What you need to know

• A new Android Auto bug is causing the cellular signal icon to disappear from the car's display for some users.
• The issue doesn't affect actual connectivity, as calls, data, and navigation continue to work normally.
• Reports suggest the bug may be linked to Android Auto version 16.5, with some users fixing it by downgrading.

Android Auto users are no strangers to bugs and issues, and now a new report claims a bug is causing the cellular signal icon to disappear from their displays.

Google has been working to make Android Auto more useful, recently adding features like AI-based EV battery predictions in Google Maps. However, that doesn't mean the platform is bug-free. As spotted by Reddit users (via Android Authority), many are reporting that the cellular signal icon on their car's head unit is no longer visible.

According to the users, the signal icon no longer appears on their Android Auto screen when connected to the car's headset. Thankfully, this doesn't seem to be a connectivity issue itself. Users say only the icon disappears, while connectivity continues to work as expected. Calls, data, and navigation still function normally, but the icon is missing from the interface.

That said, the missing icon has caused concern for some users, especially when driving through areas with weak network coverage. There's no clear indication if the bug affects specific devices, but it does appear to be linked to Android Auto v16.5. Rolling back to v16.3 has reportedly fixed the issue for some.

There are also theories that Google may be revamping Android Auto's UI icons, which could explain the disappearing signal indicator.

Google hasn't officially acknowledged the issue yet, but given the number of reports, a fix is likely on the way. We will update this article as and when Google rolls out a fix. But, until then, downgrading to an older version of the app seems to be the only workaround.

I test tens of wireless earbuds each year, and the Powerbeats Pro 2 are my undisputed champions for fitness and workout performance. There are some earbuds, like the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4, that I wouldn't trust to stay in my ears during a brisk walk — let alone an intense workout. Models with a slightly better fit can handle everyday wear, but conquering the gym or a track workout is a completely different story.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 stand alone as the only earbuds that feel tailor-made for fitness buffs. They have large and flexible ear hooks for stability, tactile on-earbud controls, and a built-in heart rate monitor for standalone workout tracking. Just over a year after Powerbeats Pro 2 first debuted, Beats is here with a limited-edition variant that immediately caught my attention. If somehow you haven't been sold on the Powerbeats Pro 2 yet, this special colorway might just be the thing that seals the deal.

Beats has always been a culture brand, and it often releases limited-edition variants of its popular products. There's even a dedicated page on the Beats website that highlights recent collaborations. We've seen team-ups with Alo, Kim Kardashian, and Minecraft in the past, but we've never seen anything like the Beats x Nike collab for the Powerbeats Pro 2.

It's easily the best-looking Powerbeats Pro 2 model available, featuring Nike's classic black and Volt colors.

Nike delivers the flashiest and sportiest Powerbeats Pro 2 colorway yet

Nike and Apple have worked together for decades across various partnerships, including iconic collabs like Nike+iPod and Apple Watch Nike Edition. Those hardware partnerships are no more, as the two companies have recently opted for smaller collabs, like Nike Apple Watch bands and watch faces. The Beats x Nike version of the Powerbeats Pro 2 flips the script, as it's arguably Beats' most thorough limited-edition collaboration to date.

As soon as you catch a glimpse of the Beats x Nike earbuds, you'll see what I mean. The left earbud predictably sports the Beats logo, but the right one swaps it for the classic Nike swoosh. It's the first time ever that another brand logo has appeared in place of the Beats "b." It's fitting that Nike is the one to make history in this fashion, considering the company's storied history with Apple.

You might not care about the intricacies of the partnership as a potential buyer, but you will care about the Powerbeats Pro 2's striking appearance. The Beats x Nike version of the earbuds features a two-tone finish with matte black and Volt colors. For those unfamiliar, Volt is a staple Nike color, a high-visibility neon yellow. It's often paired with black for contrast, and that look is certainly found on the Powerbeats Pro 2 special edition here.

Fans will probably find the idea of owning a Nike-branded pair of workout earbuds pretty exciting. Even those less interested in the brand name might appreciate the look of the Beats x Nike special edition Powerbeats Pro 2.

I've been waiting for a neon yellow colorway for the Powerbeats Pro 2, as we saw similar options appear on the original Powerbeats Pro and the Beats Fit Pro. Newer models like the Powerbeats Pro 2 and Powerbeats Fit are available in colors like orange, purple, and pink — but not yellow.

The included charging case is matte black with a speckled Volt design sprinkled in, plus a white Beats logo. It supports wireless charging and USB-C for power, just like the standard version. When you flip the case open, you're met with the "Just Do It" slogan. Nothing like seeing a motivational catchphrase as you pop in the Powerbeats Pro 2 before your next set at the gym.

I say that partially in jest, because of course, the Beats x Nike collab is purely a cosmetic one. You get the same audio drivers, active noise-canceling quality, and heart-rate monitoring support as the standard Powerbeats Pro 2. Still, I think there's a market for the Nike special edition of the Powerbeats Pro 2 on multiple fronts.

The Beats x Nike is about more than just looks

The truth is, looks are only a small part of what makes this Beats x Nike collab special. If you use Nike gear to train, it's neat to have a pair of earbuds that perfectly match. However, Nike makes more than just clothes and shoes. They also make training software in the Nike Run Club and Nike Training Club apps, available on both iOS and Android.

I use the Nike Run Club app to track my runs, and with nearly 2,000 miles in the books, it's an important part of my training. The cool thing about the Nike special edition of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is that it connects with the NRC app using the built-in heart rate monitor. So, you can pair the Beats x Nike Powerbeats Pro 2 to the NRC app and use them together to enhance your workouts.

Sure, you can do the same with the regular Powerbeats Pro 2. However, it's pretty awesome to use Nike-branded earbuds with Nike fitness apps. Throw in Nike shoes or watch bands, and you'll look like a workout pro with a matching kit in no time.

A pair of Powerbeats Pro 2 that stand out from the crowd

The Beats x Nike version of the Powerbeats Pro 2 costs $250 — the same as the other four colorways. Considering you can find them on sale for as low as $200 with frequent deals, you might not want to pay full price for the Nike version. That's fair, but as a counterpoint, it's nice to have a pair of workout earbuds that stand out in a gym or at a race.

These Beats collabs typically sell out, so it's worth jumping on this Powerbeats Pro 2 variant early if you're interested. They're already my favorite workout earbuds, and a handful of folks at Android Central use them. Getting a Nike-infused facelift simply sweetens the deal.

Wireless earbuds come in many shapes and styles, but they can be broadly narrowed down to two distinct form factors — those with ear tips and those without. From a functional standpoint, earbuds with ear tips offer a more secure fit, better active noise-canceling performance, and superior passive sound isolation. They're often marketed as the premium option, with some midrange and budget earbuds opting for a unibody plastic design instead.

This dichotomy is true of Samsung's new Galaxy Buds 4 series. The base-model Galaxy Buds 4, retailing for $180, doesn't use ear tips. If you step up to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro at $250, you get silicone ear tips and a more considered design with improved fit. There's slightly more to the story here — some prefer the lightweight, unobtrusive, and freeing feel of earbuds without removable tips. But for the most part, my time testing the Galaxy Buds 4 has me wondering why anyone would want to buy a pair of earbuds without silicone or foam ear tips.

To be fair, this may be a gripe with the form factor itself rather than the Galaxy Buds 4. The old Galaxy Buds 3 and current AirPods 4 use the same design style, and I'd have the same qualms with either model. Regardless of the cause, the effect feels clear. This kind of earbud likely won't fit or sound as good, so why buy it?

The Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro certainly aren't equal

Samsung overhauled both the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro design this year, and there's still a key characteristic separating the two models. Aside from audiophile features like driver size or ANC quality, only one goes all the way in your ear. That would be the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, which include silicone ear tips that physically create a seal in your ear canal. The regular Galaxy Buds 4, on the other hand, sit just outside your canal.

This mimics the Apple earbuds lineup, as the AirPods Pro 3 have hybrid silicone/foam ear tips and the AirPods 4 don't offer tips at all. However, not every brand constructs its lineup this way. Both of Google's earbuds, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a, use silicone ear tips. Every pair of Beats earbuds is of the in-ear style, complete with silicone ear tips, too. When shopping within the Google or Beats lineups, you can buy products at various price points while getting a consistent experience throughout.

That isn't the case with the Galaxy Buds 4 lineup. Here, you'll need to weigh whether you need buds with ear tips that fully seal off your ear canal. It's arguably the bigger consideration, even over price and general feature set.

Galaxy Buds 4 have a new design, but an old problem

Let's get into the specifics of the Galaxy Buds 4 design, starting with the good. I enjoyed the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, so I was admittedly skeptical of Samsung tossing that blueprint aside for something completely new here. As it turns out, Samsung made the right call. The flat case design and tweaked earbud styling look excellent. The square Galaxy Buds 4 wireless charging case feels more portable and compact, and it's easy to drop the earbuds into place when they need a charge.

The square Galaxy Buds 4 charging case measures 51x51x28.3mm and weighs just over 45 grams, making it easily pocketable. While I'll miss the blade lights on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, the design is now more consistent across the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. In other words, the visual redesign is a hit in my book.

The redesign doesn't do much to functionally change the Galaxy Buds, though, and that's a shame. I find the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro to be some of the most comfortable earbuds on the market, but the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 4 are a completely different story. The earbuds' rounded shells and lack of silicone ear tips do little to create a secure fit inside your ear. In my case, the Galaxy Buds 4 never felt like they were going to stay put.

If I bend over to pull my laptop out of my backpack, I'm worried the Galaxy Buds 4 will slip out. Doing a "shake test" with these earbuds sends at least one of them flying across the room. I wouldn't dare wear them while running, and even a casual walk might require frequent readjustments to ensure a secure fit.

Compared to the AirPods 4, which also lack ear tips, the Galaxy Buds 4 might fit worse. This is because the AirPods 4 design comes to a sharper point at the location of the audio driver, helping it nestle into the opening of your ear canal. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds 4 audio driver grille is completely flat. The design does little to help the buds find their rightful home in your ear, and it can make for a frustrating wear.

Sound quality and ANC are worse because of it

Even if the Galaxy Buds 4 manage to stay in your ears comfortably, the sound quality might suffer due to the looser fit. It's imperative that earbuds' audio drivers are aimed directly into your ear canal for the best experience, and that's tricky when the smooth, curvy Galaxy Buds 4 design makes them shift around a bunch. You can actually hear the difference in sound quality when the Galaxy Buds 4 start sliding out of position, leading to frequent readjustments.

The loose fit also makes active nose-canceling a foolish endeavor. The Galaxy Buds 4 support ANC features, including an adaptive and transparency mode, but external noise seeps in easily due to the weak seal. I can hear the loud hum of my air conditioner with the Galaxy Buds 4 in my ears, and that's regardless of whether ANC is enabled or disabled.

This isn't just a Galaxy Buds 4 problem

A poor fit can limit what you can do with your earbuds. I can't drown out noise at a coffee shop or go on a run with the Galaxy Buds 4. I'm sure there are some steps Samsung could've taken to improve the Galaxy Buds 4 fit — a sharper audio driver opening point and a less-smooth finish are two that immediately come to mind — but the issue really lies with the form factor.

To me, having ear tips that create an excellent seal inside your ear canal is a must for any ANC earbuds. That's why, despite looking good on paper, earbuds like the Galaxy Buds 4 or AirPods 4 just aren't for me.

Sony's overhauled WF-1000XM6 earbuds are finally here, but how do they compare to the outgoing WF-1000XM5 model? If you were hoping for major changes, you're in luck — Sony revamped the WF-1000XM6 earbuds inside and out. Notably, the new Sony earbuds are more expensive than ever, retailing for $330. That's more than the most expensive wireless earbuds, including the AirPods Pro 3 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2.

I'm not sure any pair if earbuds can fully command that kind of price point, but if any model could, it would be the Sony WF-1000XM6. I compared Sony's latest premium earbuds to their predecessor, and the upgrades are ones you'll notice on a daily basis. These are all the ways Sony's WF-1000XM6 stands out compared to the WF-1000XM5, and whether you should buy them.

Sony overhauled the WF-1000XM6 earbud and case design

The visual changes start with the charging case, as the new model's included case takes the form of a cylindrical oval. The top, bottom, front, and back of the case are completely flat, and sides are rounded to create a futuristic-looking shape. As a result of the changes, the Sony WF-1000XM6 charging case ends up being slightly taller than the one for the WF-1000XM5. The design looks neat to me, but some might prefer the more compact and curvy WF-1000XM5 case.

