Latest Tech News

Stay updated with the latest in technology, AI, cybersecurity, and more

Filtered by: headphones Clear Filter

Best Sleep Headphones of 2025, Tested by Sleep and Headphone Experts

Cole Kan/CNET If you're a light sleeper who's sensitive to sound, then you know how difficult it can be to catch some Zs. Fortunately, devices like sleep headphones now exist, and they're designed to help you get consistent, quality rest no matter what's going on around you. I, a CNET sleep team expert, teamed up with David Carnoy, CNET executive editor and resident headphone expert, to find the best sleep headphones, ranging from wireless Bluetooth earbuds and headbands to active noise-canceli

AirPods Max in 2025? Same drawbacks, now ready for pros, and one killer feature

Jason Hiner/ZDNET Key takeaways The ability to switch quickly and seamlessly across an unlimited number of Apple devices is still the best feature of the AirPods Max. The low-latency upgrade in iOS 18.4 makes the AirPods Max a lot more viable for professional multimedia producers (and gamers) when using a wired connection. Comfort, battery life, and audio quality match high-end competitors from Sony, Bose, and others. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Even with their im

Why I recommend these new Sony gaming headphones to more than just gamers

Sony InZone H9 II ZDNET's key takeaways Sony's InZone H9 II headset is available now for $349. Their 360-degree spatial sound allows for immersive audio (especially for FPS games) while the detachable mic turns them into a great pair of everyday headphones. The black matte texture is a fingerprint magnet. $349.99 at Amazon Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. Sony just released its latest pair of premium gaming headphones

These $60 headphones have no business sounding this good for the price (and they're comfy)

OneOdio Focus A6 ZDNET's key takeaways The OneOdio Focus A6 headphones are on sale at Amazon for $59. You'll get smooth sound with evenly-blended bass and just the right amount of mids. I found the highs to be somewhat lacking, but the EQ can be adjusted in the companion app. $59.99 at Amazon I remember back in the '80s and '90s, when you bought cheap headphones, they sounded like listening to music through a pair of tin cans tied with string. Not only did they sound bad, but the build qualit

These $60 headphones have the fastest pairing I've tested (and sound great)

OneOdio Focus A6 ZDNET's key takeaways The OneOdio Focus A6 headphones are on sale at Amazon for $59. You'll get smooth sound with evenly-blended bass and just the right amount of mids. I found the highs to be somewhat lacking, but the EQ can be adjusted in the companion app. $59.99 at Amazon I remember back in the '80s and '90s, when you bought cheap headphones, they sounded like listening to music through a pair of tin cans tied with string. Not only did they sound bad, but the build qualit

Don’t pay full price for the XM6! The Sony WH-1000XM5 are $126 off!

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones may be super hot and newer, but the Sony WH-1000XM5 don’t fall far behind. It also helps that the previous-generation cans are on sale right now, saving you $126. That brings the cost down to just $273.99. Buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for just $273.99 ($126 off) This offer is available from Amazon. Keep in mind that maximum savings only apply to the Black model. All other color versions go for $328. Sony WH-1000XM5 Sony WH-1000XM5 The king of the ANC pack e

Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are 32 percent off ahead of Labor Day

Sony's WH-1000XM5 once topped our lists of best noise-canceling headphones and best wireless headphones , and were only usurped by the follow-up XM6 . This line of headphones is consistently impressive and the WH-1000XM is truly in a league of its own . So we get excited when one of the all-around best headphones out there goes on an aggressive sale. You can pick up a pair of XM5s right now for just $274, which is 32 percent off its normal retail price of $400. In our review of the XM5 we award

Sony's newest headphones are for WH-1000XM6 fans who love to game - and I can attest to that

Sony InZone H9 II ZDNET's key takeaways Sony's InZone H9 II headset is available now for $349. Their 360-degree spatial sound allows for immersive audio (especially for FPS games) while the detachable mic turns them into a great pair of everyday headphones. The black matte texture is a fingerprint magnet. $349.99 at Amazon Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. Sony just released its latest pair of premium gaming headphones

I tested Sony's WH-1000XM6 headphones for gamers, and can't go back to boring audio

Sony InZone H9 II ZDNET's key takeaways Sony's InZone H9 II headset is available now for $349. Their 360-degree spatial sound allows for immersive audio (especially for FPS games) while the detachable mic turns them into a great pair of everyday headphones. The black matte texture is a fingerprint magnet. View now at Sony View now at Amazon more buying choices Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. Sony just released its la

I tested Sony's new premium gaming headphones, and can't go back to boring audio

Sony InZone H9 II ZDNET's key takeaways Sony's InZone H9 II headset is available now for $349. Their 360-degree spatial sound allows for immersive audio (especially for FPS games) while the detachable mic turns them into a great pair of everyday headphones. The black matte texture is a fingerprint magnet. View now at Sony View now at Amazon more buying choices Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. Sony just released its la

