one relatively recent addition, in the form of a dedicated "True Immersion" spatial audio mode. It was listed as "coming following a software update" when the Px8 S2 launched, and it's here now. It's designed to widen the soundstage, but instead of of relying on traditional 3D head-tracking, the feature is meant to create a concert or club-like soundstage akin to attending live gigs.

Bowers & Wilkins has designed and implemented built-in digital processing to expand the spatial footprint of standard stereo tracks but, as you'd expect when your fanbase largely consists of audiophiles, user feedback is highly mixed. Yes, these immersive side-sauces can sound unnatural or over-processed, but for me that's not an issue with the Px8 S2. I find the bass response decent and that 'concert atmosphere' idea has largely been achieved, but then again, this isn't B&W's forte. These are headphones one buys for a wire-free experience during critical listening, and so I think you'll keep it switched off most of the time.

The Px8 S2 are compatible with SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs — and you won't find any aptX support in Apple's cans. That said, I prefer Apple's head-tracked Spatial Audio when it comes to immersive soundstages.

Wired listening can happen using the USB-C slot on one ear cup with either option — but while B&W supplies USB-C to USB-C, and USB-C to 3.5mm cables in the lovely semi-hard travel case, Apple only offers the former (and only gives you a minimal 'headphone bra' to carry the cans in, so be careful not to lose the cable!)

Battery life is one bone of contention: 30 hours in the B&W with ANC deployed, and a 15-minute jolt of juice will get you up to another seven hours' playback. That drops to just 20 hours max (with ANC enabled) with the AirPods Max 2, where 5 minutes of charging nets 1.5 hours of listening. In 2026, this can easily be beaten and is one area Apple really does need to improve. That said, for the aforementioned features — and that excellent ANC performance — Apple edges it here.

Oh, one other thing: the companion apps. Bowers & Wilkins' solution is far better here especially if you don't own an iPhone, offering to round up your music streaming services as well as catering to the cans and providing a thoroughly comprehensive, intuitive experience. In direct comparison, Apple's solution (that fits into your iPhone's pull-down general and settings menus; there is no official AirPods app for Android) feels a tad bare-bones, but then again, it is intuitive — once you've downloaded those language modules you'll need for translation…

• Features winner: Apple AirPods Max 2

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: sound quality

Ready for the indicator to swing back the other way, if only ever-so-slightly? You're probably way ahead of me, but Bowers & Wilkins makes some of the best-sounding wireless headphones within the mass production consumer space, and the Px8 S2 are no exception.

The company deployed the amplification and DSP engine from its (also very good) Px7 S3 headphones here, but the bespoke tuning — plus a stiffer and more pricey driver chassis and upgraded motor system and voice coil — has ensured that the Px8 S2 do sound significantly better than their well-regarded (and, ahem, more affordable) siblings. Our review explains this succinctly: "Where out-and-out sound quality is concerned, it’s hard to lay a glove on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2… where they really excel, they leave their nominal competition gasping."

How do the Apple AirPods Max 2 compare for sound? It depends on how you like to listen — because while there's no higher-resolution codec support, for oomph and head-tracked audio within Apple Music suite, I still find them hard to beat. But for critical, neutral, integrated listening? They're still playing second fiddle to Bowers & Wilkins.

Apple hasn't divulged the drivers under the hood, but did specify a new 'custom high dynamic range amplifier' which I truly believe has made for a punchier and more dynamically nuanced listen than in the first-generation set — yes, probably owing to the new H2 chips.

The head-tracked Spatial Audio support is not a new feature with this iteration, but it is so beautifully implemented here thanks to the new software that, as I said in my review, "you'll find yourself whipping them off to check there's no mini speaker under your chin or squirreled away at the back of the room".

It's a closer-run thing than I'd expected — and again, it depends on your source material and whether you want a more three-dimensional presentation — but I can't hand the sound accolade to any product other than the B&W Px8 S2.

• Sound quality winner: Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: design

Honestly, the sense of pride in ownership I feel wearing the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 over my ears (or even around my neck, with the metallic accents catching the light) remains unmatched. Wearing them is like being a member of a very select group — the audiophile who knows where the best sound is and wasn't scared of spending the cash.

You've got to give B&W the nod where looks are concerned. Over-ear headphones can look pretty generic, but somehow the Px8 S2 feel like an Aston Martin: luxurious yet demure, elite yet understated. They're available in 'Onyx Black', 'Warm Stone', 'Pearl Blue', Midnight Blue' and a special 'McLaren Edition' finish; all are quite splendid.

The arms and headband feature a recess that allows a portion of the cable to be exposed (a nod to the company’s very first headphones, the P5, which launched back in 2010) and at 310g, the Px8 S2 are actually just a fraction lighter and slimmer than the headphones they replace. Honestly, I can't find anything to pick fault with — except that the real leather won't appeal to vegans.

Do I get that same true pride in ownership with Apple's newest cans? Not quite, in all honesty — but that doesn't mean it's a clear win for the B&W in this instance. How to score this category then? If you like dashing good looks, it's got to be the B&W, but if you want supreme comfort and a design that helps promote a truly cocooned feel — with lovely on-ear controls — it's Apple, for me.

They're heavier than the Px8 S2, at 386.2g, but they don't feel it. Because here's the thing with AirPods Max 2: nothing about the design has been changed, because it doesn't need to be. The huge ear cups, the meshy headband with its silent yokes, the mic placement? It was all so-designed because Apple threw out the rule book and just wanted to make the best ever headphones. So while we can argue the toss over how they look, I maintain that for comfort, they knock everything else out the park.

I also love the Digital Crown, which can handle playback and volume. OK, the case is odd and Apple hasn't offered a proper one, which many users are crying out for. But I still reach for the AirPods Max 2 most days for the way they feel and the quiet, seemingly protected sonic spaces they take me to after a long day. So I can't simply give the B&W the nod, you see…

• Design winner: it's a tie

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: value

Value is always a very difficult category to judge, partly because the competition at these levels is so stiff. For less than the MRSP of both of the options here, $449 / £399 / AU$699 buys you the Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), and both sets of cans feature in our best headphones buying guide — indeed, one set even won TR's Best Wireless Headphones of the Year Award.

But that's not really what 'value' means, is it — especially when we're talking sound-per-pound value? And the price of each option does vary here, by over $200 / £120. It's a horses for courses thing. For me, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 sound so very good that they're worth the extra outlay over the other products mentioned above — but I prioritize sound quality when listening to music and always have done. Additionally, I have several music streaming services at my disposal (all the better to test things with, my dear) and the Bowers & Wilkins 'Music' app gets them all together so I can quickly stream whatever I need.

That said, those who own an iPhone and want the best ANC-plus-comfort they can possibly find at this level need to look to Apple — and the extra features (Live Translation, Gesture Control, Personalised Spatial Audio, Conversation Awareness) all add value, if you're iOS-ensconced. If I were jumping on a flight now, I'd pick the Apple over-ears. If I were in my comfy listening chair at home, it's the B&W. But it's hard to put a price on arriving from the 2am flight having actually slept because your cans are that good at noise-nixing, right?

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: verdict

It's tough, but I promised I'd give my verdict, so for me it's the Apple AirPods Max 2 by a very small margin. I love the excellent ANC; I love the head-tracked Spatial Audio; I love the comfort; I love the call-handling and I love the bubble of silence I seem to enter when wearing them. Also, I love a tasty discount, and we're seeing a very good one, not long after their launch…

But there's a very compelling argument to be made for spending more and getting more detailed audio in a stunning (newer) build quality — and let's not forget that the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 won our most recent Headphones of the Year Editor's Choice Award. So this isn't the end of the discussion — far from it in fact.

What are your thoughts, gentle reader? Which of the two is your winner? Let me know in the comments — let's make this a friendly group discussion.

My relationship with the best headphones has been quite a trial-and-error experience over the past few years, and I've gone through so many popular models — but investing in the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones solved all of my problems.

At the time of release, we deemed them as 'the best in the business' in our review, but that also came with a rather eye-watering price tag at launch. Thankfully, that's what Amazon Prime Day is for.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

If you've been putting off purchasing these headphones because of their high price point, Prime Day is your chance to score them for $198 down from $399.99 in the US, or £179.54 down from £279 if you're in the UK — stellar price drops for Sony if you ask me.

Today's best Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones deals

Although there are deals on the newer Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones, they're still almost double the price of the WH-1000XM5 discount and outside of the foldable ear pads, there's really not a huge difference feature-wise.

If there's one thing I've taken away from my time with my WH-1000XM5 is that they were built for longevity. I've been using the headphones for almost four years, and they're still working like I've just taken them out of the box for the first time.

They're also totally reliable. One of the biggest problems I kept running into with wireless earbuds was that they'd completely crash on me for unknown reasons after short periods of time, leaving me with one dead and one functioning earbud before that one would eventually give up.

These aren't the only reasons why I've stood by them; they're packed with a ton of handy features that make your listening experience just that bit more convenient and enjoyable. For one, these headphones have incredibly smart ambient sound controls, which they can automatically adjust based on your location.

So if you're in a busier area, the headphones can enable ambient settings to let outside noise in to help you be more aware with your surroundings. I like to enable this feature when I'm listening to music and podcasts while on walks — nature noises are just so soothing.

The headphones can also connect to two devices simultaneously, which is an added bonus if you float between your phone and laptop.

That said, the active noise cancellation works wonders for shutting out unwanted conversations for when you want an interrupted listening session, a setting I use more often than ambient mode. especially when traveling — because who wants loud conversations and roaring train sounds blaring while you're trying to listen to the new Olivia Rodrigo album for the tenth time?

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

When the Sony WH-1000XM6 dropped last year, they had some big expectations to live up to.

They followed up a pair of headphones that had proven somewhat divisive, in the Sony WH-1000XM5. This model left some wearers conflicted owing to the lack of foldability, limited new features, and smaller 30mm drivers, in spite of stepping up in terms of looks and still offering great sound. For me, the XM5 just didn’t quite feel like the statement headphones that the legendary Sony WH-1000XM4 were — and in my view, the real task of the XM6 was to live up to the brilliance of that model.

And what do you know, Sony really did it — the company finally delivered a pair of XM4-beating headphones. The XM6 blended the beauty of the XM5 with the practical design of the XM4, all while delivering substantially better audio than their predecessors, alongside far greater noise cancelling capabilities and a more fleshed-out feature set.

And even though it’s been a year now, the XM6 remain my go-to headphones — even after hearing other flagship kids on the block, including the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2, Apple AirPods Max 2, and even Sony’s own 1000X The Collexion cans. But why do I keep reaching for the XM6? And what really sets them apart from the competition? Well, I’ll get to all of that and more as we take a look at my year of listening with the XM6.

What’s so special about the XM6?

For the uninitiated, allow me to give you the run down on the Sony WH-1000XM6. These are Sony’s best noise-cancelling cans to date, and even on flights, they can easily dispatch low-end rumble, high-pitched clamors, and sudden noises like doors closing. If you’re at the office, things like colleagues chatting, typing sounds, and vehicles passing outside the window will be drastically dulled too — if not totally inaudible.

That’s thanks to Sony’s QN3 noise-cancelling processor, which harnesses a system of 12 microphones to deliver some of the best ANC on the market right now.

The QN3 processor also features a noise-shaper, which pre-empts sudden sound changes, resulting in a more controlled listening experience. Pair that with LDAC for ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth listening as well as a more balanced sound signature than the XM5 and XM4 offered — in part thanks to Sony’s collaboration with leading mastering engineers — and you’re getting amazing audio from the XM6.

As you’d expect, these headphones aren’t producing true studio-grade neutrality or fidelity, but they sound more composed right across the frequency range. Still, bass is phenomenally dynamic and punchy, treble is vibrant and articulate, and there’s definitely an exciting listen to be had. Mids are also incredibly rich and well-weighted, and the XM6 offers a wider soundstage than its predecessor, all while supplying a tight and cohesive listen.

Other XM6 headlines include a new, more comfortable headband, the welcome return of foldability, and enhanced call quality. There are six beamforming mics in the XM6, and I’m yet to try any headphones that beat them for clarity and precision in the call quality department.

You also get the features that made the XM6’s predecessors great, including DSEE Extreme upscaling (which boosts the quality of lower-res audio files), scene-based listening, transparency mode, and the most responsive and accurate touch controls around.

How do they compare to the competition?

So, the XM6 sound pretty great so far, right? But you might be wondering how they compare against the competition. So, let’s see how they compare against some of their main rivals: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2, the AirPods Max 2, and Sony’s own The Collexion headphones.

Let’s start with the QC Ultra, which are in my view the main competitor to the XM6 — they’re similarly priced, and each have a strong focus on ANC performance. But interestingly, I think this contest is a relatively straightforward one.

When it comes to ANC, these two are on very similar footing. I’d perhaps argue that the QC Ultra can deal with higher-pitched sounds ever-so-slightly better, but I’m talking very fine margins. Conversely, I’d consider the XM6 slightly ahead when it comes to those deeper, darker sounds like engines roaring.

But elsewhere, I think the Sony XM6 are just the better buy. For me, the Bose have a less revealing sound that lacks the refinement and attention to detail Sony can deliver. Sony also supplies better balance across the frequency range, and even more customizable sound, making them my clear favorite sound-wise.

The XM6 also have a more cohesive, sleek, and suave look in my opinion — I’m also more partial to the magnet-lock case that Sony bundles in. Both headphones are well-matched elsewhere, though, offering fully foldable designs, solid security and comfortability in-use, and 30 hours of battery life — essentially the standard for headphones in this price bracket.

Moving onto the AirPods Max 2 now, and this is where things get interesting. Of course, these headphones have some features that are suited to Apple devices only — such as Spatial Audio and instant pairing — meaning brand loyalists may prefer these. But as someone with an Android phone, this is hardly something I’m interested in.

I’d also argue that the XM6 are generally better all-rounders than the AirPods Max 2. For instance, Apple’s flagship headphones only muster up a measly 20 hours of playtime with ANC on — something that really should’ve been improved from the first generation AirPods Max.

I also find the XM6’s use of precise touch controls to be more intuitive and user-friendly, and their more accessible price is an undeniable plus. The AirPods Max 2 come in at $549 / £499 / AU$999 — quite the increase over the $449 / £349 / AU$699 you’ll pay for the XM6.

The AirPods Max 2 still impressed me though — they offer significantly improved ANC that blocks external noise on a similar level to the XM6, and they performed very well in the audio department. They have a more spacious and expansive soundstage than the XM6, and the bass is full-sounding and beautifully controlled. While the XM6 sound pretty balanced, they undoubtedly retain a slight preference towards bass and treble from previous generations, but I personally prefer their tighter, punchier approach to the low-end.

It’s an incredibly similar story for Sony’s own 1000X The Collexion headphones, which took aim at the AirPods Max with an incredibly broad, almost three-dimensional soundstage that results in a highly immersive listen.

The Collexion undoubtedly provide stellar detailing and incredible instrument separation, but again, I always reach for the XM6 — I find their dynamism and punch to add a bit more excitement, making funky tracks or hard-hitting anthems come through with more bite.

In addition, The Collexion add very little in the way of features that the XM6 won’t already provide. Sure, they have more 360 Upmix modes, but these sound pretty bad anyway. They also have weaker ANC and lower battery life, largely due to their slimmer build and larger ear cavities.

Don’t get me wrong, The Collexion look great, and their metallic details contrast the faux-leather casing nicely, but for me, the XM6 are stronger overall.

One year later: the verdict

So, even after testing some of the XM6’s biggest rivals, I still reach for them every time. Their combination of class-leading ANC, excellent features, and dynamic, punchy, yet well-balanced audio makes them my go-to time after time.

It’s also worth flagging that after a full year of use, the headphones have held up incredibly well. I can count a total of zero times where I experienced a fault or bug, they don’t have a single scratch (even after being folded and thrown in my bag countless times), and the earcups feel incredibly comfortable, with no signs of degradation whatsoever.

What’s more, I’ve accidentally kept the headphones on during rainy days from time to time, and despite lacking an IP rating, they seemed to have weathered the storm without issue. Would I recommend using them in harsher weather conditions? No. But the fact they’ve stuck it out a couple of times only hammers home their durability and high build quality.

I won’t pretend that the XM6 are cheap by any means. But they genuinely earn their price in every way imaginable. And they do go on sale quite a bit, so if you can find them going for less, I’d strongly suggest snapping them up, and treating yourself to superior sound.

Amazon Prime Day is upon us, and headphones will fly out of Amazon warehouses like the best brownies at the bake sale — and if the best models sell out, the deals-hungry public will flock to competing retailers.

• See all early Prime Day deals at Amazon

But I want you to be first in line when the deals land, and that means knowing how to sort the wheat from the chaff. Stick with me, and you'll never be led astray to an unknown (but very lavishly packaged) set of cans that turn out to be 2019-launched duds still toting Bluetooth 4.1 and with no app to speak of.

Look, I'm being harsh here because I want you to have the good products. The ones I'm listing here are, in fact, the best. And because Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest sales events in the tech calendar, some discounts are likely (not certain, you understand… but likely).

What follows are my top three noise-canceling headphones for iPhone, Android, and audiophiles, along with my advice on pricing. Know this now and bookmark the product page for the day(s) ahead. You got this!

Not looking for noise-nixing cans? That's OK — see TechRadar's early Prime Day roundup for the best deals across tech.

1. The bubble-of-silence cans for iPhone users

You may not want to hear this, because believe me, I know that the second-generation Apple over-ears launched in March 2026, devoid of any huge redesign we might have hoped for.