The features of the charging case are identical between generations. There's a USB-C port for charging as well as Qi wireless support. Additionally, you get an LED status light on the front and a pairing button on the back of each model. The one difference is that the WF-1000XM6's light is tucked away behind the plastic, so it's not visible unless it is lit up.

Battery life is consistent across models, too. Both support up to eight hours of listening time with ANC active from the earbuds, and that extends to up to 24 hours with the charging case.

The more impactful change is the earbud redesign. I didn't love the look and feel of the WF-1000XM5 earbuds; the shape was oversized, the matte finish didn't look right, and they didn't sit securely or comfortably in my ears. It looks like Sony went back to the drawing board for the WF-1000XM6 earbuds, and that effort paid off. The newer model sports a pill-shaped design that Sony says is 11% smaller than the WF-1000XM5 earbud chassis.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 fit much better in my unforgiving ear canals as a result. I still won't choose hybrid foam ear tips when given the choice — they feel uncomfortable, and I thought the same of the WF-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 3. That said, the redesign and smaller size of the WF-1000XM6 earbuds at least make them wearable for long listening sessions. I'm never worried about these falling out of my ears, either.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 have more mics, a better chip, and new drivers

The internal hardware changes between the WF-1000XM5 and the WF-1000XM6 are perhaps the more exciting upgrades. Sony markets the newer model as being 25% better at blocking ambient noise with active noise-canceling, and that's partly due to an extra microphone onboard each earbud.

Additionally, the newer model offers the advanced QN3e chip with Sony's Integrated Processor V2. In addition to helping with ANC and microphone quality for calls, these chips help deliver better sound quality with improved DAC and amp performance.

Sony also redesigned the audio driver in the WF-1000XM6, and the earbuds' diaphragm uses different materials for the dome and edge, helping them deliver excellent soundstage separation.

Put simply, the Sony WF-1000XM6 sound stellar as soon as you put them in your ears. They aren't aggressively tuned to prioritize certain parts of the soundstage. Everything sounds exactly as you'd want it to as the listener. The right instruments or vocals seem to shine in different tracks across genres. You don't need to use an EQ to get the WF-1000XM6 to sound excellent for your favorite genre.

If you do like tweaking your earbuds' sound with an equalizer, you'll be happy to learn that the WF-1000XM6 now support a 10-band EQ, up from the five-band EQ available for the WF-1000XM5. Other software highlights include LDAC support for hi-res Bluetooth audio, Bluetooth Low Energy support, and custom listening modes. According to Sony, the WF-1000XM6 have large Bluetooth antennas, enabling more reliable connections.

As for the real-world active noise-canceling performance, Sony's claims seem to check out. The Sony WF-1000XM6 can turn a bustling coffee house into near-silence, and that's without any music playing. Being able to quiet an environment with ANC without needing to crank up the volume of your music is amazing. The transparency mode is outstanding too — the WF-1000XM6 let me order a coffee or chat with a friend while leaving my earbuds in my ears, which is exactly what I want.

Are the Sony WF-1000XM6 worth the upgrade from the XM5s?

Sony's outgoing WF-1000XM5 earbuds are coming up on three years old this summer. If you were an early adopter, it might be time to upgrade. The Sony WF-1000XM6 shake things up in a major way to improve comfort, sound quality, ANC performance, and reliability. That said, if you think the WF-1000XM5 are perfect, you might want to stick with them. Big changes are ahead, and not everyone likes change.

This is why the new Sony WF-1000XM6 might actually be more appealing to outsiders. If you've watched Sony earbuds from afar but never found them stylish or comfortable enough to buy, this is the model for you. The one hard thing to overcome is the price. They aren't a bad deal at $330, although it's hard to say they're $120 better than the AirPods Pro 3, which are currently down to $210 at Best Buy.

Like almost every pair of wireless headphones, it probably makes sense to wait a few months for the WF-1000XM6 to come down in price. It's inevitable, so if you're patient, it will pay off.

The open earbuds market is gaining more attention, with Sony kicking off 2026 with a revamped pair in the new LinkBuds Clip. They're immediately going up against options from Bose and Motorola — Bose sells the Ultra Open earbuds, and Motorola's Moto Buds Loop are powered by Bose sound. The latter two models retail for $300 at full price, while the LinkBuds Clip costs $230.

The first thing I noticed after unboxing the Sony LinkBuds Clip was how similar the earbuds' design looks compared with the Moto Buds Loop. Motorola's open earbuds are a bit flashier, especially the colorways with Swarovski crystals. Otherwise, both earbuds clip onto the midpoint of your earlobe with an orb-shaped audio driver resting outside your ear canal.

With the Sony LinkBuds Clip and the Moto Buds Loop similar in both design and price point, I put them both to the test to find out which pair of open earbuds you should buy.

Sony's LinkBuds Clip are better for everyday wear

If you haven't tried open earbuds yet, they differ from traditional earbuds in a few key ways. For starters, open earbuds place the audio driver outside of your ear canal, increasing airflow and comfort. This makes open earbuds ideal for long listening sessions, as you can hear your tunes without your ears feeling clogged after a few hours. The downsides are obvious: sound quality is poor, there's no noise isolation whatsoever, and others might hear your music due to sound leakage.

Some people prefer open earbuds for long days at the office, as they can use the microphone and audio drivers for video calls without having earbuds physically inside their ear canals. Others like them for working out, as they can hear ambient noise and reduce sweat compared to traditional earbuds. The smaller, sweatproof design of the LinkBuds Clip make them better suited in this regard.

Sony's open earbuds are IPX4-certified, meaning they'll survive sweat or a bit of light rain. In other words, they're workout-friendly. IPX4 earbuds are pretty commonplace these days, but oddly, the Moto Buds Loop don't have an IP rating at all — it's hard to recommend them for everyday wear or workout use as a result.

Another reason the Sony LinkBuds Clip shines when used out and about is their "sound leakage reduction mode." It's essentially a smart equalizer setting that changes the sound signature of the open earbuds to limit parts of the frequency spectrum that "leak" out into your environment. Specifically, this mode slashes the mids and highs, which would usually be easy for someone sitting next to you to hear.

I wouldn't dare listen to music on a pair of open earbuds or open-air speakers like those you'd find on smart glasses near others in public. This effectively rules out using them during a daily commute or in the office — anywhere you're in very close proximity to others, sound leakage is a concern. Sony's built-in sound leakage reduction mode nearly solves this problem in its entirety, and it only takes two taps to activate.

Notably, sound quality is considerably worse when the sound leakage reduction mode is active. This seems like a fair trade-off to continue to be able to use your earbuds in dense public situations, though. Sony's IPX4 and sound leakage reduction mode support are two ways the LinkBuds Clip perform better as a pair of everyday earbuds than the Moto Buds Loop.

Motorola's Moto Buds Loop nail design and sound quality

By comparison, the Moto Buds Loop work best as a pair of secondary earbuds. They lack a proper IP rating and don't have a comparable sound leakage reduction mode, so it'll be hard for them to pass as a pair of everyday buds. With that being said, the Buds Loop are much better sounding than the LinkBuds Clip. Motorola's open earbuds are marketed as using sound by Bose, and it feels like Bose's input really made a difference here.

Everything sounds fuller, richer, and more detailed out of the Moto Buds Loop. It's not particularly about the bass, either — open earbuds don't create a seal in your ear canal, and this makes it almost impossible for this form factor to deliver strong bass. I noticed the difference most in songs with a deep, present piano. Since the piano occupies the middle of the soundstage, it can exist in the Moto Buds Loop without being drowned out by the lows or highs. Listening to the same tracks with the LinkBuds Clip, those same sounds weren't as strong.

This could come down to Bose's excellent tuning, but it's likely a side effect of the Moto Buds Loop offering larger 12mm drivers. These are on the bigger side for earbuds, and the extra size helps the Moto Buds Loop sound fuller and crisper than the LinkBuds Clip, which have 10mm drivers.

The sound quality difference is enough to make me reach for the Moto Buds Loop over the Sony LinkBuds Clip, but Motorola's premium design is another advantage. Sony used glossy plastic for the LinkBuds Clip, and it simply makes the earbuds feel cheap. It doesn't help that the stock design won't fit well for everyone out of the box. Sony includes silicone fitting cushions in the box for users to add to the LinkBuds Clip for those who don't initially find the fit secure.

I fell into that category, so I needed to attach the silicone spacers to the LinkBuds Clip. While it did improve the fit as advertised, it was annoying to need a cheap piece of silicone to wear the earbuds properly. I needed to hold down the silicone cushion every time I put on the LinkBuds Clip, or I'd risk the thing popping off.

All that is to say that the metal, unibody design of the Moto Buds Loop is much more comfortable, and it creates a better experience for the wearer. The crystal studs are a bit of a gimmick, but I'd take them over plastic and silicone every time.

The verdict: I'd buy the Moto Loop Buds

I wouldn't buy a pair of open earbuds as my daily drivers — I like using multiple pairs of earbuds each for a specific purpose. While the Sony LinkBuds Clip are the better all-rounders, Motorola's Moto Buds Loop sound better and feel more premium, and that won me over.

If you're looking to buy a pair of open earbuds, it helps that prices for the Moto Buds Loop have cratered. They debuted at $300, but you can find them under $150 right now, which is an insane price. The current slate of Moto Buds Loop deals make the LinkBuds Clip look overpriced. Sony's earbuds will likely see deals of their own in a few months, but until then, Motorola earns my recommendation.

Apple services haven't always remained locked inside the walled garden. In fact, Apple first made a name for itself in the consumer tech space with the iPod and iTunes, which were both compatible with Windows PCs in addition to Macs. Apple Music is following suit, as the music streaming service is now widely available on platforms like Android, Windows, Google TV, and ChromeOS. There's also a web app for Apple Music that can be accessed on virtually any device.

I've been a fan of Apple Music since it was called Beats Music before the Apple acquisition. Since then, the music streaming service continued to win me over, adding features like Dolby Atmos and lossless audio support while keeping prices low. I've acknowledged that Spotify and YouTube Music were better options for Android users in the past, but it's getting harder and harder to make that argument.

Specifically, Spotify's consistent price hikes and YouTube Music's missing support for high-fidelity audio make them tougher to recommend, even for Android users. If those two streamers aren't the best option for Android users, their next pick might be Tidal or Amazon Music Unlimited. Both are quality options that remain competitive with Apple Music. But I'd bet that if Apple Music were made by any other company, it'd be an instant Android hit.

Where Spotify is falling short

Spotify is the largest music streaming service, with over 700 million monthly active users and roughly 281 million subscribers as of 2025. It's a music streaming giant in every sense, with over 100 million songs available for listening and downloading. Spotify is also incredibly expensive, with the company's most recent price hike raising prices by a dollar or more across all of its subscription tiers.

Spotify was already one of the more expensive streaming services. The platform's individual plan now costs two dollars more per month than the likes of YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Tidal. Amazon Music Unlimited is $1 cheaper monthly for everyone and $2 cheaper for Prime members. It's a relatively small premium to pay, but over time, the extra costs add up.

People typically flock to Spotify for its excellent algorithms and recommendations. The platform's social features, including the famous Spotify Wrapped experience, are another appealing aspect of the service for fans. I tend to view these extras as both a blessing and a curse. While they're sometimes neat, others are unnecessary — like Spotify DMs — and add bloat to an already-overloaded music app.

I could ignore them, but the larger issue here is that Spotify is paying someone to develop and maintain these features. If my music streaming bill is $2 higher each month so that my music app is cluttered with another messaging inbox, I won't be happy.

What about YouTube Music?

If Spotify is out, YouTube Music sounds like the next sensible option for Android users. YouTube Music is a streaming service that's hard to judge, mainly because it is bundled with YouTube Premium for $13.99 per month. While you can subscribe to YouTube Music Premium individually for $10.99 monthly, the YouTube Premium bundle is certainly the better value. With that being said, YouTube Music Premium is an outstanding perk of subscribing to YouTube Premium, but it struggles to stand on its own.

Those who thought Spotify was bloated might be even more disappointed with YouTube Music. It now serves as Google's primary distribution channel for podcasts, cluttering the app. You can also find audiobooks on YouTube Music, since the platform taps into the YouTube database. This comes with benefits and drawbacks — you can find niche content that isn't available anywhere else, but you might also be distracted by it.

YouTube Music's willingness to cram artificial intelligence into the app isn't inspiring for music purists, either. Most recently, it began testing AI-generated backgrounds for lyric cards. Many of YouTube Music's AI tools, including this experiment, come off as unnecessary.

