Latest news with #Earfun
CNET
27-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
These Noise-Canceling Earbuds Do Everything I Need, and They're a Fraction of the Cost of Apple's AirPods 4
I enjoy reading books on my Kindle, and my favorite place to do so is stretched out on a couch in my living room. But like most busy households, my living room can get pretty loud. And since I don't really want to yell at everyone to keep it down so Daddy can enjoy his stories, the best solution I've found is to wear noise-canceling earbuds while reading. I'll wear them in combination with playing white noise or nature sounds -- my current favorite playlist is 10 hours of Thunderstorm Sounds on shuffle -- to maximize the effect. I like using my over-ear Sony headphones for work, but they're bulky, so I started looking for an affordable pair of earbuds that offer decent noise cancellation. That's how I ended up buying the Earfun Air Pro 4s, CNET's 2024 Editors' Choice for affordable in-ear headphones. In short, they're great, and the black ones cost just $63 on Amazon right now a 21% discount. (The white ones are also on sale at $72, a 20% discount. While the glossy white, royal blue and violet headphones are not on sale.) Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. How these earbuds silence the noise around you I prefer in-ear headphones because they offer active, electronic and passive noise canceling. Passive noise cancellation basically consists of plugging your ears with the rubbery tips included with the earbuds. The Earfuns fit well for me when I use the second-largest of the five swappable ear tip sizes, and they stay sealed and comfortable for hours. Sometimes I have to reseal one after I yawn or something, but that's the case with other in-ear headphones too. David Carnoy/CNET For reading, I prefer Earfun's "Strong ANC" noise-canceling mode, which makes a big difference when blocking out the noise around you, but there are a bunch of other noise-cancellation options. The Ambient Sound function is good for when I want to pay attention to my surroundings. Overall I found the app easier to use than Sony's and just as capable. The main difference is that Sony's app has a variable slider for ambient sound. The Earfun app also includes a white noise section in the app. Normally I prefer Spotify for white noise (and I download my favorite playlists for offline listening) but this feature is useful for people who don't have another music service. It includes birdsong, waves and rainfall, all of which are short clips that repeat automatically. Why I chose these earbuds over AirPods These headphones have every other feature I'd expect, including the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously and programmable touch-sensitive controls on the buds. Plus, battery life has been more than ample for me even after a marathon reading session. Here's how the noise-canceling options for the headphones appear on an iPhone. Screenshot by David Katzmaier/CNET There's also a finder function if you misplace either earbud (unlike Apple FindMy, however, they have to be connected and in Bluetooth range). For actual music and voice calling quality, they sound fine, albeit not as good as my big Sonys. I have an iPhone and briefly thought about buying Apple AirPods, but I didn't want to spend the money. The AirPods 4 with noise cancellation cost $115 more than these Earfuns and have an open-ear design, so they rely entirely on the electronic (not passive) method. The AirPods Pro 2 are in-ear and superb, but I didn't want to spend $250 on a pair of secondary headphones. Yes, I could probably save some money on an even less expensive pair of in-ear noise-canceling headphones, but I'm not sure I'd be as happy with their fit, long-term comfort, battery life and noise-cancellation performance. The Earfun Pro 4 buds help me relax and concentrate on my book, and for me that's priceless. For more savings, we've rounded up all the the best deals on headphones we've found. And if you're getting a head-start on gift shopping for a new grad or Mother's Day, check out our list of the best graduation gifts and best gifts for Mom.
