Snag these noise-cancelling earbuds on sale and see what the fuss is all about. (Getty)(Amazon)
As I'm writing about Apple AirPods Pro, none other than my Apple AirPods Pro are snug in my ears. Yep, pretty meta. Even funnier? I used to scoff at spending over $50 on headphones. But once I tried AirPods, I got what the hype was about, and now there's no turning back. With features like active noise cancellation, transparency mode and conversation detection, these Pros have barely left my ears since the day I first popped them in — and they're $79 off right now. For something I use every single day, and that actually lasts? That's a no-brainer.
There's a reason for the hype surrounding the latest iteration of these top-rated earbuds — many reasons, in fact. For starters, they offer rich, crisp sound and superior noise cancellation, allowing you to enjoy music, podcasts, audiobooks and more without outside commotion getting in the way. This model lets you control the volume simply by swiping the stem, and you'll receive four pairs of silicone tips in different sizes for customized comfort.
Our tech editor, Rick Broida, named these "best wireless earbuds overall," saying, "What you get here is even better ANC, a bump in battery life, extra-small ear tips for users with smaller ears and an adaptive-audio mode that adjusts noise-cancellation and transparency modes based on the sounds around you. Meanwhile, Apple's charging case now has a speaker (for use with Find My) and a USB-C port in place of Lightning (the better to match with the USB-C iPhone 15)."
Check out his roundup of the best wireless earbuds for a full review.
You, your kids and your grandkids will have a blast playing with this highly rated drone, which easily connects to your phone for taking photos and videos from above. Use it in the yard or even bring it on your next trip for a bird's-eye view of your vacation. And yeah: It can do 360-degree flips!
At nearly 50% off, it's down to just about as low as I've ever seen it.
Want to feel like a magician at home? These gizmos allow you to control practically any electronic you plug into them via your voice or phone — pretty cool, huh? Just plug 'em into an outlet and pair to your phone via the Kasa app. From there, you can connect them to Alexa or Google Assistant if you like. Another fun feature? You can set schedules to ensure your lights and appliances are shut off by a certain time. They've barely dipped lower than this all year...
Bring the party just about anywhere, thanks to this portable speaker, which was purchased over 10,000 times in the past month alone. This compact gadget can play for up to 20 hours, and since it's waterproof, you can set it up near the pool without a second thought. Pair it to your phone and other devices via Bluetooth — it'll connect within 33 feet. This is its lowest price yet.
"These Sony headphones aren't just any old pair of cans," says McGraw. "With top-tier noise-cancelling tech, they let you block out the world and dive into your music, podcasts or calls with clarity.
"They boast a solid 30 hours of battery life as well as quick charging (a 10-minute charge will get you five hours of playback), so you won’t be hunting for an outlet mid-listen. And with touch-sensor controls, adjusting volume or skipping tracks is as easy as a tap."
FYI, this is as low as they've been marked down to since last year...
AirPods Pro are some of the most sought-after earbuds on the market, and at over 30% off, they're a lot more attainable. (If Pros are still too rich for your blood, check out our comprehensive review of AirPods Pro alternatives under $100 — there's something for everyone.)
Big ears? Small ears? Doesn't matter. Unlike the original one-size-fits-most AirPods, the Pros come with silicone tips in multiple sizes, so you can finally get a snug, comfortable fit that means your buds won't pop out mid-run or during a Zoom call. They even include a built-in ear-tip fit test to help you figure out which size works best for your ear shape. (If you want to know more about how these compare with the previous generation, read our full review.)
The real magic, though, is the active noise cancellation. Whether you're trying to drown out chatty coworkers or airplane engine hum, these buds are shockingly good at shutting out the world. Battery life also got a serious upgrade — up to six hours on a single charge, plus another 24 with the included wireless charging case.
And while these are made with Apple users in mind (they sync effortlessly with your iPhone, iPad, MacBook — you name it), they play nice with Android phones and Windows laptops. So no matter what ecosystem you're in, you're covered.
These AirPods Pro have nearly 24,000 five-star fans, and with over 10,000 pairs bought in the past month, it's safe to say Apple has a hit on its hands.
If there's one reason to pick up a pair of AirPods Pro, it's the sound, shoppers say. "They've exceeded my expectations in every way," one audiophile raved. "The sound quality is exceptional, with a rich, balanced audio profile that makes listening to music and podcasts a joy. The noise cancellation feature is also significantly improved, effectively blocking out background noise even in busy environments. ... I can wear them for hours without any discomfort."
"Wow, these things are next level!" said a lively listener. "The Bluetooth connection is seamless as always, and the active noise cancellation is ridiculously good — like, the world just melts away when you put them in. Perfect for noisy commutes or when you just want some peace and quiet. One feature that surprised me is the new hearing aid feature. If you need a little boost for conversations or specific sounds, it really helps. And when you don't want to be fully isolated, the transparency mode is super clear — lets you hear what's happening around you without having to take the earbuds out."
A third reviewer said, "I bought these mainly for the noise cancellation feature. It works great and much better compared to Beats. It's on par with Bose noise cancellation. ... A great pair of headphones, especially if you own other compatible iOS devices."
The biggest complaint about the Pros? Battery life. Even though it's longer than previous generations, fans want more: "Battery life is sufficient, though it wouldn't hurt if it could last an extra hour or so for longer flights."
Some people still find it difficult for the buds to stay in their ears. "I just wish they didn't always feel like they were going to fall out. Apple, I don't even care if you add a piece that goes around the outside of my ear. Just make them stay in."
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.