The big reason YouTube Music's status as a serious music streamer is in doubt is its low song quality. I'll be the first to admit that lossless quality is unnecessary without the right gear. However, YouTube Music's mere support for up to 256kbps AAC or Opus is lacking even by lossy standards. It just isn't good enough, especially when it's missing Dolby Atmos too.

If you already planned to subscribe to YouTube Premium and are content with what YouTube Music Premium offers for free, by all means, keep using it. It's an excellent add-on to YouTube Premium. But until the streamer's sound quality and music features improve, it's impossible for me to recommend it as a standalone subscription.

Apple Music shines, even on Android

Then there's Apple Music, a fully featured, noncontroversial music streaming app for Android. The service costs just $10.99 per month while offering hi-res, lossless audio up to 24-bit/192 kbps (yes, that's higher quality than Spotify). There is also Dolby Atmos support, so you can take your pick of a lossless or immersive audio format.

Crucially, the app supports every feature Android users care about, including Google Cast.

I like that the Apple Music app isn't littered with unnecessary AI features or other media, like podcasts or audiobooks. It's all about music. There is a surprising amount of customization available, as the app allows users to manage animations, lyrics, listening history, volume normalization, crossfade, and audio quality.

Best of all, Apple Music supports importing libraries from YouTube Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, and Tidal. If you're sticking with Spotify despite the price hike over fears of losing your library, fear not.

I've been a loyal Apple Music user for a decade and probably won't ever switch. I can't say it's the best music streaming service for everyone. However, it does offer the best music quality and feature set for the price point ($10.99/mo). If you've avoided the streaming service because it's hosted by Apple, you might be missing out.

Sony is here with a new pair of open earbuds, the LinkBuds Clip, which introduce a fresh form factor that doesn't obstruct the wearer's ear canal. The new open earbuds move to the clip or C-shaped design popularized by brands like Motorola and Bose, leaving behind the ring-shaped design of the previous Sony LinkBuds Open. By comparison, the new Sony LinkBuds Clip address common critiques of the old design, including comfort, sound quality, and noise leakage.

The company officially announced the LinkBuds Clip today, Jan. 21, and they're now available for $230 in the U.S. This price point positions the LinkBuds Clip as a more affordable option compared to the Moto Buds Loop and the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, which both retail for $300. After a few days of testing the Sony LinkBuds Clip for myself, it's clear that the price is just one way this pair makes open earbuds more approachable to the masses.

The first thing that caught my eye about the Sony LinkBuds Clip is the earbuds' charging case. It's smaller than the one you'd get from Bose or Motorola, and much more fun. This charging case has the footprint of a two-inch square with a double-decker design. It's very rounded, looking somewhat like two pillows stacked atop each other.

The case is a taller than the competition when laid flat, but it's narrower, and I find this makes the LinkBuds Clip easier to fit in a pocket. These earbuds definitely have character and leave room for customization. The buds themselves are available in black, green, greige, and lavender colors. I tested the greige colorway that you'll see pictured throughout this article.

You can take the customization a step further by purchasing a case cover for an extra $25, and those are available in coral, green, blue, lavender, and black. The unique aspect of the case covers is that you can pick different colors for the top and bottom portion of the case. They include "fitting cushions" — I'll explain those later — that match the top cover color of the case.

In theory, that means you could have earbuds in one color, fitting cushions and one half of the case in another, and a third for the bottom case. That's a pretty trendy way to personalize your earbuds.

Take a look at the LinkBuds Clip compared to the Moto Buds Loop in the photo above — they're much more compact and simplistic, and to be clear, that's a good thing.

The Sony LinkBuds Clip work like most other pairs of open earbuds. The large, pill-shaped portion of the earbuds rests behind your ear lobes when in use, with the orb-shaped portion resting above or inside your concha. They way they fit will depend on your ear shape. I found that without the fitting cushions, the audio drivers sat inside my concha, which was a bit uncomfortable.

Adding the silicone fitting cushions to the upper band of the LinkBuds Clip fixed everything. With this tiny pad adding a bit of space between the LinkBuds Clip and my ear, the audio drivers felt like they were levitating outside my ear canal. That's exactly what you want from a pair of open earbuds. You hear the sound coming from the drivers, but also hear ambient noise in your surrounding to maintain awareness without any pressure.

Speaking of sound quality, the Sony LinkBuds Clip are fairly balanced for their category. Open earbuds won't sound as good as traditional earbuds because there is no isolation, and the drivers don't fire directly into your ear canal. Usually, that results in weak bass and a tinny sound. However, the LinkBuds Clip impressed me in that regard, delivering strong bass under the circumstances.

The earbuds support multipoint connection and the SBC or AAC codecs. There are no lossless or high-fidelity codecs here, but they would be redundant anyway due to the sound quality limitations I've mentioned. Instead, what's notable is the three sound modes on the LinkBuds Clip. You'll probably use standard mode most of the time, but there is also a voice boost mode that might be preferable for listening to podcasts or watching videos.

Most importantly, there is a "sound leakage reduction mode" that changes the sound signature as to not bother others around you. Like any open earbuds, the Sony LinkBuds Clip can be heard by those nearby when they are set to medium-to-high volume levels. The sound leakage reduction mode cuts the mids and the highs, which are easily perceptible by those around, to limit the intrusion. It works well, but the sound quality takes a noticeable hit.

For calls, the LinkBuds Clip use AI for noise reduction and leverage a bone conduction sensor to pick up your voice as you speak.

The earbuds last up to nine hours on a single charge, and that can extend to 37 hours with the charging case. That should be enough for the longest listening sessions. They have IPX4 liquid-resistance, making them sweatproof for working out.

I've only listened to the LinkBuds Clip for a few days, and it's too soon to give a final verdict. However, I like what I'm seeing (and hearing) so far. These are minimal open earbuds that keep things simple while undercutting the price of the competition. They're more approachable to newcomers than the older Sony LinkBuds Open, giving the new LinkBuds Clip an advantage.

If there's one thing consumers in the audio market have proven over the past few years, it's that they like hearing sound without having something in their ears. That's why bone-conduction headphones, open earbuds, and even smart glasses with open-air speakers have taken off. Now, audio brands are trying to figure out how to use these technologies to enhance the listening experience while sleeping.

It might sound odd to those who haven't tried it, but many people enjoy listening to white noise, podcasts, audiobooks, or music as they fall asleep. Some try to use their everyday earbuds for this purpose, which can be uncomfortable for side sleepers. Others buy a dedicated pair of sleep earbuds, like the great Soundcore Sleep A30 I previously tested. And a few just use their phone speaker under their pillow, hoping for the best.

None of these options is perfect, but Jabees is trying to provide another alternative with a Bluetooth speaker designed to go under your pillow. I've tested it, and although it's not perfect either, it seems like the best option for side sleepers who don't love wearing earbuds to sleep.

How the Jabees Peace Pillow Speaker works

The Jabees Peace Pillow Speaker is small enough to fit in your hand, and that might be surprising. It certainly wasn't what I expected when this audio accessory came in the mail. After spending time with it, the pillow speaker's compact and portable size may be its biggest strength. I tend to have trouble sleeping while traveling, because my body's internal clock gets thrown off, and having a tiny pillow speaker I can bring with me for white noise or music listening sounds appealing.

It works by using a variation of bone conduction, similar to that used in bone-conduction headphones. Although it's marketed as a bone-conduction pillow speaker, that's not exactly the best way to describe it. Bone conduction headphones work by sending sound vibrations through the bones in your cheek, which are perceived by your inner ear. By comparison, this pillow speaker works by sending sound vibrations through your pillow, which can then be heard by your ear.

Putting aside the marketing discrepancy, the important thing is that it works. With the speaker under your pillow, it amplifies the vibrations, making them easy to hear at medium-to-high volumes. You're supposed to put the speaker under the part of your pillow where your ear is expected to rest. Location matters if you want to get the best experience.

It's a Bluetooth speaker, but this device can also run independently using audio files stored on a microSD card. A 1GB card is included with the "plus version," and it comes with eight white noise and nature sounds. The standard version is only about $4 cheaper, so you should go with the plus bundle if you plan to use the white noise sound. Those who only want to connect to their phone can skip the microSD card and save a few bucks.

There are three yellow, high-visibility buttons for on/off and volume control. Some of these buttons serve multiple functions, like how the power button is also used for pairing, and the volume up key is used for a sleep timer. Speaking of, that feature is handy if you don't need your music to play all night — it can auto-stop after 30 minutes, an hour, or two hours.

The battery lasts up to 10 hours, meaning you'll get a full night's sleep from the speaker, but not much more. Using the sleep timer might help you get a week out of it. Charging via USB-C is pretty easy: just plug the pillow speaker in where your phone charges overnight, then wake up.

It's better than your phone, but worse than sleep earbuds (for some)

The price is important to keep in mind here — it's $36 for the standard version or $40 for the plus bundle with a microSD card. That should give you an idea of how the Jabees pillow speaker will sound. The quality isn't outstanding, but it blows a phone speaker away by a mile. That's because a phone speaker fires its best audio out the bottom, while this pillow speaker sends sound vibrations upward through your pillow.

When using it, you'll have to decide whether you want the pillow speaker to be discreet or loud. At a volume I'd consider comfortable, it is loud enough that someone sleeping next to you might be able to hear it. Lower volumes are less intrusive to partners, but work better for subtle white noise than for music and podcasts you need to hear.

If it's between a phone speaker and the Jabees Peace, give me the dedicated pillow speaker. As a side sleeper, I get louder volumes and enhanced clarity compared to my phone without uncomfortable earbuds in my ears. I also like being able to use my phone or set it on a nightstand while keeping the music playing under my pillow. However, it won't be for everyone.

Sleep earbuds still win for those who need high volume without disturbing a sleeping partner. Additionally, premium options like the Soundcore Sleep A30 have gradual morning alarms that this pillow speaker can't replicate. While it's a rare winner for side sleepers, those who sleep on their back may not be able to hear the pillow speaker well enough.

Save for those edge cases, the Jabees Peace Pillow Speaker is an intriguing option for those who need audio to fall asleep. It's particularly great for its portability, and it seems like a perfect companion for those who need extra help sleeping while traveling.

Wireless earbuds aren't always made for every situation, and workouts pose a unique challenge for general buds, including the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro or Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. They're not designed to stay secure and withstand sweat or water like a dedicated pair of fitness earbuds. Fitness buffs will turn to alternatives instead, which are expensive.

Our favorite fitness earbuds are the in-ear Powerbeats Pro 2 at $250 and the open-air Shokz OpenFit 2 at $180. While both are great, their price tags might be tough to justify for people who already own one of the best wireless earbuds. The question is: do you need to spend that much to get a pair of Android earbuds that'll handle the gym, the track, and everything in between?

To find out, I tested Belkin's new SoundForm ActiveFit earbuds — an intriguing pair of fitness buds priced at just $42. That's a fraction of the cost of a Powerbeats Pro 2 set. Even as a Powerbeats enjoyer, I wasn't convinced my preferred running earbuds were more than five times better than the SoundForm ActiveFit.

After using the SoundForm ActiveFit and the Powerbeats Pro 2 side by side, Belkin's offering blew me away. There are clear shortcomings, as you'd expect, but the value proposition for the SoundForm ActiveFit is readily apparent.

How the Belkin SoundForm ActiveFit cover the basics

Normally, I'd be hard-pressed to recommend buying a pair of earbuds this cheap. You get what you pay for where audio is concerned, although the gap between budget and premium earbuds seems to be closing more by the day. It's a completely different story for workout earbuds — sound quality is lower on the list of key features.

While crisp vocals and booming bass are always appreciated, they're not necessities for fitness earbuds. Instead, traits such as water and sweat resistance, battery life, comfort and fit, and awareness loom large. The last point is crucial. Awareness is needed for safety while running, walking, or biking in public areas, and that's why people often turn to earbuds with ANC and transparency mode.

Letting the right sounds in ensures a runner or biker is tuned into their surroundings. The problem? ANC and transparency are quite hard to find on budget earbuds. That's why I was surprised to see "Hear-Thru Mode" on the SoundForm ActiveFit, which uses the onboard microphones to enable passthrough sound.

It's essential for outdoor workouts, even if it's not true ANC or transparency mode in the conventional sense.

The next thing I look for in workout earbuds is a comfortable and secure fit. Belkin checks this box with a silicone ear hook that wraps around your ear for maximum security. The Powerbeats Pro 2 have this too, but don't feel as stable in the ear — likely because they're a bit smaller and have a different insertion angle.

