I recently reviewed my first-ever hi-res headset in the Arctis Nova Elite, and the algorithm must've known I was keen to explore this segment even more.

The hi-res certification is issued to headsets that meet a certain quality criteria, revolving around things like 40 kHz audio ranges and 24-bit streaming standards. Some aspects of the certification could be described largely as a marketing gimmick, particularly with audio frequencies that fall well out of the range of human hearing capabilities, but it does represent a family of specs that do contribute to a better overall sound experience, at least in general.

I'd been seeing the Status Pro X earbuds flash up on Instagram and other social media platforms for a while, and nine times out of ten when I buy something from Instagram I fully regret it. The Status Pro X certainly looks the part, but it's all in the listening with these types of products. Dare I say the Status Pro X sound even better than they look?

Finally, an Instagram ad that actually lives up to the hype — the Status Pro X absolutely blows every other earbud I've used out of the water, making my Samsung Galaxy Buds3 earbuds look (and sound) like a toy.

Status Pro X: Specs and price

I mentioned that the Status Pro X are hi-res certified, but the shiny badge doesn't mean a great deal on paper. It's the full gauntlet of specs that give the Status Pro X its impressive soundscape, as described below.

The $300 price tag is tough to swallow on paper, but when you look at all the tech Status managed to minaturize here, it's hard not to see why they cost as they do. Even before we start talking about audio, we have future-facing tech like LDAC wireless audio codecs, LC3, multipoint 5.3 Bluetooth, Auracast support, and IP55 certification. We have Qi wireless charging in the case, across 8 hours of playback for the earbuds and 32 hours stored in the case itself. We have ~52 dB active noise cancelling, and 6 beamforming mics for calls.

The Status Pro X excel with 12mm triple driver array for speakers, clinching it that hi-res certification. How does it all come together in practice, though?

Status Pro X: Comfort and design

The Status Pro X earbuds are bold without being gaudy in appearance, with a rectangular outer appearance with silver and black accents. There are no loud logos or flashy colors here. The Status Pro X are subtle in presentation, eager to adapt to your style as opposed to the other way around.

They are quite large for earbuds, and it's impressive (and appreciated) that Status managed to resist the temptation to whack a loud logo or advertisement on the chassis. Instead, the only logo you'll find is the firm's understated waveform logo on the case itself, which is svelte and small enough to fit in any pocket.

The earbuds themselves sport an ergonomic shape with eartips that protrude away from the plastic. Whether it's AirPods or Galaxy Buds, I've often found the plastic part designed to sit outside of your ear canal is often too big — designed to house components rather than be comfortable. The Status Pro X are thankfully not designed this way, utilizing the ear tips for stability rather than the main body.

Across hours upon hours of use, I've found them to be incredibly comfortable, but also crucially stable in-ear. I found that my Galaxy Buds3 would often slip out of my ear, leaving me to be overly cautious while commuting. Trying to search for my earbuds on a transatlantic flight is not something I want to repeat, and I don't think I'll have to with the Status Pro X.

The earbuds themselves have capacitive controls that can be adjusted in its high-quality app. Each earbud also has a physical button on top, which can also be customized, albeit not as deeply as the capacitive controls. I'd like to see Status open up the physical buttons to more control options in the future.

Status Pro X: Audio and features

But really, it's all about sound, right? Status ticks all the right boxes when it comes to design, comfort, and physical features, but the proof is in the listening — and it's here where the Status Pro X just blows everything else I've used out of the water.

I paid roughly $200 for my Samsung Galaxy Buds3 earbuds, and frankly, I hate them. I switched over to the similarly-priced Arctis Gamebuds for a while, which are far more comfortable and crucially, actually stay in your ear. But I find myself craving a better audio experience, matching some of the headphones I have access to here, such as the Arctis Nova Elite or my family's beyerdynamic DT 1990 open back headphones I often steal borrow.

I was unsure if that was achievable with earbuds, given their size. I don't like using headphones while commuting and travelling, preferring something smaller and more easy to manage. I figured audio compromise was just the reality of the form factor. The Status Pro X proves that to be wrong.

The Status Pro X represents, by far, the best sound experience I've ever had with earbuds. It helps that they're incredibly comfortable and reassuringly well-fitting, but it's the immersive soundscape that really elevates whatever auditory challenge you throw at it.

I've used the Status Pro X in games on my Xbox Ally X, for calls and work on my Razer Blade laptop, and music via the hi-res codec on my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with lossless audio on my Spotify subscription. I love it when a product is so fun and immersive to use that you simply forget about the review and just start enjoying it.

The separation of the instruments and immaculate detailing across the spectrum make for a really enchanting experience all up. I prefer deep bass when I listen to music, and Status' sound presets deliver it in spades if you want it. I found myself settled with Status' own signature sound profile out of the box, without having to do any EQ tweaks to get things sounding optimal.

After using the Status Pro X earbuds, I knew that it would be impossible to go back to using cheaper earbuds. You will know it too.

Status Pro X: Final thoughts

The Status Pro X is well and truly the "everything and the kitchen sink" of earbuds. Immaculate design, a stunning amount of tech, piles of features, and truly impeccable audio make for a headset that well and truly feels worth the price tag.

If you listen to a ton of music as I do, this is the kind of product that will take your experience to a new level. If you've been using cheaper, standardized earbuds as I have opted for previously, the Status Pro X is like opening the door to a higher plane of existence you were hitherto unaware of. Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but you get the point.

Your ears will feel comforted, your music will gain new dimensions, and your wallet will admittedly be much lighter — but this is a rare situation where I can well and truly say it's fully worth it. I've used a ton of earbuds across all sorts of price points, and sometimes, you just have to pay a little bit more if you want that extra quality. The Status Pro X are absolutely worth it.

Black Friday 2025 — Quick links

• All our TOP recommended Black Friday deals: Just the best
• Mini PC deals: up to 47% off tiny PCs
• GPU deals: early price drops on NVIDIA RTX before they go up
• Microsoft Surface deals: save up to $500 on premium PCs
• Xbox accessories: best deals on gadgets for your Xbox Series X|S and PC
• Gaming laptop deals: the best laptops for the best price
• Xbox controllers: our top picks for best controller deals
• ANC headphones: great Black Friday deals on the best ANC headphones
  
  Even more Black Friday deals:
• Samsung monitors: the best Samsung display deals we've found
• Walmart: 7 top laptop deals you shouldn't miss
• Retro gaming: handhelds, arcade machines, old school consoles, and more
• Gamer merch: Blizzard’s Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo IV collectibles
• Game keys: 10 PC game codes are even cheaper at Loaded (formerly CDKeys)
• Accessories: Even more PC accessories starting at $17

It may be blasphemous to proclaim my indifference toward Amazon Prime Day, but I very rarely spend money during these sales events — I simply recommend the products I already own and love, now at even better prices.

Case in point: the Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless active noise canceling headphones. These cans are one of my most important accessories any time I leave home, and I shared that passion last year when they enjoyed a very healthy discount.

You all loved it (by "you all," I mean the many thousands of people who read that article), and now that sale is back. No Amazon Prime membership necessary for this one; anyone can get my tried-and-true headphones for $249.95 at Amazon right now.

They're not the best, but they're a damn good value

• Shop all Prime Day deals at Amazon

Sennheiser is one of the most well-known brands in high-end audio, but it's rarely in the conversation when it comes to comparing the most popular wireless active noise cancelation headphones from Sony, Bose, and Apple.

When it came time to buy a new pair of headphones (without the savings of any Amazon Prime Day influencing my decision), I compared the Momentum 4 to the rest of the best, and eventually landed on them because of their value and claims of superior audio quality.

Fast forward many dozens of hours of travel, and the Momentum 4 headphones are one of the best purchases I've made in years. I didn't have a massive price cut to bolster my buyer's confidence, either — and I'd pay that price over and over again.

Last year, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones enjoyed a very similar discount, and a lot of you read my thoughts on the sale (and bought the headphones). Anyone who missed that opportunity is being given another chance this Prime Day.

It's still an awesome deal. $250 for a sleek design, comfortable fit, excellent sound quality, great noise cancelation, and one of the longest-lasting batteries for ANC headphones to this day simply can't be beat.

I'm currently rounding up all the best tech products I've reviewed that are discounted for Amazon Prime Day. While these Sennheiser headphones don't qualify for that list (I didn't review them, after all), they're absolutely there in spirit. I've used these headphones a lot, and I'd buy them again for $350, let alone for $100 less than that.

That steepest price is only for the standard black and copper colorway, but you can pay an extra $30 for any of the other designs if something catches your fancy. I picked up the "Denim" blue pair, and I adore how they look.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless ANC headphones are on sale for $249.95 at Amazon, and I can't recommend them enough.

If you're playing games online with friends or want to increase the immersive experience of a game's sound design and soundtrack, then you will need a high-quality gaming headset to do the job.

One such headset is the HyperX Cloud 3. This premium wireless gaming has everything a gamer needs, from excellent sound quality, comfy wearability, and a huge battery life that will last you up to 120 hours.

HyperX Cloud 3 typically has an MSRP of $149.99 at most retailers. However, Amazon is selling the headset for a special 21% discount, taking its high MSRP down to a more affordable price of $118.60.

Why should you buy the Cloud 3 Wireless?

HyperX has produced a long line of premium-grade gaming headsets over the years, and the HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless headset ranks as one of its finest. Our resident headset expert, Rebecca Spear, even gave it a 4.5/5 review, stating that, "it's a great choice for any gamer."

What makes the HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless one of the best PC gaming accessories has many reasons. For starters, it has a durable and comfortable design that can endure many years of use thanks to its memory-foam-padded earphones.

HyperX's Cloud 3 Wireless also has top-notch sound quality when listening to games or chatting with others online. The audio EQ balancing can even be adjusted with a free HyperX NGenuity app to suit your auditory tastes (the app can also adjust button bindings, RGB lighting, and more).