Here's the thing: you won't care once they're on. That is because the ANC is so much better this time around. I know because I reviewed them for TechRadar, and their noise-nixing performance is jaw-droppingly, head-shakingly, 'No you must have lowered your voice, come on' good. Really.

Also excellent is the new Conversation Awareness feature, which picks up your voice to lower all other sounds and enable an important chat much faster than in competing options I've tested.

Why are they so good? It's their new H2 chip and its computational wizardry. They're also punchier sonically, and the extra perks (Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Head Gesture control, and the Camera Remote feature, in short) work seamlessly and with minimal button-pushing to get you there.

Provided you've got an iPhone 15 Pro or newer (ie. something that supports Apple Intelligence) these features are unbeatable. These are the headphones I reach for daily. And it's not even close.

Launch price: $549 / £499 (March 2026)

Prices to look for on Prime Day:
US: $399 is already live!
UK: as above, look for 10% savings (or £449) over Prime Day

2. The cocoon-of-quiet set for Android owners (that's also device agnostic)

And now for something slightly cheaper, and slightly older — although a September 2025 launch date still makes them thoroughly relevant and modern, even in the fast-moving worlds of Bluetooth audio and wireless headphones.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are my second-most-reached-for cans when I need to block out the world. I pick them up whenever I want to listen in ‘cinema’ mode (within the ‘Immersive’ audio offering), but my source material is from Tidal, say, because unlike Apple's AirPods, these headphones will give you top-tier head-tracked dynamic content irrespective of the source device or streaming platform.

And while you'll also get Lossless from the AirPods Max 2 above, being able to hard-wire the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) headphones to a source of music in order to enjoy truly hi-res audio quality isn't to be sniffed at either — oh, and you get aptX Adaptive for better quality over Bluetooth, too, which we loved in our full review of the Bose QCU Headphones (2nd Gen).

OK, the option below this product (and the one above it, though that's a far closer call) will give you slightly more detail and a more faithful neutrality in your music. But for noise cancellation at this price, these Bose headphones still cannot be beaten nine months after their release. Bose basically wrote the book on ANC back in the 1970s, and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are more than worthy of their history.

Launch price: $449 / £449 / AU$699 (September 2025)

Prices to look for on Prime Day:
US: their lowest ever price of $379 has just been seen
UK: £399 is the lowest-seen deal in the UK (but keep your eyes peeled!)

3. The isolation chamber for picky audiophiles

Want class-leading sound as well as near-class-leading ANC? You've really got to give the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 your complete and undivided attention, as we said in our five-star Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 review.

When I want a wireless listen that's as close to a wired listen as I've ever heard, with very good noise-cancellation performance to boot, I go for these. Also, these are by far the best-looking headphones I've ever worn. They're a classy, timeless set of over-ears and no mistake — but on this, they also launched in September 2025, like the Bose option above.

The B&W are the priciest set of headphones within what is hardly a bargain bucket roundup, I grant you — but again, I have ruthlessly selected my favorite headphones for this missive. They are the only sets of cans I'd advise splurging on this Prime Day, because I can personally vouch for their talents.

Honestly, you do tend to get what you pay for in audio — and here you're getting aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless compatibility, with the option for wired USB-C listening as well. However you choose to listen, I could wax lyrical on the sound quality for days. Just be careful when wearing them on public transport, because I've missed my stop more times than I'd care to admit while wearing these headphones.

Launch price: $799 / £629 (September 2025)

Price to look for on Prime Day:
US: Anything less that $749 (or 6% off) would make for a new lowest-seen price
UK: Anything under £629 would be a new lowest-seen fee (so stay tuned!)

I’ve been reviewing gadgets at TechRadar for years now, and it’s pretty rare that something stops me in my tracks and so violently defies my expectations. But sometimes, a special product comes along and totally stuns me: and that was well and truly the case with the Sennheiser CX 80U.

Now you might be thinking: really? A pair of wired earbuds? But yes, they really were that impressive. See it all comes down to quality vs price, and these earbuds genuinely sound way, way better than I expected given their typical cost of $39.95 / £34.99. If you want rich, detailed sound at a highly-accessible price-point, the CX 80U are all you need.

I’ll drill into the beauty of this product more down below, but the bottom line is: the CX 80U are what I’d recommend to anyone looking to go back to wired earbuds in 2026.

Low risk, high reward

I’ve already touched on the Sennheiser CX 80U’s low price (and they’re occasionally discounted for even less), but let’s discuss what exactly makes them so special.

These buds use a USB-C connector with a built-in DAC, opening up lossless audio — something that’s not truly possible over Bluetooth, which is an inherently lossy technology. By using USB-C as a connectivity method, the CX 80U aren’t only optimized for modern smartphones, tablets, and laptops, but they also won’t need to be charged like their Bluetooth counterparts — and I often keep them with me in case I forget to juice up my Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones or LG Tone Free T90S earbuds.

But as practical as the CX 80U are, the real highlight is their performance. They show impeccable attention to detail, and can easily illuminate elements such as subtle percussion or delicate vocal intricacies. However, they also nail the fundamentals, with well-balanced, agile bass, clear mids, and vivid treble.

Speaking of treble, I found this to be a real highlight on the CX 80U — highs have an impressive sense of space, and often sound as if they’re operating in a well-defined pocket, giving percussion in particular plenty of space to express itself. But during my time testing the CX 80U, I was impressed with their quality right across the frequency range, and regardless of what genre I threw at them, they delivered an enjoyable and entertaining listen each time.

As well as sounding great, the CX 80U manage to provide surprisingly substantial passive noise cancellation, and they come with various-sized eartips, so you can find the perfect seal. Whenever I use them, I also find that cable noise is pretty muted, and they’re comfortable to wear, even for longer listening sessions.

One more thing I love about the CX 80U is their build quality. They look more premium than their price suggests, and I’m drawn to their rounded buds, slim wires, and enticing silver details. Classy.

So, if you’re on a budget but looking to get into the wired earbuds game, then it really doesn’t get much better than the Sennheiser CX 80U. Go on, give ‘em a go!

Audio-lovers, Prime Day — and in fact any massive sales event — is always a savvy time to buy. But right now I think we need good quality portable music in our lives more than ever. And thankfully, I can help you make it affordable too, as Prime Day is still on. Make haste though, because at midnight it vanishes like Cinders' coach and horsemen!

How to read this list: the headphones and earbuds I'm recommending here are all really good quality, and all come with a TR review in which we've rated the product highly. Also, the discounts are either a new lowest-seen price, or a return to the lowest asking fee we've ever seen.

Essentially, I've been doing this full-time since 2019 and if I don't love the product and the saving, I won't list it here. OK? I won't make an assumption based on previous form and list the deal anyway — that's not good advice. I test headphones all day every day, so I know great sound, I know the market, and I know a fantastic deal when I see it. I know it's easy to fall for a deal just because of the huge discount. You won't find such deals here, unless I've tested the product myself.

• Shop more Prime Day deals at Amazon US
• Shop more Prime Day deals at Amazon UK

One quick thing: please don't read this roundup, click through to Amazon or another one of the big retailers, take a left (or a right, in fact) and buy a set of buds or cans that do not feature here — and that neither myself nor the wider TechRadar team has mentioned or reviewed. Or, if you do, just don't comment here and compel me to recommend what you just bought retrospectively, because unfortunately I probably won't do that.

These deals (and only these deals) are the ones I've reviewed and tested. And that's why I'm recommending them to you this Prime Day. Think this roundup's a little short? That's because my standards are high, friends…

The best Amazon Prime Day headphones / earbuds deals still live, US

The best Amazon Prime Day headphones / earbuds deals still live, UK

When is Prime Day 2026?

Amazon has officially confirmed that Prime Day 2026 will run from June 23 to Jun 26, extending the event to four full days for only the second time (last year, the event took place in July but for the same amount of days). It gives shoppers a full 96 hours to take advantage of exclusive discounts, which is twice as long as the traditional 48-hour format we typically see for most sales events

For those hunting headphone deals, it's worth noting that new offers will go live at midnight PDT in the US and midnight GMT in the UK. Each day will likely bring a fresh wave of limited-time lightning deals, and we’re expecting to see solid discounts on everything from premium noise-canceling models to budget-friendly earbuds.

Do you need Amazon Prime to buy Prime Day headphone deals?

Simply put, yes. An Amazon Prime membership is required to take full advantage of Prime Day headphone deals, although some later deals will be available to all. While there are often listings open to everybody on Prime Day, the best deals are usually reserved for prime members only. If you're not a member, don't worry – you can sign up for a free 30-day trial. That will give you access to all the offers – and you can cancel the trial at any time within 30 days.

We also typically see plenty of other retailers offering competing Prime Day headphone deals. In the US, Best Buy and Walmart often price match some of the record-low prices on big-ticket items, and in the UK, Currys often honors price matches from Amazon as well.

Do not adjust your screens; it's not actually Amazon Prime Day proper yet — that'll happen at the stroke of midnight tonight. But that doesn't mean Amazon hasn't gone full-on in early doors, does it?

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

The deal I need you to know about somehow (I don't make the rules, OK?) concerns the Apple AirPods Max 2. Yes, the newest, just-released-in-March-2026 set. The set with the new colorways and, most importantly, the H2 chip, which means access to Apple Intelligence, better ANC, Conversation Awareness, Live Translation and the Camera Remote (but that's just for starters).

Right now, they've dropped to an all-new low of $399 (was $549) at Amazon, and quite frankly, they're so much better than that money. I reviewed them myself (and I review — and train people on how to review — headphones for a living, as TR's audio editor), and they're the real deal.

Today's best AirPods Max 2 deal

Let me tell you one thing about these headphones: I test headphones as part of my day-to-day, five days a week, and have done so since 2019. These particular headphones are now the ones I reach for over all others, including those from Bose and Sony.

And I wasn't always an Apple fangirl. In fact, when the Cupertino giant unveiled Apple Music Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless for free back in 2021, as part of your Apple Music subscription, I may have largely dismissed Apple's musical headgear — and for some time after. Why? Because it took four more years for the Cupertino giant to work out how to get its Lossless music standard into its own flagship headphones.

But that has all changed now, because you can listen wirelessly or hook them up via USB-C for Lossless playback. OK, the Max 2's looks may not be so different to the 2020 originals, but that extra computational wizardry and H2 chipset power has made the noise-cancellation a lot better than before — and the noise-nixing in the originals was no slouch.

I find the Live Translation feature much more useful than I'd thought it would be (I tried it on a recent trip to Spain), and the new Camera Remote function, where you use the digital crown to snap an iPhone picture, is excellent. I also love Conversation Awareness, which locks in quicker than I've experienced in other cans that offer a similar feature.

In conclusion, the best Prime Day deal for me already landed, and I won't be changing my mind(!) but if you'd like to look at a few other early deals already live now, I'll link a couple below. Stick with me, I won't let you down this Prime Day!

Other early Prime Day headphones and earbuds deals live now

More Prime Day deals

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

• Tribit's sister company, iClever, has released child-specific active noise cancelling headphones
• They won the 2026 Red Dot Design Award for their child-centered design
• They're also the first kids' cans to gain a notable hearing care certification

As a conscientious parent, you want the best for your children: you want to nurture in them a love of music, entertainment and eduction. But you also know that little ears are delicate ears. And when they've got headphones on, you can't always be there to monitor loudness levels.

According to iClever, sister company of audio specialist Tribit (which has earned many positive reviews from us for its bargain audio gear), we're right to be concerned. iClever states that nearly a billion people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss — much of it preventable.

Furthermore, more than 430 million people, including 34 million children, already live with disabling hearing loss. That's all attributed to a study carried out by the World Health Organization entitled 'Hearing Loss & Deafness Report'.

So what can you do? The company hopes that its new iClever QuietShield Q950 ANC Kids Headphone will be a start. Yes, the name's a bit of a mouthful to say — try getting your youngest to memorize that one on the next long car journey — but these child-specific headphones are all-new. And they're already scooping up accolades.

iClever QuietShield Q950 ANC Headphones: what you need to know

The headphones have already won the coveted Red Dot Design Award 2026 for their child-centric design, which features a multi-position headband adjustment and 90-degree rotating ear cups specifically designed for growing youngsters, breathable protein-leather ear cushions, large-button controls, a Transparency mode for safer everyday listening, plus extra-durable construction for travel, school, and probably to withstand squabbling over them with siblings and friends in the car.

And there's another big claim: iClever tells us that Q950 reduces up to 94.75% of "cabin noise energy" on flights, with noise cancellation improved by 14.7% versus the company's previous headphones for children, the BTH20.

The Q950 are the first TÜV Hearing Care Certified children's headphones, a certification that recognizes the headphones' safer listening experience "designed around developing ears".

The key stat here is their 80dBA safe-volume limit (based on the WHO's recommendation), but there's also Hybrid ANC (up to 35dB noise reduction), a Transparency mode, wear detection, Bluetooth audio sharing, plus up to 60 hours of battery life (or 35 hours with ANC deployed).

How much is all of this going to cost? iClever lists an official release date of July 2, alongside an MSRP of $69.99 with early-bird offer of $54.99 (so around £42 or AU$79) which seems little money to offer your little ones a safer listen overall.

Sennheiser Momentum 5: two-minute review

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 are noise-cancelling headphones with lossless connectivity, spatial audio, and a promised battery life of 57 hours of battery life per charge with ANC engaged. They also offer heaps of sound personalization features, a smooth sliding scale between 100% noise cancelling and 100% transparent and customizable Sound Zones that allow you to automatically apply sound profiles and ANC settings when you enter predefined locations.

The Sennheiser Momentum 5’s look is clean overall, even if it’s not that adventurous a design, with a build mostly fashioned from plastic with metal highlights. The cushioned headband and faux leather ear cups do feel super comfortable, although I did find the slight ridge inside the cup made my ear to ache during long listening sessions. Otherwise though, they fit well and feel solidly built.

I’ve got to be honest though: when it comes to performance, I found the Sennheiser Momentum 5’s sound out of the box to be on the disappointing side, compared to the best headphones out there. Bass feels decent enough — I dropped Listen by Pola & Bryson & goddard. and not only did that distorted, snarling bass sound substantial, but the synths felt well rounded and there’s some good sub there, especially if you slip the headphones Bass Boost on.

However, when it comes to higher frequencies, the Momentum 5 too often felt like they were pulling punches. Rosewood by Bonobo sounded unusually muffled in the higher mids, with the usually punchy percussion and hats sounding really inert to me. Meanwhile, treble is similarly milquetoast, with the rhythmic static loops of The Gloaming by Radiohead lacking the crispness I’d expect and feeling unnecessarily rolled off.

Fortunately, this is something you can fix, thanks to the Momentum 5’s powerful EQ tools. There are eight EQ presets to choose from, including everything from Rock to Hip-Hop, but I found I was able to get far better results out of whipping up my own tunings.

Both Sound Check presets and Sound Personalization started the same way, allowing me to pick my favorite tweak by listening to three alternative tunings five times. Where they diverge is how you tweak the resultant profile, with the former letting you adjust it based on an eight-band EQ and the latter a matrix that lets you independently boost or duck bass and treble. With the latter I was able to get pretty great sound out of the Momentum 5, feeling warm in the low end while feeling crisp and dynamic in the high end — I just wish it didn’t require so much tweaking to get the Momentum 5 to sound their best.

On the plus side, the Momentum 5 offer an excellent soundstage. They give real breadth even to stereo mixes, with each instrument meticulously well positioned in the stereo field. And the headphones deftly handle Dolby Atmos — don’t get me wrong, some masters still feel a little hollow in this kind of spatial format, but Sennheiser’s cans do a fine job of situation each element in the space around you.

Speaking of being surrounded by sound, another area the Momentum 5 didn’t quite live up to my expectations was their noise cancelling. Now, not every set of headphones can quite live up to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones’ commotion-quashing capabilities but I found Sennheiser’s often struggled to fully hush everyday conversation or completely stifle traffic noise. Sadly, they can’t compete with much of the market on this front.

Elsewhere, though, the Momentum 5’s features are more impressive. Connectivity is strong — they’re Bluetooth 6 ready, with the standard due to to come to the headphones in a future update, and they offer aptX Lossless, which means those with compatible phones can effectively stream CD quality sound on the go. And Sennheiser's Sound Zones is also a fun feature, allowing you to set the Momentum 5 to switch to certain EQ and ANC profiles automatically based on your location.

One last thing that warrants a special mention is the Momentum 5's battery life. While the Sony WH-1000XM6 offer a decent 30 hours and the AirPods Max 2 offer a pretty disappointing 20 hours with ANC on, Sennheiser's headphones blow right past them, offering up to 57 hours. This was consistent with my testing, meaning you can absolutely rely on these cans to last you days and days without needing a top up.

All told, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 are a solid set of noise-cancelling headphones, with some impressive features, long-lasting battery and spacious high-quality sound. But they’re also frustrating, as without certain missteps like their unbalanced default tuning and weaker ANC, they could be something truly remarkable. As they stand, they’re a good pair of headphones for their price, particularly once you’ve tailored their sound to your taste, but they won’t topple the best noise-cancelling headphones out there.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: price and availability

• Launched June 16, 2026
• List price of $399.95 / £329 / AU$749
• Available in Black, White, and Denim

Launched on June 16, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 are available now. They’re available for a list price of $399.99 / £329 / AU$749 — that definitely puts them in the higher-end bracket, although they’re obviously nowhere near as premium as the $549 / £499 / AU$999 AirPods Max 2 or the $649 / £550 / AU$999.95 Sony 1000X The Collexion.