Durability and sweat-resistance are covered by an IP54 rating, matching the Beats' IPX4 liquid certification but adding dust resistance. You get nine hours of playback from the earbuds, plus another 27 hours from the charging case. The case itself has USB-C and a built-in lanyard loop, perfect for living in your gym bag.

How the Powerbeats Pro 2 justify their lofty price tag

The SoundForm ActiveFit are actually solid in terms of volume, even if the earbuds tend to get tinny at higher volumes. The default EQ profile is Belkin Signature Sound, and you can switch to Bass Boost and Balanced if you please.

I wouldn't recommend it, however, as the sound signature simply sounds off in the other modes. One boosts the bass at the expense of everything else, and the other cuts it out almost entirely.

This is where the Powerbeats Pro 2 comparatively shine. They're better-sounding with a balanced profile that borrows sound signature and hardware from the famed AirPods Pro 2. Additionally, their on-earbuds controls are better, with Beats providing physical buttons on each bud plus a volume rocker.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 also add active noise-canceling, transparency mode, and an Adaptive EQ setting. Battery life is slightly longer, at 10 hours from the earbuds on a single charge. They generally have more microphones and sensors, but the SoundForm ActiveFit do support a newer version of Bluetooth.

The elephant in the room here is the Powerbeats Pro 2's support for heart-rate monitoring via an in-built optical sensor. There is also an accelerometer and gyroscope for good measure; the Powerbeats Pro 2 put the fitness in fitness earbuds.

The thing is, all these upgrade areas fall firmly in the "nice-to-have" category rather than the "essential" category.

Do you need to spend a fortune on workout earbuds?

As such, I'm confident saying you probably would do just fine with the $42 earbuds instead of the $250 ones. I've run countless miles with some generation of Powerbeats in my ears, and could definitely make the switch to the Belkin SoundForm ActiveFit and not miss a beat.

They cover all the basics, and the $42 price point is a feature in itself. If one earbud falls down the storm drain or gets crushed by a dumbbell, you probably won't lose any sleep over it. A cheap pair of workout earbuds like these might make the perfect companion to a premium pair you already have for daily use.

Music streaming services are fantastic at doing a lot of things. They're generally affordable, they offer millions of songs a tap away, and they are superb for discovery and socialization. That's why services like Spotify have nearly 700 million monthly active users, and competitors like Apple Music have over 140 million monthly active users.

The way you interact with these streaming services is usually through a first-party app, like Spotify or Tidal on the Google Play Store or Music on iOS. There's one small problem with that, though. When streaming services try to cater their app to meet the needs of nearly a billion people, these apps are unlikely to meet the specific needs of you.

That's why you should consider keeping your preferred music streaming provider, but giving your music player app a facelift. Usually, we think of custom music player apps from Android as being alternatives to streaming. That doesn't have to be the case.

There are apps that can tap into services like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, YouTube Music, and many more — all while providing a more custom and thoughtful listening experience. That's in addition to classic options that leverage audio files stored locally on your device. Over the past few months, I've slowly replaced multiple default music streamers with third-party alternatives, and I think they're worth your time.

Poweramp is a fantastic on-device music player

• Download Poweramp on the Google Play Store

Starting simple, Poweramp is an excellent and well-known local music player for Android. It's ideal for people who don't depend on streaming services for music playback. It could come in handy if you have a large physical media collection that you've transitioned to digital, or for those who prefer high-fidelity source material, like FLACs or ALACs.

In other words, if you already have the files, Poweramp can play them — no streaming service required. There's a free app, but you'll probably want the paid version that costs a few bucks. It's a one-time fee compared to the perpetual charges from a streaming service.

Poweramp comes with a lot of features that span use cases far beyond what I require. I opened up my wallet for Poweramp because of its customizable user interface and design language, which includes options to overemphasize, deemphasize, or disable Material You colors entirely. Of course, I also enjoy the complete support for hi-fi audio, since most of my files are 24-bit, 44.1KHz ALAC.

It's impossible to list music player alternatives without mentioning Poweramp. However, it's definitely more of a local player than a streamer, even if it does support radio streaming. Considering Google Pixel phones don't have a default music player app and Samsung Music isn't pre-installed on Galaxy phones anymore, there's a need for a third-party option now more than ever.

Echo is a free, open-source app for streamers

• Download Echo on GitHub

For streamers, the alternative music player app I recommend is Echo. It's free and open-source, and really is the best of all worlds when it comes to music playback. Echo can handle on-device playback from local files, and is built upon integrations with streaming services as well. The app is extension-based, and you can install extensions for streamers, lyric providers, social apps, and more.

Echo offers extensions for Deezer, iHeartRadio, Radio Browser, Saavn, Spotify, TuneIn, and YouTube Music. There's Jellyfin support, so you can stream music from your home server or NAS with the Echo app for Android.

Integration with Lastfm means you can sync data between the Echo player and the tracking service. Rounding out the experience is a long list of lyric database extensions, including Musixmatch and Genius.

What's fantastic about the Echo app is how it offers quick access to a variety of streamers in one place. You can see your on-device files and streaming library all in one place, or choose to only view specific extensions. So, I can tap the Spotify extension to view my library there, or switch to YouTube Music, or rely on my saved offline files. That's all in just one app.

The customization features are another benefit, as I detest the look of certain streamers, like YouTube Music and Spotify. With Echo, there's one look for all my streamers. Personally, I think this is the best way to play music on Android, especially if you use multiple music sources.

Albums is an Apple Music client that puts your catalog first

• Download Albums on the App Store

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Albums, the Apple Music client for iOS that sent me down this rabbit hole in the first place. I've almost completely replaced the stock Music app on iOS with a beta version of Albums, which is essentially a remote control for your Apple Music library.

It puts the emphasis on albums and their covers, rather than social clutter and discovery features. It's like a modern version of Cover Flow on iPods, and offers the perks of streaming without all the extras. You can also favorite albums in a separate view, which I love as a hater of playlists.

Why it makes sense to ditch your default music streamer

Music is only part of the reason player apps from streaming services exist. They're primarily centered around discovery of new music and social features that cultivate sharing — the more you find and share, the longer you'll stay subscribed and the more likely your friends will, too. It's why Spotify shipped DMs before lossless audio.

That's why we should get back to the basics with a new music player, like Poweramp, Albums, or Echo. You can have all the perks of streaming without the drawbacks, or use both a default and third-party app in tandem.

Wireless headphones and earbuds are ubiquitous in 2025, but they're built upon an imperfect standard: Bluetooth. There are several aspects of Bluetooth that make it an excellent choice for wirelessly connecting a wide range of devices, including audio gear. It's versatile, compatible, and continues to evolve, gaining new features with each iteration, such as Bluetooth 6 and Low Energy (LE) Audio.

However, there are a few notable limitations that come with using Bluetooth for audio playback on headphones, earbuds, and speakers. Two big ones are range and quality. The average range for common Bluetooth devices (Class 2) is about 33 feet, which isn't much and can be shortened by interference, digital or physical, like walls or floors. Additionally, attaining lossless quality for music over Bluetooth is near impossible, though emerging codecs like AptX Lossless are trying to make it a reality.

That raises an important question: should we focus on improving Bluetooth or switch to Wi-Fi? Qualcomm is a company that's doing both, developing AptX Lossless over Bluetooth and working on XPAN (Expanded Personal Area Network) over Wi-Fi. It's exciting, but Sonos has been doing Wi-Fi on its speakers for years, and Qualcomm announced XPAN years ago.

So, where is Wi-Fi for consumer audio gear, like headphones and earbuds? It's a complex situation, but the future looks bright.

Why we need Wi-Fi over Bluetooth (and how it works)

Many casual audio enthusiasts wonder why Wi-Fi headphones and earbuds haven't gained popularity yet, as evidenced by numerous Reddit threads. After all, Wi-Fi speakers are very much a thing, and Sonos has a robust ecosystem of them. Taking that technology and applying it to headphones and earbuds should be easy, right? Well, not exactly.

The perceived simplicity of this goal usually comes from a misunderstanding of how Wi-Fi speakers like Sonos work. When connecting a pair of Bluetooth headphones to your phone, it's your smartphone that streams the music from a service and then separately beams it to those headphones. Your phone is talking to a streaming service over Wi-Fi or data (or playing downloaded content), and subsequently shares the audio with a wireless device over Bluetooth.

That's not how Wi-Fi speakers like Sonos operate. In this scenario, your phone effectively becomes a remote control for your Sonos speaker, which independently streams music from a service over Wi-Fi. That's how you can remotely control playback on Sonos speakers from across the world, whereas you typically need to be within 33 feet to maintain a Bluetooth connection.

To apply this technology to headphones and earbuds, these consumer audio products must be able to connect to Wi-Fi networks and stream audio independently of an intermediary device, such as a smartphone. That's tricky, because you'd need to cram extra hardware into smaller devices. It might be why Sonos' first pair of headphones, the Sonos Ace, opted for Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi, unlike the rest of the ecosystem.

But Wi-Fi has clear advantages over Bluetooth, which is why many audiophiles crave it. The connectivity protocol effectively removes the range limits of Bluetooth — with enough networking hardware and access points, Wi-Fi earbuds could work anywhere that receives your network's signal — and adds high-fidelity audio.

Qualcomm's XPAN technology brings Wi-Fi audio

This technology isn't a fever-dream; it's real and available now in the form of Qualcomm XPAN. It's available on select headphones and earbuds, like the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro, and extends the range typically provided by Bluetooth by adding your home Wi-Fi network. In practice, it means your buds won't cut out if you walk too far away from your Bluetooth device, since they'll fall back to Wi-Fi.

Built upon the Snapdragon Sound platform and the S7 series of chips, Qualcomm XPAN is trying to make Wi-Fi headphones and earbuds mainstream. There's a long road ahead, but the first consumer audio products to support XPAN were released this year, including the Buds 5 Pro.

Aside from the extended range, Qualcomm XPAN offers higher-fidelity audio by leveraging a Wi-Fi connection. The mode's maximum quality is 96kHz/24-bit, which is higher than CD-quality. In other words, XPAN technology and supported devices like the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro deliver true wireless lossless audio beyond what conventional Bluetooth offers.

While 96kHz/24-bit is something you can use with XPAN today, the future is 24-bit/192kHz lossless audio. So, what's in the way of that future becoming reality?

The slow adoption

In some ways, Wi-Fi as an audio connectivity standard comes with just as many pain points as Bluetooth, which may be slowing adoption. The extra hardware needed to make it work could be expensive or open an entirely new can of worms on the research and development side. Plus, using Wi-Fi consumes more battery than Bluetooth, especially when compared to new standards like LE Audio.

Mainstream earbuds and headphones with Wi-Fi support would need extra chips, a solution to the battery life problem, and a solution to the compatibility problem. While almost everything supports Bluetooth audio these days, Wi-Fi audio compatibility would need to be built from the ground up. For instance, you need a supported phone like the flagship Xiaomi 15 Ultra to get the full 96Hz/24-bit audio of XPAN.

Even technologies like Qualcomm XPAN use a mix of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, rather than streaming audio directly over Wi-Fi, like Sonos speakers do. This helps Qualcomm address the battery life problem that would plague true Wi-Fi headphones.

The hybrid approach, combined with larger internal batteries — the Wi-Fi version of Xiaomi's Buds 5 Pro has a 64mAh battery compared to the 53mAh capacity of the Bluetooth version — helps Qualcomm deliver the same or better battery life as Bluetooth earbuds.

We haven't seen Wi-Fi headphones and earbuds go mainstream due to technical limitations and compatibility issues, but that might be changing as emerging standards like Qualcomm's XPAN continue to grow.

When choosing a pair of truly-wireless earbuds, most people simply buy the ones that match their phone brand — like AirPods, Pixel Buds, Galaxy Buds, or OnePlus. However, there's something to be said about using earbuds by audio-first companies like Sony or Bose. In particular, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra earbuds were known for delivering premium sound and active noise-canceling (ANC) on the go.

Now, Bose is here with a second-generation revision of the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, and they're even better. I've spent about a month testing them against all the best earbuds, including new releases like AirPods Pro 3. They've come with me on runs, international flights, and everything in between.

While competition in this space is fierce, the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) make it clear that these Bose earbuds are the one to beat. If you can stomach the $299 price tag that's on the higher side, you won't be disappointed by these earbuds.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2): Pricing and availability

Bose debuted the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) in September 2025, exactly two years after the originals launched. There are more color choices this time, with Bose offering the Gen 2 in Black, White Smoke, Deep Plum, and Midnight Violet. I tested the White Smoke, and they're more subtle, but some of the other colors look more exciting.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) retail for $299, which is the same price as the first-generation pair. You can buy them from Bose's official site, and at third-party retailers like Best Buy and Amazon. Keep an eye out for upcoming holidays if you're trying to snag a deal on the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2).