The high sound quality also pertains to the HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless' microphone, allowing you to convey your voice online without any cracking or audio artifacting. The mic can also block out background noise, helping you avoid a common PC gaming mistake of distracting teammates with annoying background chatter during online multiplayer games.

One of the biggest draws of the HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless is its absurdly long battery life of up to 120 hours. With it, you can use the headset for almost a week of non-stop chatting online and playing multiplayer titles like Overwatch 2 or Elden Ring: Nightreign before needing to recharge.

The only major drawbacks of the HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless headset are the lack of an LED indicator of its battery life, a lack of Hi-Res Audio capabilities, and its usually monumental MSRP of $149.99, which may be too expensive for most people.

Thankfully, that last problem has been mitigated temporarily thanks to this special 21% discount from Amazon. For a limited time, you can get this amazing gaming headset for $118.60 and save yourself $31.39 in the process, which is a pretty sweet deal if you ask me.

I regularly attend virtual meetings for work, so it's important that I have a pair of headphones that not only provide great sound quality and microphone quality but also look formal enough for interviews and other meetings. My favorite pair of headphones is the Dell Premiere Wireless ANC Headphones WL7024.

As a tech Editor, I have tested several headphones and headsets. These ones offer a very comfortable fit and excellent noise canceling. In fact, I recently took them on a work trip and loved how well the AI ANC (active noise canceling) blocked out the various airplane sounds on my flights. It was almost like I was alone on the plane.

These headphones are only available at Dell, and right now, there's a Cyber Monday sale that reduces their price from $359.99 to $319.99 at Dell.

🔥The hottest Cyber Monday deals🔥

• 🎮Lenovo Legion Go (Z1 Extreme) | $472.97 at Amazon (Save $227!)
• 🕹️Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | $27.99 at CDKeys (Save $12!)
• 🎮ASUS ROG Ally (Z1) | $349.99 at Best Buy (Save $150!)
• 🛜Xbox Series X Digital Edition (1TB) | $399.99 at Best Buy (Save $50!)
• 🖥️Beelink Mini PC (Ryzen 5) | $279 at Amazon (Save $70!)
• 🥽Meta Quest 3 (512GB) + free game | $499 at Best Buy (Save $150!)

💽More great Cyber Monday deals💾

• Best Buy: Save up to 50% with Cyber Monday savings
• Walmart: Hurry for huge Cyber Monday savings
• Target: Score new and online-only deals
• Dell: Lowest PC prices of the year during Cyber Monday
• HP: Save up to 75% on selected doorbusters
• Lenovo: Save up to 68% on select doorbusters
• Newegg: Cyber Monday 2024 — It's our time to shine
• Razer: Loot like a legend with Cyber Weekend specials
• Samsung: Holiday deals on laptops, TVs, phones, and more are live
• Amazon: Cyber Monday deals on practically everything

Comfortable ANC headphones that are perfect for work

Over the last six years, I've tested dozens of gaming headsets and headphones. There's no denying that some of these audio devices are far better than others. For the last three months, I've been using the Dell Premiere Wireless ANC WL7024 as my everyday work headset. They are incredibly comfortable, offer touch controls, and have both excellent audio and microphone quality (without needing an extender).

I love how well they fit into formal settings, so I can feel comfortable jumping into virtual meetings with various people. There is no extendable microphone, and yet the built-in mic picks up my voice beautifully and does a great job of canceling out background sounds.

They come with a charging stand and a carrying case, which gives me a tidier way to store them on my desk, and I can travel with them easily, too. In fact, last month, I took them with me on a work trip and wore them on my flights. The ANC can be enabled or disabled easily using the controls. I wanted to rest, but as with most flights, there were people talking and an overall humming from the plane that distracted me. I was able to turn the ANC on and feel almost as though I was alone on a quiet plane.

If you're interested in these headphones, the Cyber Monday deal makes them more affordable than usual — $319.99 at Dell.

It took me far too long to search for the best deals on the most acclaimed wireless active noise canceling headphones, but I fortunately wasn't too late. The greatest sonic cans from Sony, Bose, and even Sennheiser are all enjoying similarly massive price cuts across the board, and those deals even survived the final hours of Black Friday and into the approaching dawn of Cyber Monday. There's no telling when these deals could end, though, so don't take too long deciding which pair of headphones is best for you (I know which one I'd choose).

The legendary Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC Headphones are $198 at Amazon in the color of your choosing. The fantastically comfy Bose QuietComfort Wireless ANC Headphones are $1 more, or $199 at Amazon, and you have even more colors from which to choose. Even my personal, beloved pair of headphones are joining the party, with the luxurious Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC Headphones coming in at $229.95 at Amazon.

Peak noise cancelation with Sony? Unparalleled comfort with Bose? Beautifully clear audio with Sennheiser? Take your pick, you're saving a lot of cash no matter which way you swing.

🔥The hottest post-Cyber Monday deals🔥

• 💻HP EliteBook 14 (Ryzen 7 PRO) | $899 at HP (Save $2,023!)
• 🎮Xbox Series X Digital Edition (1TB) | $398 at Walmart (Save $52!)
• 🕹️Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | $29.29 at CDKeys (Save $11!)
• 🎮Lenovo Legion Go (Z1 Extreme) | $534.44 at Amazon (Save $166!)
• 💻Surface Pro 11 w/ keyboard (X Plus) | $999.99 at Best Buy (Save $350!)
• 💽Seagate Xbox Series X|S Card (2TB) | $199.99 at Best Buy (Save $160!)

💽More Cyber Monday deals that won't quit💾

• Dell: Lowest PC prices of the year for a little longer after Cyber Monday
• HP: Aggressive "Cyber Week" deals on laptops while supplies last
• Lenovo: Still save up to 68% on laptops, desktops, and select doorbusters
• Samsung: Week-long holiday deals on laptops, TVs, phones, and more

The holy trifecta of amazing wireless ANC headphones

I could do my best impression of a history teacher and discuss at length the years-long feud between Sony and Bose, but I'll keep it succinct. For a long time, Sony and Bose have battled it out for the crown of "best wireless ANC headphones," and there has been a lot of back-and-forth. Both companies have produced some truly incredible headsets, with the former progressively improving its technology and the latter refining the traits that made it king at first.

The brand recognition for these two noise canceling goliaths is strong enough that there are thousands of people who will battle on behalf of their preferred headphones, occasionally making it difficult for us so-called "normies" to make the choice between Sony and Bose. On top of that, there are plenty of other great wireless ANC headphones carving out their own slices of the market — I myself have championed my personal favorites during past sales events.

So, what's the run down? Well, at least for the final hours remaining in Black Friday, all three of what I'd consider the best mainstream wireless ANC headphones are enjoying substantial discounts, and they're all neck-and-neck when it comes to pricing. I'll highlight your options and why you should choose (or not choose) each one, but rest assured you'll be getting an amazing pair of cans with one hell of a deal. All of these headphones will feel good, sound good, and block out all the unwanted noise in life.

First, the iconic Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC Headphones are $198 at Amazon in all three colorways, a cool $151 discount. Sony's persistently confusing naming scheme aside, these headphones elevated Sony's active noice canceling prowess to a new level and upped the ante when it came to extra features and ease-of-use. They're not the most comfortable in the business and some of that extra tech can be a little finnicky, but thousands of happy customers gladly put up with those weaknesses.

Next, the legendary Bose QuietComfort Wireless ANC Headphones are $199 at Amazon in many colors, saving you $150. Bose has gently refined the QuietComfort line over many years, resulting in a mature design with unparalleled comfort and reliable performance. Bose can't claim to make the best-sounding wireless headphones you can buy, but no one would blame you for forgetting you're wearing them with how comfy they are.

It's worth mentioning that you can pay an extra $100 in either case to obtain the latest and greatest version of each respective pair of headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless ANC Headphones are $298 at Amazon, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless ANC Headphones are $299 $349 at Amazon.

Finally, we have the headphones that won me over. While often found on sale, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC Headphones can be found at an even lower price of $229.95 at Amazon, with some of the designs costing an extra $10. I won't pretend that Sennheiser thrashes the industry greats in every category, but the Momentum 4s best both Sony and Bose when it comes to pure audio quality, and come closer than anyone likely expected in both comfort and noise canceling ability. They also look the most stylish, although that may just be my personal opinion.

I've been using the same headphones for over 3 years now, not the typical choice for wearing out and about, but I love the Lucidsound LS50x Xbox gaming headset so much, I use it outside of gaming and have gone through two pairs. I'm not the type of person to shell out over $250 on a pair of headphones, and purchasing the Sony MX4s for my son's birthday gift hurt my conscience and my bank account — but I have to admit you kind of get what you pay for with headphones.

For this reason, I didn't expect much from this offering from Baseus. A brand I normally associate with power banks, but given they make my favorite power bank I thought I'd give their Baseus Bowie 30 Max a try, available right now at a crazy reduced introductory price of just $69.99 but going back up to MSRP of $149.99 on November 3, 2024.

• Shop all of Amazon's October Prime Day deals

🎃The best early Black Friday deals🦃

• 💻Dell XPS 16 (RTX 4060) | $2,299.99 at Best Buy (Save $750!)
• 📺LG Curved OLED Monitor (32-inches) | $903.20 at Amazon (Save $597!)
• 🎮Amazon Fire TV Xbox Game Pass bundle | $74.99 at Amazon (Save $62!)
• 🔊2.1ch Soundbar for TVs & Monitors | $44.99 at Walmart (Save $55!)
• 💻Dell G16 Gaming Laptop (RTX 4070) | $1,299.99 at Dell (Save $450!)
• 🎧Sennheiser Momentum 4 ANC | $249.95 at Amazon (Save $150!)
• 📺LG C4 OLED 4K TV (42-inches) | $949.99 at Best Buy (Save $450!)
• 💻Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (X Elite) | $799.99 at Best Buy (Save $550!)

