Wanna take 'em on the go? The ear cups fold in so they lie flat for easy packing. (Amazon)(Amazon)
Have you ever had to shop for someone who's a little ... particular? I love my mom, but she can be a bit like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally; she wants things the way she wants them. That's why, when I was tasked with buying her a gift for our family's Secret Santa exchange last year, I spent a lot of time considering what to get. She prefers practical gifts, but I didn't want to buy anything too boring. Just as I was about to cheat and text my dad to ask what she would want, I remembered hearing her say how uncomfortable earbuds were for her to wear. Well, wireless headphones it was! I compared different models and opted for an affordable yet highly rated pair of Sony Wireless Headphones. Spoiler alert: She loves them, and they're down to an insane $38 at Amazon as we speak.
If you don't like that feeling of having something wedged in your ear and don't need active noise cancellation, these buds are the way to go. How are they different from the previous generation? The shorter stem gives them a cleaner look, and the new quick-press controls mean no more fumbling to pause your tunes or take a call. Plus, they fit better and stay put, so you won't have to keep adjusting them while you're at the gym or running to catch the train.
Looking for a bit more out of your AirPods (like active noise cancellation and transparency mode)? The AirPods Pro 2 are also on sale right now, for just $169 (down from $250).
Planning any road trips? This popular power station is an absolute steal at nearly $400 off. With a massive 1,070 watt-hour capacity and multiple ports, it's perfect for powering everything from your camping gear to essential appliances during a power outage, and this is the best price I've seen in marked down to months.
Ready for some Apple picking? Yes, we realize it's not fall, but you'll want to pluck this bad boy from the ol' Amazon tree and add it to your cart because it's currently down to its all-time lowest price — and this is the most recent version! As the unofficial Goldilocks of tech (less bulky than a laptop but larger than a smartphone), this tablet keeps you connected on the go or at home, and you can use it for everything from reading books to taking notes to watching videos.
Broida named this the "best overall tablet," owing to its "under-the-hood improvements, including a faster processor, more RAM (4GB instead of 3GB), Bluetooth 5.0 (up from 4.2) and a USB-C charging port."
Check out his roundup of the best tablets of 2024 for a full review.
This laptop is incredibly thin and light, so it's great for anyone on the go. It has a lot of power despite its small size, and the discount is nothing to sneeze at, either — especially for a MacBook.
"I am in love with this laptop," said one reviewer. "[It's] a complete game changer. I am usually a PC guy but I ended up getting a Mac to change things up. ... The M3 chip is also insanely fast and the extra RAM definitely helps me browse more things at once. ... Would recommend completely!"
This case was designed to fit these very headphones and has a hard, semi-waterproof shell. Plus, there's an inner mesh pocket for holding small accessories.
"This is the perfect size for my Sony wireless headphones," said a reviewer. "There’s a little pocket for the charging cable. It fits in only one way, so make sure your headphones are turned the right way. It’s a nice, sturdy storage unit."
At nearly 40% off, these headphones are within a few bucks of their lowest price ever. That said, even their full price of $60 is a steal when you consider that a similar pair of Beats retails for nearly $200. Plus, Sony is a longtime respected name in electronics, so you're not taking a gamble on an unknown brand.
Now, my mom is no audiophile, so comfort and affordability were my main focuses when deciding which headphones to buy. The Sonys are super lightweight and have an adjustable, cushioned headband, as well as soft padded ear cups for long-term wear without pain. I also wanted to ensure my 63-year-old mom would have no trouble pairing them to her devices, so user-friendliness was a factor as well. I'm happy to report they checked all of these boxes, as she says, "They are comfortable and easy to hook up to via Bluetooth." (They can actually be paired with two devices at a time.)
Something else she appreciates? "The battery stays charged for a pretty long time" — up to 50 hours, according to the brand. And while these headphones don't have a true noise-canceling feature, she says the sound quality more than meets her standards, and there are different presets she can choose from to suit whatever type of music she's listening to. Need to take a call? The built-in microphone makes doing so a hands-free task.
One note: "Like all headphones, they hurt my ears if I wear them too long," she says. That said, she thinks they're the most comfortable pair she's ever tried overall.
My mom isn't alone — nearly 13,000 Amazon customers say these headphones are worthy of a perfect five-star rating.
"[I] can't stand the feel of earbuds, so these are great," shared a kindred spirit of my mom's. "They are lightweight and comfy to wear. Great sound quality as well. I wear them working out, traveling and I have even used [them] ... to block out annoying snoring."
"I’ve had these headphones for about six months now and the battery life [is] incredible," raved another satisfied shopper. "I will charge it for an hour on Sunday and they will last the rest of the week."
"I am not tech-savvy, and these headphones are so easy to use," said a third. "They are comfortable and can fold down pretty flat, so I can take them to work in my laptop case. Highly recommend!"
"I would not say they’re noise-canceling," wrote a mostly satisfied buyer, "but they do have good insulation from outside noise. ... Battery life is impressively long, they charge quickly and the sound quality is great."
"Good sound, easy to use," echoed a final fan, noting, "My only complaint is the buttons in the earpiece are very small. It would be nice to have them larger for easier operation."
And to keep them protected and pristine in transit:
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
