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Tom's Guide
01-08-2025
- Tom's Guide
These top-rated earbuds sound great and are on sale from $19 — 5 JLab deals I'd shop now at Amazon
JLab has to be one of the most underrated audio brands out there. Tom's Guide's audio team has reviewed a bunch of their earbuds and consistently give them high scores, praising their sound quality, battery life and useful features. Best of all, their earbuds are usually seriously cheap. That gets even better right now, as there's a huge JLab sale over at Amazon. For starters, I recommend picking up the JLab Go Air Pop Plus on sale for $19 at Amazon. These have solid sound quality, up to 35 hours of battery life and Bluetooth 5.3 on board. And you don't need to just take my word for it — these earbuds have a 4.4-star rating based on over 10,000 Amazon reviews. Keep scrolling to see all my favorite JLab deals. For more savings, see our Amazon promo codes and check out the deals I'd get from $8 in Best Buy's weekend sale. Wireless earbuds have come a long way, and now, you can get a solid-sounding pair of buds for under $25. While not all budget earbuds are up to par, the JLab Go Air Pop True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds are an ace pick. We gave the previous version of these earbuds a 4-star rating in our JLab Go Air Pop review. The upgraded version brings longer battery life, IPX4 water resistance and Google Fast Pair. Like the neutral colored headphones we saw in the Beats X Kim Kardashian collab? Well, you don't have to spend a fortune to get some stylish, great-sounding headphones in a neutral shade — right now the JLab Go Air Pop Plus Tones are on sale for just $19. These sound great for their price and deliver up to 35 hours of battery life. Our Senior Fitness Writer, Nick Harris-Fry, swears by these earbuds as being perfect for running and gym workouts. They offer long battery life, a secure fit and impressive sound quality for the price, and come in seven colors. If you want an affordable sporty alternative to buds from Beats, Apple and Bose, then look no further. These earbuds can do it all: surprisingly excellent sound quality, an impressive IP66 durability rating, 26 hours battery life, and 3 ANC modes. Our JLab Go Pods ANC review said these are truly some of the best cheap wireless earbuds money can buy. The JLab Epic Air Sport ANC (2nd Gen) are a fantastic purchase for novice exercisers requiring sonic fuel to boost their routine. They have a more refined soundstage (when you enable the Balanced EQ) that continues to place bass at the forefront, but also gives mids and highs some attention for pleasant audio consumption. Jlab's signature earhook design is dependable for on-ear stability and built for longevity, thanks to durable construction and IP66 certification for dirt, sweat and water resistance.
Irish Examiner
31-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Bose SoundLink Plus review: A waterproof, high-fidelity speaker for indoors and out
The Bose SoundLink Plus boasts a rugged design and sound quality that belies its size, delivering a compelling combination of performance, durability, and everyday usability. Whether you're poolside, camping, or just looking for better audio at home, it's a speaker that adapts to your lifestyle. Design and build quality While the SoundLink Plus has a lot of rugged charm, its design is far from sleek, but it looks and feels solid and is built to last. The steel grille has a cool industrial vibe, complemented by soft-touch silicone that makes it easy to grip and carry. The black colourway I tested may seem a bit plain, but I love its clean, minimalist aesthetic. The speaker weighs 1.5 kg and measures about 23 cm across, which puts it firmly in the portable category without sacrificing presence. It feels premium in the hand, with rounded edges and clean lines that speak to Bose's refined approach. thick, rugged nylon rope loop hangs off the end of the speaker and is actually useful. You could use it to hang the speaker from a tree branch or to clip it onto a backpack, but I found it great for carrying the speaker. Portability and durability Built for the outdoors, the SoundLink Plus features an IP67 rating, meaning it's fully dust-tight and waterproof. You can use it at the beach, by the pool, or in light rain without stress. Although not featherlight, it's compact enough to throw in a rucksack, and it feels tough enough to handle drops and scrapes. Features and connectivity The SoundLink Plus