CNN
12-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNN
The 75 best Father's Day gifts Dad will actually use and love
Father's Day gifts quick picks For frequent flyers: Coowoz Large Travel Backpack For dads who pamper their cars: Ticarve Cleaning Gel For distraction-free dad rock: Earfun Wave Pro His new favorite T-shirt: Buck Mason Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee A thoughtful last-minute gift: Trade Coffee Gift Subscription Searching for the perfect Father's Day gift? You're in the right place. After consulting CNN Underscored's seasoned gifting editors, combing the site's hands-on reviews and incorporating my own expertise as a product tester, I came up with a comprehensive guide to finding an excellent Father's Day gift in 2025. And when I say comprehensive, I mean it. This list has gifts for every type of man, whether pops is a tech geek, airport regular, garage goblin, pit master or dad joke aficionado. If you make it to the end and remain lost, it's no problem. We've got hundreds of gift ideas to offer at CNN Underscored, including practical Father's Day gifts, luxury Father's Day gifts and unique Father's Day gifts. Coowoz Large Travel Backpack When this backpack went viral, we were skeptical. A solid travel backpack for under $50? It sounded too good to be true. But former contributor Liz Hund discovered that it lived up to the hype with its impressive storage and game-changing internal organizers. The dad who's always on the go will think of you every time he uses our review Bushwick Kitchen Bees Knees Spicy Honey It doesn't matter if it's salty, savory or sweet — chances are, it'll taste good with a little hot honey from Bushwick Kitchen. So whether your dad likes to host or chow down solo, this will be a fun treat for pizza nights and charcuterie spreads alike. Useful Products Drill Brush Attachments CNN Underscored loyalists are probably tired of seeing this drill brush set everywhere. But as cleaning expert Jolie Kerr writes, they're powerful tools for deep cleans. This all-purpose model is a reader favorite and will help Dad tackle the gnarliest cleaning projects. Ontel Battery Daddy An organizer ... for batteries? I'm not sure there's a more Dad-friendly gift. Plus, it comes with a battery tester in case there are any duds in his stash. Brass Monkey Emergency Dad Jokes The only people who enjoy dad jokes are dads. But this is Father's Day, so it's time to put our embarrassment aside and indulge Dad with this deck of cringe-worthy wisecracks. Mavogel Cotton Sleep Mask A lot of sleeping masks miss the mark, but this model from Mavogel actually blocks out the light and stays in place, according to our testers. It's exactly the type of practical gift Dad will actually our review Underkini Leather Strap Wine Rack Display Dad's burgeoning wine collection with these creative leather straps from Etsy. Some assembly is required — you'll need a drill — but free gift wrapping is an option with every order. Ticarve Cleaning Gel If Dad treats his ride better than his first-born child, consider this jar of car-cleaning goo. Outdoors, sustainability and pets editor Kai Burkhardt found that the sticky slime was ideal for picking up dust, crumbs and other stubborn debris stuck in air vents and our review Vanva Universal Air Vent Car Mount For under $15, you won't find a better quality of life upgrade for Dad than a reliable phone mount. In his review, Burkhardt said this model was easy-to-install and wobble-free during a cross-country road our review Clarkson Potter Punderdome: A Card Game for Pun Lovers It might sound like psychological torture to enter the "Punderome" with Dad. But hey, on Father's Day, we can all indulge him with this pun-filled card game. And maybe, just maybe, we'll have a little fun. ConairMan Ear, Nose and Eyebrow Hair Trimmer Thick, bushy nose and ear hairs are no match for this low-cost trimmer, which Burkhardt said helped him shave in hard-to-reach places. It's a gift Dad will appreciate if he's got hair peeking out of his our review Uncommon Goods Cold Beer Coats Wrapping his beer in a puffer jacket might be the silliest way to keep his drink cold. But for someone who appreciates silly puns and stupid dad jokes, it's perfect. CurioPress Personalized Notecard Set If Dad communicates with friends and family the old-fashioned way, consider upgrading his stationery with this personalized set. Pick from 20 colors and add details like his name, phone number or a fun quote. Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot After trying the Hario Mizudashi for the first time, I can confidently say it's one of the easiest ways to brew coffee. All he has to do is add coffee and water, and he can enjoy a few cups of ready-to-drink cold brew the next our review History By Mail 6-Month Subscription With this Uncommon Goods subscription, Dad will receive monthly replicas of historical documents in the mail, including a letter between Einstein and FDR and Rosa Parks' police report. Naked Wines, 6-Pack Not every dad is into whiskey and beer. If the father figure in your life prefers vino, a Naked Wines subscription is a great way to stock up his wine fridge. The best part? CNN Underscored readers get $100 off the welcome case, which includes a variety of six reds and whites. Apple AirTag Most dads are bound to find Apple's Bluetooth tracker useful. He can use it to keep tabs on his keys, luggage or dog, whether he's in the other room or thousands of miles away. If he's still rolling with Android, get the Tile Pro our review Brooklinen Marlow Pillow The best pillows can transform a sleep-deprived grump into a well-rested dad with a little pep in his step. The Marlow has all the marks of an excellent choice, with adjustable, cooling memory foam. Fellow 16-Ounce Carter Move Travel Mug For dads who commute with their cup of Joe, make sure their morning pick-me-up stays hot with this travel mug from specialty coffee brand Fellow. Our testers loved that it came with a splash guard for spill-free our review Zap It Mini Bug Zapper Battery-Powered Racket Dads tasked with bug patrol will appreciate these electrified rackets, which zap insects on impact. Each pack comes with two, so Dad can dual-wield his pest-control arsenal. Foster & Rye Baseball Bottle Holder With this bottle holder, pay homage to two of Dad's favorite hobbies — drinking and sports — while livening up his man cave. Pro Spin All-in-One Portable Ping-Pong Paddles Set Does he love games? Make his day with this ping pong set, which includes everything you need for a casual rally or competitive showdown. Bonus points if you let him win. Stanley Classic Bottle Opener Beer Stein Beer heads will immediately understand the Stanley craze once they see this insulated beer stein. Not only will it keep Dad's brews cold, but it also doubles as a bottle opener. Black Diamond Notion Shorts I wear Black Diamond's Notion Shorts while rock climbing at the gym, hiking at Griffith Park and working from a neighborhood cafe. In other words, they're technical enough for light outdoor activities but stylish enough that they won't make Dad look our review Luna Bean XL Hand-Casting Kit A lot of dads are prickly pears — that is, thorny on the outside, soft on the inside. Sound familiar? Consider this tear-jerker of a gift: a hand-casting kit that can immortalize up to six hands in plaster. Yeti 26-Ounce Rambler Water Bottle Reusable water bottles have come a long way since they overtook college campuses in the 2010s. If Dad is a little behind the curve and still drinking out of plastic bottles, bring him up to date with our favorite water bottle of our review Host Freeze Beer Glasses, Set of 2 These dual-wall glasses come insulated with a cooling gel, ensuring Dad never has to drink lukewarm beer again. He just has to remember to stick 'em in the freezer. Casamigos Guava Ginger Cocktail Mix With this craft cocktail mix, Dad can make a tasty, fruit-forward cocktail without much effort. Pair it with a bottle of Flecha Azul Blanco, one of the best tequilas we've tested. Crate & Barrel 4-Piece Barbecue Tool Set After years of heavy use, barbecue tools get grimy. If that's true of Dad's set, replace them with these stainless steel utensils. Homesick 19th Hole Candle Dad can't always make it to the green, so bring the course to him with Homesick's 19th Hole candle. With notes of fresh-cut grass and citrus, burning this will have him daydreaming about his swing from the comfort of his living room. The Night Sky Custom Star Map Immortalize the day Dad became a father with this custom star map, which will render a print of the night sky on that special day. Papier Best Dad Hardcover Photo Book Designing a scrapbook from scratch sounds. Luckily, Papier makes it easy. Choose your design, upload your pics and Papier will print a custom hardcover photo book on high-quality paper. Beer of the Month Club Sign Dad up for this boozy subscription, and he'll receive a dozen beers from some of America's best small-batch breweries. Each shipment comes with four different beer styles, so he'll never get bored. Mark & Graham Beckett Waxed Canvas and Leather Travel Pouch I've used a gallon Ziploc