Razer’s Gengar Edition headphones are now available in the US

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Razer has announced that one of its most popular PC gaming peripherals from a Pokémon collaboration that was exclusive to China will soon be available in the US. The Gengar Edition of the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 headphones, which trade cute cat ears for the Pok

Upgrading your headphones? 5 things I recommend doing with your current pair first

Jada Jones/ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways Simple habits can help your headphones last much longer. Regular care keeps headphones performing like new. Small changes can extend your headphones' lifespan. Get more ZDNET in Google: Add us as a preferred source on Search. (Works on Chrome and Chromium browsers.) I've spent plenty of time testing headphones and earbuds, and I've found a handful of small, seemingly obvious but mighty tips to keep them in tip-top shape and performance. If your headph

Don't buy new headphones until you do these 5 steps with your old pair

Jada Jones/ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways Simple habits can help your headphones last much longer. Regular care keeps headphones performing like new. Small changes can extend your headphones' lifespan. Get more ZDNET in Google: Add us as a preferred source on Search. (Works on Chrome and Chromium browsers.) I've spent plenty of time testing headphones and earbuds, and I've found a handful of small, seemingly obvious but mighty tips to keep them in tip-top shape and performance. If your headph

5 quick and simple ways to greatly improve the quality of your headphones

Jada Jones/ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways Simple habits can help your headphones last much longer. Regular care keeps headphones performing like new. Small changes can extend your headphones' lifespan. Get more ZDNET in Google: Add us as a preferred source on Search. (Works on Chrome and Chromium browsers.) I've spent plenty of time testing headphones and earbuds, and I've found a handful of small, seemingly obvious but mighty tips to keep them in tip-top shape and performance. If your headph

5 easy ways to make your headphones sound and feel like new

Jada Jones/ZDNET ZDNET's key takeways Simple habits can help your headphones last much longer. Regular care keeps headphones performing like new. Small changes can extend your headphones' lifespan. Get more ZDNET in Google: Add us as a preferred source on Search. (Works on Chrome and Chromium browsers.) I've spent plenty of time testing headphones and earbuds, and I've found a handful of small, seemingly obvious but mighty tips to keep them in tip-top shape and performance. If your headpho

Massive deal: The Edifier W820NB Plus headphones are too good for a mere $36.88

High-end headphones are exciting, but every time I get a pair, I feel like I am being robbed. I mean, some of the best headphones out there can cost $300-$500 or more. I simply don’t feel comfortable shelling out that much on a pair of cans. I am all about value per dollar, and yesterday, our sister site SoundGuys.com partnered with Edifier to offer an exclusive coupon on the Edifier W820NB Plus headphones. Get this: you can buy them for a mere $36.88, and they are actually pretty fabulous headp

Best Sleep Headphones of 2025: Enjoy Quality Rest With These Expert-Approved Options

Cole Kan/CNET I've always been a light sleeper -- even the slightest sounds wake me up, no matter how tired I am. As a CNET sleep team member, I've tested more bedtime products than I can count in the name of figuring out what truly works. From white noise machines to sleep supplements to headbands that alter your brainwaves, the options can seem endless. David Carnoy, CNET executive editor and resident headphone expert, has tested hundreds of different types of headphones over the last decade

I Won't Split AirPods With My Wife Again Thanks to This iPhone Trick

When my wife and I travel, we usually download some shows to watch on our flight. But we always have to split a set of AirPods when we watch these shows. That means one of our ears is enjoying the show while the other is forced to endure the crying baby behind us on the plane, which can be distracting. But thanks to Apple's Audio Sharing feature, we can each enjoy a show together while using our own sets of AirPods, AirPods Pro or other headphones. Audio Sharing was introduced with iOS 18 and i

Best Workout Headphones (2025), Tested In the Gym and Beyond

Compare Top 5 Workout Headphones How to Keep Your In-Ear Headphones From Falling Out AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron To a certain extent, how the headphones sound matters less than if they fit correctly. They can be the best-sounding headphones in the world, but I will find them irritating if they won't stay in mid-run. So how do you keep your headphones from falling out? Here are a few tips and tricks that I've tried over the years. Dial it in. To put on your buds, pull open your ear

Save $69.01 on the Apple AirPods Max, the best headphones for iPhone users

We just covered a deal on the Sony WH-1000XM6, the best overall headphones around. That said, Apple users are usually better off with the Apple AirPods Max. They are also on sale, and the discount is much better, saving you $69.01 and bringing the price down to $479.99. Buy the Apple AirPods Max for $479.99 ($69.01 off) This offer is available from Amazon. The discount applies to all color versions, except Purple, which is currently unavailable directly from Amazon. This means you can get the A

Deal: Get the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones at their record low price!