They come in three colorways: Black, White, and Denim. Before you get too worried about having to match that last one to your outfit, don’t: it’s really just a dark indigo hue. All three colorways look decent enough to me, although I definitely think Sennheiser could have given us a little more choice here — at least one stand-out option like mauve or mint might have just helped provide an option for those that like to stand out from the crowd.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: specs

Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: features

• aptX Lossless compatible — but no LDAC or ALAC
• Versatile EQ & sound personalization
• Sound zones

First off, let’s take a look at what they’ve got going on under the hood. The Momentum 5 are rocking the same 42mm transducers as their predecessor — that’s a considerable step up compared to something like the Sony WH-1000XM6’s 30mm dynamic drivers and even an improvement over the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2’s 40mm. Hopefully that should mean the Momentum 5 can muster up more substantial bass and a broader soundstage.

Connectivity is very strong on the Momentum 5 too, especially if you’re listening from an aptX compatible device. Not only do they currently run Bluetooth 5.4, they’re Bluetooth 6.0 ready, with it due to arrive by a future firmware update. It’s compatible with AptX Lossless, which gives you access to near CD-level quality playback — although sadly not ALAC or LDAC, which means you won’t be enjoying lossless audio on your Apple or Samsung device.

The Momentum 5’s touch controls are easy enough to use and feel pretty intuitive. A single tap to play / pause, swiping forward and back to skip forward and back, up and down to increase / decrease the volume, each control is intuitive and easy to activate… in fact, possibly too easy to activate. As can often be the case with headphones that rely on touch control, it’s really easy to trigger functions on the Momentum 5 when you’re adjusting them or removing them from your head and I’d often pick them up from my desk and realize I’d already set them playing.

The touch controls aren’t the only way to control the Momentum 5 though. Once you’ve paired them with your phone, Sennheiser’s SmartControlPlus app gives you more granular control over many of the headphones settings. As well as switching Dolby Atmos content on and off, you can also use it to tailor noise cancelling to your preferred level — it offers a smooth slider that allows you to gradually shift from 100% ANC to 100% transparency, as well as offering a toggle to turn on Anti-Wind mode in ANC.

You can use one of eight EQ presets from Dance to Jazz or you can create your own using its eight-band EQ. More unique though is Sennheiser’s Sound Check EQ presets: basically it allows you to pick which you prefer out of multiple different profiles like an eyetest for your ears. After you’ve selected your preferred option five times, it shows you the resultant preset. This feels like a really neat idea, allowing people who aren’t au fait with tweaking audio frequencies to still create their own custom sound.

But even more flexible in my eyes is Sennheiser’s Sound Personalization feature, which has been carried over from the Sennheiser Momentum 4. It runs you through the same setup as the Sound Check EQ but rather than presenting you with a range of EQ bands to adjust after, it instead presents you with a matrix that allows you to independently boost or reduce the bass and treble frequencies to polish your own preferred sound profile. That feels nicely intuitive and seems far easier to tweak on the fly than a standard graphic equalizer.

Lastly, the inclusion of customizable Sound Zones isn’t unique to Sennheiser’s cans — for example, being offered by the last few generations of Sony’s WH-1000 line — but it still feels like a pretty neat feature. Being able to automatically set noise-cancelling to maximum when I hit the office, switch up to a bassier sound profile when I hit the gym or increase the transparency when I’m out of the house saves a lot of effort. While it’s not necessarily trailblazing, it’s useful and really helps to make the Momentum 5 feel very fully featured.

Finally, the Momentum 5’s battery life is seriously impressive, with Sennheiser claiming they’ll last you up to 57 hours with ANC enabled. To test out its claims, I set the Momentum 5 to play music continuously with ANC on at 50% volume for six hours, during which time their battery dropped just 10%. As a back of the envelope calculation, that would put their total life at 60 hours — even though battery discharge curves are rarely linear, 57 hours seems very credible to me.

All in all, the Momentum 5 has a very strong feature set. Perhaps none of them are truly groundbreaking but when taken together, they make these cans feel very well appointed and ensure that you’re getting a great user experience.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: sound quality

• Disappointing default tuning, with weak treble
• Impressive soundstage and Dolby Atmos
• Ineffectual ANC

As an audiophile, I’ve been a loyal user of Sennheiser’s headphones for years. A good part of the reason for this is that the brand’s cans are known for having a reliably balanced frequency balance, meaning that whether I’m listening to music or producing it, I’ve come to trust that Sennheiser headphones will give me a largely accurate picture of how recordings should sound.

In light of this, I’m a little surprised at how uneven I find the neutral tuning of the Sennheiser Momentum 5. I know preferences vary and some like more bass or more treble, say, but for me this goes beyond simple differences in taste. The default sound here feels like it has some actual deficits, which I find odd from a brand of Sennheiser’s pedigree.

Let’s focus on the most positive stuff first. Bass is pretty creditable here: for example, when listening to No Skin by Frameworks & Mild Minds, I found that the Momentum 5 gave its sustained bassline some wonderful warmth and while there wasn’t quite as much sub as you’ll get from the most premium headphones, it still felt dynamic and punchy enough, especially with the Momentum 5’s bass booster on.

Higher up in the spectrum though, things feel more unbalanced. Playing You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon, all of the elements are present and correct but feel slightly muffled — particularly the toms and the exuberant brass section feel slightly rolled off, with their upper-mid frequencies feeling like they’ve been sanded off. And this is even more noticeable in the treble range: in 236e jour by Marc Leclair: the bouncing, scrape-edged synths end up feeling far duller than they should, while the shuffling hats just lose a little of their cut through.

Now you can obviously go someway toward ameliorating this using EQ. While I found Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac to be pretty dull in places on the neutral tuning, with the vocals in particular feeling totally enfeebled, I was able to cast around in the EQ settings to improve it. The Rock preset, if anything, made the problem worse, making the sound even more baggy and focused around the middle. But creating a Sound Check EQ profile, I was able to crisp up the high-end a little and reintroduce some of the presence it had lost.

By far the best results I achieved though was when using Sennheiser’s Sound Personalization algorithm. After running through the five steps, sound already felt a little more balanced — but it was during fine tuning that I was able to add a bit more warmth to the bass and a soupçon more brightness to the treble. The difference was like having my ears syringed: Outside (Parra for Cuva Remix) by Henry Green suddenly sounded like the sustained bassline was more resonant and satisfying, while the snare and hats punctured through the mix far better.

So the Sennheiser Momentum 5 can absolutely sound strong for their price, if you’re prepared to put the work in. But I do find it a little frustrating that they require you to spend so much time redressing sonic missteps in their engineered sound when other headphones in this price bracket like the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 put their best foot forward with their default sound.

Once I’d found a sound profile I was happy with though, my experiences of the rest of the Sennheiser’s audio quality was far more positive.

For example, the audio feels very clear and expressive, even over lower quality connections. Even using the lossy AAC codec via Apple Music on my MacBook Pro and iPhone 16 Pro, the vocal, strings and piano of Wasting My Young Years by London Grammar shared the spotlight graciously, avoiding sounding over-compressed. But when listening to it using aptX Lossless via Tidal, it feels like there’s even more dynamic range, allowing far more space for that gorgeous vocal to rise up above the rest of the mix without smothering the rest of the instrumentation.

The Momentum 5 also have a really impressive soundstage, even compared to headphones like the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 that are known for their agile handling of mixes. When I listened to Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: Spring 1 (2012) by Max Richter, Daniel Hope, Konzerthaus Kammerorchester Berlin & André de Ridder, the way the stirring, dancing strings are spread out across the stereo field is stunning. It genuinely does feel a lot like being sat right in front with the orchestra pit spread out in front of you.

And this extends to their handling of Dolby Atmos mixes. For example, Blue Monday (2023 Digital Master) by New Order sounds appropriately immersive, with its drum rolls scattering around you and its riser-style FX before the final drop swirling a full 180 degrees. All in all, its spatial audio effect is probably even more pronounced than that of the AirPods Max, although the latter doesn’t succumb to the one shortcoming of the Momentum 5’s Atmos: a slight void that opens up in front of you, a not uncommon effect on some headphones when elements from a stereo mix are spatialized.

So the Momentum 5 do still have some serious talents when it comes to making noise. However, it’s a shame that they’re not as talented at its antithesis: nixing background sound. Their ANC can just about cope with typing noise or reducing my boiling kettle while I’m streaming content while cooking. But riding the bus home from work a few days ago, I was subjected to every detail of a conversation about the sex lives of some of my fellow passengers’ colleagues. C’mon, Momentum 5: you’re supposed to protect me from things like this.

This isn’t an isolated event either: I can often overhear fellow TechRadarian’s conversations in the office, even with noise cancelling dialed up to 100%. Even the AirPods Max, not known for their unimpeachable noise cancelling, recently totally saved me at a festival by silencing the enormous Funktion-One rig I was camped 100 feet from, whereas the Momentum 5 struggle with conversations some 50dB quieter.

• Sound quality score: 3.5 / 5

Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: design

• Refined if unadventurous looks
• Super-flat profile
• Wearing for long sessions made my ears ache

Unlike the huge redesign from the Sennheiser Momentum 3 to the Momentum 4, there’s not been a massive revolution when it comes to the Momentum 5’s looks. The oval-shaped groove that ran around the exterior side of the earcups has been banished, giving them a cleaner look. Meanwhile, Sennheiser’s logo has been updated with a circular badge, while the grilles covering the ANC mics have been picked out in metal. But if you’ve spent any time with the Momentum 4, you largely know what to expect here.

Broadly speaking, I really like the look of the Momentum 5. Don’t get me wrong: they’re not going to win any prizes for originality, having a slight whiff of Sony’s WH-1000XM6 about them. But this is a common trope in the headphones space — if you disagree with me, see how you get on with our spot the difference between the Sonos Ace and the Sony 1000X The Collexion. And the Momentum 5 still have the most refined look Sennheiser has given its wireless headphones to date, so I’m definitely here for it.

Both the padded faux leather ear cups and cushioned headband feel pleasantly soft, while they have sufficient clamping force that they felt stable on my head without applying excessive pressure. Adjusting their fit is also super easy, even while they’re on your head — their arms extend smoothly and can cater for a wide range of head sizes, whether you’re more new potato or pumpkin-headed.

However, an ongoing issue I have with Sennheiser’s headphones is that they tend to make my ear cartilage ache during extended wear, thanks to odd lumps on the inside of the earcup, and the Momentum 5 are no different. None of the mid-range headphones from other brands I’ve used over the last five years have suffered from this issue, so it does make me wonder why Sennheiser continues to stick weird ridges and hard lumps on the inside of its cans.

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with headphone cases. They seem to veer wildly between the neat — the Sony WH1000XM6’s handy magnetic holder — and the ridiculous — the AirPods Max’s ludicrous handbag. So when I say I’m a big fan of the Momentum 5’s case, know that’s high praise indeed.

Like the AirPods Max, the Momentum 5 don’t so much fold up as fold flat, but, thanks to the earcups’ low profile, that is really rather flat indeed. As a result, even though they don’t concertina up into a compact package, their case has a very slim profile, making it much easier to slip alongside your laptop and tablet in your bag. It doesn’t have loads of padding, so you might not want to be slinging your bag around like it contains a bunch of bricks, but the case should protect your headphones from most damage.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Sennheiser Momentum 5?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: also consider

How I tested the Sennheiser Momentum 5

• Tested over two weeks
• Tried them out with a wide range of genres
• Tested different bit-rates and listened to multiple Dolby Atmos mixes

I tested the Sennheiser Momentum 5 over the course of several weeks. When it comes to sound quality, I made sure to test them out with a range of different quality streams, from aptX Lossless from Tidal to AAC from Apple Music. To get a sense of how they performed with a wide variety of frequencies, I made sure to try them out with a wide variety of genres across the TechRadar testing playlist and my own go-to testing tracks, whether that’s rock, EDM or classical.

To try out the Momentum 5’s features, I spent a lot of time trying out different EQ and sound personalization profiles with different artists. I assessed Dolby Atmos performance by listening to a variety of Spatial Audio tunes from Apple Music, and I tested their noise cancelling in a range of settings, from TechRadar’s chatty offices to walks along busy roads. Finally, I tested their battery by playing music constantly with ANC on for 6 hours and using how much battery they lost to extrapolate how long they could last.

In terms of personal experience, I’ve spent years assessing the performance of audio gadgets, with a particular focus on headphones and speakers. On top of this, I produce music in my free time, which has given me a keen understanding of balancing frequencies and how to assess the dynamic performance of audio.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed: June 2026

When I finish testing a gadget (especially headphones, sadly), usually the kit gets returned to the company or put on a 'reference shelf' deep within TechRadar headquarters to gather dust. But occasionally I get to keep using a review sample until someone checks the shelf, and that's the case with these cans. They were released earlier in the year and for this money, they're an outright steal.

After writing our Soundcore Space 2 review and giving the set a highly-commended four-star review overall, I've found myself returning to these noise-cancelling over-ears ever since. That's been especially true of late, after I finished testing the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro in-ears and was fully in Anker mode (Soundcore is an Anker sub-brand).

I was gearing up to write an article recommending the Space 2 over Prime Day, until I discovered that they're already enjoying £20 off in the UK.

• See all early Prime Day deals at Amazon UK

I started seriously using the Soundcore Space 2 again when some earbuds I was testing proved incredibly unreliable at sticking in my ears; I wanted something that would stay on my head when I was on walks without me having to hold them there.

More so than most over-ears, these things are really comfortable. They're soft, so ear ache is out of the question. And they're light, too. This also helps when I want to fold them into my bag, or wear them around my neck.

I really like the look too. They're a bit more interesting than your generic over-ears.

In my review, I was a little critical of the sound quality, but now that I'm not using the Space 2 for an analysis, I have to say that I really don't mind it as much. And the noise cancellation for the money is outstanding.

I also criticized the price hike over their predecessors, and that's where a Prime Day discount is a great thing. This lower price is closer to the Soundcore Space One release price, thereby eradicating one of the 'Cons' from my review.

There will undoubtedly be plenty of headphone discounts over Prime Day, and I can't say that this Space 2 one will be the absolute best. But it's here early, on a pair of headphones I really like. My advice? You could do a lot worse.

More Early Amazon Prime Day deals — quick links

• Amazon Prime: sign up for a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire TV, Ring & Blink from £24.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: AirPods Pro 3 for a record-low price
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja, Tefal & Sage
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from under £10
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Father's Day: up to 50% off gifts & drinks
• Headphones: up to 50% off
• Laptops: from £149.99
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £125
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Eufy & Roborock
• Wearables: Garmin & Huawei from £36.99

Last week, I wrote that Walmart's latest price cut on the latest Apple AirPods Pro 3 likely won't be beaten in the upcoming Amazon Prime Day sale. Well, annoyingly (for me), that prediction wasn't the case as the premium buds have just gotten even cheaper at the retailer.

They were listed for $179, but today they've gone down to just $169 (was $249) at Walmart. That's a price that easily smashes the previous record-low on one of the most popular Apple products.

Interestingly, Amazon has listed the buds for $179, so there's a real battle going on right now for the lowest price on the AirPods Pro 3. Having been proven wrong, I won't say if these buds will go any lower. Personally, however, I'd be happy picking these up for $169 for sure. Not only are they the latest AirPods Pro, but they're easily some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy right now.

Amazon Prime Day is set to start next Tuesday (June 23), so there isn't that long of a wait until Walmart's rival potentially matches its latest price cut. Before these discounts, the AirPods Pro 3 were generally retailing for around $199, so these deals are definitely worth checking out if you're interested in the latest model.

Record-low Apple AirPods Pro 3 price at Walmart

• See more: check out all of today's deals at Walmart

Are the latest AirPods Pro 3 worth it?

We awarded the buds an impressive four and a half stars out of five in our AirPods Pro 3 review, calling them 'near-perfect noise-cancelling earbuds' at the time. They're still a little pricey, no doubt, but not many buds offer such excellent noise cancellation performance as the AirPods Pro 3.

If we had to pick holes, we'd say that the AirPods Pro 3 don't have the best battery life in the world (around 5.5 hours in our testing), but they're almost perfect otherwise. The customizable ear tips provide great comfort and noise isolation, while new features like Spatial Audio, heart-rate monitoring, and live translate mean they're a fantastic pairing with one of the latest iPhones.

OneOdio Studio Max 2: Two-minute review

Despite the number in the name, I’ve taken to considering the OneOdio Studio Max 2 to be more like a ‘pro’ version of the originals rather than a completely new pair of headphones. I’ve been testing them for several weeks, and the experience doesn’t feel hugely changed (even though the price is).

The originals upon which they are based were released in early 2025, and after I finished my review, I found myself using them daily. They’re always plugged into my guitar amp or keyboard for when I want to do some music practice; a few select features made them uniquely handy for making music.

The OneOdio Studio Max 2 are, mostly, a very similar proposition. They’re not designed for audiophiles so much as DJs, studio musicians and other music-makers — but they have enough of a consumer-friendly bent that they’re not just for the studio. If you’re an amateur musician or music producer, and want cans for the task in hand but also for general use, you’re the target audience.

Like their predecessors, I wouldn’t strongly recommend these for general use, though. They’re big and chunky, so I felt self-conscious wearing them in public, and the fit was unreliable, so they shook when I was walking. On top of that, the audio quality is pretty poor, and you won’t get noise cancellation. There’s a reason the old pair stayed tethered to my instruments.

That sounds like a deluge of criticism, and an odd one given the score above, but the Studio Max justify themselves with their tools for professionals or music creators.

These puppies connect to other devices in four ways: there’s both a 3.5mm jack and a 6.35mm one, so you’ve got more cable versatility than most other cans. Of course, you’ve got Bluetooth, but there’s also an audio transmitter included in the box that can connect to any analog source.