A delightfully sounding surprise at under $100

When I came across the Baseus Bowie 30 Max, I was intrigued but wasn’t expecting much. I mean, I usually associate Baseus with power banks (they make my favorite one), but for a launch price of just $69.99—down from the regular $149.99—I thought, why not?

My colleagues are big fans of the more premium stuff like the Bose QuietComfort and Sennheiser Momentum 4, which are on sale occasionally but still far from budget-friendly. So, if you’re like me and don’t want to spend half your rent on headphones, the Baseus Bowie 30 Max might pleasantly surprise you. I didn’t have high expectations, but these headphones are seriously impressive for the price, especially with the head-tracking tech that completely changed the experience for me.

I've been using the same headphones for over three years now—granted, not your typical 'walking out and about' pair, but I love my Lucidsound LS50X Xbox gaming headset so much that I use it beyond gaming (and I’m on my second pair now). I’m not the type to drop over $250 on headphones, but I did exactly that when I bought the Sony 1000MX4s for my son’s birthday, and it definitely hurt both my conscience and my wallet. But I’ve got to admit, with headphones, you often get what you pay for. That being said, I actually think these Baseus headphones give Sony a run for their money at a much cheaper price point,

Battery life is a strong point—up to 65 hours on a single charge. And if you’re impatient like me, the 14 hours of playtime from just a 10-minute charge is great in a pinch. Battery life does depend on how much you use features like active noise cancelling (ANC) or head tracking, but even with all the bells and whistles turned on, you’re looking at 30-50 hours, which is still pretty solid.

The head-tracking feature was what I was most curious about. Powered by internal gyroscopes and accelerometers, it adjusts the sound as you move your head, making it feel like the music is coming from around you, like a speaker in the room, rather than directly from the earcups. It’s hard to describe, but it’s a totally unique experience. While the ANC on its own didn’t initially blow me away, combining it with head tracking seemed to enhance the noise cancellation in a directional way, and it worked surprisingly well.

In terms of design, the Baseus Bowie 30 Max is a bit bulkier compared to its competitors like Bose or Sony, but it’s not as heavy as it looks. At 499 grams, it’s definitely not the lightest (the Sony WH-1000XM4 weighs about half that at 254 grams), but I like the sturdier feel. I’m not exactly gentle with my gear—like I say, I’ve already destroyed one pair of Lucidsound LS50X—so the tougher build of the Baseus suits me better.

I tested the sound across a variety of music, and while I won’t pretend these match the premium experience of the Sony MX4 (which is currently priced at $237.50), for $69.99, the Baseus Bowie 30 Max holds its own. The bass is punchy, the features are packed, and the price is hard to beat. If you're willing to pay full price down the road ($149.99 after November 3rd), it’s probably worth stepping up to the Bose or Sennheiser if you're after top-tier everything. But if you’re looking to spend less and still get quality sound with some impressive tech, the Baseus Bowie 30 Max is a steal while it’s on this intro deal. I can happily say they've replaced my ragged LucidSound pair (for when I'm not gaming at least).

More Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals

We at Windows Central are scouring the internet for the best Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals, but there are plenty more discounts going on now. Here's where to find more savings:

• Xbox controller deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Xbox SSD storage deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Gaming headset deals: Walmart | Dell | Target | Best Buy | Amazon
• MicroSD storage deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Gaming handheld deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Laptop deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Copilot+ AI laptop deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Monitor deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Mini PC deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Gaming keyboard deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell | Newegg
• Gaming mice deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell | Newegg

Fun fact, I bought a pair of Microsoft's Surface Headphones 2 when they launched and loved them for the next four years. I still have them and they still work great, but I decided it was time for an upgrade. I compared the best active noise canceling headphones from Bose and Sony — the most popular choices — but a discounted underdog caught my eye and won my heart.

They're my favorite wireless headphones I've ever owned, and right now the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC Headphones are discounted to only $249.95 at Amazon, far less than what I paid for these headphones. For a limited time, these headphones are more affordable than the competition while looking better and sounding nicer, and if you're willing to pay a little bit more you can also get one of the more fun colorways.

• Shop all of Amazon's October Prime Day deals

🎃The best early Black Friday deals🦃

• 💻Dell XPS 16 (RTX 4060) | $2,299.99 at Best Buy (Save $750!)
• 📺LG Curved OLED Monitor (32-inches) | $903.20 at Amazon (Save $597!)
• 🎮Amazon Fire TV Xbox Game Pass bundle | $74.99 at Amazon (Save $62!)
• 🔊2.1ch Soundbar for TVs & Monitors | $44.99 at Walmart (Save $55!)
• 💻Dell G16 Gaming Laptop (RTX 4070) | $1,299.99 at Dell (Save $450!)
• 🎧Sennheiser Momentum 4 ANC | $249.95 at Amazon (Save $150!)
• 📺LG C4 OLED 4K TV (42-inches) | $949.99 at Best Buy (Save $450!)
• 💻Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (X Elite) | $799.99 at Best Buy (Save $550!)

Comparable at full price, no question with such discounts

I compared the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sony WH-1000XM5, Sennheiser Momentum 4 alongside various other minor competitors when I decided that I wanted to replace my Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. I spent hours on the internet reading reviews both from critics and consumers, tracking down comparisons, and weighing the pros and cons of each headset.

In the end, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 won out with its promises of superior audio quality, long-lasting battery life, and the best design of the bunch.

My boss, Windows Central Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino, would tell you to go out and buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra's while they're on sale right now (well, they were... making these even more tempting), and you'd be making a great decision. But why do that when you can shave another $100 off that price and get these instead?

The Sennheiser Momentum 4's have served me very well across multiple business trips and hours upon hours spent on planes. They sound excellent and support AAC, SBC, and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth audio codecs, with a clean, detailed, and neutral sound that doesn't skimp on the bass. The active noise cancelation is absolutely superior to the Surface Headphones 2 I used before, and the quad mics on board ensure I sound great on phone calls.

You also get up to 60 hours of usage off one charge, and I can confirm this is an accurate estimation. There's a sensor in the right earcup that detects when you're wearing the headset, too, so I never have to worry about turning the headphones on or waiting for them to connect.

On that point, I have seen consumers complain about connectivity issues with the Momentum 4's, but I personally have never encountered those problems (likely due to me buying the headphones a long while after they released and enjoyed various firmware updates). Even after weeks spent in their (lovely, color-matched) carrying case, the moment I take out the headphones they connect to my phone and stay connected. They're also connected to my tablet and seamlessly switch between the two if I want to go from music to movies.

All I can say is that, with the Sennheiser Momentum 4's, you're getting well over twice the battery life (60 hours versus 24 hours in the Bose QuietComfort Ultra's), upgraded audio quality, and (in my opinion) a far more attractive and premium design... Especially if you get the "Denim" colorway I did (but that version isn't on sale). The QuietComfort Ultra's will still boast the better overall comfort, though, an area where no other company can seemingly touch Bose's reputation.

So, you can either get the tried-and-true Bose QuietComfort Ultra, or save even more and get the beautiful Sennheiser Momentum 4's for only $249.95 at Amazon, a savings of $150 off the retail price (or $130 off where these headphones are normally priced). Given the opportunity, I'd choose the same over and over, even if that sale price is $30 more than the original Amazon Prime Day deal.

If you want a more fun or unique colorway than the standard black variant, you can also spend a little more and still get them at a great discount. My personal favorite, the "Denim" Sennheiser Momentum 4, can be currently had for $279.99 at Best Buy, for example.

More Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals

We at Windows Central are scouring the internet for the best Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals, but there are plenty more discounts going on now. Here's where to find more savings:

• Xbox controller deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Xbox SSD storage deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Gaming headset deals: Walmart | Dell | Target | Best Buy | Amazon
• MicroSD storage deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Gaming handheld deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Laptop deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Copilot+ AI laptop deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Monitor deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Mini PC deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Gaming keyboard deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell | Newegg
• Gaming mice deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell | Newegg

What you need to know

• Pretty much everyone knows about Beats, an extremely popular brand of wireless headphones now owned by Apple.
• Well, now there's a new version of the Beats Solo 4 headphones designed in partnership between Apple and Microsoft.
• The exclusive Minecraft edition of the Beats Solo 4 features green accents inspired by the legendary Creeper, and is otherwise the same premium headset people love.
• You can actually buy the Beats Solo 4 Minecraft Edition, too, with it costing $199.99 at Target.

It seems there are few limits to Minecraft's collaborative powers, as the legendary survival-crafting game has just made the jump to another iconic brand. Mojang Studios revealed that a partnership with Apple led to the creation of an exclusive, limited-edition version of the Beats Solo 4 wireless Bluetooth headphones. Now, the explosive bass Beats are known for is also represented by the Minecraft Creeper styling.

This isn't a showpiece, either. You can actually buy the Beats Solo 4 Minecraft Edition for $199.99 at Target, so there's no premium over the standard pair of headphones. Honestly, I think the premium on-ear headphones look pretty slick with the green accents heavily inspired by the Creeper mob. Oh, and you'll be rewarded with a unique in-game Character Creator item.