bag as my Dopp kit for years, and it isn't fun (or pretty). If Dad is anything like me, do him a favor and gift him this classy pouch so he can travel in style. You can even add a personalized monogram for a little extra. EarFun Wave Pro Noise-cancelling headphones don't have to be expensive. Don't believe us? Let Dad try on these sub-$100 cans. Contributing writer Alex Bracetti named them the best budget headphones in 2025, describing them as "a triumph that combine fantastic active noise cancellation (ANC) with even better sound."Read our review Jack Archer Jetsetter Tech Pant Slim Fit If he's the type to only pack a single pair of pants for an entire trip, these bottoms from Jack Archer should make the cut. They come in slim and straight styles to accommodate his fit preference. And since they're made from the brand's Rebound fabric (a type of polyester), they're stretchy and wrinkle-free too. What more could the minimalist dad ask for? Nomad Sport Band When it comes to serious athletes, everyday Apple Watch bands don't cut it. Enter the Nomad Sport Band, a ventilated, waterproof model that will feel great during Dad's sweaty, high-intensity our review Uncommon Goods Basketball Wastebasket Inject a little levity into drab office life with this basketball wastebasket. It'll help Dad practice his shots on the clock and get a little work done in between. Trade Coffee Gift Subscription If Dad is nerdy enough about coffee to know the difference between a breve and a flat white, he might shed a tear when you sign him up for Trade's Coffee Subscription. Each month, he'll receive a bag of freshly roasted coffee from one of America's top roasters. What's more, the beans will be tailored to his our review Chubbies Classic Swim Trunks With inseams as short as 4 inches and plenty of funky patterns, Chubbies' editor-favorite trunks are for dads who want to be bold at the beach. That said, there are tamer designs and longer inseams for shy dudes who prefer a more modest our review Storyworth Sign Dad up for Storyworth, and he'll receive a thought-provoking question about his life every week. A year later, a hardcover book filled with his stories — plus photos and captions — will land on his doorstep. It's a thoughtful gift you can set up in minutes. Read our review Buck Mason Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee You just found Dad's soon-to-be favorite T-shirt: Buck Mason's Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee. In our panel test, reviewers said that the heavy cotton managed to be buttery soft, while the fit impressed testers of all sizes. It is the goldilocks of white our review GoSports Portable Cornhole Set Is Dad recently retired and restless? This all-inclusive cornhole set is the perfect antidote to Dad's summer boredom. The only thing it's missing is a cooler full of snacks and drinks. Apple HomePod Mini Is Dad the kind of guy who still lines up for the newest iPhone? Then hook him up with the HomePod Mini, a smart speaker that can serve as the centerpiece of his smart home our review Untuckit Wrinkle-Resistant Linen Short-Sleeve Cameron Shirt One of the most frustrating things about button-up shirts is their length, especially if you're short. You've got to tuck 'em in or deal with an extra-long tail. Untuckit shirts are the exception to that rule, as they're tailor-made for that casual, untucked look. The brand's short-sleeve linen shirt is perfect for the summer heat. Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving Duet How's your dad's grooming routine? If it's barebones or nonexistent, show him the way with this upscale shaving set. He can start with Aesop's sandalwood-infused serum and end with the set's light, protective post-shave lotion. Lili Di Prima Personalized Family Portrait Tired of cheesy family portraits? Send a few photos to this Etsy artist and they'll put a more creative spin on your family's likeness, whether that includes Fido or Dad's favorite pet tortoise. Suri Sustainable Electric Toothbrush With its 40-day battery life, lightweight design and sustainable brush heads, travel products editor Kyle Olsen declared the Suri his favorite toothbrush. If Dad is anything like Olsen — who has traveled to dozens of countries — he'll appreciate this ultra-portable brush. Read our review Kingsley Leather Personalized Leather Cufflinks Don't let Dad wear the same boring, old cufflinks every day. Diversify his collection with this personalized pair made from leather and steel. Goldbelly B&W Bakery Legendary Heavy Crumb Cake Dads who mischievously eat dessert before dinner will fall