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The best noise-canceling headphones for 2025

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Whether you're working in a noisy office, commuting on a packed train or just trying to focus at home, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. The best noise-canceling headphones block out distractions and let you enjoy your music, podcasts or calls in pe

Soundcore Boom 3i Review: A Seaworthy Bluetooth Speaker That Dunks on the Competition

2025 I love when gadgets have a schtick. Like Lenovo’s Tab Plus with an ungodly amount of JBL speakers, or Nothing’s Android phones with lights on the back. Schticks are great, and schticks that are practical and actually work are even better. For Soundcore’s $130 Boom 3i Bluetooth speaker, the schtick is all about throwing a speaker into water, which is unnatural for anyone familiar with how batteries work, but for the right person, might be kind of awesome. See Soundcore Boom 3i at Amazon L

The Best-Sounding Midrange Bluetooth Speaker I've Tested Is 25% Off Right Now

Deal alert: The Sony ULT Field 5 Bluetooth speaker is available for $248 at Amazon. That's equivalent to 25% off or a savings of $82. We named this newcomer the best midrange Bluetooth speaker available, and this discount puts it in a much more appealing price range. If you were to ask me what my favorite new portable Bluetooth speaker of 2025 is so far, I'd have to say Sony's ULT Field 5 speaker. When it launched back in April, I called it one of the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers I've teste

Adobe Firefly can now generate sound effects from your audio cues

Since rolling out the redesign of its Firefly app in April, Adobe has been releasing major updates for the generative AI hub at a near monthly clip. Today, the company is introducing a handful of new features to assist those who use Firefly's video capabilities. To start, Adobe is making it easier to add sound effects to AI-generated clips. Right now, the majority of video models create footage without any accompanying audio. Adobe is addressing this with a nifty little feature that allows user

Marshall's first soundbar rocks as a mainstream alternative - Here's my take

ZDNET's key takeaways The Marshall Heston 120 is a one-box soundbar (no rear speakers or sub included) that retails for $999. This soundbar delivers a fresh design and plenty of bass, audio features, and connectivity ports. For a first-generation product, it retails for as much as its well-established, acclaimed rivals. View now at Marshall The Marshall Heston 120 soundbar is currently out of stock on Marshall's website, and there are no other retailers. According to Marshall, it will be rest

I replaced my boring bookshelf speakers with these slick wireless ones - and I highly recommend them

ZDNET's key takeaways SVS Prime Wireless Pro powered speakers are available now from the SVS website for $675 (regularly $900). You won't find a smoother, better-blended sound from an active speaker at this price point. To get the best bass, you should pair these with the SVS SB-1000 Pro subwoofer. View now at Svsound View now at Best Buy View now at Amazon more buying choices Most consumers believe punchy bass and sizzling highs are key to a good speaker. If that sounds like your taste, then

JBL’s best portable speakers plummet to record-low prices

If you’re looking for a portable speaker, JBL makes some of the most popular ones. The best ones that are still easy to carry around are the JBL Charge 6 and JBL Flip 7, and both are hitting new record-low prices right now. Let’s tell you a bit about them. Buy the JBL Charge 6 for $149.95 ($50 off) Buy the JBL Flip 7 for $99.95 ($50 off) Both of these offers come from Woot, an Amazon-owned deals website. They are in new condition and come with a 90-day Woot warranty. The Charge 6 is available i

Tired of restless nights? These sleep earbuds helped me doze off

Soundcore Sleep A20 ZDNET's key takeaways The Sleep A20 are Soundcore's earbuds designed for sleep, retailing for $180 The specially designed sleep earbuds are comfortable enough to wear the whole night through and are perfect for listening to ambient noise before falling asleep The noise masking isn't strong for dampening environmental sounds, so I wouldn't recommend these for people looking to silence bedroom noise. View now at Best Buy Trouble sleeping? Some people get themselves to bed by

This Yamaha soundbar delivers luxurious audio (and it's still $200 off)

ZDNET's key takeaways The Yamaha True X Bar 50A is available now at a discount, with surround speakers sold separately (and individually). The sound produced by these speakers is rich, deep, well-blended, and spacious. I just wish the setup process was more seamless and simple. $499.95 at B&H Photo-Video $499.95 at Crutchfield $499.99 at Best Buy more buying choices For a limited time, Amazon is selling the Yamaha True X Bar with subwoofer bundle for $200 off. For months, I was one hundred p

I recommend this Amazon Fire TV soundbar to most people - here's why

ZDNET's key takeaways The Fire TV Soundbar Plus is perfect for those who want an affordable plug-and-play solution, available now for $250 standalone or $490 for the bundle. Bass is impressive (especially with the subwoofer), and the dialogue enhancement feature is helpful for clarity. It lacks built-in Wi-Fi streaming, smart features, or Alexa integration, connects with Bluetooth, and doesn't have a companion app. View now at Amazon Amazon showcased its Fire TV Soundbar Plus at CES 2025, and

My favorite noise-canceling headphones for work and travel are on sale for $43 off