With the transmitter, you can get 9ms latency between the headphones and audio source. This is OneOdio’s pitch for why they’re great DJ headphones — with no transmission delay, you won't miss your bass-dropping cue. OneOdio isn't the only brand to offer this feature, but crucially, its headphones are the cheapest to do so.

Upgrades to this transmitter also form the main upgrades over the original Studio Max. The latency has been halved from 20ms and the bitrate has been increased, but the transmission distance has been halved to 10m. Given that the price has increased, though, it might not be a tempting upgrade for many buyers of the original.

For music producers or performers, the foldable form factor is appreciated, as is the massive 120-hour battery life over Bluetooth (and the battery life when using the transmitter has been doubled to 50 hours in this model). I can see it being particularly useful for touring musicians for this reason, who can’t charge regularly — although IEMs will still rule supreme for that.

More so than most headphones I test, the OneOdio Studio Max 2 are situational, and niche. I wouldn’t recommend them to people on the market for the best headphones for general use, nor would I suggest professionals buy them over specially-designed studio kit.

But there’s a small overlap in the Venn Diagram between those groups, in which the cans may find appreciative buyers. That's included me, as a dedicated user of the original model — but check the price of the original OneOdio Studio Max 1 before you buy, though, because if it gets price drops, it might be the better-value buy.

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Price and release date

• Released in May 2026
• They sell for $189 / £179 (about AU$360)
• Come with carry case as well as cables and transmitter

The OneOdio Studio Max 2 were unveiled on May 11, 2026 — that’s a year and three months on from the release of their predecessors.

The official price of the Studio Max 2 is $189 / £179 (about AU$360, but they don’t seem to have enjoyed an Australian release at the time of writing).

In the box you get the headphones, transmitter, various cables (loads of cables) and a handy carry case. It’s the complete package, and I’ve never felt the need to root around in my drawers for other wires.

For context, the original Studio Max released for $169 / £135 / AU$275, so there’s been a price hike here, which varies quite a bit by region.

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Specs

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Features

• No noise cancellation, and basic phone app
• Massive 120-hour battery over Bluetooth
• Many connection options including low-latency transmitter

Let’s address the elephant in the room, or lack thereof: there are some features missing here, which some music listeners might miss. There’s no active noise cancellation, for example, and the app is quite barebones. It has three EQ presets (normal, monitoring and bass), and a 10-band custom mode, as well as a few extras such as wear reminders, volume limiters, and a way to pan the sound to the left or right ear cup only.

What you do get is pretty rocking though. Take the battery life: 120 hours equates to five straight days of music playback. No, not five hours. Five days. That figure matches the original pair, and I can’t name another option which lasts that long.

Another key feature is the range of connection options. Naturally, you can connect them via their 3.5mm port, or the 6.35mm jack so they can connect to professional audio kit easily. The Studio Max 2 support Bluetooth 6.0, allowing for more reliable wireless connection than the old pair.

But perhaps the key selling point here is the transmitter, which comes included in the box. Using OneOdio’s RapidWill+ 3.0 technology, this transmitter lets you cut the response time between your source and the Studio Max 2 to just 9ms. It uses 2.4GHz connectivity, and all you need to do is plug it into your output device, and your headphones can pick it up.

All the cables you need are included in the box, so it's a plug-and-play style situation. The transmitter needs to be charged via USB-C, and lasts for 50 hours per charge.

• Features score: 4 / 5

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Sound quality

• Uses 45mm drivers
• Music is muffled and tinny
• EQ doesn't help fix things

OneOdio has used a 45mm driver in each Studio Max 2 cup, and the headphones are certified for Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless, with LDAC compatibility too. Unfortunately it's not quite the recipe for success it would appear to be on first glance.

The Max 2 sound muddy and muffled, with rumbly and ill-defined bass stomping over over lines of a song. Any semblance of a soundstage is forgotten, instead presenting your music as one amorphous sonic boulder.

Glorious by The Hoosiers is presented like a confused mush of synths, and the bass in Charlie Mars' She Ain't Coming Back veers between drowning out everything else, and being inaudible.

They also offer a sound that's tinnier than anything else at this price point, with noticeably compressed hi-hats and distorted guitars that really shouldn't be distorted. I'd usually cite a song here as an example, but you can basically insert any song that has instruments here.

Usually I'd turn to an equalizer to try to fix problems like this, but you've got three options: the default, a Bass Mode (that's not going to fix the problem), a custom EQ and Monitoring Mode. Those latter two both gave music a crunchier feel, so I stayed far away.

It's worth noting that criticism I levelled here, I also put against the Studio Max 1. As far as I can tell, the sound hasn't changed much.

• Sound quality: 2.5 / 5

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Design

• Industrial look
• Rotatable cups and foldable arms
• Plenty of ports and dials

Don’t buy the Studio Max 2 if you’re looking for svelte, lightweight or fashionable over-ear headphones. They’re bulky and large, with a design that’s quite industrial. You’ve seen the pictures, you know what they look like, and I felt self-conscious wearing them outside the house.

The cups and headband are pretty soft, yet they weren't too comfy to wear, perhaps because of their 353g weight. At least they're good at at catering for different shapes of head, thanks to how versatile they are: the cups rotate around different angles. This also makes them easily-foldable for bags, and handy to form for review pictures.

However, and likely as a natural side-effect of the size, they didn't stick in place reliably. If I was walking, they'd sway a tiny bit, and I imagine they'll wobble if you're an active DJ enjoying your own set.

Adorning each Studio Max 2 cup is a range of buttons and ports. The left cup has a 6.35mm port, while on the right you're getting volume up, volume down and power buttons, a 3.5mm jack, a slider to toggle between Bluetooth and ultra-low latency, and a USB-C port for charging too.

Two things to point out that images don't convey. Firstly, these things creak quite a bit; I'm used to this being a symptom of cheap plastic used in the design, but it doesn't feel like the case here. I think the many moving parts are to blame. Secondly, the back of the cups are grooved to resemble vinyl records; a neat touch, but if my previous pair are any indication, they can be huge dust magnets.

• Design score: 3 / 5

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Value

• Too expensive to be consumer cans
• Value for money if you need transmitter

If you’re looking at the OneOdio Studio Max 2 as consumer-friendly headphones, it’s hard to argue that they offer you good value for money. There are great cans for music fans at a third of the price — from OneOdio itself, as well as other brands.

That’s also true if you’re looking for general studio headphones, for that matter.

What you’re paying for is the transmitter, to allow for low-latency wireless music from any source, including instruments. If you need a gadget like it, the Studio Max 2 undercuts its rivals — if not, then these aren’t the cans for you.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the OneOdio Studio Max 2?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Also consider

How I tested the OneOdio Studio Max 2

• Tested for one month
• Tested alongside PC, guitar amp, synth, smartphone
• Used all connection options

I used the OneOdio Studio Max 2 for roughly a month before writing this review.

During the testing process, they were connected to a wide variety of devices including my guitar amp, my keyboard, my PC and my smartphone. Across this board, I used every connection option possible.

Mostly, the testing was done for music playback, but I also used it for a variety of other tasks including audio mixing, video editing, playing my own music and, for one weekend, audio recording alongside a field recorder and boom mic.

I've been reviewing gadgets for TechRadar since early 2019, and in that time have tested plenty of audio products including the original Studio Max 1 (the number is in the name, I've not added it!).

• First reviewed in May 2026

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

• Upcoming Beats headphones show up, again
• They have appeared around neck of World Cup player, again
• Fans are trying to come to terms with that color

When currently-unannounced Beats headphones were spotted in social media posts from Spain player Lamine Yamal ahead of the 2026 World Cup, I said "there's a good chance we'll see more of them". Well, I called it, because it happened again.

A series of Instagram posts from South Korea midfielder Lee Kang-in, posted to celebrate the team's 2-1 victory over Czechia in its first match of the tournament, gives pride of place to the same Beats headphones as we saw before.

This time though, instead of a rose hue, they come in white and... a neon yellow I'll politely not refer to as 'Sourz vomit', although it looks like the result of one too many alcopops. How to describe it other than 'slime' or 'puke' though?

I know what you're thinking: maybe they gave it to Lee to match his team's colors? Nope, South Korea plays in red and black, with an occasional violet-slash-lavender away kit for the 2026 World Cup.

Some commentators are using this peculiar color combination as evidence that the cans will have replaceable cups, clearly hoping that Beats will let them ditch the pads for something else, but that feels like grasping at straws.

There's no actual evidence of this, and the faint hint of a yellow headband behind Lee's neck suggests that these are just two-tone cans, instead of it being a choice on his part.

The vantage gives us a better look at the rounded build of these new cans, which swaps out the noughties-chic of Beats' previous cans with a CMF Headphone-looking tiered build. Beyond the choice color options, they actually look pretty suave.

The most appealing part of the redesign to me is the band, which looks much thinner than before, and circular, so it'll potentially be much more comfortable to wear. We'll have to see, but a launch will likely come hot on the heels of this World Cup catwalk.

Has anyone outside of a World Cup squad used them yet?

Just like when we saw them alongside Lamine Yamal, Lee Kang-in doesn't get snapped actually using the new Beats headphones, although he does keep them closer to his person.

While Yamal kept them at arms' length, hooking them to his bag and only being photographed with them around his neck once, Lee has them around his neck several times.

Neither of these soccer players has been seen actually using the new Beats headphones. Maybe owning, but not actually using, headphones is the fashionable thing to do. Or maybe they saw our critical Beats Solo 4 review and want to keep the new pair at arms' length.

It's unlikely that Apple has chosen two specific players out of hundreds to give its headphones to, so as the group stages of the World Cup progress, we'll probably see more sightings of the Beats.

We've glimpsed pink, and white-yellow, and hopefully we'll see a few more color options show up.

It’s tax time in Australia, and while that means the prospect of a nice rebate on the horizon, it also brings a wave of EOFY deals and discounts across a huge range of products.

Nowhere is that more evident than in headphones, which are often among the easiest categories to score a serious saving on during major sales events. While they might be tricky to justify as a work-related expense, if you’ve been considering an upgrade the current EOFY sales have provided some excellent opportunities to save when doing so.

As TechRadar Australia’s resident headphone fiend, I’ve trawled the sales pages of the country’s biggest retailers to uncover six standout deals I think are worth your attention. And if none quite hit the mark, I’ve included links so you can browse the full ranges at your own pace.

Retailers with EOFY headphone deals

• Amazon
• The Good Guys
• JB Hi-Fi
• Sennheiser
• Sonos

Last week, I wrote about Amazon's latest price cut on the excellent Apple AirPods Pro 3. At the time of writing, the buds had just hit $199, which was a match for the record-low price. With Prime Day around the corner, however, I recommended that readers hold off on a purchase for now.

Today, Walmart has just hit back with a new record-low price of $179 (was $249), which I think is an early deal that's good enough to spring for. With a price that smashes the previous record-low by a whopping $20, I really don't see Apple's latest premium earbuds getting any lower than this.

I could, of course, be wrong, but I certainly wouldn't feel bad about picking these up early. Another option could be to wait until Prime Day to see if Amazon price matches, but the sale isn't set to take place until June 23, so you'll be waiting for a few weeks.

Record-low Apple AirPods Pro 3 price at Walmart

• See more: check out all of today's deals at Walmart

Are the latest AirPods Pro 3 worth it?

We awarded the buds an impressive four and a half stars out of five in our AirPods Pro 3 review, calling them 'near-perfect noise-cancelling earbuds' at the time. They're still a little pricey, no doubt, but not many buds offer such excellent noise cancellation performance as the AirPods Pro 3.

If we had to pick holes, we'd say that the AirPods Pro 3 don't have the best battery life in the world (around 5.5 hours in our testing), but they're almost perfect otherwise. The customizable ear tips provide great comfort and noise isolation, while new features like Spatial Audio, heart-rate monitoring, and live translate mean they're a fantastic pairing with one of the latest iPhones.

Friends, it's official: Amazon Prime Day is on the horizon. The sales extravaganza is slated for June 23 - 26.

• See all the best early Prime Day deals

But we needn't be anything other than calm and composed about this; that's why you're here, furnishing the rooms of your mind palace early doors, with me.

And if it's new and highly rated audio products you came to bone up on, from my friendly 'Audio, Headphones and Hi-Fi' corner of TechRadar, you came to the right place.

Seven of the following products were reviewed in May or June of this year and all gained a highly-coveted four stars or above. The other is a cassette player that's a dead ringer for the Maxell Wireless Cassette Player my colleague reviewed and loved recently, but it's even cheaper than that model.

Top of the pile for me? The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds. The review is hot off the press and at this level, competition is rife in earbuds. But we've tested the rest and let us tell you, these are good. If you see a set discounted on Prime Day, I wouldn't hesitate.

Next up, the AirPods Pro Max 2, which are perhaps a little rich for the blood usually, but Prime Day isn't your usual deals event and I reckon we might see a few tasty savings out there as competing retailers gear up for Prime Day. And honestly, I've never heard noise cancellation so good from an Apple source device…

OK, but what if you're happy with your earbuds or headphones and just want to level up the resolution and be 100% sure you're getting the goods? The Khadas Tea Pro (especially if it's an iPhone you're looking to enhance) or the pocket powerhouse iFi Go Link 2 are for you. Simply add these little bobby-dazzler dongles to your setup, make sure your streaming quality (or downloaded files) are up to scratch and get ready to hear the difference. Stressed, you? Not when music sounds this good.

Want to level up your Bluetooth speaker game ahead of (ooh-ah!) all those summer nights? I've got you. It's big, it's beefy and you absolutely can't go wrong with the new JBL Xtreme 5 thanks to its meatier bass, enhanced clarity and even more power over its predecessor. It's also got edge lighting, lossless USB-C audio and an IP68 rating, so it'll be absolutely fine if the party goes really well and it ends up dunked in the pool.

Lastly, two slightly more niche picks: a set of wired earbuds (although that trend continues apace) from House of Marley, namely the Smile Jamaica USB-C set, which we adored under intense review, and the Shokz OpenFit Pro open earbuds, which are the best-sounding sports-specific set of open-fit buds I've ever heard.

The best deals at Amazon are listed beside each entry below — just keep your eyes out for tumbling prices!

Your pre-Prime Day audio roundup

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: Two-minute review

Anker's Soundcore sub-brand may not have a reputation for releasing the best earbuds that everyone raves about, but they tend to be solid pieces of kit. We gave the Soundcore Liberty 5 (yes, take care, because that's not these — and there's also a Pro Max to swerve in favor of these) a 3.5-star score, and that tends to be par for the course. Until now, that is.

With the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro, there's been a change: it really feels like the brand is coming into its own, and it knows what buyers really want.

These are incredibly feature-stuffed headphones, with an app that'll boggle your mind given how many tools it offers. And they're all useful too: the ANC is very good, the listening test is handy and the array of array of little extras is impressive.

Particularly special is the quiet calling feature, so people you're speaking to on the phone can't hear what's going on around you. I hear many brands boast about their buds’ quiet call quality, with algorithms and microphones designed to wipe background sound from your voice in calls. Most of the time it’s bluff and bluster, but the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro are the real deal.

I know this because, part-way through the review process, my mother called me while I was in a busy coffee shop. I apologized for the pop music being blasted over the speakers – I could barely hear myself think for Outkast’s Hey Ya! – and she asked me what music I was talking about. She’d have had no idea I was in a noisy space, had it not been for my telling her. If two thumbs up from my mom isn’t a glowing endorsement of tech, I don’t know what is.

I'd be remiss not to mention the Soundcore's fit too. The buds are nice and lightweight, with a ridge to help them lock in your ear. I never had any fit problems with them, and they stayed in place during runs and workouts.

What about the sound? The buds offer warm, bass-heavy music that'll please people who like thumping heavy rhythms. The audio quality won't endear the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro to audiophiles (do wireless earbuds at this level ever excite audiophiles?) but nevertheless it isn't at all bad. Sound quality may not be the highlight of these buds, but I still enjoyed listening to them during my testing.

My main gripes with the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro bypass the earpieces and their talents and really only concern the case. It has a small touchscreen strip, but it doesn't do enough to justify its existence (nor is it responsive enough for that). And the case is bigger than it should be as a result; I would've loved to see it lose the strip and shrink a little.

At least it's not the Liberty 5 Pro Max, with a giant case and big touchscreen. I tested that too, and you can read more about it later, but it's decidedly more of a professional-targeted device. Most buyers looking for some great earbuds would do better with these Pro-only earbuds: they're cheaper and you're only missing a few features — ones I think you may not use anyway.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Price and release date

• Released on May 21, 2026
• They sell for $169.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300)
• Sitting between Liberty 5, and Liberty 5 Pro Max

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro were announced alongside a slew of other Anker products at the brand’s annual Anker Day, on May 21, 2026.

You can pick them up for $169.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300), so unlike many of the brand’s other pairs of earbuds, they’ve crept over the line: these aren’t budget buds, rather solidly mid-range ones. For a little context, the non-Pro model launched for $129 / £99 / AU$169, but went on sale a year prior, so have seen some discounts.

They launched alongside the Liberty 5 Pro Max, which sell for a fair bit more: $229.99 / £199.99 (roughly AU$400). We’ll get into these a little later; it’s best to treat them as a ‘Pro’ model to the Liberty 5 Pro (despite that being a little confusing), with a few extra tools for professionals, but no major advantage.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Specs

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Features

• Impressive noise cancellation and clear calling
• Middling battery life, at 6.5 hours
• Absolutely loads of features via app

In the introduction to this review, I already waxed lyrical about the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro's quiet call tools. Suffice to say, it's just as impressive as it was when you read about it a few minutes ago: a real stand-out feature of the buds.