in love with this heavy crumb cake, which comes fresh from a historic New Jersey bakery. (Trust us, our home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel has tried it herself.) The Midland ER310 Emergency Radio If Dad lives by the mantra "it's better to be safe than sorry," I know he'll appreciate this emergency radio, which associate testing writer Gareen Puglia used to evacuate from LA's recent wildfires. Read our review New Balance 530 Against all odds, it turns out dads are trendy — at least when it comes to shoes. As fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw explained in her coverage of the "Dad shoe" trend, chunky, neutral-toned sneakers that old guys wear have become cool. So, if you want to up Dad's style without pushing him out of his comfort zone, get him a pair of these expert-recommended Dad shoes from New our review Skylight 10-Inch Digital Picture Frame A picture is worth 1,000 words. A digital picture frame that can store thousands of photos? That's basically like writing "War and Peace" and then dedicating it to Dad. If that doesn't impress him, I don't know what will. HP Envy 6555e All-in-One Printer When we updated our printer guide this year, HP's Envy 655e led the pack, impressing us with its low price, great printing performance and reliable build. If Dad works with a lot of documents at home, this is the gift to get. Read our review Mark & Graham Travel Watch Roll Equipped with this beautifully made watch case, watch collectors can take their three favorite pieces on the go. Last year, Patel gave this as a gift to her husband, who has recently started collecting watches. Bonus: For an extra $15, you can get it personalized with his initials. Allbirds Men's Tree Dasher 2 If he stands all day at work, this pair of comfy shoes will save his swollen, achy feet. We also love that they're sustainable, thanks to the shoes' natural ingredients and minimal carbon our review Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe Electronics writer Henry T. Casey doesn't go to bed without using this 3-in-1 charging stand, which can handle an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods — all at the same time. Beyond its functionality, Casey appreciates its attractive metal and vegan leather our review My Sheets Rock The Regulator Sheet Set Dads who run hot don't have to suffer at night, especially if they've got this cooling sheet set. Our reviewer said they're "magically cooling and breathable in the summer."Read our review Ryobi Wheeled Electric Pressure Washer Are you tired of watching Dad clean the patio with a sad, old hose? Give him the gift of 1,900 PSI of firepower with this electric power washer, which will blast away dirt and grime on patio furniture, decks and more. Dagne Dover Jax Large Fanny Pack Crossbody bags (or less flatteringly, fanny packs) are indispensable when it comes to travel. With this stylish choice from Dagne Dover, Dad can keep his valuables away from pickpockets while wandering Europe. Grid SNES Controller V2 If Dad still waxes poetic about 16-bit Donkey Kong and the bygone days of CRT TVs, he'll love this tribute to the SNES. While the gaming system's accessories are increasingly rare, Grid Studio reproduced and dissected the console's iconic controller, immortalizing one of Nintendo's greatest achievements. It's also perfect for Father's Day, as it comes pre-framed and wrapped. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) When Casey asked bookworms on staff for tips on how to read more, the Kindle kept coming up. Thanks to its compact size and water-resistant design, Dad can take it anywhere — even the our review Misen 3-Piece Knife Set If Dad preps his soffritto with a dull, chipped knife, it's time to say basta! After scolding him, present these three beautiful knives, which will stay razor sharp if taken care of. Ego Power+ LB6504 Is your dad the one tidying the yard come fall? Make his life easier with an electric leaf blower. This beast outperformed 13 other highly rated models, thanks to its long-lasting battery and lightweight our review Nintendo Switch OLED The Switch 2 will hit stores right before Father's Day, but it might be hard to find the hyped console in time. The next best thing for dads who game? The Nintendo Switch OLED, which beefs up the original with a much-improved screen. The bonus: It's likely to be heavily discounted ahead of the Switch 2's our review Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Bring the campfire to Dad's backyard with the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0, our favorite fire