ZDNET's key takeaways Available now for $200, Soundcore's new Space One Pro headphones improve on the original cans in almost every way. The new pair has powerful ANC, solid audio output, and a stylish yet comfortable design. They still don't have a proper carrying case, and certain features can ruin the listening experience. $199.99 at Amazon $199.99 at Walmart $119.99 at B&H Photo-Video more buying choices At Best Buy, the Soundcore Space One Pro in Black are on sale for about $157. Anker'

This tiny Bluetooth speaker and subwoofer caught me off guard with some big sound

ZDNET's key takeaways The Pebble X Plus speakers are available now for $120 on Amazon. The rich, deep bass perfectly matches the mids and highs delivered by the satellite speakers. However, they don't have built-in battery power, so your portability is limited to a power source. View now at Amazon It shocks me how good Bluetooth speakers have come over the years. I remember when I bought my first Bose Bluetooth speaker, thinking it had set the bar pretty high. But when I listen to that speake

Enabling This One iPhone Feature Has Helped Me Get More Precious, Quality Sleep

I take sleep seriously and will honestly try anything that promises to help me get more rest. However, getting quality sleep doesn't have to involve a white noise machine or other device you have to buy with your hard-earned cash. In fact, as I discovered, it can be as simple as turning on a certain feature on your iPhone. Go figure. For the past five years, I've been getting better, longer sleep thanks to this one hidden iPhone feature. For those who also struggle with sleep and happen to have

These budget earbuds turned an audiophile into an open-ear believer

ZDNET's key takeaways The Soundpeats PearlClip Pro earbuds are available now on Amazon for $59. The PearlClip Pro earbuds offer high-quality sound and a design that holds to your ear, no matter how active you are. The controls of the PearlClip Pro earbuds take some getting used to. $49.99 at Amazon As a runner and a lover of music, I'm always looking for earbuds that can marry those two things in an active form factor. For the longest time, the ideal option has been bone-conducting headphones

Forget AirPods - these Beats headphones work just as well with iOS and Android

ZDNET's key takeaways The Beats Solo 4 headphones are available for $200 in Matte Black, Slate Blue, and Cloud Pink. Beats' best-selling headphones return with up-to-date features, signaling that the company used the product's long hiatus wisely. A tight fit and small ear cups may cut your listening experience shorter than you'd like. $129.95 at B&H Photo-Video I've spent a lot of time testing headphones, and I find a new favorite with every fresh release. But one pair of headphones will

I take this Sony speaker to the beach every summer - for one obvious reason

Sony Ult Field 1 ZDNET's key takeaways The Sony Ult Field 1 is a portable speaker available for $130 (but on sale for $98) The speaker prioritizes crystal-clear sound and pronounced bass, with vibrant audio that sounds like it's coming from a much more expensive device It doesn't boast as long a battery life as its predecessor, but what it lacks in battery, it makes up for in stellar sound. $99.99 at Target Amazon is discounting this Sony Ult Field 1 speaker by $30 right now, bringing the pri

Sony's most portable speaker yet also fills up the room with powerful sound

ZDNET's key takeaways The Sony Ult Field 3 speaker is a midrange powerhouse with great sound and ample bass, and it's $50 off right now at Amazon. With a 24-hour battery life and features that encourage speaker syncing, the Ult Field 3 would be perfect for regular hosts and music lovers. I can't think of anything wrong with this incredible speaker, and its price competes with other speakers of this size and spec. View now at Amazon View now at Walmart more buying choices The Sony Ult Field 3

This tiny Bluetooth speaker delivers loud, distortion-free sound

The Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth speaker sounds as good as it looks. Jack Wallen/ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways The Marshall Emberton III This tiny speaker can produce much louder sound than you might expect (without distortion), and the sound is quite detailed and accurate. The Marshall app doesn't include a custom EQ, which would greatly benefit the Emberton III. Ah, the Marshall sound. I cannot tell you how many concerts I've attended where a stack of Marshall amps stood sentinel behind

I'm taking my favorite portable vinyl player on all my summer trips

ZDNET's key takeaways The Audio-Technica Sound Burger retails for $199 and comes in yellow, black, or white. The Sound Burger has unparalleled portability, a long battery life, and provides a novel listening experience. It doesn't have a counterweight, and also doesn't have an auto-return feature. View now at Amazon Technology is all about embracing the now. So, even though I am one of those people who can be stuck in their ways (such as listening to vinyl records with the appropriate analog

Your iPhone Has a White Noise Function. Here's How to Turn It On

Listening to natural sounds can lower stress, relieve perceived pain and foster a more positive disposition, according to research from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Other studies suggest that white noise could help parents get their babies to sleep, adults learn words and improve learning in environments full of distractions. And if you're looking to buy a white noise machine for yourself or your child, your iPhone can function as one, saving you money on a new device. R