Quiet calls is one of the many benefits brought from the use of Anker’s Thus chip, with the brand’s decision to home-brew its own internals, and thus get to design its software and hardware in tandem, paying dividends.

Another example is noise cancellation, as the Liberty 5 Pro has some of the best I’ve used in a set of earbuds at its price point. It is able to eradicate the low, rumbling background hum of life, and drastically reduce louder sounds too — it even took a big chunk out of my coffee shop’s streaming of Hey Ya!.

In theory, battery life is another department that should benefit from Thus, and Anker puts the listening time per bud, with ANC on, at 6.5 hours. From my own testing, that’s an optimistic figure — my own listening time was a little south of that mark. The same is true with the overall case battery life, which Anker states as 28 hours. Don’t get me wrong: the battery life here is fine, but it’s nothing to write home about either.

If that sounds like a nice little haul of features already, just wait until you download the Soundcore app. If my editor didn’t think this section was too long already, just wait until we list what else you get with the buds.

This has all the basics: the ability to change between noise cancelling modes, customizable touch controls, Dolby Atmos, EQ presets, multi-point connection, fit tests, find-my earbuds, and an eight-band custom equalizer.

But you get a whole lot more: there's a listening test for custom EQ, a load of ambient soundscapes and listening modes, and even a built-in chat-bot called Anka which can give you suggestions for settings to change. There's a lot going on.

If anything, the app's a little confusingly laid out. If you select your earbuds, where most apps would put all the settings, you can only see a few. To find more, you need to press a little Settings cog which is easy to miss. And for many more options, you have to back out all the way to the main menu.

• Features score: 4.5/5

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Design

• Kidney bean-shaped bud with tip and fin
• Reliable in-ear fit
• Touchscreen-toting case is a little bulky

Anker has opted for a kidney bean-shaped look for the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds; they bring to mind Samsung’s bean buds, but with a tip that you can use to put them in your ear. You can pick them up in blue, pink, white or black, and the buds and case come in the same hue.

Each earbud weighs 7g, is made of a solid-feeling plastic, and the other design feature of note is a little wing at the top to keep them locked in your ear. To be clear, the fit is much better than those older Samsung buds. That little wing works magically, and I took them to the gym and on countless runs without any inkling of them falling out.

The buds are IP55 protected, which means they’re protected from dust and low-pressure water jets (like rain or sweat) but aren’t suitable for swimming. You get touch controls on each bud, but you need to tap multiple times to achieve anything, and I found them unreliable for multi-tap commands.

Now onto the case; the 0.96-inch display on the front isn’t as much as selling point here as the Pro Max’s larger one is, but it’s not as much of a gimmick as to put off people who aren’t interested.

It sort of makes the case look like a very small '90s alarm clock. You can use its screen to quickly check the charge of the buds and enabled certain features; I found it pretty unresponsive and gave up using it for music control quite quickly, but perhaps a more patient user could persevere. I can see the quick access to EQ presets being pretty handy for certain people.

Due to its touchscreen, the Liberty 5 Pro's case is a little larger than most rivals', even if at 70g it's not unduly heavy. I found it a little on the large side to slip into my pocket; not perfect for people who like a tiny case. The sliding mechanism to reveal the buds felt quick and easy, but I'm curious about how long it'd lasting in the long term. Even over several weeks of using the buds, the sliding plane started to feel a little wobbly.

• Design score: 4/5

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Sound quality

• Using 45mm drivers
• Music is muffled, and tinny
• EQ doesn't help

Anker has put 9.2mm drivers in the Liberty 5 Pro Max, which I'm inclined to believe are the same pieces of kit that it used in the non-Pro buds. As with those other models, these aren't audiophile earbuds — the sound is way too warm for that — and instead they give the people what they want.

That's to say, they're bass-heavy and energetic buds, focused more on snappy lower frequencies and tender higher ones than an objectively natural, integrated hi-fi sound. Given how commonly this kind of sound profile is used in affordable and mid-range buds, I'm inclined to say it's popular, and Soundcore's done a great job hitting that target.

If you like lower-end clout in your sound, you'll be happy here. Any genre I tried, from rock to pop to dance, fared well. It was even solid for listening to genres that don't revel in excess bass, like classical, acoustic and jazz.

Bass injection is clearly the name of the game here, but for the most part, trebles and mids are just as forceful, offering an enjoyable amount of detail. Shane Smith & the Saints' Coast has a lovely delicate timbre in the acoustic guitar which you often miss, and some lovely harmonies in Last Sunrise In The Wasteland by At The End Of Times, Nothing came to the fore.

I'm not going to claim that these buds are perfect. At lower volumes, the Liberty 5 Pro lose trebles and mids at a disproportionate rate.

But the real 'problem' will likely come from the sound being divisive. The Liberty 5 Pro's bassy sound might not please everyone. It's right on the border of 'too much', sometimes offering a lovely thumping sound, but occasionally stepping over the line.

In songs like Gabriel Kelley's You Kill Me, bass guitar can overstep its role as an accompanying instrument, and step to the fore in a way that throws the song out of whack. At other times, it can just override some of the more sensitive instruments. More so than in most earbuds I test, you're going to have to get familiar with the EQ presets, and use them depending on which genre you prefer to listen to.

If that wasn't a problem for audiophiles, perhaps the relative lack of Bluetooth codec support is. You're getting Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, but seemingly no bone thrown for LDAC, aptX or anything similar.

• Sound quality: 4/5

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: how about the Pro Max?

• Pro Max cost a little more
• Sound quality and battery life are identical
• Pro Max has larger case, one or two extra tools

Beyond being an absolute mouthful to say (or, in this case, write), the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max are very similar earbuds to the Pro. So much so, that instead of writing an entire separate review on them, I decided to give them a section of the Pro review. And why not the other way around? That's because the Pros are, in my opinion, the best buds for most people.

The Pro Max earbuds are exactly the same as the Pro's, in terms of design, sound quality, battery life and feature set (mainly). The Max comes in thanks to two additional features: you can use the case to record audio and provide quick transcripts, and for instant voice translation.

They're solid features, all right, but with more limited appeal. I can see them being handy for business users, but not so much for the average buyer.

Your other upgrade here is in the carry case: its display now takes up the entire top of the buds, and it offers loads more features. You can add a custom wallpaper, and use it for various tools, settings and modes, including (but not limited to) the aforementioned extra features.

Again, useful additions, but at the cost of an even larger carry case. It wasn't comfortable to keep in my pocket, that's for sure.

I'm not disputing that the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max are better earbuds. But for most people, I don't think they're enough to justify the extra cost. Only consider these if you'll really use

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Value

• Too expensive to be consumer cans
• Value for money if you need transmitter

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro are reasonably priced, but you get what you pay for. There’s nothing wrong with that, but a good discount would tip these into the ‘amazing’ value for money camp.

The noise cancellation, sound quality and feature set are all really good for the price… but there are loads of other rivals at around the same price point that all offer suites that are good for the price. I've tested a few earbuds for even less, that impress me just as much.

At least the Anker Liberty Pro are better value money than the Pro Max. You’re paying more money, and getting a very similar product. For business users maybe, but I can’t see myself recommending them to most people, when the Pro is right there.

• Value: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Also consider

Want to see what other earbuds your money can get you? Here are some alternatives for roughly the same price.

How I tested the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

• Tested for three weeks
• Paired with Android phone for variety of tasks
• Also used alongside Pro Max

I used the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro for three weeks before writing this review. I tested them alongside the Pro Max model.

During the testing process, the earbuds were connected to my Android smartphone. I used them for streaming Spotify Lossless music as well as Tidal and Apple Music, playing various games, streaming videos, conducting voice calls and going on video chats.

That listening went on at home, while at the gym, during runs, and on walks around my neighborhood. For certain areas, like ANC and sound quality, I have reference tests I conduct which lets me compare various earbuds.

I've reviewed earbuds and headphones for TechRadar for many years, including previous Anker products like the Space 2 over-ears earlier this year.

• First reviewed in June 2026

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

• AirPods are getting a universal custom EQ at last
• You'll be able to see the results live as a song plays
• It's set to come in iOS 27, as part of the AirPods' Settings screen

Apple just announced that one of the longest-requested features from AirPods users is finally coming as part of iOS 27: a custom EQ. Announced during the WWDC 2026 keynote, Apple hasn't revealed full details of the feature, but we did get a first glimpse.

There will be a screen that looks like the image at the top of this page, and if you tap 'Custom' then a blue line is overlaid on the frequency graph. You appear to be able to move the blue line to increase or decrease the frequency bands.

There's a live waveform that plays, so it appears that you'll be able to see the result on the sound signature live, as well as hearing it, obviously.

In the past, it's been possible to make some changes to AirPods' sound using accessibility tools, but this really isn't designed for making subtle changes to your music profile, it's designed for the hard of hearing to boost frequencies they struggle with.

There's also been an EQ in Apple Music, but that doesn't help if you use another app for music, and doesn't preserve the EQ when you switch devices or other apps in general.

There are interesting differences in the sound of different AirPods models. The original AirPods Max are much more neutral than the AirPods Pro 3, for example, and I can easily see that some people might choose to give the over-ears a little extra poppy punch at times — or might want to just take a slight edge off the earbuds.

However! The obvious thing that's missing in the images we've seen so far is a clear option to save presets, so the scenario I've described above might not be that easy. This might be in the final version, of course, or there might be a way to create this using Shortcuts.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple keeps this pretty basic. The screen doesn't really encourage you to make changes: the description in the setting says, "AirPods are designed and engineered by Apple to faithfully represent music, TV shows and movies, and calls. If you prefer a different sound profile, you can customize how AirPods represent any audio played."

Still, given that the original AirPods model launched in December 2016, I'm just glad we're getting finally getting it as an option at all.

If you've had your eye on the latest AirPods Max 2, then today's price cut at Amazon might just be of interest. The retailer has just listed all colors (save Purple) for a record-low price of $499 (was $599).

It's interesting timing because this discount comes just ahead of the retailer's big annual Amazon Prime Day sale. That's due to start on June 23, so right now it's usually not the best time to pick up tech at Amazon. This is a great price, however, and one I doubt will go much lower over the big sale.

The AirPods Max 2 have stubbornly held at around $510 to $520 in recent months, likely due to their popularity. While pricey, they're easily some of the best headphones on the market right now, particularly if you can make use of their new computational features with an iPhone 15 or newer device.

These features include things like live translate, advanced call screening, gesture control, conversational awareness, and adaptive audio. Pair all of these with a stunning high-end design, class-leading noise cancellation, and fantastic audio quality, and the AirPods Max 2 are definitely worth considering.

Apple AirPods Max 2 record-low price at Amazon

Is it worth waiting for Prime Day now?

It's always a tough call on whether to wait for Prime Day or not when you spot a decent deal in the build-up to the big sale. Generally speaking, it's usually worth waiting it out as it's usually the best sale at Amazon outside of Black Friday in November.

The big sale usually features deals from all corners of Amazon's vast inventory, but it's particularly good for own-brand devices and Apple products. That includes AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads, and so on.

With that said, I would be surprised if the AirPods Max 2 got any lower than $499, based on previous discounts. Not only are they fairly new, but they're also popular, so I don't think it's reasonable to expect these to hit something like $449 in the near future.

While you're here, I'd highly recommend checking out our AirPods Max 2 review if you're looking for more details on these excellent premium headphones.

Shokz OpenDots 2: One Minute Review

Shokz, the company specializing in bone conduction and open-ear buds, returns to the clip-on form factor with the Shokz OpenDots 2. It’s worth noting that the OpenDots 2 are one of two pairs released at the same time: they arrive alongside the cheaper Shokz OpenDots Air, which are missing a few features like wireless charging, waterproofing and bone conduction mics.

The clip-on earbud form factor offers both pros and cons. On the one hand, the shape is light and comfortable to wear day-to-day, and doesn’t interfere with glasses in the same way an over-ear hook might. They look almost jewellery-like, with my testing pair sporting a metal-and-pearl off-white sheen, sitting like a helix piercing over my ears.

On the other hand, they’re much less stable than over-ear hooks, with some brands being very wobbly or prone to dislodging. While the OpenDots 2, like most clip-on headphones with big drivers at the back, do suffer from being easily dislodged by the accidental brush of a hand or a hood (you’ll want to take extra care during commutes if you’re crammed into someone’s armpit on the train), they tend to stay in when left alone.

You might think that without a seal around your ear canal the OpenDots 2 might come up short on sound, and compared to market leaders like Apple’s AirPods that’s largely true. However, for open-ear headphones, the sound quality is excellent, with powerful bass despite the lack of a seal, and very little leakage. A dedicated Private equalizer mode also reportedly works to reduce leakage, although during my tests, even on Standard my office colleagues couldn’t hear any sound leakage at all, even when I had the volume turned up to Spinal-Tap-11 levels. Other EQ modes in the Shokz app include Vocal and Bass, and a Smart EQ option also exists, with users taken through six ‘A or B’ comparisons to find their optimal EQ mode.

Battery life is strong, with Shokz citing “up to 40 hours” from a full charge of the case. Wireless charging takes 3.5 hours, and a full wired USB-C charge takes two hours.

The launch of the OpenDots 2 sees Shokz attempting to push its way into a crowded category. One Shokz representative told me the company was hoping to eventually ‘replace AirPods’, and while I can’t see that happening anytime soon, the OpenDots 2 are probably the strongest clip-on earbuds I’ve ever tried; certainly in terms of sound quality, they’re up there with the Bose Ultra Opens while surpassing them in the fit stakes. They’re high-quality, durable, attractive-looking, and stable when left alone — just be careful when pulling your hood down.

Shokz OpenDots 2: Specifications

Shokz OpenDots 2: Price and availability

• $199.95 in the US
• £179.99 in the UK
• AU$339 in Australia

The Shokz OpenDots 2 cost $199.95 in the US, £179.99 in the UK, and AU$339 in Australia. That’s not cheap, and comparable to the cost of AirPods 4 with ANC ($179 / £179 / AU$299) — and the OpenDots 2 aren’t as versatile, considering that they’re effectively always in ‘transparency mode’ due to their design. If most people are going to drop this sort of money on a pair of wireless earbuds, it’s likely to be on a set that can both block out noise entirely and allow it to filter through when needed.

That being said, they’re not badly pitched (sorry) in value, being cheaper than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which cost $299 / £299 / AU$449.95, at launch, and of similar quality. If you’re looking for cheaper options, the Shokz OpenDots Air are available at $129.95 / £129.99 / A$219, or you could opt for the Huawei Freeclip series.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Shokz OpenDots 2: Design

• Clamshell case
• Comfortable fit
• Some instability if knocked

The Shokz OpenDots 2 are designed in a similar way to most clip-on earbuds now: there’s a battery cylinder at the back featuring sensors with a tactile button, a driver designed to hover over the ear, and a band connecting the two, and gripping the device to the ear’s helix. In the case of the OpenDots 2, the speaker is in fact a sphere with two 11.8mm drivers facing inwards towards each other, creating a ball of sound, and a hole from which the sound is projected towards the eardrum.

From an aesthetics standpoint, the OpenDots 2 look very similar to the Bose Ultra Opens, right down to the mix of plastics and metallics on the buds and the clamshell case. That’s not a bad thing; they look very premium, and are extremely comfortable to wear. As a glasses wearer, I experienced none of the chafing or earache over-ear hooks give me, even when wearing the OpenDots 2 for long periods or during sweaty workouts. As mentioned, they can be knocked loose easily, and there’s no getting around this, as it’s simply a design issue with almost all clip-ons. Pulling a hood back immediately risks pulling out your expensive earbuds and sending them clattering to the floor.

The controls are intuitive — you can pause, play, adjust volume or cycle through tracks by pinching the barrels or tapping the bridges of the earbuds. The OpenDots 2 pack IP55 waterproofing, meaning they can withstand sweat, rain and dust but are unlikely to survive prolonged submersion or high-pressure washing. The case isn't waterproof either, so don’t leave them in your pocket and put them in the washing machine!

• Design score: 4.5/5

Shokz OpenDots 2: Features

• Four EQ modes
• Multipoint connectivity
• Custom EQs to tailor sound to your liking

Despite being focused on open-ear products, Shokz is clearly working on sound and pitching the OpenDots 2 at everyday audiophiles rather than athletes. With four equalizer modes — Standard, Bass, Vocal and Private — plus a Custom EQ option, you’re able to tweak the sound to suit your needs and preferences.

After going through the custom EQ setup, which asks you six times to choose between two different versions of the same track, I noticed only a very minor difference to Standard, with slightly more powerful bass and clearer mids. This probably speaks to the quality of Shokz’ already excellent sound mixing, particularly on an open-ear bud.

Multipoint connectivity allows for two devices to connect via Bluetooth simultaneously, and I’ve been switching seamlessly between my phone and laptop with no issues. The option to use wireless charging is nice too. AI-powered call noise reduction with dual bone-conduction and ‘air conduction’ microphones makes calls sound nice and clear.

The OpenDots 2 are not packed with features such as live translation and heart rate sensing like Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, but they’re certainly not bad for the price.

• Features score: 4/5

Shokz OpenDots 2: Performance

• Great sound
• Stable fit, apart from on contact
• Good battery life

The sound delivered by the Shokz OpenDots 2 is excellent, considering that these are open-ear headphones: they’re meaty and bassy, with minimal leakage even at higher volumes. In the office, I wore them comfortably all day while using my laptop, transitioning to my phone when I left the office, and only removing them to show curious colleagues, or pausing via a tap to have a conversation. Most outside sounds were blocked in a way that they aren’t with bone conduction headphones, as you have a driver sitting right over the top of your ear canal pumping vibrations down to your eardrum, whereas with the likes of the OpenRun Pro 2 your canal is left truly open.