pit of 2025. Not only does it look sleek, but it also produces very little our review Maui Jim Makoa Polarized Wrap Sunglasses A quality pair of shades will protect Dad's eyes for decades. Don't know what to buy? Try these sunglasses from Maui Jim, which offer plenty of coverage, a comfy fit and polarized lenses. Ooni Koda 2 Gas-Powered Pizza Oven When I tried this outdoor pizza oven at an event this year, I was impressed. Like an old-world pizza oven, it turned out pillowy, lightly charred Neapolitan pies in minutes. Rothy's The Driving Loafers Comfortable, elegant and made from recycled plastic, these loafers will be Dad's favorite summer shoes. Note that they run small, so size up a half size. Apple Watch Series 10 With its upgraded display, excellent battery life and top-notch tracking features, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the best of its class. Whether Dad is a gym rat or just loves cutting-edge tech, he'll be thanking you for this splurgy gift for years to our review Fluance RT82 Streaming music on an iPhone may be cheap and easy, but it's got no soul. Help Dad relive the golden years of physical media with this stellar, high-fidelity turntable. Copy chief Daniel Toy named the belt-driven record player the best model for our review Tecovas The Dean Boots I'm not encouraging anyone to cosplay as a character from "Yellowstone." But for dads who like a more rugged, rustic look, it might be time to get a pair of high-quality cowboy boots. Tecova's modern take on the style won't look out of place at the grocery store but still has that wild-west flair. Carl Friedrik The Carry-On X Carl Friedrik's carry-on suitcase is luxurious. If you can afford the brand's well-crafted bags, which have made appearances in "Succession" and "The White Lotus," they're worth the premium, according to our former senior travel our review Samsung The Freestyle Portable Projector Whether you're flush with cash, extremely generous or just want to impress Dad with a jaw-dropping gift, try this compact projector that's so good it will replace his our review Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Portable Cooler Armed with Yeti's built-to-last Flip cooler, Dad can keep his 12-pack chilled while camping, fishing or lounging at the beach. Most people know how to find the right gift, but they get stressed and overthink the process. No judgement — I've been there. As long as you take a deep breath, consider the following tips and give yourself time, I can (almost) guarantee Dad will like his gift this year. (If you're pressed for time, no worries. We have a last-minute Father's Day gift guide too.) My No. 1 piece of advice is to start with his interests. How does he spend his free time? What does he talk about when you call him on the phone? My only caveat is that you want to avoid gifting the same thing every year. No matter how much he loves coffee, he won't want (or need) a new coffee maker four years in a row. So, try to branch out and pick a different theme. Another tip is to lean into practical, buy-it-for-life gifts he'll actually use. My favorite presents have always been items that add value to my life, like a durable tote bag I carry to work every day, a pair of socks backed by a lifetime warranty or a kitchen knife I can use for the next decade. If you're still stuck after brainstorming, don't be afraid to ask for help. His partner, sibling or best friend might have the perfect gift in mind. We know you get tired of seeing the same gift ideas year after year, which is why CNN Underscored editors carefully curate each gift guide to include a selection of products tailored to the person, hobby or event you're shopping for (though, if you're seeing some repeat products in our coverage, it probably just means we really love them). To make sure each gift you give is a hit, we include products hand-tested by our team, foolproof presents we've given to someone (or have been given), the newest products from our favorite brands and other trending items taking over our social feeds. Here, associate writer Maxwell Shukuya overhauled our gift guide from last year, adding over a dozen new products and removing gifts that don't hit the mark in 2025. Having worked on other specialty guides — notably gift ideas for men and Mother's Day gifts under $100 — Shukuya also brings hands-on testing and gifting experience. Of course, he couldn't do it without the help of senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus and home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel, who scrutinized every gift in this piece.