I replaced my AirPods Pro with $130 HUAWEI earbuds, and I didn’t want to go back

HUAWEI Freebuds 6 The HUAWEI FreeBuds 6 are yet another pair of open-fit wireless earbuds, not unlike the AirPods 4 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3. But with a unique design, comfortable in-ear fit, great sound quality, and surprisingly decent ANC, the FreeBuds 6 stand above their competition. My go-to pair of wireless earbuds is the AirPods Pro 2. While that may sound sacrilegious as an Android user, Apple’s earbuds just work so well for me. They sound great, have excellent noise canceling, a comfor

HDD Clicker generates HDD clicking sounds, based on HDD Led activity

Molex Harddisk Power connector HDD LED in header HDD LED out header 'External out' header to optionally connect additional speaker or higher current 5V visual indicator Power LED out header Programming header (do not use, reserved for factory/future updates of the attiny processor) Low volume 'modern IDE HDD mode' : a small sticker on the speaker directly : this dampens the sound, sounds like modern harddisk --> this option is now by default selected in the webshop. Medium volume 'LGR mod

My favorite noise-canceling headphones for work and travel are on sale for 43% off

ZDNET's key takeaways Available now for $200, Soundcore's new Space One Pro headphones improve on the original cans in almost every way. The new pair has powerful ANC, solid audio output, and a stylish yet comfortable design. They still don't have a proper carrying case, and certain features can ruin the listening experience. $119.99 at Amazon $125.99 at Walmart $119.99 at B&H Photo-Video more buying choices Soundcore's Space One Pro has recently dropped down to $114 a pair during Amazon Prim

I tested Samsung's flagship soundbar, and it easily competes with my Sonos Arc Ultra

ZDNET's key takeaways The Samsung HW-Q990F home entertainment system is on sale on Amazon for $1,347, including a soundbar, external subwoofer, and two rear speakers. The Q990F is packed with software features, plenty of audio modes, and delivers big, room-filling sound. However, there aren't many substantial upgrades over last year's model, leaving no urgency to upgrade. $1,497.99 at Amazon $1,599.99 at Samsung $1,497.99 at Walmart more buying choices For a limited time, the HW-Q990F soundba

Snag this tiny Bluetooth speaker that delivers loud, distortion-free sound as a Prime Day discount

The Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth speaker sounds as good as it looks. Jack Wallen/ZDNET On Amazon, the Marshall Emberton III has dropped down $150, a 17% discount. Act fast because this is a limited-time deal. Also: The best Prime Day deals you can shop now ZDNET's key takeaways The Marshall Emberton III This tiny speaker can produce much louder sound than you might expect (without distortion), and the sound is quite detailed and accurate. The Marshall app doesn't include a custom EQ, wh

Using Sound Waves to Put Out Fire: Story of Two George Mason University Students

Imagine fighting a fire without water, foam, or chemicals—just the power of sound. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi flick, right? But back in 2015, two engineering students at George Mason University in Virginia made it a reality. Viet Tran and Seth Robertson, both seniors at the time, built a device that uses low-frequency sound waves to extinguish flames. Their invention, dubbed the “Wave Extinguisher,” caught the world’s attention and sparked a wave of research into acoustic fire supp

I recommend this soundbar if you want deeply immersive sound - and it's on sale at Amazon

ZDNET's key takeaways The LG S95TR soundbar with wireless subwoofer is optimized for the company's OLED TVs with immersive audio features. The LGS95TR may be expensive, but the high-quality audio is easily worth the price. The soundbar has many features, but some of the best ones require a newer LG TV model. View now at Best Buy View now at Amazon more buying choices During Amazon Prime Day, the LG S95TR soundbar setup is on sale for $997. Other cheaper options are available too. It's been a

I found budget wireless earbuds that I wouldn't mind ditching my AirPods for (and they're on sale)

ZDNET's key takeaways The CMF Buds 2 Plus are the most premium pair of earbuds from the Nothing sub-brand. Normally at $79, they're one of the best-sounding and most feature-rich earbuds in the price segment. The way these earbuds are designed makes them not ideal for side sleepers. $69 at Amazon For a limited time, the CMF Buds 2 Plus is available for $55 during Amazon Prime Day, which is a 30% discount. The latest Nothing CMF Buds 2 Plus sit above the CMF Buds Pro 2 in price hierarchy and

Level Up Your Next Pool Party With Anker's Waterproof Speaker, Now $45 Off for Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day deal: The Anker Soundcore Boom 3i speaker is available for $95 as part of Amazon's Prime Day sale event. That's equivalent to 32% off. We named this model the "best compact rugged Bluetooth speaker that floats," and it's now at the best price we've seen since it launched. In some ways, Anker's new Soundcore Boom 3i is the spiritual successor to the Soundcore Motion Plus. It's similarly shaped but has more of an outdoor adventure slant, with Anker touting it as "built for the wi

Samsung HW-QS700F soundbar review: Sophisticated design, automatic adjustments

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . It’s nice to see Samsung offer something new for 2025. For the last few years, the company has been updating existing designs for its annual refreshes , especially its most premium soundbar, the Q990 . I was pleasantly surprised to see something entirely new when the company debuted th