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) at Best Buy for $299

Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2): What's good

Any conversation about the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) has to start with their design and fit. They're the exact same as the first-generation model, but that's because they didn't need changing. The Bluetooth earpiece-style appearance of the earbuds does make them look a bit dated, although the design helped Bose cram battery life and audio gear into this package.

QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) are certainly on the larger side; however, the big surface on the outer side of the earbud provides plenty of room for swipe gestures and media control. There are no buttons on the earbuds, just the capacitive touch area, which can be personalized in the Bose app on iOS and Android.

I have issues with certain earbud styles staying in my ear securely, and naturally, I thought the large footprint of the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) would pose an issue. My experience turned out to be the complete opposite.

The silicone ear tips with a built-in earwax guard, the stability bands, and overall design combine to create a secure and comfortable fit. You get three pairs of ear tips and stability bands each in the box to tailor your fit. The stability bands are crucial — they're silicone inserts that rest against your outer ear and ear lobe to add another point of security.

I took the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) on multiple runs, and became even more impressed with their fitment. I can comfortably say these earbuds offer the best fit of any pair that doesn't have a physical ear hook for stability. My typical running earbuds are the Powerbeats Pro 2, which have an ear hook, but the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) felt just as secure. In fact, the Bose earbuds actually felt better in the ear, but they're lacking the hooks for peace-of-mind.

In other words, the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) are more than suited for comfortable, everyday wear and can even handle double duty as a workout pair. They do only have an IPX4 water-resistance rating, so be wary of sweat and rain.

There are more changes when it comes to audio and ANC, but the overall experience is the same. You still get Bluetooth 5.3 support and compatibility with AAC, SBC, and AptX Adaptive codecs. Unfortunately, support for AptX on phones isn't as good as we'd like it to be, so you may need a transmitter to take advantage of the earbuds' 24-bit lossless support.

In terms of sound, the QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) deliver the best bass performance I've ever heard out of a pair of wireless earbuds. It doesn't seem to come at the expensive of the rest of the soundstage, with mids and highs still present. The earbuds have an Immersive Audio mode for those that like a spatial effect, and the Bose app adds a stellar EQ that lets you tune the sound signature to your liking.

While the Bose earbuds prioritize bass much like the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 and the Nothing Ear 3, I find that their sound profile doesn't change the listening experience for indie and jazzy tracks — that's a good thing. So, even though you can adjust the EQ if you find the earbuds too bassy, you probably won't need to.

Bose is using AI to provide better ANC and call quality, and it leads to impressive results. Aside from the basic ANC and Aware modes, there's a new ActiveSense mode here that offers transparency while still blocking out extreme burst of noise. Think a police siren or a passing train near a busy street. It's impressive, and I successfully used the ANC to cancel out noise on part of an intercontinental flight, even though I'd still prefer over-ears for that specific use case.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2): What's not good

There are only two clear drawbacks to the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) worth pointing out. The first is that the capacitive touch controls are lackluster, and had me wishing for physical buttons. They don't miss any gestures or tap, which is great, but are a little overeager. Adjusting the fit of your earbuds by twisting them into your ear will probably pause your music, which can be frustrating at times.

Earbuds like Powerbeats Pro 2, which have a play/pause button and volume rocker, provide a better on-earbud experience than Bose — that's too be expected. But other earbuds with capacitive earbud stems, such as the AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, are also better at avoiding accidental inputs.

Then, there's a battery life. It's great that the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) now come with a wireless charging case as standard. Before, you had to add a clunky wireless charging cover for an extra $50 to add that feature.

However, the six-hour battery life per earbud is unimpressive. The charging case only brings that total up to 24 hours, so heavy users like myself find themselves needing to charge the case multiple times per week. It's also worth noting that if you turn on Immersive Audio, that'll fall to just four hours of battery life per earbud.

Six hours of playback time isn't out of the ordinary with ANC enabled, but it's barely enough to cover my regular flight from Phoenix to New York, and it won't last a full workday. Apple just added eight-hour battery life to the AirPods Pro 3, so the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) are starting to lag behind in this regard.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2): Competition

There's never been more competition for great wireless earbuds for ANC, so Bose had its work cut out for it when making the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2). I think they're the pair of wireless earbuds to beat — other products might beat Bose in one or two areas, but none match the complete experience. For instance, I've been testing the brand-new AirPods Pro 3 against the Bose earbuds, and Apple's earbuds are better at battery life and noise canceling but are still severely behind in comfort and fit.

I'd also give Bose the edge over the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds, which simply cannot fit in my ears comfortably, and don't sound as good in my view. The closest competitor in sound may be the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, which are similarly full in the low-end but don't fit as securely and have worse ANC.

As such, if you have $299 to spend on ANC earbuds with excellent fitment, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) are your best option.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2): Should you buy them?

You should buy these if...

• You want industry-leading comfort and a secure fit for workouts
• You crave a full and deep sound signature with excellent bass
• You need platform-agnostic ANC earbuds that work with any Bluetooth device

You shouldn't buy these if...

• You find the earbud and charging case size to be too large
• You'd rather buy a cheaper pair of earbuds closer to the $200 price point
• You don't like the earbuds' loud audio profile and booming bass

Bose delivers fantastic sound and great ANC on the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2), but so do many other audio brands. What separates the Bose earbuds from the field is their top-notch comfort and fit. While you might expect them to be uncomfortable or finicky due to their large size, the opposite is true. Between their design, custom ear tips, and silicone stabilizers, the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) are the most comfortable wireless earbuds I've ever worn.

The tricky thing about comfort and fit as a feature is that it's different for everyone. I trust the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) to fit for most people's ears, but not all will need the fine-tuned fit and security. Some would be just fine wearing AirPods, Galaxy Buds, or Pixel Buds. If that's the case for you, snagging a high-end pair of earbuds from Apple, Samsung, or Google might be a better option than paying as much as $100 more for Bose earbuds.

When you think of Dyson, the company's vacuums and hair tools probably come to mind. If you do happen to recall Dyson's foray into making headphones, it's likely because of the Dyson Zone, a Bizarro-World contraption that combined over-ear headphones with an air-purifying mask during the global pandemic.

If you tuned out after that, I wouldn't blame you, but you'd be missing out on one of the coolest concepts in consumer audio today: the Dyson OnTrac. Unlike the Zone, the OnTrac are no gimmick. These headphones pair striking looks with solid sound quality and ANC performance. In a crowded market for over-ear headphones, Dyson separated the OnTrac from the rest by leaning into customization as their calling card.

We first reviewed the Dyson OnTrac in 2024, and in revisiting these headphones one year later, it's clear they still stand out. Considering you can frequently find them on sale — the Dyson OnTrac hit their lowest price ever at $260 on Amazon just last month — they're still a relevant pick for people looking for great ANC headphones.

More importantly, I want more audio brands to take note of Dyson's customization offerings, and here's why.

How you can customize the Dyson OnTrac

Many of the best headphones have replaceable ear cushions, and for good reason. If a set of ear cushions gets dirty or damaged, you can replace them for a reasonable cost without having to buy a new set of headphones. This is excellent from a user-repairability standpoint, but the goal here is not necessarily customization. Often, a headphone brand will only sell a color or two of replacement ear cushions, usually matching their basic colorways.

Dyson takes a different approach, designing the OnTrac ear cushions not just to be user-replaceable, but also to be user-customizable. There are nine different colors of ear cushions you can purchase, far more than the four colorways the Dyson OnTrac are sold in. The idea is that you can buy a pair of OnTrac and then make it your own with customizable cushions, turning Dyson's headset into as much of a fashion accessory as it is an audio product.

Dyson takes things a step further by letting users replace and customize the outer caps of the headphones, which is basically unheard of in the headphone market. You can twist the outer cap on your OnTrac to unlock it and pull it off the headphones. This will reveal a barebones look at the OnTrac, its shell, and its audio drivers (once the ear cushions are also removed). From there, you can slot in whichever outer cap material and color you'd like.

There are a total of 10 outer cap colors and finishes, including CNC Aluminum, CNC Copper, Titanium, and Ceramic. The versatility allows you to pick a headphone colorway that matches your style. Perhaps you want titanium headphones to go with your titanium Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra phone, or you want a pink ceramic pair to go with your peony Google Pixel 9.

Between the color of the headband (which you can only choose at purchase), the outer caps, and the ear cushions, there are over 2,000 different combinations of colors you can create with Dyson OnTrac. In a market where far too many of the best headphones are only sold in black or white, this is unparalleled customization.

A twist on headphone repairability and modularity

Of course, changing out the outer cap or ear cushion on your headphones won't improve sound quality or bring any tangible benefit to the listening experience. Audiophiles, look away. But headphones have become as much of a fashion statement as they are an audio product in recent years.

If you don't believe me, go to the gym and count how many people you see working out with AirPods Max — they're probably the worst tool for the job, and yet they're prolific. It's because of their looks and the status symbol they bring.

It's refreshing to see a company recognize that tech is fashion, and lean into that identity. Customizing these headphones isn't cheap, with each set of ear cushions or outer caps costing $50 each. Still, it's fantastic to have the option. Even if you wait until your ear cushions are worn out or your outer caps are scuffed up to replace them, it'll still be fun to choose a new colorway a year or two down the line.

Being able to freshen up a few-year-old pair of headphones with something new might save you from feeling the need to buy a whole new pair, reducing overconsumption and keeping some cash in your pocket. Not everyone will take advantage of the Dyson OnTrac's customization options in this way, but it is nice that they're there.

Considering how bland headphones like the Sonos Ace, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Sony WH-1000XM6 are starting to look, Dyson's approach is one worth copying.

Audio formats and listening modes always come back. Vinyl records nearly died out in favor of CDs, until they became nostalgic and actually outsold CDs in 2023 for the first time since 1987. Music listening often breaks common conventions of technological progress because, at the end of the day, listeners have simple wants and needs. Great sound, convenience, and immersion are just a few.

Those simple desires allow for older, obsolete formats and media to make a comeback. Over time, our definition of what is "convenient," for example, changes. Recently, casual listeners valued convenience in the form of truly wireless earbuds without a cord in sight. That's starting to shift, with wired earbuds now becoming hip and fashionable again, and the flurry of wired earbud announcements I saw at IFA 2025 proves it.

Sony announced a pair of wired USB-C earbuds during the event called the IER-EX15C USB-C, and I'll be testing those soon. But the more exciting announcement came from Belkin, which is taking advantage of the opportunity that comes with ditching the 3.5mm headphone jack for USB-C. Belkin's new SoundForm USB-C wired earbuds have a party trick we don't usually see in this category: active noise-canceling (ANC).

What makes the Belkin SoundForm USB-C wired earbuds unique

Wired earbuds and in-ear monitors (IEMs) don't typically offer ANC, and that's because the 3.5mm headphone jack is only designed to transfer small amounts of power — usually the bare minimum needed to drive earbuds, headphones, and microphones. The microchips and processing needed to take in sound data from onboard microphones and counter them with ANC require more power than a 3.5mm jack can typically provide.

That's why ANC-powered headphones and earbuds are often battery-powered, even in wired mode. The built-in battery helps power those extra features. When we lost the 3.5mm jack on phones, tablets, and other devices, it was seen as a downgrade. In many ways, that's true, but the USB-C port also presents a fantastic opportunity for audio listening.

The USB-C port is the most versatile we've ever seen, capable of delivering power and data in large volumes at the same time. That's what makes a product like the Belkin SoundForm USB-C possible — the earbuds can siphon power from your phone or other device over the USB-C cable, while transferring audio and powering the ANC features within.

By offering ANC in a cheap pair of earbuds with a flat, wired USB-C cable, Belkin already has something special here. Combined with the 12mm drivers and a few EQ presets, you get features once exclusive to higher-priced wireless earbuds in a $35 wired package. It's great for buyers on a budget or for people who just want the convenience of using a cable.

Why we need wired earbuds to get good again

Wireless and wired earbuds each have their own ideal set of use cases, but contrary to popular belief, one form factor can't rule them all. Wired earbuds particularly excel if you want to avoid losses in audio quality due to Bluetooth. Granted, a pair of $35 earbuds with smaller drivers probably won't make the most of lossless audio quality — but neither will premium wireless earbuds in a lossy Bluetooth codec.