supports aptX Adaptive for high-resolution audio (if you have a compatible device), Bluetooth 5.4 for stable connections, and multi-point pairing, allowing you to stay connected to two devices simultaneously. There's also Google Fast Pair for Android users, and Bose's own SimpleSync tech lets you pair with other Bose speakers or soundbars for stereo or party mode. The speaker also features a 15W USB-C charging port, which can quickly charge your phone in a pinch. Control-wise, the Bose Music app allows you to fine-tune audio with a 3-band EQ (more bands would have been nice), assign the shortcut button functions (such as Spotify), and manage speaker firmware updates. You also get physical buttons on the top of the speaker for volume, pause/play, Bluetooth mode, a shortcut button that you can assign in the app, and a power button. Battery life Battery life is decent for a speaker this size, but not class-leading. You can expect up to 20 hours of playback on a single charge, depending on the volume and EQ settings. A five-minute quick charge gives you around 2.5 hours of playback. That kind of rapid recharge is a lifesaver when you're rushing out the door. Sound quality Bose has packed in a tweeter, a subwoofer and four passive radiators, and the result is remarkable sound for the size. The bass is deep and responsive, but not overwhelming, while mids and highs are clean and defined. Whether you're playing laid-back acoustic playlists or bass-heavy EDM tracks, the sound remains balanced and powerful. Bass heads will love this compact speaker, but others may feel the need to turn the bass down a tad. Thanks to Bose's Active EQ, the speaker automatically adjusts its sound curve based on volume, maintaining clarity whether you're keeping it low at a dinner gathering or blasting it during a barbecue. Compared to other speakers in its size class, and even a few that are bigger, it holds its own and often outperforms, particularly in how well it maintains clarity at higher volumes. Verdict The Bose SoundLink Plus is a good-sounding speaker. It's durable, sounds great and is a versatile piece of kit that excels indoors and out. With thoughtful features like device charging, stereo pairing, app customisation, and IP67 waterproofing, it's the ideal Bluetooth speaker for music lovers who live life on the go. €280
Mint
19-06-2025
- Mint
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 neckband launched in India at ₹1,699: Features, battery and more
OnePlus has officially launched its latest wireless audio device, the Bullets Wireless Z3, in India. The Bullets Wireless Z3 offers up to 36 hours of music playback on a full charge, while a 10-minute charge provides up to 27 hours of use, according to the company. Priced at ₹ 1,699, the new neckband is set to go on sale from 24 June 2025 at 12 PM through multiple online and offline retail platforms. The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 will be available for purchase via OnePlus' official website, Amazon India, Flipkart, Myntra, and select offline retail outlets including Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales, and Bajaj Electronics. You may be interested in The Bullets Wireless Z3 offers up to 36 hours of music playback on a full charge, while a 10-minute charge provides up to 27 hours of use, according to the company. Call duration on a full charge is pegged at 21 hours. Audio features include 12.4mm dynamic drivers, designed to deliver a balanced sound profile with emphasis on bass. The neckband also includes the new BassWave algorithm, which enhances low-end frequencies without distorting mids or vocals. Users can switch between four preset audio modes—Balanced, Serenade, Bass, and Bold—through the Sound Master EQ function. The Bullets Wireless Z3 is equipped with AI-based noise cancellation technology aimed at improving voice clarity during calls. It combines environmental noise cancellation (ENC) and AI algorithms to isolate voice input in real time. Moreover, the device supports 3D Spatial Audio, designed to simulate a 360-degree sound environment. A built-in shortcut enables users to summon voice assistants for hands-free access to functions like calling, music playback, or setting reminders. Connectivity features include Bluetooth 5.4, support for Google Fast Pair, and magnetic earbuds that auto-connect and disconnect depending on their positioning. The earphones are also rated IP55 for water and dust resistance and come in two finishes—Mambo Midnight (black) and Samba Sunset (red).