Are you looking for the best headphones? There are a few main competitors, but our experts from SoundGuys.com have crowned the Sony WH-1000XM6 the best overall choice. They are pretty pricey, but today you can get them at their record-low price of $428. Buy the Sony wH-1000XM6 headphones for $428 ($21.99 off) This offer is available from Amazon. The discount applies to all color versions available: Black, Midnight Blue, and Platinum Silver. Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones

How to turn off headphone volume limit warnings on iPhone and iPad

Hearing health is incredibly important, and gentle reminders from Apple to keep that in mind can be helpful. However, if you’re just tired of seeing headphone volume limit warnings, there’s actually a way to turn those off. iOS and iPadOS track headphone audio exposure over a rolling seven-day period. If the system detects that you’ve exceeded safe listening levels (based on guidelines from the World Health Organization), you’ll get a notification urging you to lower your volume. How to turn o

I wore the best headphones from Sony, Bose, Apple, and Sonos: Here's how the AirPods Max wins

Jada Jones/ZDNET In the past few years, Bose, Sony, Sonos, and Beats have released premium headphones to compete with each other and Apple's AirPods Max. I've worn all of the AirPods Max's top competitors, and they each excel in different categories. But for an older dog in this fight, the AirPods Max are still kicking. Since their 2020 release (and 2024 re-release), the Max haven't received many significant software or hardware updates, aside from new colors, a USB-C port, and support for los

I compared the best headphones from Apple, Sony, Bose, and Sonos: Here's how the AirPods Max wins

Jada Jones/ZDNET In the past few years, Bose, Sony, Sonos, and Beats have released premium headphones to compete with each other and Apple's AirPods Max. I've worn all of the AirPods Max's top competitors, and they each excel in different categories. But for an older dog in this fight, the AirPods Max are still kicking. Since their 2020 release (and 2024 re-release), the Max haven't received many significant software or hardware updates, aside from new colors, a USB-C port, and support for los

Everyone Should Have Exactly 3 Pairs of Headphones, and These Are My Picks. Here's Why

When people ask you what your "big three" are, they might be asking about your sun, moon and rising astrological signs. But when I ask my friends the same question, I'm not trying to determine their horoscope. Instead, I'm curious what their headphones and earbuds collection looks like. After more than a decade working as a technology journalist, I'm in the fortunate position of having what most people would consider to be too much tech in my house. I make a real effort to keep it to a minimum

Bose’s QuietComfort Headphones are $130 off for back-to-school season

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Finding peace among the chaos on campus can be more challenging than a midterm. But a quality pair of over-ear headphones can block out distractions when it’s time to lock in. If that sounds like you, we’ve found a deal on the Bose QuietComfort Headphones, which are currently down to $229 ($130 off) at Amazon, Bose, and Best Buy. That’s within $30 of the lowest price we’ve seen all year. The Bose QuietComfo

Best Over-Ear Headphones We've Tested (August 2025)

Sennheiser Accentum Plus: If you can't afford Sennheiser's flagship Momentum 4 Wireless headphones or other premium models from Bose, Sony and Apple, the Sennheiser Accentum Plus is a good midrange alternative that doesn't quite offer the same performance as those higher-end models. However, it does offers better build quality and sound than most budget noise canceling headphones. In essence, these are a slightly stripped down version of the Momentum 4 Wireless and share a similar aesthetic and

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones We've Tested (August 2025)

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2: Bowers & Wilkins released the PX7 S2 headphones in 2022 with some significant improvements over the first-generation version.That was followed by a slightly upgraded version, the PX7 S2e ($400), with the "e" standing for evolved. The audio quality has been slightly upgraded thanks to improved digital processing (the headphones have been retuned), which we assume involves an upgraded chip. You may see this model nicely discounted because Bowers & Wilkins has released the

Why I run with these bone-conduction headphones instead of Shokz (especially at its new price)

Mojawa Run Plus ZDNET's key takeaways Mojawa's Run Plus are bone-conduction headphones that sell for $159 a pair on Amazon. They're much more comfortable to wear during runs, and controlling audio playback is much easier. However, you will have to get used to the unique form factor and come to terms with the fact that they won't completely block out surrounding noise. $119.99 at Amazon At Amazon, the Mojawa Run Plus is on sale, going from $160 to $130. I've been using Shokz bone conduction h

The Best Cheap Headphones We’ve Tried

The Best headphones under $100 are harder to find than you might think. Here at WIRED, it's part of our job to listen to music all day, often on exceedingly fancy and bonkers-expensive models. We have playlists for testing bass, for assessing detail, for dance parties—we get way into it. But believe it or not, we like testing the cheap stuff just as much. It's like a treasure hunt to find the best cheap headphones. And they're getting better every year. That doesn't mean our work is done; retai