I also love using wired earbuds in situations where I can't risk a truly wireless earbud falling out of my ears. One specific circumstance is while traveling, when an earbud slips out of my ear on a plane or while running through a new city, it is a worst-case scenario. Plus, the affordable price of entry means I can use them without worrying about a high replacement cost if they get lost or broken.

With the Belkin SoundForm USB-C, you get all the convenience benefits of wired audio without losing IPX5 water-resistance or ANC support, which were previously key drawbacks. Of course, you still run into the issue of charging or using other accessories while using USB-C headphones, which is why you'll probably need wireless headphones in certain instances.

These earbuds debut next month, and I think they'll usher in a new wave of modern wired audio products that we desperately need.

I have a bunch of headphones at my disposal, but for the past year, two pairs stood out as the ones I grabbed most: Sonos Ace and AirPods Max.

The latter are exclusively used for travel, as Apple's ANC is unmatched for blocking out plane noise but AirPods Max are otherwise hefty and uncomfortable. On the other end of the spectrum, Sonos Ace are my favorite headphones to wear for comfort, although it feels like I'm compromising on sound quality and ANC at times.

I've been waiting for a pair of over-ear headphones to come along that strike a better balance between comfort, ANC, and sound quality. After about two weeks of testing the Sony WH-1000XM6, I think they finally fit the bill. They're more comfortable than AirPods Max, better sounding with stronger ANC than Sonos Ace, and have a best-in-class wired mode with a 3.5mm cable in the box.

Here's why the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are streamlining my audio listening experience by replacing a few pairs with a universal solution.

Sonos Ace still beat the Sony's in design and comfort

First off, let's give Sonos its flowers. The Sonos Ace are still the most comfortable pair of over-ears I've ever used, and they may have the best design on the market today. The oval-shaped ear cups are clean, the memory foam ear cushions are comfy, and the metal accents are premium.

I don't think the Sony WH-1000XM6 feel as fancy, but Sony's choice to go with plastic parts helps with weight — they're significantly lighter at 254 grams than the 312-gram Sonos Ace.

I have no issue with Sony's use of plastic; in fact, I think Apple's avoidance of plastic is severely holding the AirPods Max back. However, the matte finish on the WH-1000XM6 and the questionable ear and headband cushions could use work. Fingerprints and skin oils will make the Sony headphones look gross, seemingly out of the box. The cushions seem to wear easily, retaining their shape less than my year-old Sonos Ace.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 have better ANC and sound quality than Sonos Ace

Sound quality and active noise-canceling (ANC) on the Sonos Ace are passable, but it won't blow you away for the price. The more I use Sonos' ANC, the more I become overwhelmed. On a recent flight, I noticed some distracting static noise in one of the Sonos Ace earcups — more distracting and painful than the airplane turbulence I was trying to block out. It turns out, I'm not alone, as this issue only popped up recently for me, but it is well-documented on Reddit.

While I have no issues with the sound of Sonos' 40mm drivers powering the Ace, the static problems occurring with ANC finally pushed me to consider a switch. Luckily, my Sony WH-1000XM6 review loaner came in shortly after, and the difference was stark. The Sony headphones block out noise better than the Sonos Ace, with no static or hissing sounds to boot.

Static sounds aside, which might go away after a firmware update, there are a few reasons why ANC might be stronger on the Sony WH-1000XM6 than the Sonos Ace. For one, Sony equipped the WH-1000XM6 with 12 microphones compared to eight on the Ace. There's also a new QN3 processor specifically tasked with ANC on the WH-1000XM6.

However, I think the most impactful factor might be the seal that Sony's WH-1000XM6 create with your head while listening to music. These headphones have a higher clamping force than the Sonos Ace, and the ear cushion material feels like it "sticks" to the side of your head to make a solid seal. Meanwhile, the vegan leather ear cushions on the Sonos Ace — while comfy — don't create the same experience.

All told, I like the sound quality of the Sony's a bit more than the Sonos Ace. Music sounds louder and fuller without losing crispness or clarity, and the out-of-the-box sound signature is excellent.

Sony's wired headphone mode is better than Sonos'

Sonos supports wired mode on the Ace using both the USB-C port and 3.5mm jack, whereas Sony only supports the latter. This doesn't tell the whole story. When you use the Sonos Ace with a cable, you're bypassing the headphones' internal DAC and using the one in your device. As it turns out, the Sonos Ace are quite difficult to drive, so your phone or media player will probably struggle to deliver great volume with a cable.

In my experience using Sonos Ace wired with various Android phones and an iPod, I'd get roughly half the volume that I would using Bluetooth.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 stands out in this area, producing an even louder music listening experience with a cable. I don't think they sound as good with the included 3.5mm cable as they do wirelessly, likely for the same reason that the Sonos Ace sound quiet in wired mode — both bypass the headphones' DACs. But the WH-1000XM6 seem to be easy to drive, making the Sony's a better fit for wired use.

Until we get a Sonos Ace 2, I'm sticking with Sony

Sonos Ace are starting to prove that the best headphones can't be great on design and comfort alone. I'd love to see a new model soon with improved sound and ANC, and it might even be worth picking up a current pair on sale. Being that the Sony WH-1000XM6 are better in almost every way, I'm sticking with them for now.

The best headphones and earbuds usually come with a solid amount of accessories, from extra ear tip sizes to cases and chargers. Chances are, you'll eventually need additional accessories or replacement parts for your Android audio gear sooner or later. The good news is that if you have access to a 3D printer, you can make everything you need at home.

Originally, I didn't think to use my 3D printer for my headphones and earbuds. I printed a few wall mounts for storage, and that was about it. Then, the headband on my AirPods Max wore out, and it'd be around $300 to get it fixed from Apple. I obviously didn't do that, and instead found a cheap fix using my Bambu Lab A1 printer that cost merely 22 grams of filament.

That sent me down a rabbit hole — what other things could I print for my massive collection of wireless headphones and earbuds? I found accessories for the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, OnePlus Buds Pro 3, Beats Solo Buds, and more on Bambu Lab's free MakerWorld database.

After a few hours of printing, I had a handful of truly useful companions for my audio gear, and you can make them too.

Android Bot case for Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

By far, the coolest accessory I 3D printed was an Android Bot case for the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. Not everyone uses cases on their earbuds’ included charging case, but it can help add extra protection against drops and scuffs. You’d be surprised how much an earbud case can get roughed up sharing a pocket or bag with your keys. So, this 3D printed protective case had my attention.

What’s more is that this Pixel Buds Pro 2 case is designed to resemble the Android Bot mascot. It has the eyes, the famous Bot head, and the arms. Honestly, this custom case is a must-have accessory for Android fans. It adds a bit of protection and a unique look that you won’t find on many other Pixel Buds Pro 2 cases out there.

It looks simply awesome, with the "mouth" opening up to reveal the earbuds when the case is open. There are cutouts for the status light, USB-C port, and speaker. I printed this in green translucent PETG filament, but flexible TPU would work better for this kind of thing. I just couldn't resist making a green Android Bot to match the Mint colorway of my Pixel Buds Pro 2.

H/T - @spasbilyarski on MakerWorld

Carabiner loop case for OnePlus Buds Pro 3

Next up, my OnePlus Buds Pro 3 needed a makeover. I found this minimal TPU case with a lanyard/carabiner loop. This print file offers the perfect mix of utility and design. It essentially gives you a small mounting hole that you can use to clip the Buds Pro 3 case onto your waist, a lanyard, or a bag.

I love this concept, as it should help make sure your earbuds are always nearby when you need them. The TPU strip probably won't provide much drop protection, as it only covers a fraction of the charging case body. Still, if you don't want a bulky case, this is a neat way to attach your OnePlus Buds Pro 3 securely to something else. In my testing, the TPU materials grips the charging case well.

H/T - @im.jackharvest on MakerWorld

Replacement ear tips for Beats Solo Buds

I'm sure we've all lost an ear tip at one point or another — I know I have. Instead of painstakingly trying to find the exact replacement for your model at an online store, you can print replacements at home in minutes. These ear tips for the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are a quick print and fit well on a variety of stem-based earbuds. I tried them with the Beats Solo Buds, and they worked great.

I won't lie and say these are the most comfortable ear tips in the world, but they're certainly passable. Using the softest TPU you can find, these slide right onto your earbuds and fit solidly in the ear.

H/T - @newstream on MakerWorld

Wrap case for KZ ZSN Pro X

Wired earbuds are clutch, even in 2025. They're just difficult to keep tidy. Wrap cases solve that problem, as they give you a way to neatly wrap your wired earbuds securely in place. The KZ ZSN Pro X are my wired earbuds of choice, and someone made a custom wrap case for this model. After printing, this immediately became part of my everyday carry.

If you have a different pair of wired earbuds, there are countless renditions of the classic wrap case on the web that you can find for any pair.

H/T - @B_Cinematic on MakerWorld

Universal headphone and earbud cleaning tool

Earbuds are notoriously dirty, with dust, earwax, hair, and sweat getting in them over time. Cleaning them can be tricky, and many companies want to sell you specialized tools just for this purpose. Instead of buying them, you can make tools at home with a 3D printer. This earbud cleaning tool only uses one gram of filament and takes eight minutes to print.

It's essential for cleaning out the nooks and crannies of your earbuds and their charging case. Since its time and filament costs are so little, you can easily toss this tool and print another if it gets too dirty or worn down.

H/T - @fifindr on MakerWorld

Why you might want to 3D print audio accessories

3D printing comes with numerous benefits for creating audio-related accessories. For starters, it's often cheaper to make something for your headphones or earbuds at home.

Then, it's worth considering that it can be quicker to make your own accessory than wait for one to arrive in the mail. If you lose or break an ear tip, you can immediately print a replacement so your earbuds are still wearable while you wait for an official solution.

Making something at home also gives you the chance to customize it to your liking. I used the default settings for these publicly available print designs, but you can create your own or remix an existing file. It enables you to make the accessory you want even if it doesn't exist anywhere else.

If you don't have a 3D printer at home, check your local schools and libraries. They might have community 3D printers that anyone can use, and if not, there are online print shops that can make what you need for cheap.

Android fans will be tuning into this month’s Made by Google 2025 showcase for heavy hitters like the Google Pixel 10 and the Pixel Watch 4. But as an audio nerd, I’m looking forward to hearing what the company has in store for the next pair of Google Pixel Buds.

Google teased the Aug. 20 keynote by saying we’ll get the latest on “Pixel phones, watches, buds, and more.” While the Pixel Buds Pro 2 probably aren’t due for a refresh yet, the four-year-old Pixel Buds A-series could use an update. They still retail for $100 before any discounts, and lack necessities like active noise-canceling (ANC) by 2025 standards.

The rumor mill provides some insight as to what Google may be planning for Pixel Buds at its upcoming event, but there are still a ton of unknowns — like the earbuds’ potential specs and price point. Ahead of an expected announcement, I switched back to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 to find out which features I’d love for the rumored Pixel Buds 2a to make more affordable. Considering how good the market for midrange earbuds currently is, Google has a lot of work to do.

What the rumors and leaks are saying about the Google Pixel Buds 2a

While we haven’t heard anything about the Google Pixel Buds 2a hardware, a recent leak from Android Headlines claims to reveal official renders for the budget earbuds. Like the current Pixel Buds A-series, the Pixel Buds 2a render goes all-in on color, with bright colorways that match across the inside of the charging case and buds.

This is one way the Pixel Buds 2a can separate itself from the Pixel Buds Pro 2, as the premium earbuds only have the outside of the buds colored in — the inside portion of the buds and the case interior are both black regardless of what color you choose. For better or worse, it matches industry trends of offering more fun and exciting color options on cheaper products.

The alleged render shows the Pixel Buds 2a in what is believed to be the Iris colorway, and other rumors predict that there will also be Strawberry, Fog Light, and Hazel options.

Otherwise, the Pixel Buds 2a render appears to show Google sticking to its classic Pixel Buds design language. That includes earbuds without a stem and a pebble-shaped charging case that opens vertically from the top. This isn’t a bad thing, because Google has a good thing going with Pixel Buds design. It’s unique and matches the rest of the Google Pixel ecosystem.

There could be one hint in the leaked render that gives us an idea of what features the Google Pixel Buds 2a might offer. The earbuds themselves have some kind of vent or mesh grill that isn’t present on the original Pixel Buds A-series. It doesn’t look identical to the openings we see on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, which are used for ANC, but they are definitely similar. If this render is accurate, the Pixel Buds 2a might offer ANC and transparency mode for the first time.

