Best Audio Devices

The AirPods Max are Apple's high-end wireless over-ear headphones, first released in 2020. They stand out for their premium build, active noise cancellation (ANC), and spatial audio that creates an immersive, theater-like sound experience. Design & Comfort The AirPods Max have an aluminum body, a mesh canopy headband, and memory foam ear cushions for a snug yet breathable fit. They come in multiple colors, and the ear cushions are swappable for a custom look. Sound & Features Inside, each ear cup has Apple’s H1 chip, enabling adaptive EQ, transparency mode, and computational audio that adjusts sound in real time. The Digital Crown (like the Apple Watch) lets you control volume, skip tracks, answer calls, and activate Siri. Battery & Charging They offer up to 20 hours of listening time with ANC and spatial audio on. A quick 5-minute charge provides 1.5 hours of playback. The 2024 model switched from Lightning to USB-C for charging and wired audio. Smart Case The included Smart Case puts the headphones into a low-power mode, though its odd purse-like design has been widely mocked. The Downside? While the AirPods Max deliver top-tier audio and noise cancellation, they’re heavy, don’t fold for easy storage, and at $549, they’re one of the most expensive consumer headphones on the market. Some users have also reported condensation issues inside the ear cups after long listening sessions. Final Thoughts If you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem, love high-quality audio, and don’t mind the price, these are some of the best wireless headphones out there. But if you’re after a more portable or budget-friendly option, there are plenty of solid alternatives.

The Shokz OpenSwim is a set of bone conduction headphones designed specifically for swimming. Unlike regular earbuds, these don’t go inside your ears. Instead, they rest on your cheekbones and use vibrations to send sound directly into your inner ear. This means you can still hear what’s happening around you while listening to music. They don’t have Bluetooth because Bluetooth doesn’t work underwater. Instead, they come with 4GB of internal storage, so you load your own MP3 files onto them. The battery lasts about 8 hours, which is plenty for most swim sessions. They’re IP68 waterproof, meaning they can handle continuous submersion, though there’s usually a depth limit (often around 2 meters). At 30g, they’re lightweight and designed to stay in place while swimming. The package includes a USB charging cradle, a carrying case, and swimming earplugs, which help improve sound quality underwater. People who use them generally love the sound quality and find them easy to use, though some mention mixed experiences with battery life and music transfer. If you’re after music while swimming and don’t mind loading your own tracks, these could be a great option.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are over-ear headphones designed for comfort and noise cancellation. They have soft, cushioned earcups and a padded headband made from synthetic leather, making them comfortable to wear for long periods. The headphones are built with impact-resistant nylon and metal hinges, so they’re sturdy enough for regular use. They offer two listening modes: Quiet Mode, which blocks out most background noise, and Aware Mode, which lets you hear your surroundings through built-in microphones. The sound is balanced, and you can adjust the bass, mids, and treble using the Bose Music app. The headphones connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, with a range of about 30 feet, and can remember up to seven devices for easy switching. They offer up to 22 hours of battery life on a full charge, and if you’re in a hurry, a quick 15-minute charge gives you about 3 hours of listening time. Their design is simple and lightweight, and they fold flat for easier storage. You can also pair them with select Bose speakers and soundbars for private listening. Voice assistants are accessible through a button on the earcup, making it easy to control music or take calls.

The Beats Studio Pro are over-ear headphones made for people who want solid sound and noise cancellation. They come in several colors like black, deep brown, navy, and sandstone. The design is pretty simple—nothing flashy—but they’re built to be comfortable with soft ear cushions that you can wear for hours. They’ve got Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), which helps block out outside sounds—good if you’re on a plane or somewhere loud. There’s also a Transparency Mode, so you can hear what’s going on around you without taking them off. Battery life is impressive—up to 40 hours with regular use, and if you forget to charge them, a quick 10-minute plug-in gives you about 4 more hours of playtime. Sound-wise, they’re tuned to be clear and balanced, not overly bass-heavy like older Beats models. There’s a feature called Personalized Spatial Audio, which makes it feel like the sound is coming from all around you—nice for movies or certain songs. If you’re into wired listening, you can connect with a USB-C cable for higher-quality, lossless audio. They work with both Apple and Android devices. Pairing is quick, and if you lose them, they’ve got "Find My" support to help track them down. Controls are on the ear cups for changing songs, answering calls, or talking to your phone’s voice assistant. In the box, you get the headphones, a carrying case, charging and audio cables, and a quick start guide. They’re not cheap, but they’re built to be versatile—good for commuting, working, or just chilling at home.

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation. They offer two primary listening modes: Quiet Mode for maximum noise reduction and Aware Mode, which lets in ambient sounds. Users can switch between these modes depending on their environment. Battery life lasts up to 24 hours on a full charge, with a quick-charge option providing additional playback after just 15 minutes of charging. Bluetooth connectivity supports multipoint pairing, allowing the headphones to connect to two devices at the same time. The design includes plush ear cushions and a reinforced headband, built for long-term comfort. Sound settings such as bass, midrange, and treble can be adjusted through the Bose app. An optional audio cable with an in-line microphone is included for wired use when Bluetooth is unavailable or undesired. The headphones come with a carrying case, USB-C charging cable, and audio cable. They are priced at $349 and available in multiple colors, including Blue Dusk.