However, while on a 10K run I kept my headphones on a low-to-middle volume, and I was still able to hear the bells of passing bikes and the occasional twitter of birds, so the open-ear design still does its job admirably. On my very sweaty run, the buds didn’t feel like they were pendulously wobbling, and I was able to pound the pavement and even shake my head without being afraid that they would dislodge. Only a nudge of my hand would cause them to come loose.

I find the OpenDots' listed battery stats to be largely accurate: I’ve been using these headphones for the better part of a week as I write this review, and only now is the case at 10% battery, with the buds themselves still on a full charge, and good for a further 10 hours.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Shokz OpenDots 2: Scorecard

Shokz OpenDots 2: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

How I tested

I wore the Shokz OpenDots 2 for a week in different scenarios. I used them on my commute, in work, on a 10K run, in the gym, and even while sleeping, making use of the custom EQ functionality, asking colleagues if they could hear the audio I was listening to at various volumes, and testing their multipoint connectivity features.

First reviewed: June 2026

This week, I’ve been wading through the endless sea of incredible audio gear at 2026’s High End Vienna, and I’ve seen plenty of sensational-sounding, innovative, and eye-wateringly expensive stuff.

One area I found myself glued to above all, was the World of Headphones hall, which featured some newly-announced sets with truly cutting edge capabilities. For instance, I managed to go hands on with a pair of Wi-Fi headphones, and also tried a unique triple-driver set with ultra-advanced personalized EQ options.

So, I’m here to share the four sets of headphones that impressed me the most at High End Vienna — including some pairs announced at the show, as well as a few 2026 releases that I tried for the very first time.

1. Meze Audio Arta

The Meze Audio Arta open back circumaural headphones are striking in just about every way imaginable. In our news coverage, we likened them to a supercar in the audio realm. They have an attention-grabbing, futuristic aesthetic, seismic sound, and a huge €6,000 (about $7000 / £5,200) price-tag. And while I’m not here to decide whether they’re truly worth such a fee, I’m willing to say that these headphones really wowed me.

It was recommended that I listen to Can’t Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers, and it wasn’t hard to see why — the track really showed these headphones at their best. Leading vocals were exceptionally clear, the tonal accuracy of guitars was top-notch, and subtle clicks and percussion were weighted beautifully. Despite their highly insightful nature, the Arta also have quite an exciting sound signature; bass was very punchy and got my head moving in no time.

The planar magnetic drivers — which Meze says have the “highest-impedance” to date in any set of PM cans — provide almost tangible directionality, and elements like backing vocals were placed with great precision. You’ll need a good quality amp to drive these, of course, though I suspect that will be no issue for anyone spending €6,000 on headphones.

I spoke to Meze’s Acoustic Engineer, Alex Grigoras, about the headphones’ sound, and he highlighted that the Arta are “quite open compared to other products in our lineup,” pointing to their thin and light diaphragm. The aim, he told me, was to build on the legacy of Meze’s Empyrian line and almost capture the feeling of listening to a loudspeaker in a room.

2. Noble Audio FoKus Artemis

One of the most unique pairs of headphones I spotted out in Vienna was the Noble Audio FoKus Artemis, which are priced at $899 / £799. These noise-cancelling headphones use a triple-driver configuration: dynamic, planar magnetic, and balanced armature.

When I spoke to the team, they explained that although dynamic drivers are capable enough when it comes to handling bass and mids, this hybrid approach enables the headphones to offer enhanced highs, better articulation, and plenty of speed. And this was audible when I tried the Artemis for myself.

The FoKus Artemis were unlike anything I’ve heard before, with an incredible spacey, hypnotic sound. With Allie X’s Black Eye, I was impressed by incredibly clear, well separated vocals, precise highs, and impactful low-end sound. Thanks to their open quality, this track’s deep bass was also exceptionally immersive — it was almost as if I could feel it moving inside my head.

Through Noble’s work with Audiodo, the Artemis will also enable users to set a personal sound profile, rather than traditional EQ presets, making these headphones extremely personalizable and adaptable. Interestingly, the Artemis also have an IP rating — something of a rarity for over-ears. Sure, it’s only IP52 — meaning they’re partially dust resistant and protected against vertical drips of water akin to a light-to-middling rain-shower, say — but it’s good to see a manufacturer being more transparent about waterproofing.

3. HiFiMAN HE1000 Wi-Fi

Using the HiFiMAN HE1000 Wi-Fi marked the first time that I’d ever used a pair of Wi-Fi headphones, and I’m really interested to see if some of the major players in the audio space will adopt it. Wi-Fi enables better streaming quality than Bluetooth can, and is the main selling point of HiFiMAN’s $2,699 / £2,609 wireless open back headphones.

While I didn’t have the ideal listening environment for these headphones — I was in the middle of a fairly busy (and noisy) demo space, I was impressed by what these cans had to offer. In Bitches Brew by Miles Davis, I enjoyed the open, precise soundstaging, the tonality of leading trumpet, and the subtlety of finer percussive details. I was listening using the company’s HM2000 tablet, which enables a seamless Wi-Fi connection to the headphones, although the HE1000 can be used without this.

Although the HE1000 are fairly heavy and the earcups are large, I also found these to be surprisingly comfortable in-use, and the overall build quality here is very high to boot. They can only manage 6.5-7.5 hours of playback when Wi-Fi streaming due to the more intensive drain compared to Bluetooth, but I certainly enjoyed my brief time with these cans.

4. Audeze LCD-5s

One major piece of news out of High End Vienna was Audeze’s unveiling of the unveiling of the MM-520 studio headphones. That model packs 90mm drivers, an open back design, and Audeze’s proprietary SLAM technology for optimizing air pressure and refining low-end sounds.

But as cool as this new announcement was, I wanted to highlight another pair of Audeze headphones that were released in 2026, the LCD-5s. These premium open back planar magnetic headphones really wowed me. When tuning into A Tribe Called Quest’s Check the Rhime, I was stunned by the responsiveness in the treble range — percussion was super-snappy, with a rapid decay and high-level precision. Vocals occupied a neat pocket in the mix, and bass was balanced expertly too.

SLAM tech is present here too, as are the 90mm drivers, resulting in spectacular audio quality, regardless of the genre you’re listening to. On another note, I was a big fan of the LCD-5s’s look. The tortoiseshell details and leather headband were real stand-out elements, helping these headphones feel especially luxurious — a good thing, given that they come in at $4,500 / £3,999.

No matter which brand you prefer, the best phones are always improving. From the iPhone 17 Pro’s elite Fusion Camera system to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Privacy Display, expensive flagships routinely bring something new to the table. Except when it comes to design.

As we’ve discussed before here at TechRadar, the unfortunate truth is that phones have never looked more boring. Gone are the days of the motorized LG Wing and Oppo Find X, or even the flashy gold-colored iPhone 14 Pro — pick a modern flagship phone off the shelf and, more often than not, it’ll be some bland melange of glass and aluminum.

Nothing is the exception to this rule. Since emerging in 2021, the best Nothing phones have caught the eyes of tech fans with their bold and bizarre designs. The brand's arcane Glyph LED systems and Y2K-style see-through panels have made it a go-to for tech fans who want something unique, even definitive.

And to be fair, if you are trying to make something definitive, it helps to have the defining pop star of the 2020s at the center of your latest ad campaign.

I'm your number one

Last month, Nothing announced Charli XCX as its first global brand ambassador with a campaign simply titled NOTHING (CHARLI XCX).

In the campaign, Charli poses with a handful of Nothing phones and headphones, doing her usual thing of strutting, smoldering, and generally looking cooler than most of us could ever hope to look.

It’s genuinely difficult to explain the impact Charli XCX has had on popular culture in the last few years. After a brief flirtation with the charts in the early 2010s and close to a decade as an online cult icon, Charli conquered the mainstream in 2024 with Brat, an album so immense in impact that it spawned a tsunami of memes, two deluxe editions, the self-ironicizing movie The Moment, and even infiltrated political campaigns.

Needless to say, Nothing getting her on board — not just for this campaign but as a global ambassador who will, presumably, be sticking around — is a huge win.

Speaking on the campaign, Charli XCX said: “I’m always thinking about how my work will be experienced out in the world… [Nothing’s] ethos of prioritizing creatives is really something I look for when working with a partner.”

Nothing CEO Carl Pei added: “The tech industry has spent a decade making everything quieter, more minimal, more monotonous. Charli has spent her career going the other way in pop. We want Nothing to feel more like that.”

Indeed, the Charli collaboration is part of a wider trend in tech, as brands attempt to market increasingly streamlined products as fashion items as well as performance-based tools to a younger generation that cares more about vibes than anything else. It’s been true for a long time that most phones can do most of the things that most people need them to do, so phone makers look to trending celebs to capture the Gen-Z dollar.

For example, Euphoria actor Sydney Sweeney serves as Samsung’s brand ambassador, with a particular focus on the stylish Galaxy Z Flip series of folding phones. Oppo partners with Spanish midfielder Lamine Yamal to boost its image. And The Last of Us star Bella Ramsay featured in a string of Apple Intelligence adverts around the time of the iPhone 16’s release.

“The young people I teach are of a different generation — their emotion towards technology is much more intense. I would say it's love or hate, but somehow always addictive,” says Dr. Soomi Park, a designer and researcher who teaches at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her research concerns, among other things, design and its effect on social psychology

“Nothing has Charli XCX in that promotional role, towards a targeted audience of younger people with a contradictory mindset towards new technology, where they feel more and more isolated or more and more connected,” Park adds. “Perhaps having that admirable musician character could get them to think ‘why not try it?’”

Speaking personally, I think Charli’s partnership with Nothing does feel different from other celebrity endorsements. Yes, I'm a fan of her music, but there's something particularly authentic about this collaboration; Charli has decided to become a Nothing shareholder because of a genuine alignment between the two brands. Just as Charli XCX dominated mainstream discourse with 2024’s Brat after almost a decade in the indie pop scene, Nothing hit the big leagues with 2025’s flagship Nothing Phone 3 after years of courting enthusiasts and experimenting with design.

Nothing has built its entire brand on the back of its design philosophy. Its phones and other products are playfully weird without straying too far into the chaotic, and they're some of the only mobiles on the market that actively spurn symmetry, making them instantly recognizable and already fairly iconic.

In kind, Charli XCX is a fashion icon — her impact is as much about image as it is rhythm and melody, blending the slick electronics of post-pandemic pop music with Berghain-ready all-black outfits and appearances at the Met Gala. If the Nothing Phone 3 were a person, it might have a similar sense of style.

I Don't Care (about specs)

Fair warning to the TechRadar audience, innocent as you are, some of the images in this campaign are a little risqué, so you might want to avoid checking them out while at work. That is, unless you work in an office exclusively populated by open-minded, tote bag-wielding, matcha-drinking fashionistas — AKA this campaign’s target audience.

You see, as a tech nerd first and a Charli fan a close second, what I notice about this campaign is its near-total lack of detailed specs. While the video clip ostensibly centers on the long battery life of the Nothing Headphone (a), the rest of the campaign forgoes any mention of the things that light us up here at TechRadar; details on the sound quality of Nothing's headphones or the camera capabilities of its phones are non-existent.

Instead, Nothing has set itself a new goal with this exquisitely ‘brat’-ty campaign — make its products chic.

To my eye, this is an intentional break from recent trends in tech messaging. Silicon Valley has pivoted to talking about AI capabilities and compute power above all else. Even the best folding phones, all of which sit at the cutting edge of mobile design, are promoted in terms of their engineering and productivity prowess, rather than how they make you look — how they make you feel.

“Technology is inherently affective, even when it presents itself as neutral or functional,” designer, lecturer, and TEDx speaker Morchen Liu tells me, “and the devices we carry are never just tools — they shape mood, self-perception, ritual, attention, and social identity. They sit very close to the body, and very close to the self.”

“What campaigns like this do is make that more visible,” he adds, “they acknowledge that people do not only choose devices based on utility, but also based on feeling, symbolism, and the kind of person they imagine themselves to be.”

Liu’s work — which he shares with more than 30,000 Instagram followers — is deeply involved in the blending of fashion with AI tools, reflecting a wider prioritization of software in the tech industry due to plateauing hardware capabilities.

He continues: “Hardware has become harder to differentiate in purely technical terms, especially for consumers… one response is to make hardware feel culturally alive again. Nothing is essentially trying to reposition hardware as something expressive, not just a neutral container for software.”

Taking a step back, it seems that Nothing has been planning to cross over into the fashion space since the beginning. It's been partnered with Swedish tech and design firm Teenage Engineering since day one, and at the end of 2025, it hired Charlie Smith, previously head of marketing at luxury fashion house Loewe, as Chief Brand Officer, adding serious haute couture experience to its leadership.

By hiring Smith and working with Charli, Nothing has won headlines in titles not normally associated with mid-tier phone companies — there's been Vogue and Hypebeast on the fashion side, as well as music mags like MusicTech and Clash.

For curator Adam Murray, who teaches fashion communication, promotion, and image at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, Nothing’s fashion focus and its campaign with Charli xcx could be an effort to garner Gen-Z support: “Appeal to the younger people and get them as loyal consumers into their 30s — that seems to be what Nothing is aiming for.”

He continues: “It’s about how significant Charli has been in the last two or three years — if she did a collaboration with Apple, you wouldn’t necessarily be that surprised that they could get someone like her, so for a relatively small brand to be able to get her is quite a coup. The way they’re presenting it makes it feel rather significant, and I’m sure that will garner lots of attention.”

“As a celebrity pop star, Charli is one of the most credible, and she’s still got that cool factor that a lot of them don’t have,” Murray adds.

However, Murray notes that, like all fashion campaigns, each element on display has been carefully engineered: "They're trying to align themselves with what Charli means to people. The authenticity aspect is constantly there with fashion, there's always this sense of trying to present the real [...] but it's all as constructed as everything else."

It helps that Nothing can offer some substance behind the shining lights. As our Nothing Phone 3 review, Nothing Phone 4(a) Pro review, and Nothing Headphone (a) review detail, this is a brand that’s really hit its stride in the last year or so. Nothing phones offer great value for money and reasonable performance for their price, even if they miss the odd cutting-edge component or next-gen feature.

Make phones SXC again

Back in 2025, I pondered that the then-unreleased Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge could represent a new era for smartphones by splitting the flagship category into two branches: one focused on thin designs and lighter builds, and the other going all out with performance and camera specs at the expense of bulk.

However, this hasn’t really come to pass. Though thin phones like the iPhone Air have their fans (TechRadar Phones Editor Axel Metz among them), it’s fair to say that the thin phone trend hasn’t taken off in the way that some (and certainly Apple) hoped, with reports of low sales since, effectively, day one for both the iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

And while top-tier phones like the Oppo Find X9 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra have pushed the limits of mobile performance more than ever, these are much more expensive than the already costly slimline phones they sit above in their respective lineups.

Nothing’s campaign with Charli has got me reconsidering my position. Rather than thinness as the crucial counterweight to heavier photo-focused flagships, maybe it’s more about style.

Indeed, while we have seen a slate of iPhone Air clones hit the market, we’ve also seen middleweight brands getting creative in what seems like a backlash against the stagnating designs of Apple, Samsung, and Google.

The Xiaomi 17 Pro, for instance, features a full-width display on its rear panel, while the liquid-cooled RedMagic 11 Pro gaming phone looks like something plucked from the set of Alien. The aforementioned Oppo Find X9 Ultra is basically a point-and-shoot camera with a phone attached, while Motorola’s Razr Fold has put a geometric spin on tablet-style foldables.

I’m all for a future of weirder phone designs and fashion-first advertising. The big brands — namely Apple, Google, and Samsung — are well overdue for a design philosophy makeover (see the barely different Samsung Galaxy S24, S25, and S26, and the physically identical Google Pixel 9a and Pixel 10a).

Thanks to its partnerships with pop culture icons and luxury fashion experts, Nothing is well placed to capitalize on this shift towards aesthetics — working with Charli XCX feels like a natural extension of the groundwork the company has sought to establish since the very beginning.

As Morchen Liu explains: “The overlap between fashion and tech is increasingly natural; it’s becoming a core part of how products are positioned. I absolutely expect more brands to invest in this space, but the most successful ones will understand fashion not just as styling or campaign imagery, but as a system of identity, ritual, aspiration, and social signalling.”

The 2026 High End audio show is in full swing in Vienna. The show is a key fixture of the hi-fi enthusiast's calendar, and was previously held in Munich — this year, it made the big move over to the Austria Center on the banks of the Danube, and TechRadar followed it.

We've had our audio team on the ground, rapidly learning how not to get lost in the new layout and exploring the mix of returning companies and new players who've jumped on board as part of the change.

We explored as many listening rooms and headphones booths as we could, to identify our favorite products in the audio areas we cover here on TechRadar, so naturally we've got a mix of speakers, streamers, a soundbar-that's-not-a-soundbar, and headphones, rather than hi-fi cables and pre-amps.

So here, in alphabetical order, are the products our team picked as the products that really stood out to us at the end of the show days, all chosen based on listening to their performance.

Astell & Kern SP4000T and Clarus

Let's start with a double winner — we got to test these together, and while each seems phenomenal, the combination was the most impressive part. The SP4000T DAP is an upgraded version of the already fantastic A&K SP4000 player, now packing four vacuum tubes for a taste of the analog.

The Clarus are wired earbuds with nine drivers per bud, using a bunch of different technologies, each targeting different frequencies.