What I want the Pixel Buds 2a to borrow from the Pixel Buds Pro 2

The number one thing the Google Pixel Buds 2a need to borrow from the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is support for active noise-canceling. When the Pixel Buds A-series came out, you could get away with not offering ANC at the $100 price point. Fast-forward to 2025, and the situation is completely different. Even cheap earbuds have support for ANC of some kind. In fact, the OnePlus Buds 4 have pretty great ANC despite costing only $130.

If Google is trying to hit the $100 price point with the Pixel Buds 2a, it still needs to include ANC and transparency mode functionality. The quality doesn’t have to be identical to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 — the company can cut the custom Tensor A1 chip used for audio and ANC processing or offer fewer microphones to keep the earbuds affordable. However, ANC does need to be there in some way, shape, or form, and based on the leaked Pixel Buds 2a render, Google knows that too.

Google should also improve the on-earbud controls for the Pixel Buds 2a. While I’m not usually a fan of capacitive buttons and gesture-based controls, they’re excellent on the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. Every tap, swipe, and hold gesture is registered by my Pixel Buds Pro 2, and I don’t have to push super hard on the earbuds to activate them.

Unfortunately, the Pixel Buds A-series only offer half of the experience. You get playback control on the Pixel Buds A-series, but not swipe gestures for volume control. It’s annoying to have to reach for your phone or use a voice assistant to raise or lower the volume, and Google needs to address this on the Pixel Buds 2a.

That’s especially true if the Pixel Buds 2a are indeed getting support for ANC modes. The inclusion of ANC would add another set of tap and press controls to the Pixel Buds 2a, and the more on-earbud controls there are, the more reliable and useful they need to be.

The Pixel Buds A-series case doesn’t have wireless charging support, while the Pixel Buds Pro 2 case does. It’s easy to throw the Pixel Buds Pro 2 on a charging pad to top up the case’s battery daily, or use a Pixel phone to reverse wireless charge the earbuds in a pinch. As a general rule, I’m totally fine with brands cutting wireless charging support from budget and midrange earbuds — I’d rather them focus on keeping the cost down and putting more emphasis on sound quality and ANC.

In terms of battery life, the Pixel Buds A-series are solid, but the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are outstanding. With the former, you’ll get five hours of listening time on a single charge. The more premium Pixel Buds Pro 2 give you up to 12 hours of playback with ANC off, and up to 48 hours including the charging case. Google doesn’t have to bring the Pixel Buds 2a all the way up to the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s level, but it does need to increase battery life to account for ANC usage, if it’s added.

Upgrades could come at a cost

Google doesn’t have a long list of things to add to the Pixel Buds 2a. There are some crucial changes that I think need to be made, like adding ANC support and swipe gestures. Beyond that, it’s all about the price.

The Google Pixel Buds A-series retail for $99, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 cost $229. Considering the A-series came out in 2021, I wouldn’t be surprised by a price hike. The tricky part is that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are regularly on sale for around $189 or less, and if the Pixel Buds 2a cost more, they could be tough to recommend alongside the standout Pro earbuds.

Made by Google 2025 is set for Aug. 20, and that’s when we’ll learn official details about the future of Pixel Buds.

Up until this year, it probably wasn't a good idea to invest serious money in perfecting your Android gaming setup. There were some great accessories on the market, but smartphone hardware wasn't ready yet.

That officially changed in 2025, when Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform became truly capable for gaming and Wi-Fi 7 brought Ethernet-like speeds to Android phones. So, is it time to build out an Android-focused mobile gaming ecosystem?

Razer just announced the BlackShark V3 Pro, a $250 esports-caliber gaming headset designed for platforms like PC and console, but also works with mobile platforms like Android and iOS. I've been testing it for over a week, trying to find out whether this kind of audio gear is excessive or just right for Android gaming.

More importantly, whether this premium headset can cover all your mobile gaming and music listening needs. Here's what I learned.

It's finally time to start taking Android gaming seriously

I tested the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro as part of a standout mobile gaming setup powered by the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 at its core. This phone has an 8-inch main display and a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip inside, making it the perfect device for portable gaming. Aside from the BlackShark V3 Pro, I also tabbed the Razer Kishi Ultra as my mobile controller.

This entire setup costs around $2,400 — but the bulk of that is the $2,000 foldable. It becomes a lot more realistic if you swap the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for one of the other great Snapdragon 8 Elite phones available. You could also grab the Kishi V2 for $100 instead of the $150 Kishi Ultra.

The BlackShark V3 Pro's build quality and comfort features are impressive

Gaming headsets are starting to sport more premium designs and subdued looks, and this is true of the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro. There's no obnoxious RGB here — just a sleek design available in white or black colorways. You get subtle Razer branding on the top of the headband and on the ear caps, which are swappable and customizable. I tried the white one, but think the black version is slightly more low-key.

The advantage of this kind of style is that you can wear the BlackShark V3 Pro out and about without looking too strange. The headset's boom mic slots into the 3.5mm headphone jack and is detachable. When removed, the BlackShark V3 Pro can go undercover, blending in with all the other over-ear headphones out there.

Going back to the premium feel, the stitching on the leather headband looks and feels nice. The ear cushions are made of memory foam and are lined with a cloth cover, which is very comfortable. A leather or faux leather ear cushion might look more premium, but I think cloth makes more sense here, as it'll hold up better against sweat and will be easier to clean.

Rather than adjusting the fit of the BlackShark V3 Pro via the headband, you do it with a metal wire connecting to the ear cap and audio assembly. Once you get the hang of it, this feels easier and more natural than the typical adjustment methods.

Comfort is a big reason why I think you may be able to use BlackShark V3 Pro as your main pair of wireless headphones. They feel great to wear and the memory foam helps comfort even during long listening or gaming sessions. It's not that bulky, at least for a gaming headset.

The BlackShark V3 Pro weighs 367 grams, and that's less than the 385-gram AirPods Max, which are my baseline for comparing heavy headphones. I'd prefer using a lighter pair for daily use, but if Apple can get away with it, so can Razer.

The sound quality and ANC is way better than I expected

Razer's BlackShark V3 Pro impressed me with its sound quality and active noise-canceling capabilities, especially for a headset. When you dive into the specs, it doesn't end up being all that surprising. Razer is using custom 50mm drivers with bio-cellulose diaphragms and larger magnets. That leads to big sound, better frequency separation, and improved sound imaging.

In other words, the BlackShark V3 Pro has the audio tech inside to produce great sound, whether you're gaming or listening to music. For gaming, these components make it easier to tell where an enemy is coming from, or hear a chest nearby. While listening to music, the benefits translate to creating a wide soundstage with a spatial feel.

Active noise-canceling isn't going to beat headphones from Apple, Sony, and Bose, but it is more than serviceable on the BlackShark V3 Pro. I was able to cancel out planes flying over my balcony while using the BlackShark V3 Pro at half volume, which is all I really need. If you're trying to block out someone watching TV in the next room while you're gaming, this headset has you covered.

Ambient mode leaves a bit more to be desired. It lets in plenty of sound when the volume is low or there's no audio coming from your device. However, while gaming or listening to music, it's somewhat hard to hear the people around you even with ambient mode enabled. To be fair, ambient or transparency modes typically sound like this until you get into the ultra-premium sector of ANC earbuds and headphones.

One thing I love about the BlackShark V3 Pro is how versatile the headset is for connectivity. You can connect the headset to your device wirelessly via Bluetooth, wired via USB or 3.5mm, or using a 2.4GHz receiver. Additionally, the BlackShark V3 Pro features dual connection with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz simultaneously. That means you can be gaming on your PC or console while streaming music from your phone and hear it all through the headset.

Best of all, the 3.5mm jack works in analog mode, meaning you can use it without powering on the headset. This feature is great for keeping the games or music going when your wireless headset dies, and it's far too rare in 2025.

The Razer Audio app is the home for managing the BlackShark V3 Pro's settings and controls on Android, and it's pretty good. It's somewhat barebones, but all the toggles you need are front and center. You can enable Bluetooth low-latency mode for gaming, choose one of nine EQ presets, and pick a control for the customizable roller on the side of the headset.

Who should buy the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro gaming headset?

All told, I loved using the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro with my favorite Android phones. Is a bit overkill? Maybe. At $250, it's a lot to spend on a mobile gaming headset, but the value proposition gets a lot better if you can squeeze some extra utility out of it.

Mobile gamers who also dabble in PC or console gaming can use the BlackShark V3 Pro for both. Since the BlackShark V3 Pro is surprisingly good for music listening, using the headset as your primary over-ears will net you a lot of extra value. Believe it or not, $250 is only considered mid-tier for over ears, so something like the BlackShark V3 Pro would be much cheaper than the best headphone options.

The OnePlus Buds 4 are the company's latest stab at making a great pair of mid-tier wireless earbuds, and in typical OnePlus fashion, they're an excellent value. That is, on their own. While I was thoroughly impressed by what the Buds 4 were able to offer at their price point, I couldn't help but think about the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 during my review period.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are my go-to recommendation for value-first wireless earbuds for Android, and they currently cost about $150. When the OnePlus Buds 4 are at full price, they retail for $130. That isn't a lot of breathing room for OnePlus' new mid-tier earbuds.

At launch (and at the time of writing), you can use code ONEPLUSBUDS4 to save $30 on the Buds 4 on the company's website, temporarily helping matters. With a price difference of about $50 between models, the OnePlus Buds 4 and Buds Pro 3 can coexist. But when this deal expires, OnePlus has a problem.

At full price, I'd recommend everyone but those on the tightest of budgets spend an extra $20 on the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, skipping the Buds 4. Here's why.

All the hardware differences between the OnePlus Buds 4 and the Buds Pro 3

Looking at the OnePlus Buds 4 and Buds Pro 3 on paper, there are a boatload of similarities. Both pairs of truly wireless earbuds use drivers with an 11mm woofer and 6mm tweeter. They also each have dual digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and support the same AAC, SBC, and LDHC codecs. It's possible the Buds 4 and Buds Pro 3 even use similar or the exact same drivers, but I can't know for sure.

A key difference between the Buds 4 and Buds Pro 3 is their frequency response, and this will be important later. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 can reproduce sounds between 10Hz and 40KHz, whereas the Buds 4 are a bit more limited, with a frequency response of 15Hz and 40KHz. In other words, the "Pro" earbuds can physically recreate more sounds accurately than the regular model.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 have a more premium feel, with a faux leather case that I think makes them look better than any other pair of wireless earbuds on the market. Some might find OnePlus' faux leather looks to be tacky, and I can understand that. If you're deep in the ecosystem with a leather OnePlus 13, it can create a neat and cohesive experience.

They support wireless charging, which is a big omission by the OnePlus Buds 4. Overall, the OnePlus Buds 4 still look more like their Nord budget counterparts than a "Pro" pair of earbuds. They have a thicker, rectangular stem that lacks squeeze controls. Additionally, both the case and earbuds have a matte finish.

How the OnePlus Buds 4 sound compared to the Buds Pro 3

With similar audio drivers and noise-canceling hardware, it's no surprise that the OnePlus Buds 4 sound very close in quality to the OnePlus Buds Pro 3. Volume seems consistent against both pairs of earbuds, and they also have a strong bass representation. For some, this will be enough to make the OnePlus Buds 4 a viable alternative to the Buds Pro 3 — if you like loud, bass-heavy music, these will do the job.

Where the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 outshine the Buds 4 is in soundstage separation, clarity, and range. I mentioned the Buds Pro 3's expanded frequency response earlier, and I think you can really make it out this difference in casual listening. The low end is a bit fuller and doesn't encroach as much on the midrange space, whereas the OnePlus Buds 4 will give you similar sounds with less separation.

On top of that, the high end is way more pronounced, making it easy to enjoy the crisp sound of hitting a snare drum or cymbal separately from the rest of the instruments on the soundstage.

The result is OnePlus Buds Pro 3 sounding slightly more polished than the Buds 4. Both are an excellent listen, and frankly, I'm impressed that the OnePlus Buds 4 got as close as they did to the Buds Pro 3 at their price point. Still, I can't help but feel like the Buds 4 can have bass that's too overwhelming.

Luckily, active noise-canceling quality is solid across both the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 and Buds 4. With three microphones per side on the Buds 4 and a real-time ANC algorithm, they should successfully block out unwanted noise while listening to music.