🔥The hottest post-Prime Day deals🔥

• Seagate Xbox Series X|S Expansion Card (2TB) | was $359.99 now $249.99 at Best Buy
• Lenovo Legion Go (512GB) | was $699.99 now $599.99 at Best Buy
• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | was $49.99 now $31.99 at CDKeys
• Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3423DWF) | was $899.99 now $699.99 at Dell
• ASUS 65W USB Type-C charger | was $64.99 now $29.99 at Best Buy
• HP Victus 15.6 (Ryzen 5, RTX 4050) | was $979 now $599 at Walmart
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max + Xbox Wireless Controller + Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (1-month) | was $119.98 now $78.90 at Amazon w/ Amazon Prime
• Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse | was $149.99 now $79.99 at Amazon
• Samsung Class QE1C QLED TV (85-inch) | was $2,799.99 now $1,229.99 at Samsung
• Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse | was $69.99 now $54.99 at Best Buy
• Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX (Cobalt Blue) | was $179.99 now $119.99 at Best Buy
• Samsung Class S90C OLED TV (83-inch) | was $5,399.99 now $2,699.99 at Samsung
• Razer Blade 15 (Core i7, RTX 4070) | was $2,799.99 now $1,599.99 at Best Buy
• ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 SUPER AMP | was $1,199.99 now $959.99 at Newegg w/ code FANDUA5748

If you buy the Beats Solo 4 Minecraft Edition, you won't just be getting an awesome new pair of wireless headphones. You'll also find a code in the box that you can redeem in Minecraft to receive a matching pair of headphones for the Character Creator, so you can also wear your new Beats in the game! Another collaboration includes an Apple Music exclusive Spatial Audio playlist curated by Minecraft content creator TinaKitten, which could be the perfect way to test your new headphones.

The Beats Solo 4 are the latest version of Beats' popular on-ear wireless headphones, which are compact and can fold down for easy storage. They're not noise canceling headphones like more premium over-ear headphones, but the Beats Solo 4 still boast surprisingly clear and detailed sound (the result of Beats genuinely investing in improved sound quality over the years.

Beats may be owned by Apple now, which means these headphones do work great with iPhone, but you're absolutely not limited. With Bluetooth (with support for multiple different audio codecs), USB Type-C, and 3.5mm audio jack connectivity options, the Beats Solo 4 work with basically any modern device or platform. They also last a ridiculously long time (up to 50 hours), and are some of the most feature-packed on-ear headphones you can buy.

They should be, too, considering they're also more expensive than most of the on-ear headphones you're liable to find, which tend to be ultra-cheap. Still, Beats have come a long way in terms of overall quality and value, and the Solo 4 is a great option for anyone who doesn't need active noise cancellation (ANC). If you also love Minecraft (who doesn't?), then this limited-edition version was basically made for you! It's not clear how long it'll be sold or how many will be made, though, so don't wait too long to pick up your own pair for $199.99 at Target.

You can read this Beats Solo 4 review from our siblings at iMore for more information!

Headphones like the Beats Studio3 Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Headphones offer an impressive audio experience, with features such as noise canceling and compatibility with Android, Apple, and Windows Bluetooth devices and 22 hours of battery life. However, such sophisticated technology typically has a hefty $349.95 price tag. Thanks to this week's Black Friday sales event, you can now snag these premium headphones at a striking 72% discount at Walmart, transforming them from a luxury to a steal.

• Walmart: Black Friday deals on practically everything
• Dell: Top deals on laptops, gaming PCs, accessories, and more
• Alienware: Up to $800 off gaming laptops and desktops
• Best Buy: Big savings on video games, accessories, and more
• HP: Up to 84% of select HP Windows PCs and accessories
• Lenovo: Up to 50% of gaming towers, laptops, and accessories
• Newegg: Save on PC gaming accessories, components, and more
• Razer: Up to 43% off laptops and accessories with free gifts
• More individual deals:
  • Xbox Series X + Diablo IV + free $75 Target gift card for $634.99 $449.99 at Target
  • Samsung T9 4TB Portable SSD for $439.99 $249.99 at Best Buy
  • Xbox Stereo Headset — 20th Anniversary for $69.99 $46.29 at Walmart
  • Xbox Series X + Diablo IV + Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III for $639.99 $489 at Walmart
  • TP-Link Deco X55 Wi-Fi mesh 3-pack for $229.99 $179.99 at Amazon
  • Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma for $149.99 $89.99 at Best Buy
  • Xbox Series X + $50 Best Buy gift card for $549.99 $399.99 at Best Buy for Plus/Total members
  • HP OMEN 27qs for $429.99 $299.99 at Best Buy
  • HyperX Cloud III Wireless for $169.99 $129.99 at Best Buy
  • Xbox Series S + 3-months Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $299.99 $249 at Walmart
  • Lenovo LOQ Tower (17IRB8) + 3-months Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $1,029.99 $749.99 at Lenovo
  • HP OMEN 34c for $479.99 $329.99 at Best Buy

Why should I buy the Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones?

Beats has a pedigree of producing well-designed headphones that are on par with some of the best PC gaming headphones in the industry, and the Beats Studio3 Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Headphones are no exception.

These wireless headphones are packed with myriad features to enrich the audio of your favorite music or PC games. It can block out external background noise and heighten the immersion of audio tracks with its Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling feature. It has Real-Time Audio Calibration to maintain audio quality consistency and adapt to your surroundings.

In addition, these headphones are equipped with an Apple W1 Chip, which allows them to pair with Apple, iOS, and Android devices seamlessly. The Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones also have a battery life of 22 hours and Fast Fuel charging, so it can be recharged in a flash. For example, ten minutes of charging will restore 3 hours of usage when its batteries are low.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Active Cancelling Headphones are enjoying an enormous price drop at Walmart while having similar discount deals at Amazon. Its regular price of $345.95 has been reduced to $169.99 at Amazon, while Walmart sells it at a whopping discount of $99.00. With this 71% discount, you'd be saving over $246.95!

So, if you're looking for a set of premium headphones that will enrich the quality of your favorite music bands or soundtracks of the best PC games to their full potential, don't miss out on this Black Friday deal.

If you're out in public for a brisk jog or something more intense like downhill skiing, you need to be aware of your surroundings. Promoting a balance of quality and affordability, we were offered a free sample for this Haylou PurFree BC01 bone conduction headphones review. 

This clever tech has always been primarily marketed towards the fitness scene to offer a solution to standard models that might slip around or fall out of your ear entirely, with a safe open-ear design for increased awareness and safety. I ran some tests in the wild to determine if they're worth a purchase.

PurFree BC01: Price, availability, and specs

Haylou sells the PurFree BC01 bone conduction headphones through third-party retailers, including Amazon. Sold for $120 MSRP, they include earplugs and a proprietary USB charging cable. Sales on Amazon have seen the headphones drop as low as $100.

PurFree BC01: Getting started and connectivity

It's clear why Haylou wins Reddot design awards for its headphones because even the packaging for the PurFree headphones is stylish. With more effort than a simple box, the slide-out innards open like a book to reveal the sleek BC01 model nested in a bespoke cutout. A folded cardboard sleeve contains a USB charging cable, earplugs, and instruction pamphlets packaged similarly to premium Microsoft and Apple accessories.

There is an overwhelming impression that the PurFree headphones are marketed toward Asia first since all the promotional art is written in Chinese Hanzi first, with English printed underneath as a translation.

Thankfully, the text is legible, and there are no signs of lazy interpretations of the language resulting in the gibberish sometimes found on cheaper electronics. Haylou is a Chinese company, so it makes sense, and every piece of text has an English equivalent.

You will need to provide your own AC adapter to charge the BC01 headphones or connect them to another suitable USB to provide power since Haylou doesn't include one for any region. Power draw is listed as 5V @ 500mA, albeit printed in a tiny font among a list of general specifications.

I used a reasonably standard USB adapter to charge the headphones, never needing to draw more than necessary. A single LED shows red while charging and white when the battery is full.

Haylou claims the BC01's battery can fully charge from empty in 1.5 hours, which seems overstated since they were ready rather quickly. Connectivity is as simple as most other Bluetooth wearables without displays, with most functions revolving around a single button. The only downside here is reliance on a proprietary cable, rendering the headphones useless if you lose or damage it.

Powering on and entering pairing mode are both handled by the volume increase, and you can change the spoken language by holding both volume buttons if you wish. The third and final multi-function button (MFB) is located on the left-side transducer, handling phone calls and media playback with patterns of timed presses.

Overall, the PurFree headphones don't require any unusual steps to set up or use. They follow an entirely ordinary procedure, just like any wireless headphones you might pick up, except for the appeal of bone conduction tech.

The ability to pair two Bluetooth audio devices is helpful for anyone who switches between a smartwatch and a phone while exercising with these headphones and is the only standout feature from otherwise standard functionality.

PurFree BC01: Audio quality

Playback performance with the BC01 headphones is good for the most part, but they're certainly not designed for bass lovers or audiophiles looking for the perfect audio range. Once seated comfortably, the Haylou bone conduction transducers provide a perfectly audible sound to only you, with barely a whisper heard by anyone else.

Admittedly, these PurFree variants sound relatively thin without any adjustments. It's almost like holding your ear close to a laptop speaker; you can hear the song, but it won't compare to any earbuds with proper bass response. Curiously, when I wore the included earplugs to test the effect on conduction, some bass did come through.

A firmer push on your head combined with blocking outside noise provides the best overall experience with these headphones, somewhat defeating the purpose of open-ear bone conduction when you want to remain aware of your surroundings. Haylou is marketing the BC01 to fitness enthusiasts first, so relying on the earplugs for a rounded sound isn't ideal, but they do an admirable job of staying firmly in place.

Although the headphones held well enough during a light jog around the neighborhood, there were moments when playback quality suffered. Turning my head to the left or right shifts the PurFree connections so that one ear loses proper contact, reducing the volume to almost nothing.

Similarly, putting on a grimaced expression will tense the muscles around your skull, and you can lose proper contact with the headphones again.

Feeling the burn toward the end of a run might cause a clenched jaw, which pushed the Haylou headphones away from my ears enough to interrupt the tunes.

I found the BC01 performed best with podcasts and other spoken content, with volumes reaching plenty high enough to hear over loud traffic. The lowest level is still reasonably resounding and might be too loud to wear around the house if you're listening out for something important.

PurFree BC01: Microphone test

Considering the PurFree BC01 headphones have a dual-microphone setup with advertised noise cancellation, they're still a little lackluster under testing. It's unlikely that anyone would suggest buying wireless bone conduction headphones as a primary mic in a video conference, but the performance was still underwhelming.