The combination of the two really leans into the 'clarity' suggestion in the Clarus' name — we were instantly taken by the pin-sharp attack in their dynamic range, and the fine detail that they were able to bring out of the music, all while giving every listener a huge sense of scale that feels well beyond something handheld or that fits right in your ear conch.

Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5

Bowers & Wilkins is celebrating its 60th anniversary, so what better time to release its new flagship 801 D5 loudspeaker? This model features B&W's famous Diamond Dome tweeter and an upgrade to its internal Matrix bracing, including a new Space Frame Bracing extension.

The aim is to deliver even more incredibly natural, generous, and immersive sound. During our demo with the 801 D5, we were blown away by life-like vocals, brilliantly regimented deep bass, and super-defined treble, as well as its sophisticated soundstage and spacious presentation.

Cabasse Pearl Pelegrina Édition Atelier

The High End show is always full of bonkers speaker designs, and Cabasse's spherical Pearl design is old news to hi-fi fans — but we can't help but be taken by the Pelegrina version's 'alien eyeball squid has come to Earth to negotiate a new intergalactic peace' design — and what's new this year is the Atelier system, meaning that you can have any finish you want on them, to make them fit your spaceship listening room perfectly.

But what's most important is the astoundingly powerful sound from a speaker cabinet that's actually amazingly compact. The front driver is a tri-coaxial system, meaning it's actually three drivers nested inside each other, and there's a hefty custom-design woofer on the rear capable of especially high excursion.

The end result is a set of speakers that look like an art installation, but can party like a warehouse rave. They can thump the low-end with the best of them, while delivering super-rich and detailed sound that wraps across the room despite their compact 'pupils'. And they're active speakers, so you can put them wherever you want in your home and just start playing.

Cambridge Evo 300

This is the artist formerly known as Cambridge Audio's new, more powerful compact streaming amp — if you've got a really beefy speaker. Still, if you don't want to dedicate too much space to components, then the 300W per channel you can get from the Evo 300 might be exactly what you want.

That's paired with Cambridge's excellent, super-comprehensive streaming platform and digital skills, so you've got easy access to Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Roon, and Deezer, with various casting options from your phone and aptX Bluetooth if you prefer. There are two sets of speaker outputs, plus a sub out; for input, you've got XLR, HDMI eARC, and analog options including an MM phono input.

It's just the ultimate all-in-one modern amp if you've got big speaker ambitions — and here in 2026, why shouldn't you?

Canvas Hi-Fi Canvas L

This is basically a pair of floor-standing speakers disguised as a soundbar for Halloween. You've got a stereo setup where each side has a tweeter, a midrange driver, and an 8-inch bass woofer with a matching 8-inch passive radiator. There's 1500W of amplification behind that, as well a necessarily well-braced cabinet — all of which are designed to attached to the rear of your TV using a mounting bracket, with the speakers sitting underneath the screen.

And it's in this list because it sounds like two excellent floorstanding speakers. It delivers unbelievably deep and resonant bass for a floating speaker bar, with the low end dispersed well throughout the room. There's phenomenal texture and realism to vocals, and it's all brilliantly musical and full of excellent rhythmic energy. It's delicate when it needs to be, but our overarching takeaway from listening to music is just how firm and 3D every instrument feels.

We didn't get to try it with music, but this is the first time we've heard something claim to be an audiophile soundbar and responded, "Yep, that's fair". It was electric, musical, and kind of addictive.

iFi iDSD GR 2

The iFi iDSD GR2 portable DAC is a considerable upgrade on its beloved predecessor, the venerable xDSD Gryphon, in a number of ways. It delivers far more amplification power, longer battery life, and even a touchscreen for a more user-friendly experience.

After trying it out at the show, we loved how it more seamlessly helps you to bring the very best out of a pair of premium headphones, and with K2HD tech for enhanced harmonics alongside a whole load of connectivity options, the GR2 has just about everything an audiophile needs, whether listening at home or on the go.

Meze Audio Arta

These new planar magnetic headphones come from a brand known for bringing high-end sound to a very reasonable price — but this time, Meze Audio just went all out, price be damned.

The result is one of the biggest and most cohesive soundstages we've ever heard from a pair of headphones. From the tinkliest treble with heavy sub-bass, these headphones deliver it all with total control and clarity, all at the same time if they have to. It's that cohesion that stands out, partly because it means individual parts don't stand out — everything sounds simply 'correct' in a way that deeply satisfies the brain. They deliver total audio order — a perfect, seamless whole.

Noble FoKus Artemis

These are wireless active noise-canceling headphones, from a company that most people will probably know best for putting improbably powerful driver arrays into earbuds. Well, it's now put an improbably powerful driver array into over-ears, including a dynamic driver, a planar driver, and a balanced armature — and somehow, the end result is pretty lightweight and comfortable, with a 50-hour battery life.

The end result is probably the most revealing noise-canceling headphones we've ever tried. They're utterly impeccable at picking out every nuance of instruments, even in the most dense mix, and even with the ANC mode activated (which is pretty good too).

There's a huge dynamic range, and really steep level of attack to them: every drum is hard, and every plosive is picked up with precision in a voice. The sound is maybe a little cooler than most people will be used to from ANC headphones, but that will be exactly their strength — they create the silence, and then fill it with tiny details you'd never heard before.

Ruark R710

The Ruark R710 streaming amplifier blends a beautiful retro-style look with an expansive suite of modern features — as well as some not-so-modern ones that we very much welcome. It builds on Ruark's previous R610 in a number of ways, packing in more power for the speakers, along with an integrated CD player, which has apparently been included by popular demand (and is hidden in the handsome wooden front grille, making it a fun secret touch).

When listening to the streamer alongside Ruark's new Talisman R speakers, we were impressed by the warmth and tonality of vocals, the high caliber of instrument separation in the mix, and the striking power of the overall presentation from a compact box.

Yamaha NX-70A

Yamaha's new active speakers have a very sleek and stylish look, but generally seem quite unflashy and demure — though in our demo at the show, they seemed like something of a wireless wonder.

They offer a lively, precise sound with really well-honed handling of transients, which helps them to build an excellent stereo spatial presentation. The diffusion of ambient sounds into the room while holding the tension on the sharper central sounds makes them a really exciting listen. There's so much detail, creating a really physical sense of texture to something like the hum of a saxophone reed. Add the pleasingly weighted bass response, and you get a set of active speakers that really grab your attention, in the best way.

The latest AirPods Pro 3 are always a popular pick when they go on sale. While not cheap, the excellent noise cancellation and comfortable in-ear design make them worth every penny.

Right now, you can actually get the latest earbuds for just $199 (was $249) at Amazon, which is a match for the best price yet on this model. While a very good deal, I'm just posting a quick PSA to say that right now might not be the best time to buy them.

The reason being that Amazon Prime Day has just been announced for June 23-36 later this month. For those who don't know, the retailer's huge summer sale is traditionally the biggest at Amazon outside of Black Friday — and Apple products are nearly always included.

It's too early to say whether the AirPods Pro 3 will drop below $199 (especially since they're so popular), but it might pay to wait it out here. The big annual Prime Day sale is only a few weeks away, so you don't have long to wait either way.

Amazon's record-low price on the AirPods 3

• See more: check out all of today's deals at Amazon

Prime Day is just around the corner now

Amazon Prime Day has a good track record for discounts on Apple products, so it's definitely worth checking out if you're interested in AirPods, MacBooks, Apple Watches, and iPads. All these are readily stocked at the retailer, and we could see a few Prime member exclusives crop up as soon as the sale starts at midnight on Tuesday, June 23.

While we're on the topic of Prime member exclusives, there are a few early promos that you can already get your hands on this week ahead of the big sale. While they're mostly tie-ins for Amazon's own services, you can currently get massively extended free trials of Audible, Amazon Music Unlimited, and Kindle Unlimited — all well worth checking out.

A few Prime Day promos you can get right now

Amazon’s Mid-Year Sale has steep discounts on some of the best headphones, including our best overall Sony WH-1000XM6 and an all-time low price for the brilliant ANC king, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2.

While these are great value relative to their features (and still more reasonably priced than most specialist audiophile gear), they still cost upwards of AU$500 apiece, which admittedly is a big chunk of change to spend on headphones if you’re the average consumer.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend that much to get quality headphones, and from what I’ve found during this current sale, a lot of the highly rated options with hundreds (and even thousands) of 5-star user reviews cost less than AU$100.

In fact, the cheapest one I’ve found is a wired pair from JBL that costs only AU$8, which has a 4.4-star rating from nearly 113,000 user reviews. If audio quality is important, there are some audiophile-grade in-ear monitors (IEMs) that also received rave user reviews, and I’ve tracked them down for you as well.

With so many deals to choose from, I’ve settled on 20 of the best-rated headphones across over-ears and earbuds, including wired, true wireless, open-ears and even gaming headsets.

• Open ear headphones company Shokz is working on new products outside of bone conduction or sports headphones
• These include smart glasses, in-ear AI assistants and hearing aid solutions
• They are all in various stages of development, with none planned for release anytime soon

Shokz is well-known in fitness circles as the maker of some of the best bone conduction headphones and best running headphones in the world. Go to any running or cycling race event, and you'll spot more than a few Shokz users in attendance. While the company has branched out into true open-ear headphones for daily life such as the OpenFit and OpenDots series, Shokz' top brass has confirmed it's working on more pivots into smart glasses, hearing solutions and (of course) AI.

Smart glasses like the Meta Ray Bans and Oakley Meta Vanguard pack directional speakers and microphones into the arms of the glasses themselves. This use of open-ear audio tech might make the smart-glasses form factor a natural fit for Shokz.

At a press conference in China, CEO Ken Chen said: "Smart devices, especially smart glasses, are a significant challenge for everyone in the industry. For glasses specifically, we have already gone through several iterations, and we see AI glasses as a category that is still at a very early stage. It is a complex product that requires many elements to come together."

While Shokz debuted a very early concept for its smart glasses at this year's CES conference in Las Vegas, this is the first confirmation that several versions of the glasses are, or have been, in active development.

It's interesting to note the phrase 'AI glasses' mentioned there, too. Chen said Shokz is "closely following developments in AI, and we are actively exploring how they may shape future wearable products."

Vincent Xiong, head of North America, confirmed in a separate speech that Shokz was also working on AI open-ear headphones, stating "AI will further accelerate the trend towards prolonged headphone usage... For the AI assistant, people need audio input, and there are no better devices than headphones. I don't think people will be able to stay away from AI."

Xiong went on to describe an AI assistant that could "record everything you say" presumably to be used to add context to an AI chatbot's replies, adding: "because of [an] NDA, I can't give you a lot of detail, but what I can share now is that we are working with one of the industry leaders in the United States for AI headphones."

Bone-conduction hearing loss solutions

As a specialist company focusing on headphones that allow you to retain spatial awareness, Shokz is also looking at hearing aid solutions. Chen said: "we’ve been exploring hearing-related devices for quite some time, although we want to be careful with the term 'hearing aids', since that is a medical term and carries regulatory implications.

"We already have some activities underway in China and Australia, and we want to do more in other areas. The work is still at an early stage... we don't have a specific timeline to share at this point."

Shokz went on to show journalists a film of a US teenager who suffers from unilateral (one ear) hearing loss. After contacting Shokz, the company was able to create a device to help her overcome the hearing loss using bone conduction and a microphone.

As an over-the-counter solution, Shokz' future device could have similar functionalities to the Nuance Audio Hearing Glasses, which uses omni-directional mics to help users with bilateral (both ears) hearing loss.

This ties in nicely with Shokz' admission that it's working on smart glasses, although wireless earbuds like the Shokz OpenFit Pro would likely be preferred for those with unilateral hearing issues, as one bud or both could be worn depending on the user's hearing needs.

Shopping for a pair of headphones usually comes down to what you want to prioritise, whether it’s clarity and detail from audiophile-level cans, or the convenience that something like the Apple AirPods Pro provide. But for noise cancelling, you can’t go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2.

We named it the best over-ear headphones for active noise cancelling (ANC) for its ability to ‘almost entirely’ banish external sound without altering the sonic character of the headphones, or introducing any sensation of noise-floor disruption, according to our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 review.

The Gen 2 version improves on the very excellent first edition Ultras, upgrading its battery (rated 30 hours versus 24 for Gen 1 with ANC turned on), adding more listening modes and an option to hardwire into a music source directly.

If you’re keen, you’ll be glad to hear that the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 just hit its all-time low price for Amazon’s Mid-Year Sale at AU$508, or 27% off.

Aside from the ANC capabilities, the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 is no slouch with audio quality, too. Our reviewer found that the audio has an even and controlled frequency response and the soundstage it produces is large and defined. They conceded that the Ultra Gen 2s ultimately weren’t the most detailed headphones around, but acknowledged that being able to hear those imperfections in the first place was just another testament to how well the ANC worked.

The Ultra Gen 2s also feature a folding design, which makes it even better for travel as it’s more portable than comparable headphones that don’t fold up (cough — Sony and Sennheiser — cough).

If I hadn’t already bought a different pair of ANC headphones last year, I would have definitely snapped these up for myself.

If this already discounted price still feels steep, the Gen 1 Ultras are also discounted to AU$399 (or 39% off), which isn’t far off its all-time low. If you don’t mind the slightly shorter battery life and you’re happy to just stick with Bluetooth, then the Gen 1 is an excellent option too.

House of Marley Smile Jamaica USB-C review

In 1976, Bob Marley & The Wailers released Smile Jamaica, an upbeat reggae tune bursting with soul and positivity. And the House of Marley Smile Jamaica USB-C earbuds are aiming to replicate those qualities, boasting a vivid design, and apparently “vibrant sound”.

But just how good are these wired USB-C earbuds? Well, at $19.99 / £14.99 / AU$24.95, I wasn’t expecting anything magical, but there are a lot of major positives to discuss. So, here’s what I made of my time with the Smile Jamaica USB-C.

To begin with, I have to talk about the design of these wired in-ears. As soon as I took the Smile Jamaica out of the box, I was struck by their unique, enticing build. They’re made of a few materials, including recyclable aluminum, renewed PeT, and bamboo. Not only does this blend look fantastic, but it’s a lot more sustainable than a huge proportion of the competition — even some of the best wired earbuds.

I really liked the Brass variant that I tested out, but you can also grab these in Copper, Signature Black, or even Rasta (a celebration of red, gold and green, with green ear tips, yellow branding and a cable that incorporates all three colors). Pretty cool.

The braided wires are pretty well-built, and I never experienced excessive cable noise when using the Smile Jamaica USB-C on the go. They’re also tangle-resistant, so I didn’t get a horrible wiry mess every time I retrieved the buds from my pocket. The inclusion of a USB-C connector also means you can connect these buds to your smart phone or just about any modern device, which is incredibly practical — no pairing, no charging, just plug and play.

If I was to be critical, I’d argue that there could’ve been more ear tip size options in the box — you only get one additional pair. This way there could’ve been more options for people with larger or smaller ears — although as someone with aggressively medium-sized ones, this wasn’t an issue for me. There’s also no carry case, but they should be safe in a pocket or small bag regardless.

The ear tips that do come in the box are fairly comfortable, though, and they passively block noise to decent effect. Don’t get me wrong, you’re not going to experience the noise-crushing effects that ANC will provide on the best wireless earbuds, but when listening to music in the office, sounds like typing and chatter were dulled relatively well.

One feature that’s missing, however, is volume controls. The in-line remote skips on these, meaning I had to remove my phone to alter loudness on the go, something that could be a tad inconvenient. According to the instructions booklet, some of the commands — bound to a single button on the controller — are also restricted to iPhone only, which was no good for a Samsung-owner like me.

Still, the in-line microphone is actually pretty decent, and when making phone calls, various people reported that my speech was clear and easy to decipher. When making a recording, I experienced a bit of feedback and a bit of sibilance, but I was pleased with the mic at this price-point.

Anyway, I know what you’re really here for. You want to know how these sound, right? Well then, I suppose I’ll indulge you.

It only feels right to start with a tune from Bob Marley & The Wailers, so I gave Jamming a spin, and the Smile Jamaica buds performed pretty well. Subtle percussive elements were well balanced in the mix, and had an impressive sense of space, and I never experienced any harshness or tinniness — even when listening at higher volumes. However, the bass sounded a little bloated at certain moments and Marley’s vocals lacked as much definition in the mix as I’d like, resulting in a fairly middling listening experience.

This proved to be a bit of a theme with these earbuds, as the low-end seemed as if it lacked refinement across a number of tracks. In Black Eye by Allie X, bass was a tad bloated once more, and was missing the agility I’ve heard from other budget in-ears. Given that bass is pretty prominent on these buds, I just wish it had a bit more punch and precision. Still, vocals remained clear enough in the mix, and energetic percussion came through with commendable expression. But if you’re expecting the most refined bass ever, you may find the Smile Jamaica to be a tad heavy-handed.

I was more impressed when tuning into Asama by Yuta Orisaka — a laid-back record that blends Japanese folk with reggae tones. Here, I found vocals to be pleasantly weighted alongside relaxed electric guitars and rhythmic percussion, and more subtle keys glided elegantly in the backdrop. Sure, you’re not going to get meticulous instrument separation or the most intricate detailing from a pair of ultra-cheap buds like this, but for the price, they do deliver a satisfying sound, all things considered.

At the end of it all, would I recommend the House of Marley Smile Jamaica USB-C? Here’s the thing: it depends on your budget. If you want some extremely cheap wired buds that sound totally serviceable but won’t blow you away, then yes. On top of their adequate audio, they are well-built, have a decent mic, and tangle-free cable, ensuring good bang for your buck.