Both pairs of earbuds will get around four to six hours of battery life on their own, depending on your volume and whether ANC is on or off.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 nail the intangibles, while the Buds 4 cut corners

Although I prefer the sound of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, the difference is probably negligible for most listeners. Where the higher-end pair pulls away from the cheaper version is in their design. The Buds Pro 3 are more compact and feature a cylindrical stem, and they're much more comfortable than the blocky stem on the Buds 4. I get a better fit and, thus, a more enjoyable experience listening to the Buds Pro 3.

The Buds Pro 3 also have better on-earbud controls than the Buds 4, at least by my standards. You squeeze the stems on the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 to adjust playback or ANC modes, and swipe up or down on the front of them to raise or lower the volume.

These are more reliable and intuitive than the swipe and tap controls on the flat portion of the OnePlus Buds 4 stem. Rather than incorporate a squeeze function, the Buds 4 only use capacitive buttons with no tactile feedback.

Sometimes they're too sensitive, changing something while you're actually trying to adjust the fit of your earbuds. Other times, you have to push the side of the earbud stem hard to change the ANC mode, shoving the earbud uncomfortably in your ear.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are still the better value

OnePlus upgraded the sound quality, ANC, and charging case for the Buds 4, but it may have pushed the earbuds too close to its standout Buds Pro 3. I can't imagine why you'd want to buy the Buds 4 over the Buds Pro 3 unless you can get a great deal. At their full price, I'd gladly pay an extra $20 for the Buds Pro 3, which have settled into a typical $150 price point about a year after their release.

You get a crisper and more diversified sound, a wider soundstage, better controls, and wireless charging just by going with the OnePlus Buds Pro 3. This part is a bit subjective, but I think you get a more stylish and comfortable design, too.

Originally, it was unclear where the new OnePlus Buds 4 landed in quality compared to the Buds 3 and Buds Pro 3. It looked like the Buds 4 might have the chops to beat or match the Buds Pro 3 on paper. But after spending a few weeks with both pairs of earbuds, it's clear that the Buds Pro 3 still have a clear edge. Unless you can snag the Buds 4 for $100 or less, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are still the best value in wireless Android earbuds.

Bose is shaking up the portable audio space with the SoundLink Plus, a Bluetooth speaker that slots right in between the SoundLink Flex and Max offerings. The $269 speaker aims to bring a bigger punch than your typical on-the-go companion for beach days while still remaining portable.

That puts the SoundLink Plus in a unique position in the market. It's not quite a boombox, but it's bigger in price and sound than the portable speakers you'll typically see at a pool party. The Beats Pill, Sonos Roam 2, and Bose's own SoundLink Flex all cost around $150, for example, and that's before any potential sales, such as this Prime Day discount on the Beats Pill.

It begs the question: Is there a need for a portable Bluetooth speaker at this price point? I've spent months using the Beats Pill and recently switched to the SoundLink Plus. While I had my doubts at first, I've come to realize the SoundLink Plus absolutely brings more to the table than the Beats Pill.

You'll just have to decide whether bass and volume boosts are worth about $120 more than the Pill. With the speaker on sale for Amazon Prime Day, it's even tougher to ignore how attractive the Beats Pill looks.

Bose's SoundLink Plus packs a major punch in sound quality

Bose specifically notes that the SoundLink Plus is designed to bring the bass, and it doesn't disappoint. In fact, some of the people that I played the speaker for found the bass too intense. But let's face it, this is a beach and party speaker, so that's probably what you're going for. The further you stand away from the speaker, the less in-your-face the bass feels.

It's not just the speaker's tuning, however. Compared to the Beats Pill, the SoundLink Plus has a more full sound across the entire soundstage. While you might notice it most when listening to pop, hip hop, or R&B, you can also hear the difference across genres like alternative, jazz, and indie.

Listening to the SoundLink Plus sounds like I'm bringing my desktop speakers with me in a more compact form, whereas the Pill is more like an upgrade over my smartphone speakers. They both get the job done, especially while out and about, but the Bose SoundLink Plus makes the most of its bigger size.

The SoundLink Plus sounds better than the Pill at all volumes, but it was shocking just how much louder Bose's speaker can get than the Beats option. I tested both speakers listening to the same tracks at 50% volume back-to-back, and the Pill was incredibly quiet. I'd probably need to crank the Pill up to 80-100% volume to fill a room, and the SoundLink Plus sounded like more than enough with the volume at 50%.

Portability is up for grabs

It's tough to say which speaker is better for portability. The natural choice would be the Beats Pill, as it weighs about 1.5 pounds. The Bose SoundLink Plus is more than twice as heavy at 3.4 pounds, though it doesn't feel as bad in the hand. In terms of design, the Pill slightly tilts the audio drivers upward — toward your ears for a better listening experience — whereas the SoundLink Plus is shaped more like a rectangle.

The reason I like the SoundLink for portability has to do with its lanyard loop. It has a built-in "utility rope loop" that's shorter than the one on the Beats Pill but is much more durable. In this case, I think Bose's shorter and thicker loop is more useful than Beats' thinner and longer one.

I grew up near a beach town, and I could totally see people using a carabiner to clip the SoundLink Plus to a bike, beach chair, or backpack. It's rugged enough to handle that, and the shorter loop means the speaker won't swing as much as the Beats Pill would if used in a similar load-out. On the other hand, the Pill is small enough to slot into a water bottle holder, so both have advantages depending on your everyday carry.

Luckily, you get IP67 certification with both speakers, so you'll have sand and splash protection for your days at the beach.

Bose has the better app and buttons

The SoundLink Plus addresses one of the Beats Pill's biggest flaws — the Pill has an awful set of hardware buttons. There are two many purposes tied to the same button — the power button is used to turn the device on and off, check battery life, and initiate pairing mode. It's too much to keep track of, and it's frankly a frustrating experience.

Switching to the SoundLink Plus was like a breath of fresh air in this regard. There are six hardware buttons that handle all the functions you'd regularly need, making for little confusion. This simplicity alone made the Bose speaker feel more premium and handy than the Beats one.

Neither speaker has an outstanding companion app, but the Bose app at least adds an EQ function and lets you manage multi-source pairing. Meanwhile, the Beats app is mainly for speaker pairing, sharing, and changing call controls.

It sounds silly to say, but the little things — such as the utility rope, superior app, and hardware buttons — made me want to pay $120 more for the SoundLink Plus over the Beats Pill.

The Bose SoundLink Plus fills a hole in the portable speaker market

I've tried many portable speakers in the $150 price range, including the Beats Pill. They're all just fine — great for on-the-go use, but I'd never go out of my way to listen to them. It made me wonder, would a more expensive speaker like the Bose SoundLink Plus actually add enough value to be worth $120 more than those starter options?

After testing the SoundLink Plus for a few weeks, I came away massively impressed. To me, paying around $270 for a portable speaker is still probably a bit too much. As a budding audiophile, I'd rather invest in my main audio setup before branching out into premium portable options.

However, it's clear to me that the SoundLink Plus really is $120 better than speakers like the Beats Pill. It sounds sharper, fuller, and louder while having a better build and controls. If you have the money to spend or simply want to invest in a speaker for portable and at-home use, the Bose SoundLink Plus is a great option.

Sleep earbuds can be essential for a good night's rest, but the market for them is quickly dwindling. Bose discontinued its Sleepbuds without a replacement, and Philips did the same. That leaves only a handful of reputable brands making high-quality sleep earbuds in 2025.

One of those brands is Soundcore, a subdivision of Anker, whose Sleep A10 and Sleep A20 are both on our best sleep earbuds list. Now, the company is taking pre-orders on Kickstarter for the next-generation Sleep A30. For the first time, the Soundcore Sleep A30 feature active noise-canceling, but also come along with a $50 price hike compared to the prior model.

I've been testing (and sleeping with) the Soundcore Sleep A30 for a week, and they knock it out of the park. As a side sleeper, I was impressed with how the Sleep A30 earbuds managed to comfortably stay in my ears most nights with zero pressure or discomfort the morning after. The sound quality and active noise-canceling are great considering the earbuds' size, too.

However, a steep retail price of $230 means that interested buyers should consider whether the Sleep A30 can double as everyday or workout earbuds to make the investment worthwhile.

Comfort is top-notch with the Soundcore Sleep A30

Above all else, comfort is the most important aspect of sleep earbuds. They need to be designed to be compatible with a variety of sleeping positions and preferences, and they're especially tricky for side sleepers like me. Sleep earbuds that are too bulky and protrude from your ear canal too much will cause discomfort as soon as your head hits the pillow.

Soundcore's Sleep A10 and A20 were already outstanding in this regard, as they kept an ultra-low profile. That gets better with the Sleep A30, as these earbuds are 7% smaller than the older models. This was immediately noticeable because after twisting the buds into my ears, they sit nearly flush. While lying on my side, I quickly forgot the earbuds were in my ears at all.

Something that shocked me while testing the Soundcore Sleep A30 was how well they fit securely in my ears without creating pressure or congestion. Usually, when I wear earbuds to sleep, they either fall out during the night or cause a ton of congestion after waking up. Neither happened while testing the Sleep A30 — I never felt discomfort, and the earbuds only fell out on one occasion.

Some of this can be attributed to the Sleep A30's small form factor, and the rest results from excellent ventilation.

I used the medium silicone eartip on the left earbud and the small silicone eartip on the right, but there are plenty of customizable tips included in the box. You get four sizes of silicone eartips and three sizes of foam eartips, plus three sets of wings. Between the flexible wings that help lock the earbuds in place and the variety of tip sizes and materials, just about everyone should find a Sleep A30 combination that works for them.

Soundcore explains that the silicone eartips will probably be more comfortable, while the foam eartips have better sound isolation and a firmer fit. If you can deal with the slight hassle, I'd consider wearing the silicone ones to sleep and workout, with the foam ones being best for daily wear.

Sound quality and ANC are better than you'd probably expect

Obviously, sound quality isn't the main goal for sleep earbuds. These aren't going to replace my Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, AirPods Pro 2, or Powerbeats Pro 2 in terms of sound quality, but the Sleep A30 held their own. There wasn't an overemphasis on any part of the soundstage — you can make out the lows, mids, and highs.

You do get booming bass with the right song, simply because the passive sound isolation is so good that the vibrations stay mostly trapped within your ear canal. There is a sense of warmth in the Sleep A30's sound signature, but I didn't mind it, especially considering their intended purpose. The volume is also excellent, allowing you to sleep at 50% or below comfortably, which is great for battery life.

Over Bluetooth, you get 6.5 hours of playback with ANC on for each earbud, and a total of 35 hours with the charging case, according to Soundcore. This was about what I experienced during firsthand testing. After a full night of Bluetooth listening, my Sleep A30 earbuds were dead or almost dead when I woke up. In local mode, while listening to white noise or nature sounds downloaded to the earbuds themselves, that bumps to nine hours of battery life per earbud.

This is all with active noise-canceling enabled, so you can presumably squeeze out some extra battery life by flipping that toggle off.

The app is solid, with controls for ANC, sleep sounds, alarms, AI features, and more. However, you'll probably use it more than you'd like. The on-earbuds controls leave a bit to be desired. A double-tap of the right earbud is supposed to toggle ANC on or off, but these taps can be unreliable. You might find yourself tapping a bunch before the earbuds will recognize it, or just give up and use the app instead.

The sleep alarms were particularly helpful, as they wake you up more gently than a traditional alarm. Still, they are contingent on your earbuds lasting the entire night on a single charge, so I didn't feel comfortable using the Sleep A30 as my only alarm.

Active noise-canceling worked as expected, blocking out most sounds without causing discomfort. That said, the Sleep A30 are so good at passive sound isolation that I found I didn't need ANC on most nights, especially while playing music or sounds. This feature could be handy for someone with a specific need to block out sound, like a person living in a noisy shared space.

Should you buy the Soundcore Sleep A30?

The Soundcore Sleep A30 are really good, but if you already own a pair of Sleep A10 or Sleep A20, you might not need to upgrade. Active noise-canceling is the key differentiator here, and people who don't need ANC might prefer to save a few bucks by going with the cheaper Sleep A10 or A20 instead.

Keeping that in mind, you can make the Sleep A30 a great value despite its $230 retail price if you commit to using them for multiple purposes. A dedicated pair of sleep earbuds is a tough sell at that price, but one that can handle workouts and everyday wear is a much easier one. With the comfortable design and included eartips, it'd be easy to use the Sleep A30 for everyday wear, the gym, and sleep.

You can pre-order the Soundcore Sleep A30 on Kickstarter and get an early-bird discount now. The sleep earbuds will be available on Soundcore's website and at third-party retailers later. Currently, pre-ordered units for Kickstarter backers are expected to start shipping in August

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