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Business Standard
06-05-2025
- Business Standard
JBL Tune Beam 2 review: Feature-rich wireless earphones with great sound
Audio accessories maker JBL has recently launched the Tune 2 series of wireless earphones in India. Leading the lineup is the Tune Beam 2, a pair of true wireless earbuds featuring adaptive noise cancelling and spatial sound support. On the connectivity front, the Tune Beam 2 comes with Bluetooth v5.3 (LE Audio supported) and Google Fast Pair for swift pairing with supported devices. JBL claims up to 48 hours of total battery life and a six-microphone setup to ensure clearer voice calls. The earbuds are compatible with both Android and iOS devices. On paper, the Tune Beam 2 appears to be a strong contender in its segment — but how does it perform in real-world use? Let us find out. Design and fit The JBL Tune Beam 2 comes in a compact box, which includes the charging case and earbuds, a USB-C charging cable, a user manual, and two additional pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes. The charging case has a compact design with matte-finish to resist smudges. While the case is portable, it is on the heavier side even when empty. The front of the case features the JBL logo, just above a row of three LEDs that indicate the remaining battery level. A USB-C charging port is placed at the bottom. Opening the lid reveals a glossy interior with clearly marked left and right indicators. The earbuds are secured with strong magnets and remain firmly in place, but you can pick them out without any efforts. The earbuds themselves feature a stem-style design with soft silicone ear tips that provide a snug fit. They sit securely in the ears, remain stable during movement, and feel sturdy overall. However, extended use may lead to some ear fatigue. The earbuds have a clean, solid-colour body, while the touch surface sports a glossy finish. This area allows you to control playback, manage calls, and toggle ANC and ambient awareness modes. Connectivity and pairing The JBL Tune Beam 2 supports Bluetooth 5.3 and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It also features multi-point connectivity, allowing it to stay connected to two devices at once. Google Fast Pair is supported on Android, enabling quick and seamless pairing. Pairing with smartphones is straightforward and hassle-free. However, connecting to a Windows laptop occasionally required multiple attempts. The earbuds are supported by the JBL Headphones companion app, which offers a user-friendly experience across platforms. Audio and features The sound performance of the JBL Tune Beam 2 is above average for mid-range earbuds, offering clear highs and dynamic, punchy bass. While the default tuning is decent, the sound quality improves noticeably with customisation through the JBL Headphones app. The app includes several useful audio settings like equalizers, spatial sound modes, Personi-Fi, and sound balance controls—giving users the freedom to tailor their listening experience in depth. Personi-Fi 3.0: This feature lets users personalise the sound based on their individual hearing profile. It runs a quick hearing test and then generates a custom sound profile to optimise the audio experience. I personally found this feature effective—after enabling it, the overall clarity improved, and the bass felt strong but never overpowering. The earbuds handled different music genres like jazz and rock with ease, and sound remained balanced even at higher volumes. Smart Audio & Video Mode: This setting lets you switch between Audio and Video modes depending on your content. 'Audio mode' enhances the music listening experience, while 'Video mode' reduces latency to ensure better lip-sync accuracy when watching videos or streaming content. Spatial Sound: For a more immersive experience, Spatial Sound offers three presets—Movie, Music, and Game. Each mode tweaks the surround sound field slightly to match the type of content being consumed, adding depth to the audio output. Gesture control: The earbuds support touch controls, which can be customised through the companion app. You can assign gestures like single tap, double tap, or tap-and-hold to functions such as switching between ANC and Ambient Aware, activating TalkThru, or summoning a voice assistant. For example, my setup includes a single tap to toggle ANC and Ambient Aware, double tap for TalkThru, and tap-and-hold to activate Siri. Equalizers: The EQ section includes several presets like Studio, Bass, Club, Extreme Bass, Vocal, and Jazz. There's also an option to create your own custom EQ profile. This detailed control is great for more demanding listeners and helps fine-tune the sound to personal preference. Relax Mode: The app also includes a Relax Mode, featuring calming nature sounds such as crackling fire, ocean waves, birdsong, and rain. You can mix multiple sounds and set a timer for up to 60 minutes, making it a nice addition for winding down or meditating. Noise cancelling The JBL Tune Beam 2 features adaptive noise cancellation (ANC), which performs reasonably well for everyday use. In typical environments like busy streets or noisy indoor spaces, the earbuds manage to filter out much of the background noise, allowing for an immersive listening experience. However, in louder settings—such as heavy traffic or construction zones—some ambient sound still seeps through. ANC can be toggled directly from the earbuds, and its effectiveness also depends heavily on getting the right ear tip size and adjusting the volume appropriately. The transitions between phone calls and listening on the earbuds are seamless. The JBL Headphones app enhances the noise control experience with manual settings for ANC, Ambient Aware, and TalkThru modes. These options let you fine-tune how much external sound you want to let in. I found the ability to customise the ANC level particularly useful, especially when I didn't want to be completely isolated from my surroundings. The TalkThru feature came in handy during face-to-face conversations, allowing voices to pass through clearly without needing to remove the earbuds. Calling Call quality on the JBL Tune Beam 2 is solid, thanks in part to the well-placed microphones on the stem-style earbuds. Even in noisy environments, voice clarity remains strong, and background sounds are mostly filtered out, preventing the caller's voice from sounding muffled or drowned. Each earbud features a triple-microphone setup—six microphones in total—which delivers noticeably better performance compared to many other earbuds in this range. Voices on both ends of the call come through clearly, and the connection remains stable. The JBL Headphones app also includes dedicated sound and voice settings, allowing me to fine-tune both how I sound and how the caller's voice comes through. This adds a nice layer of customisation to the calling experience. Battery Life The battery life on the JBL Tune Beam 2 varies based on usage patterns, but in general, the earbuds easily last multiple days on moderate use when combined with the charging case. JBL claims up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge with ANC enabled, and up to 12 hours without ANC. The case provides an additional three full charges, bringing the total battery life to up to 40 hours without ANC or 30 hours with ANC. In practice, this holds up well for daily use and makes the earbuds a reliable option for travel or long listening sessions. Verdict Priced at Rs 11,999, the JBL Tune Beam 2 offers dynamic sound along with useful features like spatial sound and adaptive sound control. Its strong app integration allows for deep customisation of audio preferences, and the impressive battery life adds to its overall value. That said, there are a few trade-offs such as lack of auto play/pause functionality, which is offered by some competitors in this price range.