Still, if someone needs to contact you urgently during a workout, these Haylou microphones are perfectly serviceable during a quick phone call. The quality does drop based on windy your current environment is, which seems likely if you're out on a jog.

Either way, it's still easier than fumbling around in your pocket to unlock a phone or holding a smartwatch to your face like a secret agent on the run. Don't rely on this microphone if you're regularly taking phone calls during your adventures, but still review our recording sample to see if it's passable for your needs.

PurFree BC01: The competition

Check around digital storefronts, and you'll find plenty of wireless headphones almost identical to the Haylou BC01. It happens with accessories like this; as soon as one manufacturer nails the design, others follow suit as closely as possible.

Shokz OpenRun matches the specs and price point to provide genuine competition as wireless bone conduction headphones, and Haylou recognizes this in its website marketing.

The OpenRun headphones are marginally lighter at 26g and still rated IP67 for weatherproofing with an 8-hour battery life but use slightly older Bluetooth 5.1 tech. They are a little more expensive with a $130 MSRP but enjoy similar discounts around $100 on Amazon. If the cost is the same, you're getting a better deal with Haylou.

If you plan to use the included BC01 earplugs, better in-ear wireless buds alternatives like the Razer Hammerhead 2nd Gen are available for $90 during Amazon sales. They offer ambient monitoring to listen for any dangers in your surroundings and provide a much stronger bass response.

Still, if you're specifically looking for bone-conduction headphones for comfort, you won't find the same experience with earbuds.

PurFree BC01: Should you buy?

You should buy this if ...

• You're into physical, outdoor fitness.
• You need comfortable and stable headphones.
• You want to hear what's happening around you.

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• You want open-ear headphones for the home or office.
• You regularly take hands-free phone calls.

The Haylou PurFree BC01 bone conduction headphones excel at their intended use but suffer disappointments in other areas, though these downsides may not concern every potential user. They're simple to set up and use, with a long-lasting battery and a beautiful design that helps them remain firmly in place during exercise. These will never compete with some of the best wireless office headsets, so stick with the fitness angle.

Bass response is almost nonexistent unless using the included earplugs, somewhat defeating the purpose of open-ear headphones and struggling to compete with earbuds that feature ANC with ambient monitoring modes. Still, anyone who finds in-ear buds too uncomfortable will no doubt be pleased with this pair if they don't mind sticking to podcasts or lighter music.

The EPOS GTW 270 earbuds aim to solve a growing problem in our increasingly mobile-oriented gaming world: gaming audio on the go, across multiple devices. Many of today's consoles and laptops and phones support Bluetooth, but Bluetooth isn't always the best option, owing to its susceptibility to interference. What if you're also using your Bluetooth connection to hook up a gamepad for use in things like Xbox Cloud Gaming? Pairing a headset alongside it is only going to induce more latency into the mix, for example. 

To that end, EPOS has come up with a novel solution that seems to have little competition in the space. This is the firm's GTW 270 earbuds set, giving you a USB-C dongle compatible with practically any Android device, laptop, and more for low-latency gaming audio on the go. For some very specific situations, these might earn a place among the best PC gaming headsets. 

EPOS GTW 270: Price and Availability

The EPOS GTW 270 gaming earbuds are available at shops like Best Buy and Amazon in the United States and other major markets, as well as EPOS' own website. Stock levels seem generally good, with some sites even offering lower prices than the RRP of $149.99. 

EPOS GTW 270: Tech Specs

EPOS GTW 270: The Good Stuff

With this new headset, EPOS is hoping to tread new ground in a fairly busy space. A cursory glance on Amazon reveals something of an avalanche of earbuds of all shapes and sizes, going from $15 all the way up to $300 dollars, but I wasn't able to find any competitors doing what EPOS is doing with its GTW 270. 

Where the GTW 270 stands apart is in its USB-C dongle. Using what EPOS dubs its "EPOS Low Latency tech," the headset can bypass its optional Bluetooth 5.1 apX connectivity for a more solid and stable traditional radio signal, which is far, far less susceptible to interference and latency issues that plague Bluetooth ... well, anything. We all know Bluetooth sucks, but this is one of the first earbuds sets on the market to actively admit it. 

The GTW 270 from EPOS is a standard set of modern earbuds, complete with a carry case with 20 hours of battery storage and five hours of listening time on-board, complete with a USB-C dongle. The dongle is compatible with practically any device you can plug it into directly. Naturally, most Apple mobile devices don't have USB-C ports, although practically any Windows PC or Android tablet or phone will work right out of the box without extra fiddling.

You always have the option to fall back on Bluetooth if you have no other choice or simply don't want to use the dongle at any given time, but the USB-C connectivity is great for those who want that added reliability. I find Bluetooth is often particularly sucky on PCs and laptops. While podcasting on my Razer Blade 17 Pro, I found myself increasingly opting for these EPOS buds instead of my Galaxy Buds, purely on the basis of the USB-C connectivity. It's rock solid, completely stable, and utterly resistant to interference.

In the box, there are additional cables for charging up the dock, as well as a USB-A to USB-C female cable for connecting the USB-C receiver to laptops that don't have a port, or PlayStation consoles for example. Indeed, you can use this headset receiver with gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch as well, although it doesn't work on Xbox owing to Microsoft's bespoke security chip requirements. 

The headset also has some additional rubber inserts to fit the shape of your ear, and I found the product to be decently comfortable over long sessions even with my tiny ears. There's a single button on the left earbud that lets you adjust a wide array of media features such as playback controls and so on, and a pairing button is situated on the charge dock for hooking the headset up with Bluetooth connections if you need to. 

The soundscape is inoffensive, but not exactly mind-blowing. It has some good separation though with decent bass and crisp highs. It also comes complete with optional virtual 7.1 surround which adds an extra dimension in shooters and other competitive games. Dual microphones also help you stay in contact with your comrades — they're serviceable, but don't expect to be creating content on them. 

The build quality is decent too, which you'd probably hope for from a $149 product with a big name attached like EPOS. The metallic accents are a nice touch without being too "showy," and the construction of the charge dock has a good, compact feel with good density, providing some light water resistance and protection from fumbles. The GTW 270 is what I would describe as far from perfect, though. 

EPOS GTW 270: The Bad Stuff

There are a few oddities with regard to this product. It's difficult to think of an alternative solution to the dongle, but it's quite large and sticks out quite literally like a sore thumb on any device you attach it to. 

The charge dock is also a bit of an odd design. The shape is quite hefty and oddly heavy, probably owing to its metallic shell. Its pill-like design isn't the best to fit in a pocket if you intend to use these while on the move.

I initially thought the charging case was large to accommodate space to dock the dongle. I mean, it would make sense, right? If you're not using the dongle, stands to reason you might want to disconnect it and place it in the charging dock along with the earbuds. Sadly, there's no such feature for this. The only real option for keeping the dongle with the charge dock is to plug it into the charge port, which isn't exactly an elegant solution. 

Out of the box, the treble and mids in the soundscape are also a bit overpowering at times, although overall, the sound profile is decent. Using the EPOS software on a PC, you can change the EQ wave to meet your needs, but there are no pre-sets that would make this function easier to use. Also, the fonts in the app are utterly tiny. On a 1080p screen, you'd need a magnifying glass to read some of the stuff in this app, which isn't just irritating from an accessibility perspective, but for practically anyone who doesn't have cybernetic zoom implants in their eye sockets. 

EPOS GTW 270: Competition

In this space, EPOS enjoys relatively little competition. I'm sure they exist out there somewhere, but I haven't been able to find a comparable product that is both USB-C and in the earbuds form factor, but there are a few traditional full headsets that have similar functionality. 

The SteelSeries Arctis 1 for example are full over-ear headphones with a USB-C dongle for use on Android and Nintendo Switch. However, the USB-C dongle on this product is quite huge and wide, and would likely interfere with other ports on a laptop given its size. EPOS at least went with a smaller dongle that could be flipped around to position its larger side either upwards or downwards, whereas SteelSeries went with a USB-C bar that puts the port in the middle. 

On the Bluetooth end, Razer's Hammerhead earbuds are arguably better in terms of raw audio quality, but then you're losing the USB-C dongle, which will beat the Razer option on many laptops or other devices with weak Bluetooth connectivity. Despite some flaws in the EPOS GTW 270, it stands out in a crowded market for its uniqueness. 

EPOS GTW 270: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if: 

• You want some earbuds for your gaming life on PC and other devices without the hassle and unreliability of Bluetooth. 

You should not buy this if: 

• You don't plan to use the USB-C dongle all that much, since there are arguably better-sounding and cheaper Bluetooth-only options available. 

While the EPOS GTW 270 isn't exactly ground-breaking in the sound department, its unique feature set gives it a unique place in a competitive market. The USB-C connectivity is undeniably great for use on a PC, whereas Bluetooth connectivity is often an afterthought on the part of some major laptop manufacturers. 

The soundscape isn't the best out there, and the app quality leaves a lot to be desired. However, it has very rapidly replaced all of my Bluetooth earbuds for jumping into quick calls or doing podcasting on camera, owing to the reliability of its USB-C dongle. For some niche use cases, this might be exactly what you need in your gaming life, but there's a lot of room for improvement in future versions. 

Wireless headphones and earbuds are becoming the norm, whether we like it or not, thanks to the removal of 3.5mm jack ports from so many modern electronics. There's undoubtedly a design trend for rechargeable earbuds, with so many looking perhaps not so subtly like a particular manufacturer and fruit fanatic, also doubling up their earphone carry case as a charging unit. Whether or not other companies can stand out from the crowd is a challenge they all face, and Razer has returned to its Hammerhead pair for a 2nd-generation refresh.