However, if you can spend a little more, then you can get big returns. A model like the Sennheiser CX 80U will deliver considerably better sound, with much-improved detailing and balance across the frequency range.

Want a bit more finesse and grace? Something like the Sennheiser is for you — but for stable and dependable sound on a budget, the Smile Jamaica USB-C aren’t a half-bad option.

House of Marley Smile Jamaica USB-C review: price & release date

• List price of $19.99 / £14.99 / AU$24.95
• Released in September 2025

The House of Marley Smile Jamaica USB-C released in September 2025, about 13 years after the original 3.5mm version debuted. They have a list price of $19.99 / £14.99 / AU$24.95, landing them firmly in the budget category, and are available in a range of color options, including Copper, Signature Black, Brass, and Rasta. You can get them on sale in some regions fairly regularly — I even spotted them going for less than £10 in the UK when producing this review.

House of Marley Smile Jamaica USB-C review: specs

Should I buy the House of Marley Smile Jamaica USB-C?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

House of Marley Smile Jamaica USB-C review: also consider

How I tested the House of Marley Smile Jamaica USB-C

• Tested over the course of multiple days
• Mainly streamed music over Tidal
• Took with me to the office and on walks

I spent many days (rolling into weeks, actually) testing out the House of Marley Smile Jamaica USB-C earbuds, during which time I took them just about everywhere with me, to analyze passive noise isolation and convenience among other things.

When listening to music, I typically streamed tracks over Tidal using the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. I started out by sifting through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tunes from a wide variety of genres, but I also made sure to listen to hours worth of songs from my personal library.

More generally, I’ve tested tons of audio gear during my time with TechRadar, including a whole host of wired and USB-C earbuds. I had a few rival models at hand to compare the Smile Jamaica USB-C against, including the Sennheiser and Apple rivals mentioned in the ‘Also consider’ section.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: May 2026

Apple AirPods Max 2: Two-minute review

I haven't always been an AirPods fangirl. In fact, in May 2021, when the company unveiled Apple Music Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless for free, as part of your Apple Music subscription, I may have come down quite hard on Apple's musical headgear — and for some time after that. Why? Because it took four more years for the Cupertino giant to work out how to get its Lossless music standard into its own flagship headphones.

Another thing that's taken Apple a very long time? Unveiling a second-generation update to said headphones. It's been five years and three months between iterations, a vast expanse of time in any area of technology, but an epoch in Bluetooth audio and among the best noise-cancelling headphones.

A happy by-product of the fact above is that it makes my delay in filing this review seem minuscule in comparison (I had a spell in hospital, but it did mean I could test the ANC in a key user-case scenario!). However, I mention the timeline mostly as a way to emphasise that based on looks alone, you'd be forgiven for thinking Apple hadn't used that huge stretch wisely. The ear cup design, webbed headband, driver array and yes, even the 'headphone bra' semi-case haven't been tweaked whatsoever for AirPods Max 2.

Did Apple simply not have the R&D budget, or did its engineers double down on their 2020 design as still being the best possible shape, construction, driver size and material for a set of cans? And why, given the glowing star-rating at the top of this review, am I still being so negative?

The answer to all of these questions is this: if you're using an iPhone 15 Pro (aka, the oldest iPhone that is still able to support Apple Intelligence) or later as a source device, AirPods Max 2 are some of the most formidable, featured and fantastic shut-the-world-out headphones I've ever tested — and I've been doing this full-time since 2019. They're doubtless the best noise-cancelling iPhone headphones on the planet.

That's enough on what Apple hasn't done with AirPods Max 2; let's talk about what has been updated. The big upgrade is the inclusion of Apple's newer H2 chip, over the H1 in the originals. Given that this is the same in-house Apple audio processor that made its debut in the September 2022 AirPods Pro 2 (and also takes the wheel in the AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3, and original 2023-launch Apple Vision Pro), it might not seem like much of a headline grabber. But in AirPods Max it does a lot of heavy lifting.

The H2 chips — yes, you actually get one in each ear cup — add a plethora of new features, including Adaptive Audio (the Transparency mode can adjust itself to block some unnecessary sounds, and there's an optional slider to tweak just how 'adaptive' you want it to get), Conversation Awareness (so the over-ears can automatically lower the volume of your music and filter external sounds should you start talking to someone, then put everything back again once you stop yapping), plus Loud Sound Reduction and Personalized Volume to help protect your hearing but keep the sonic profile how you like it.

There's also Live Translation, which I enjoyed using here much more than on AirPods Pro 3, because it's so much easier to access via a long press of AirPods Max's on-ear Listening Mode button. The new Voice Isolation software also improves your call quality when it's loud or windy around you — and thanks to some extra processing power afforded by that H2 chip, you get much better voice capture from the headphones' three mics for voice pickup (two are shared with the ANC system, and one is an additional dedicated microphone) in the nine-mic total.

Elsewhere, Head Gestures let you nod to accept a call or check a message, shake your head to dismiss a message or decline a call, or nod to Siri silently. Also, the new Camera Remote feature means you can now take snaps on your iPhone camera using AirPods Max 2's Digital Crown.

And I left the best for last: Apple claims that the active noise cancellation is "up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation" and when Tim Cook's behemoth states such a thing, I sit up and take notice. The noise-nixing here is next-level — and I mean near-silent, calming, cocooning and enveloping. It's like stillness as a backdrop to your music. If that's what you need, buy these headphones.

Any negatives? Two. The battery life is unchanged at 20 hours (which is easy to beat even much further down the headphone food chain), and there's still no support for wireless hi-res codecs. You can get Lossless-quality audio, but you have to use the bundled USB-C cable (or buy a USB-C to 3.5mm one, which Apple sells separately) introduced to the original AirPods Max via a software update in March 2025.

Does any of that last paragraph matter? For me, given the crispness, clarity, impact, fun, separation and sheer musicality available here, no. And I rarely say that hi-res codecs or stamina don't matter.

Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Price and release date

• Unveiled on March 16, 2026 (available for pre-order as of March 25, 2026)
• Priced $549 / £499 / AU$999
• Available in 'Midnight' (black), 'Starlight' (white), Purple, Blue and Orange

There's been a curious trend in Apple's pricing of late. The inaugural AirPods Max arrived in December 2020 with an asking price of $549 / £549 / AU$899, so, with the second-generation update priced at $549 / £499 / AU$999, Apple is keeping the US MSRP the same, giving the UK a price cut and charging The Land Down Under a little more.

The thing is, this is not a one-off. Both the first-generation AirPods Pro and the follow-up AirPods Pro 2 were priced at $249 / £249 / AU$399 when they landed, so when AirPods Pro 3 arrived with a $249 price tag, it came as no surprise to US fans. However, those newest buds were priced a little lower than before in the UK, at £219, and — at AU$429 — a little bit more in Australia. For Apple's flagship earbuds, £30 cheaper in the UK yet AU$30 more expensive in Australia felt a bit harsh.

Here, there's a £50 saving to be had if you live in Blighty, but a AU$100 increase to pay if you reside in Oz. I'm sorry. I could suggest it's down to Australian Goods and Services Taxes (GST), relative incomes, International shipping costs, or perhaps a more bijou consumer base, but all of that would be pure speculation. I just cannot make that make sense to you.

Anyway, what of direct competition at this not-insignificant level? AirPods Max 2's chief rivals are perhaps most pressingly the five-star Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), which hit shelves at slightly more affordable $449 / £449 / AU$699 price points, or the also five-star Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, which cost a fair bit more, at $799 / £629 / AU$1,299. Oh, and let's not forget the excellent Sony WH-1000XM6, which sell for $449 / £399 / AU$699.

But there's no shortage of competition at this level and – given options such as the inexpensive 4.5-star Nothing Headphone (a) with its remote camera function – at a few levels down from it too…

Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Specs

Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Features

• Live Translation is enjoyable and useful
• Adaptive Audio is good; ANC is excellent
• Conversation Awareness is a game-changer

I've touched on a lot of great new features, so it might be worth mentioning an Apple headline grabber you won't get: heart-rate monitoring. It is available in both the flagship AirPods Pro 3 and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, yet despite the arsenal of sensors nestled in AirPods Max 2 (an optical sensor, position sensor, accelerometer and case-detect sensor in each ear cup, plus a gyroscope in the left cup), there's no PPG infrared light sensor to measure light absorption in your blood. And because of this, Apple isn't funnelling you quite so readily towards its free Fitness app with its over-ears, or offering you a virtual trainer, however you feel about that…

You also don't get Apple's Hearing Test or Hearing Aid suite of features; the only toggles to preserve your hearing health here are Loud Sound Reduction (switch it on and provided you're listening in either Transparency or Adaptive modes, the headphones will actively reduce your exposure to loud environmental sounds) and Personalized Volume, to readily adjust the loudness of your media in response to your surroundings, but they both work well.

Now, back to what you do get, and top of the list for me personally must be Live Translation. Why? Because it can be accessed with a surreptitious long press of the listening mode button (ie. the flush pill-shaped button located on the right ear cup that isn't the digital crown). I found this a much more reliable way to start Live Translation than squeezing both stems of my AirPods Pro 3. Quick accessibility is key with these kinds of life-hack features, and on a recent trip to Girona (the Catalonian city near Barcelona where Season 6 of Game of Thrones was filmed), I found it genuinely useful, rather than a novelty to play with. Now, Girona is a Catalan-speaking city, and Catalan isn't yet one of Apple's supported Live Translation languages, but I heard a lot of Spanish too — and I also have a long-suffering life partner who speaks both languages. You can see snippets of our conversation below.

I've said before that this is an Apple offering you need to spend a bit of time setting up — ideally before your romantic city break — because there's a fair bit of red tape you'll need to cut through. You'll also need an iPhone 15 Pro or later running iOS 26 or later, Apple Intelligence turned on, the Translate app downloaded (and the language modules you want downloaded), plus the latest AirPods Firmware version.

I also customized the iPhone Action button on my iPhone 15 Pro Max to start Live Translation, because in the moment it can be easier to tap your phone rather than your headphones, and it's all about speed of deployment with Live Translation. Once that's done, audible English responses are piped in as your helper answers your questions, with a transcription of the information they're giving you (and your questions translated) also appearing on your iPhone's screen. OK, perhaps your helpful human will find the fact that you're not taking off your headphones to talk to them a little rude, but it works beautifully and with very little lag.

Now to the other new features and claimed upticks in performance, all of which can be found, controlled, toggled and customized with a tap of the AirPods Max bubble near the top of the settings tab, or by swiping down from the top-right of your screen, to get the Control Center. Your listening modes include Off, Transparency (which works and without making music tinny, but there's no slider), Adaptive (which does have a slider, to allow more or less noise into your cans, albeit dynamically and in response to noises the headphones pick up around you) or Noise Cancellation (no slider, but it's excellent).

For me, the right way to go about this in most situations is to deploy both Noise Cancellation and the Conversation Awareness toggle, a little further down in that menu. This means that, by default, you're not being bothered, but when you speak up, music is automatically lowered and external noises are piped in as you need them. It's not that Adaptive Audio is bad, because it's not; I simply found that when using the Adaptive Audio profile I'd keep setting the slider right down to allow for fewer distractions, but if you don't have the luxury of blocking out the world in your working day, Adaptive will serve you well.

If you take just one thing away from this review, let it be that the noise-cancelling power in AirPods Max 2 really is 1.5 times better than before. It's fabulous; almost wickedly good at inhaling the noise from your ears, but without the vacuum effect I often find nauseating in rival cans (the few that offer ANC anywhere near this good, anyway).

Call handling is excellent; callers said my voice was remarkably clear, even on a windy UK seafront in Dorset. Gesture Control is also good provided you're relatively animated with your nods or head shakes, and the Camera Remote feature is a neat way to make photo capture easier on your iPhone. As with Conversation Awareness, it just makes for a simpler life when it comes to wearing headphones.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Sound quality

• Expansive, layered music aided by supreme ANC and Spatial Audio
• Vocals emotive and textured
• Could be a bit punchier, but a big improvement on the originals

I've spent enough time on how good the noise cancellation is, right? OK, so let's move on to the joys of head-tracked Spatial Audio. It's not a new feature with this iteration, but it is so beautifully implemented here you'll find yourself whipping them off to check there's no mini speaker under your chin or squirrelled away at the back of the room. Better than the original AirPods Max? Yes. It's likely due to the new amplifier under the hood plus the processing power of the H2 chipset, but it's cleaner all round — and I did listen in direct comparison.

My favorite home cinema setup is now an iPad and the AirPods Max 2 with head-tracked Spatial Audio engaged. If you're not so sure, try watching the opening scene of Alfonso Cuarón’s 2013 movie Gravity (it's a known test these days, but still). See?

When listening to music, you can expect an expansive, meticulously unfurled soundstage with a noise floor so low that bass frequencies rumble, snap and boom in so much space it's almost a crime. Fontaines D.C.'s I Love You is brooding through the intro and able to celebrate the juicy depth of Grian Chatten's vocals as well as I've heard in any wireless headphones. My Chatten playlist continues with The Score. Its textured acoustic guitar intro brushes each of my ears in turn before expanding yet further to let the vocal drop centrally. Add the USB-C cable to listen in Lossless on Apple Music and it's even better.

Timing, too, is exceptional. I dare you to stream Bad Bunny's Tití Me Preguntó and sit still. It's raucous, defiant, joyous and, in these headphones, it's why I love music.

For crisp leading edges of notes and an extra ounce of detail (again, we come to that 'integrated hi-fi versus fun' debate), you'll get just a little more insight and honesty from the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, but those headphones are pricier and for me, AirPods Pro 2's Spatial Audio knocks B&W's True Immersion solution clean out the water, with the latter coming off veiled and almost muffled in direct comparison.

Ask yourself this: do you want your music to feel emotional, zealous and fun — a more V-shaped presentation where upper mids (ie. vocals) and feels through the bass dart betwixt each ear? Or do you want a faithful, neutral stereo performance that leaves nothing out of the mix? Your answer is important because if you pick the first option, you own an iPhone and you can afford these headphones, I know you won't be disappointed.

• Sound quality: 5 / 5

Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Design

• A new 'custom high dynamic range amplifier' is the only physical update
• …but for me, they're still the most comfortable headphones around
• Could do with an audio handoff option — and better stamina

As I've already mentioned and pictured, AirPods Max 2's appearance and indeed innards (save for a new chip and amplification module) remain largely unchanged. If you hoped Apple would completely overhaul the design, you'll doubtless feel wronged. But I maintain that the headband here is the most comfortable I've ever worn, and the metallic yokes are the most reliable and silent. I wear headphones almost constantly, but I also suffer from migraines, so a headband digging into the crown of my head doesn't help the pain in my noggin one bit. No such issue here, ever, and for me that's priceless. What I'm saying is, I think Apple found the fix here and I wouldn't want them to try again and alter it.

The ear cups are quite wide and extremely long, but they aren't especially deep, unlike the audiophile-grade options I've tried that felt like long lenses strapped across my head. An IP rating would be a plus, as would an actual case rather than the headphone bra Apple has stuck with (see the new Sony 1000X The Collexion for a novel idea that still actually protects your expensive headphones, Apple), but the build quality is resoundingly premium. All the more reason to want to protect it…

My main gripe here concerns the battery life. At 20 hours (albeit with ANC deployed), Apple is being left behind. We recently knocked the Sony 1000X for a lack of stamina, even with 24 hours in ANC mode, but you'll get 30 hours from the B&W Px8 S2 with noise cancellation on. And these options aren't class leaders — Cambridge's Melomania P100 (a fantastic set of cans) will go for 60 hours with ANC on.

And I have one other bugbear. In AirPods Pro 3, I suggested a dedicated iOS app might be necessary now, because of the additional Hearing Health suite (hearing tests, hearing aid functionality and virtual trainer perks), heart-rate monitor, and the fact that on-ear controls on an earbud are more fiddly than they are on an ear cup. Here, I think the in-iPhone solution suffices, but I'd like an audio handoff feature that works with Apple Music.

To be clear, I don't mean a cross-device feature to resume playback on another Apple device when I walk through the door, as pioneered by Bowers & Wilkins between its wireless headphones and wireless speakers (not too many of us still use HomePods or HomePod minis, I imagine), or true multipoint connectivity — if you're using the same Apple ID, your AirPods Max 2 will happily dart between your iPhone, Mac or iPad using its own Automatic Device Switching solution. No, I simply want to be able to seamlessly switch from streaming Apple Music on my iPhone to streaming Apple Music on my MacBook. I want to pause a song on my phone, sit at my MacBook Pro, open the Music app, and continue listening to the same track, or playlist. It's odd that this still isn't happening — but this is a review about AirPods Max 2, not the Apple Music user experience.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

Apple AirPods Max 2 review: value

• The best ANC over-ears for iPhone owners
• Some might think Apple should've tried harder though…

Here's the issue: people buy with their eyes first, then their wallets. And in one sense, there's nothing new to see here — buy the newest AirPods Max and few people will be able to tell if you just bought the older, heavily discounted set or the brand new H2-toting pair. My Orange review sample is one of the new Max 2-only colorways, but with so many bright finishes available (and oddly, none of them correspond with Apple's latest MacBook Neo colorways), it's hard to keep tabs on what's new and what's not.

It's unfortunate, because having tested them for over two months now, I can tell you that AirPods Max 2 are much better sonically than the originals. The ANC is as good as Apple claims it is, and they boast a greatly improved user experience to boot. But you'd never be able to tell that by looking at them, and when the model they look just like came out in late 2020, that could present a problem in terms of perceived value.

• Value: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Apple AirPods Max 2?