India.com
24-04-2025
- India.com
Best Budget Earbuds That Deliver Premium Sound
Earbuds are small earphones that many people use to listen to music, watch videos, or talk on the phone. They are popular because they are light, easy to carry, and fit right into your ears. Some also have cool features like noise cancellation or letting you control music with a are a great choice for anyone who wants a simple and comfortable way to enjoy sound anytime, are popular because they combine style, comfort, and technology. They don't just sound good—they also look modern and are easy to use. Whether you are a student, working professional, traveler, or fitness lover, earbuds fit into your lifestyle perfectly. We are providing you some of the best budget friendly Earbuds which you can try. Oneplus Nord Buds 3 Truly Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds Image Source: Order Now The buds come with 12.4 mm Titanized Diaphragm Drivers with which you can enjoy music with deeper bass and pure clear treble, immersing in the audiophile-grade sound experience. It has 3D audio specifically for OnePlus smartphone users. With up to 32dB Active Noise Cancellation one can maximize the audio enjoyment of music, allowing an immersive listening experience virtually. Key Features: Active Noise Cancellation Fast Charging Dual Device Connection Google Fast Pair Available in Black color only Boat:Airdopes 301 TWS Earbuds Image Source: Order Now Experience true wireless freedom with the boAt Airdopes 301 TWS Earbuds, designed for powerful sound and all-day comfort. These Bluetooth earbuds offer a perfect blend of style, performance, and convenience. It has features like immersive audio, long battery life, and secure fit, the boAt Air dopes 301 are ideal for music lovers, fitness enthusiasts, and everyday users. Key Features: 75 Hours Playtime Customizable EQ via boAt Hearables App Water & Sweat Proof Fast Charging No Wireless Charging Support NOISE: Aura Buds Truly Wireless Earbuds Image Source: Order Now The Noise Aura Buds are truly wireless earbuds designed for people who want great sound without any wires. These earbuds offer clear audio, strong bass, and easy Bluetooth connectivity, making them perfect for music, calls, and everyday use. With a stylish design, comfortable fit, and long battery life, the Noise Aura. Key Features: Extended Battery Life Voice Assistant Support Environmental Noise Cancellation Water Resistance Limited App Support Realme:Buds T300 True Wireless Earbuds Image Source: Order Now The Realme Buds T300 are feature-packed true wireless earbuds offering 12.4mm dynamic bass drivers, 30dB ANC, and 360° spatial audio for immersive sound. They include 4-microphone ENC for clear calls, IP55 water and dust resistance, and Bluetooth 5.3 for stable up to 40 hours of battery life and ultra-low latency for gaming, they are designed for both entertainment and active use. Key Features: Active Noise Cancellation Touch Controls Microphone Environmental Noise Cancellation Limited Touch Control Gestures In conclusion, when choosing the best earbuds, it's important to find a balance between sound quality, comfort, features, and price. There are premium options available, which deliver a high-quality experience at an affordable price. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovations that will make these small but mighty devices an even more integral part of our digital lives. Disclaimer: At IDPL, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. It should not be construed as an endorsement to buy. IDPL may make a very small commission from its sale if one chooses to buy the product from any of the links in this article.