The Razer brand carries a lot of credibility in the gaming scene. The Hammerhead buds feature the famous three-headed serpent logo represented as multicolored LEDs for a striking visual element. However, whether or not this pairs up with a decent audio response remains to be seen.

I spent a long weekend with the revised buds, putting them through their paces with music playback and testing the low-latency gaming mode to see whether RGB lights are the only standout feature for my Razer Hammerhead wireless earbuds review.

Razer Hammerhead 2nd Gen: Price and availability

Razer sells the Hammerhead 2nd Gen true wireless earbuds through major third-party retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, for a $130 MSRP. Available in black, the logo on each earbud changes color via RGB lighting, and they come packaged with a charging case and USB cable.

Razer Hammerhead 2nd Gen: What you'll like

My first impressions of the Razer Hammerhead earbuds were good, if not without a sense of déjà vu. The glossy design of the buds looks stylish, if a little prone to fingerprints, and the dark colors feel more appealing than the often-seen white elephant tusks sticking out the ears of some. There's no mistaking the inspiration here, especially when you get everything unboxed and note the three choices for silicone tips and a typical charging case.

Imitation is fine if you improve upon the inspiration, and thankfully a USB-C charging cable replaces the proprietary alternative. The connectors are highlighted in bright green in classic Razer fashion for that extra bit of branding. It's minor, but I'm a sucker for trivial extras like this. When Apple comparisons end, you might wonder how these buds differ from the practically identical Razer Hammerhead Pro, a set our executive editor Daniel Rubino reviewed a couple of years ago.

You wouldn't tell the difference at a glance, and the internal hardware doesn't vary too wildly, besides a lack of THX certification on these regular buds. Aesthetics were a priority for Razer with these second-generation Hammerhead earbuds. Still, the meat of the review will come down to how they perform with audio, battery life, and the low latency gaming mode claiming no more than 60ms of delay over Bluetooth.

Connecting to my phone is as simple as you would expect, seating the buds into the open charging case to have them enter pairing mode. You don't get any personalization options without the companion Razer Audio app, available on Android and iOS, which thankfully doesn't require a login. Once installed and paired, you can access a switch for the RGB lighting on each bud. Disabling them nets extra battery life, or you can select a custom color and animated patterns for a bit of flair.

It's a painless experience, even if it means having a dedicated app for the Hammerhead earbuds. The visual equalizer makes up for it alone, allowing me to adjust the audio levels until they sound perfect. You can switch active noise cancellation (ANC) in this app, but it's much easier with a single, two-second press on either bud with a spoken confirmation in your ear.

With the Chroma RGB feature disabled and the levels cranked up for extra bass, these buds became my primary drivers for a week of work. I'm delighted to tell you that these little buds deliver a well-rounded spectrum of sound powered by impressive hardware specs.

Razer claims that you can reach around 22.5 hours of battery life using the Hammerhead buds with ANC on and lighting off, with four total charges from the case. I occasionally switched to ambient mode to listen for sounds around the house and never had my phone set any higher than 30% volume. After the initial case charge, I worked multiple days wearing the buds and easily hit this lifespan goal. I'd likely have gone even longer if I resisted toggling ANC so frequently, but spending an entire day immersed in work means missing the sound of our doorbell.

The ANC effect is decent without being too overwhelming, as some noise-canceling earphones often left me with an uncomfortable feeling of pressure. I swapped out the silicone tips to make a better seal in my ears, which significantly improved the bass response and had me wearing the Hammerhead buds for hours without issue.

The low-latency gaming mode works well enough, with a minor delay that becomes less noticeable the more you play. It's far better than mobile gaming with a regular Bluetooth headset, which usually renders an Xbox Cloud Gaming session unplayable on my phone. 60ms isn't perfect, but good enough considering there's no dedicated USB dongle, and I managed to forget about the latency after a few races in DiRT 5.

Razer Hammerhead 2nd Gen: What you won't like

The unique selling point of the Razer Hammerhead buds is also the part that frustrates me the most, putting color-changing LED lighting into wireless earbuds. It looks neat for a first impression, and then some questions come to mind: Who is this for, and wouldn't they soon disable it?

Razer breaks down the potential battery life of the earbuds into sections, including whether or not you have ANC and RGB lighting switched off. One of the ridiculous settings is an equalizer-style pulse that reacts to the music, visible to everyone else besides you. I can't see why you'd have a set of rainbow-flashing bulbs in your ears unless you're on live streaming on camera, which is probably the only audience who would use it.

It keeps returning to Razer being a gaming brand, which is fine for excusing most aesthetic choices, but wireless earbuds are inevitably taken out of the house. Advertising $130 of high-tech buds in your ears, like some neon-lit Las Vegas billboard, would be a terrible idea in some busier public places, but knocking the score down for the notion of the potential theft isn't exactly fair.

Still, the battery drain is enough of an issue to disable the Chroma RGB lighting immediately. It's cool enough as a party trick to show off to friends, watching your favorite colors cycling on the buds, but the novelty ends there.

Heading outside is where another problem, unfortunately, reveals itself in the microphone. Though the dual-mic setup works well for the noise canceling during audio playback, any amount of wind seems to destroy the quality of your voice during a phone call. Walking down my quiet street on a relatively mild day, any amount of blowing into the buds reduced the microphone clarity. It's another hint that Razer expects you to mostly remain indoors with the Hammerhead buds and stick to gaming since they sound fine in party chat when sitting at my desktop PC.

Razer Hammerhead 2nd Gen: The competition

If you're looking for alternatives to the big players, you can save plenty of money on cheaper sets offering comparable quality like the UGREEN HiTune X6 ANC wireless earbuds. They feature the same uses with a charging case and replaceable silicone tips, but you suffer on battery life against the Razer Hammerhead buds.

For something with more of a unique style, the EKSA GT1 Cobra gaming earbuds feature an impressive 36ms latency, lower than Razer. They stand out with that so-called gamer aesthetic, looking like a prop from a sci-fi movie set, and they're a fraction of Razer's asking price.

It's sometimes tempting to head straight for something more first-party, like Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 (via Android Central), which also features a gaming mode for low latency. Still, the quality on offer with cheaper sets is often fine for anyone who isn't an audiophile fanatic.

Razer Hammerhead 2nd Gen: Should you buy?

You should buy this if ...

• You're looking to stand out from the crowd
• You need a well-rounded sound with solid bass
• You want an RGB aesthetic for gaming or live streaming

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• You need ultra-low latency earbuds
• You plan to talk on the phone in noisy spaces
• You don't have storage space for companion apps

The Razer Hammerhead 2nd Gen buds provide well-rounded audio when paired with the appropriate silicone tips best suited to your ears. The battery life is excellent when RGB lighting is disabled, a feature that I can't imagine many would use unless live streaming since you hardly ever see it yourself. Overall, these buds are intended for indoor use, primarily aimed at a gaming audience, which is no surprise for an accessory from Razer.

It's a shame that the microphone quality dwindles so much when used outside, dropping voice quality to almost unrecognizable levels when faced with windy weather. However, the noise cancelation still works brilliantly for the listener, and the buds are comfortable for all-day use. For anyone looking at the Hammerhead buds for wireless gaming, you should check out some of the best Razer headsets first.

There are plenty of headphone options these days, but they usually fall into best PC gaming headsets, or best Xbox gaming headsets, with few spanning all your devices.

The new $99 Barracuda X does that by trading Bluetooth for a universal Type-C 2.4Ghz dongle that you can use on any Android phone, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Windows PC. It's plug-and-play, low-latency, and the headset is something you won't mind wearing in public.

I've spent the last few weeks with the Barracuda X, and here is what works with them and what doesn't (including no Xbox).

Razer Barracuda X: Price and availability

The Razer Barracuda X is now available for $99.99 at Razer.com and authorized Razer resale channels. There is only one version — in all black — with no other models to choose from as of July 2021. Razer may add more color options later should the product line prove successful.

Amazon.com and Best Buy are both likely to sell the Razer Barracuda X as they are distribution partners for Razer.

Razer Barracuda X: What's good

One of the problems with having excellent headphones is you ideally want to use them everywhere. Whether you're watching TikToks on your phone, watching a movie on your PC, or gaming on your PlayStation, why not just have one headset to rule them all? You used to be able to do that with 3.5mm adapters, but smartphones mostly ditched those in the last few years, and many other devices, including some laptops, are also looking to ax the port.

• Wireless USB-C multi-platform connectivity
• 250g ergonomic design
• Over-the-ear design
• Razer TriForce 40mm drivers
• Detachable Razer HyperClear Cardioid Mic
• On-headset controls
• 20 hours battery life with USB-C charging
• 7.1 surround sound (Windows 10 64-bit)
• Compatible with: PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Android devices
• Works with 3.5mm jack

Of course, there is always Bluetooth, but, as many people know, 1. Bluetooth still kind of sucks in 2021, 2. there is still latency, which is terrible for gaming and not great for movies, and 3. it's a pain to use on multiple devices.

The Razer Barracuda X looks to solve this with a simple solution: a universal 2.4GHz dongle. Simply stick it into any Type-C port, and you suddenly get high-quality, lag-free audio with excellent reception. The Razer Barracuda X dongle works with Android smartphones, the Nintendo Switch, PCs, and PlayStation making it one of the most versatile headsets available.

But Razer also tosses in a 3-foot 3.5mm cable to go old school. Don't have a Type-C port? You get a lengthy 4.92-foot (1.5m) Type-A to Type-C converter cable, too. Don't need the high-quality, unidirectional cardioid microphone? Just pull it out for later. And use the included Type-A to Type-C cable to top off that 20 hours of battery life.

Audio quality is excellent thanks to Razer's TriForce 40mm drivers that "divides the audio driver into three distinct parts for the individual tuning of highs, mids, and lows" to deliver "clearer audio with richer trebles and punchier, more controlled bass." You can augment the sound with the excellent THX Spatial Audio for PC, which does give a nice EQ, presets, and bass boost. While that app usually costs $20, if you buy the Barracuda X, you get it for just $10. It's totally worth it (even if you're not buying these headphones).

Let us not forget comfort. Razer went with a padded headband, swivel earcups that pivot, and over-the-ear memory foam cushions. Weighing in at just 250 grams, the Barracuda X is also the lightest headphone in its class. The result? I wore these for hours and did not have any pain points or discomfort.

Razer Barracuda X: What you won't like

While the dongle delivers excellent, consistent, audio … it is a dongle. So, let's talk about it. The dongle is wide and flat, which Razer insisted on to maximize reception. I don't have any real problem with that, but it could block ports on some devices. That's also why you get a Type-A extension cable to get around that issue, but then you may have a 5-foot cord when you needed much less.

There is also nowhere to stow the dongle. That is easy to overlook if you just set it and forget it, but that's not the point of the Barracuda X. You are supposed to use this across multiple devices. Plug into your phone, your laptop, and maybe your Nintendo Switch. Good luck trying not to lose it! I nearly did after just three days.

Also, notice no mention of an Xbox here? We can let Microsoft take the hit on that one as it requires the usage of its proprietary Xbox Wireless protocol, which costs extra and requires even more hardware. Of course, you could just use the 3.5mm cable and go old-school wired to the controller.

I'm a bit surprised there is no audio-tuning ability on Android, considering Razer has its own "Razer Audio" app to do just that for Opus, Opus X, and Kraken BT, Hammerheads, etc. While these sound great, there is no customization for your smartphone. Sad.

Finally, the Barracuda X is plain looking on purpose. Razer wanted a more "understated aesthetic" versus its regularly bold designs, so it's hard to complain about. If you prefer bold, Razer says get a Kraken instead, or maybe the new Opus X in bright green.

Razer Barracuda X: Competition

Razer puts the Barracuda X up against the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless, Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless, and HyperX Cloud Stinger Wireless.

All those headphones retail at $99, making cost a non-issue, although you can find refurbished versions for as low as $60. And because something like the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is a few years old now (late 2019), it means you can find it often around the $80 mark.

But really, here is the thing: those all use micro-USB for charging, which I consider sacrilege in 2021. Don't do that to yourself. You are also getting a better mic with the Razer (cardioid), 7.1 surround sound (PC), and it is the lightest (beating SteelSeries by 4 grams). And some don't even have a 3.5mm option (Corsair, HyperX).

Razer Barracuda X: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if ...

• You jump between devices frequently and want excellent wireless connectivity
• You like Razer's motif and low-key design
• You want a lot of accessories and flexible options

You shouldn't buy this if ...

• You lose dongles
• You tend to lose dongles
• You want to use this wirelessly with Xbox (or an iPhone)

Overall, these are fabulous headphones. I loved wearing them; the audio response and low latency made them perfect for movies, gaming, or music. I also really like the flexibility — go wireless or stick a cable in them like all real headphones.

For $99, it is hard to get mad at the price as these feel like $99 headphones.

I never even considered using headphones with the Nintendo Switch, even though those speakers are completely awful, but it's super easy with this adapter.

Of course, my main concern is that dongle. If you were to lose it, it mostly defeats the purpose of this accessory. I wish Razer thought of something clever to stow when you travel because I believe if you're sticking this in many devices over weeks (or months), you're bound to lose it. Razer will likely sell you a replacement (no idea on the cost), but that's another headache.

But if you are neat, tidy, and organized, these are cool headphones that let you finally ditch that shaky Bluetooth connection. If you fit that profile, go get 'em.

One of the more exciting advancements in the last few years has been the proliferation of wireless earbuds. Whether it is Samsung, Apple, Microsoft, or the dozens of cheap knockoff brands on Amazon, consumers have loudly spoken that they want quality headphones small enough to fit in your pocket.

Razer is advancing its Hammerhead True Wireless Earbuds from late 2019 with a new Pro model, which is now available. While doubling the price to $200, the powerful earbuds bring highly coveted features such as THX certification and active noise cancellation (ANC). Toss in IPX4 water resistance, a newly designed carrying case, Razer's famous 60ms latency for mobile gaming, and you have some very compelling earbuds.

I've spent the last week with the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pros, and here is what you need to know and whether you should buy them or not.

Comfy and brilliant audio

Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro: What I like

The Hammerhead True Wireless Pro design is a familiar one with an all-black earbud and a stalk that hangs to add balance, grip, battery, and microphones.

The exterior features Razer's standard three-headed snake (THS) logo that also acts as a touch-sensitive control. Tap to play and pause, double-tap to skip forward, hold to toggle ANC, etc. All those settings are user-configurable with the Hammerhead app for iOS and Android.

Being "Pro" headphones, Razer incorporates plenty of replaceable ear tips. There are both SmoothComfort silicone for maximizing comfort and SecureSeal, which are better suited for running or exercise due to them being tackier. Razer also includes Comply "premium foam tips," which mold to your inner ear canal. In total, you get seven pairs of ear tips in all different sizes. While the Comply is the most comfortable because they are memory foam, they wear out over months, meaning you need to replace them to get the same passive-noise canceling effect.

This year's case is also very Apple-like, which is a good thing. The size makes the case more conducive for your pockets (including the change pocket) and easier to handle. A simple flip lid snaps into place; a green LED on the front lets you know the status and the case sports a Type-C port on the bottom for charging.

Razer is also selling an optional THS Carrying Case for $30. That case slips over the included one adding more protection, the nifty Razer THS logo, and a carabiner to attach to your bag or pants easily. While really nice, this is clearly for the hardcore fans.

• Advanced ANC – Hybrid active noise cancellation with four dedicated ANC mics. Also passive.
• THX Certified – For clear vocals & dialog, no distortion, and great noise isolation
• Crafted for Comfort – In-ear design featuring Comply premium foam tips
• Hammerhead True Wireless Mobile App – Custom EQ settings, remap touch gestures, earbud fit test, and more
• 60ms Low Latency Gaming Mode – More synchronized audiovisual when gaming and watching videos
• Quick Attention Mode – For situational awareness whenever you need it
• Mobile Lifestyle – Up to 20 hours of battery life, IPX4 water resistance, and touch-enabled controls
• Frequency Response – Clear Vocals, Dialog, & Impactful Bass: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Codecs: SBC, AAC
• Distortion – No Distortion at High Volumes
• 10mm Drivers
• In-Ear Design: Snugger Fit + More Passive Noise Isolation; 7 Pairs of Tips including Comply Premium Foam + 2 Types of Silicone

THX Certification is also impressive. Although Razer now owns THX, the company operates independently from Razer, meaning these earbuds had to pass the rigid tests laid out by THX to meet its high standards. I've also reviewed the Razer Opus earlier this year – Razer's first THX Certified headphones (over the ear), and they're still one of my favorites.

Razer explained what those guidelines are:

• Frequency Response: Headphones are tested to ensure a well-balanced frequency response with minimal channel imbalance.
• Distortion vs. Output: The best sound comes from sufficient sensitivity to achieve a premium level of audio output while maintaining minimal distortion at the required sound pressure level.
• Isolation: The design of the headphone's ear cushions, headband clamping force, or ear tips are evaluated to ensure a good seal such that unwanted external noise is minimized.

The app features equalizer (EQ) presets, including THX (balanced), Amplified (increased low-mids), Vocal, Enhanced Bass (increased low frequencies), and Enhanced Clarity (emphasizes mid-highs). Razer also lets you now modify the ten-band EQ to your liking.

But what makes the app more fun is the ability to test for ANC. While wearing the earbuds, the app will play audio and, through the built-in mics, detect any sound leakage. Indeed, my right earbud was slightly looser than the left, which showed up in the test. The app recommends I try a different size, which fixed the issue. There's also a "quick connect" feature that lets you jump between paired devices with ease.

The real mojo for these earbuds comes from the Gaming Mode. While off by default, this setting enables 60ms ultra-low latency streaming. It is nearing the latency of wired headphones, and the idea here is when you play serious mobile gaming that relies on speed, low-latency, and reflexes, the audio should match what you are experiencing. Razer notes that technically any Bluetooth headset can do this, but manufacturers do not enable it as it hits battery life hard. Razer, at least, gives you that option.

Overall, the audio is outstanding. While the THX preset is excellent, I preferred to use the traditional mid-scooped EQ (U-shaped) with higher lows and highs and flatter mids.

ANC also works very well, blocking out most background noise with a consistent pattern, e.g., such as engine noise or crowds of people. While not as good as over-the-ear designs, the ANC was highly enjoyable when paired with adequately fitted ear tips. Because ANC can use more battery life, users can disable it or even enable an "ambient" mode to amplify external sound if you wanted to talk to someone without removing the earbuds.

As expected with premium earbuds, the Hammerheads also pause, play, and toggle power based on whether you are wearing them or not.

Battery life is OK

Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro: What I don't like

Razer isn't shy that the battery life on the Hammerhead True Wireless Pros isn't groundbreaking. Part of that is by design like that 60ms low-latency mode. That's the tradeoff for mobile gamers, and it's the right choice for a company like Razer to make.

If using regular latency, which still had no lag when watching videos, and combined with ANC enabled, you're looking at roughly four hours of battery life depending on volume settings. The case can recharge the Hammerheads another four times, which is where Razer gets the approximately 20-hour estimate. Like other wireless earbuds, the right one drains slightly faster than the left due to it acting as the master.

Speaking of low latency, I did have a tough time always noticing a difference between Gaming Mode and not having that feature enabled. Your mileage may vary on how beneficial it is. Similar arguments can be made about 120 frames-per-second and return in value for 144Hz or higher displays. Basically, diminishing returns.

The $30 THS case is highway robbery. While purely optional and not required, that seems like a straight money grab.

Pulling the earbuds out of the case is … not satisfying. It's a bit hard to get a grip on the earbuds to yank them out.

There's no direct support for any smart assistant features like Alexa, Google, or Siri, although using "Hey, Google" works just fine on Android.

Finally, the touch controls are OK. I think Razer did a fantastic job considering how small the touch target is, and it does work. But it does take some time to get used to too.

The competition

Many wireless earbuds are competing against these, but few focus as much on gaming.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 retail at over $200, but often can be found for $160. Sony knows audio and ANC, making up for features and overall quality while they lack ultra-low latency.

Apple's AirPods Pro are also extremely popular so long as you are OK with them being white and don't mind the $220 privilege (also, they're less fun if you're on Android).

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 2 run around $270 but are considered to have the best all-around audio for earbuds.

Microsoft's Surface Earbuds ($200) are also unique, focusing on all-day battery life and comfort. While genuinely nice earbuds, they are a vastly different market than Hammerheads (i.e., productivity versus gaming).

If you want just affordable, go with Aukey EP-N5, which can be found for as little as $45. While nowhere near as good as the Hammerheads or any of the above mentioned, they're still much better than that price reflects (and you won't feel bad if you lose one).

For more ideas, check out Android Central's Best Wireless Earbuds 2020 list for more recommendations.

Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro: Should you buy

You should buy this if ...

You're into mobile gaming

Razer is a gaming company first and foremost, and these are made with gamers in mind. While they work great even if you do not game, the real value here is that 60ms low latency for first-person shooters on your mobile. If you do not plan to game, you're not fully utilizing these earbuds.

You want THX and ANC

No other earbuds currently rock THX certification, which is not insignificant. When combined with ANC (and passive), these earbuds deliver outstanding sound results in an excellent overall package.

You value comfort

I have sensitive ear canals and generally do not prefer in-ear headphones, but I could wear the Hammerhead Pros for hours without even a hint of discomfort. They are light, stayed in my ears, and were easy to forget I was wearing them. Plus, they're not AirPods.

You should not buy this if ...

You do not need low latency

If you don't game, you're probably off buying Sony's WF-1000XM3 or even more casual Google's Pixel Buds ($180). Even if you only occasionally game, the whole idea of 60ms latency may seem moot if you already cannot perceive the difference.

You don't like the design or logo

These earbuds look a lot like Apple AirPods, but in black. That is not horrible, but some may prefer a unique design. Likewise, you may not like the Razer THS logo, which, while low-key, is still obvious.

Overall, Razer has done an excellent job with the Hammerhead True Wireless Pro. They pair with ease, sound great, have just the right amount of customization, were comfortable, and look typical, which is not bad.

Whether you get real value out of 60ms latency depends on how hardcore you are for mobile gaming. That makes these Hammerheads a bit niche, but they're still a fine choice even if you don't game.

Perhaps the bigger problem is that the ANC earbud market is already packed with excellent options, making these a tough choice. And if you don't need or value THX and ANC but still want that low latency, you can grab the regular Hammerhead True Wireless for around $70, which is a good value.

Finally, as someone who never fell into the earbud-craze (especially while working from home), I was impressed by these Hammerheads. With the small carrying case, ease of wearing them, and the audio quality, I plan to continue to use them if I ever can commute again or walk around the city.

Look, picking a pair of headphones is a pretty personal decision. Everyone has their likes and dislikes, especially when it comes to some of the sillier designs that we've seen out of earbuds in recent years (hello, Surface Earbuds). While that can make it a pain to pick out something like the truly best wireless earbuds, it makes for some pretty entertaining conversation.

We hit up some YouTubers you're probably familiar with to ask them a ton of questions about what the love and hate about headphones, and you can check out their answers in the video above. If you've ever wondered what kind of music Marc Rebillet uses to test headphones (spoiler: his own), or whether Pocketnow's Jaime Rivera or iMore alum Rene Ritchie prize looks over audio quality, it's definitely worth a watch.

After you're done watching, we'd love to hear some of your answers to the questions posed in the video. Be sure to chime in with your thoughts in the comments.

Wireless Bluetooth earbuds have become one of the most popular accessories for people across the world in recent years, as they're useful for listening to audio without the hassle of dealing with standard earbud cords. In addition, many models come with microphones, which allow you to use the earbuds to make calls. Recently, audio accessory developer Dudios released one of their latest models of earbuds, the Dudios Free Mini Bluetooth Earbuds. After using them for about a week now, I can confidently say that they're fantastic, though an issue with the microphone keeps them from being completely perfect.

What you'll love about the Dudios Free Mini Bluetooth Earbuds

The best thing about the Dudios Free Mini Bluetooth Earbuds is that they sound great and stay securely in your ears, which are two things that I often can't say about earbuds, wired or wireless. Most of the earbuds I've used in my life either were uncomfortable and fell out all the time or sounded terrible, but thankfully, these earbuds suffer from neither of those issues. If you have larger ears than most, don't worry; the earbuds come with a larger set of rubber tips that you can swap out for the default ones. The sound of the earbuds isn't incredible, but the audio experience is strong enough that you'll be pretty happy with it. The earbuds also come with a microphone, too — I tested it out with a few calls, and my voice was crystal clear to the person on the other end of the line.

A neat feature that the Dudios Free Mini Bluetooth Earbuds have is touch control. With touch control, you can do things like hang up or answer calls or stop and start a song by tapping the outside of an earbud with your finger. This feature is very convenient if you're often in situations where pulling your phone out may be cumbersome, such as when working out in the gym or in the middle of a crowded area. The earbuds last for about four hours on a full charge, and their case doubles as their recharging station — simply pop the earbuds into the case, and it will charge them back to full power in a little while. The case can do this four times before needing to be charged itself with micro-USB, but the ability to charge on-the-go like this several times is incredibly handy. Finally, the earbuds are very easy to pair to your device, and the connection is stable and strong. The earbuds are paired with each other right out of the box, so you won't need to worry about syncing them up.

What you'll love less about the Dudios Free Mini Bluetooth Earbuds

Honestly, there's almost nothing I don't like about these earbuds. The only real issue I have with them is that the microphone's range feels a bit too large. When I tested out making a call in the middle of a store, the person on the other end told me that, while my voice was clear, they could hear a lot of background noise that cluttered up the line. This means that these earbuds won't be a great choice if you need to make calls on-the-go where you need your end to be very silent when you aren't speaking.

Should you buy the Dudios Free Mini Bluetooth Earbuds?

Overall, if you're looking for a pair of new Bluetooth wireless earbuds, I can't recommend the Dudios Free Mini Bluetooth Earbuds enough. They sound great, they're comfortable and secure to wear, they have simple and useful touch control functionality, and they have a strong battery life with an awesome case that recharges them while you're out-and-about.

If you're someone who needs to be able to make calls without noticeable background noise, these earbuds won't be for you. However, pretty much anyone else will love the Dudios Free Mini Bluetooth Earbuds and their excellent quality across the board.

Sony's highly-regarded WH-1000XM3 Bluetooth headphones feature industry-leading noise cancelling technology that's about to be taken to the next level. Though they were released only less than a year ago, a new model has just been announced that takes many of the great features of the XM3 over-ear headphones and packs them inside truly wireless earbuds — the WF-1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Truly Wireless Earbuds.

With 24-bit audio signal processing for dramatically improved sound quality and an HD Noise Cancelling Processor, the WF-1000XM3 earbuds are set to live up to their predecessor's legacy. Each earbud is equipped with a pair of microphones that work in real-time to feed external sound to the QN1e processor and block out background noise. There are also modes you can set using the Sony | Headphones Connect app which can adjust the amount of ambient noise heard at any given time.

Similar to the Apple AirPods, the WF-1000XM3s utilize a dedicated chip which connects both earbuds simultaneously to the device currently in use with increased stability. Many wireless earbuds require you to pair one earbud to the other and can be somewhat clunky to set up, but the WF-1000XM3 earbuds relieve listeners of the hassle. They also come with a charging case that can keep them powered for up to 24 hours of listening time before needing to be recharged; on their own, the earbuds can last for around six hours.

If you're ready to try out this latest addition to Sony's lineup of wireless noise cancelling headphones, you can pre-order them now via Amazon at their regular price of $229.99 in your choice of black or silver. Orders are set to begin shipping next month on August 5.

SOUL Electronics' latest addition to its true wireless headphone lineup has been unveiled: the Soul ST-XS2 High-Performance True Wireless Earphones. As a follow-up to last year's ST-XS headphones, version 2 is greatly enhanced and better prepared for your life on-the-go.

The ST-XS2 true wireless headphones were designed as a hybrid sports and lifestyle product that are just as suitable for use during a workout as they are for relaxing at home. They feature IPX7 advanced waterproof protection that will keep them safe in up to three feet of water, and that keeps them sweatproof too so you can take them for a run in the rain or to the gym safely. With Bluetooth 5.0, they connect to your device right as you take them out of the case so you can begin listening instantly. There's a built-in microphone as well so you can take calls hands-free.

SOUL's previous model, the ST-XS true wireless headphones, could last for up to ten hours with their included charging case. Thankfully, battery life is one of the major enhancements between the two versions, as the ST-XS2 feature a five-hour battery life that is extended up to 25 hours with the included case. They also now have integrated, C-shaped ear hooks which help them stay secure in your ears while you workout or go about your day. Various sizes of eartips are included with the headphones as well.

The ST-XS2's features are rounded out by a Transparent Audio Mode that lets you hear ambient noise around you more easily and a built-in button that lets you answer calls or control your music. Available in your choice of Matte Black, Navy Blue, Pure White, or Sakura Pink, the ST-XS2 earphones can now be purchased at SOUL's website for $99.99. There's also a Mother's Day sale going on currently which could save you 20% off your purchase of two pairs. If mom's a music lover, it could be the perfect gift, but you'll need to use code mothersday20 at checkout to snag that offer.