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Travel + Leisure
18 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
The Most Comfortable, Editor-approved Headphones for Travel
A comfortable pair of headphones can make any long-haul flight, gym workout, or train trip even better. The wrong pair? You're in for poor battery life, tinny sound, and maybe the worst part: ear aches and weird pressure points. To help avoid this, our team tested 55 pairs of headphones over the past six months to find the most comfortable pairs of over-ear headphones and earbuds, evaluating our picks based on ease of setup, ease of use, comfort, sound quality, performance, and value. We wore these during work commutes, in distracting office settings, on long walks, and during sweaty workouts. As someone who can't function in loud places without some sort of noise dampening, I've also tested a variety of headphones both on this list (like the Ozlo Sleepbuds, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, and both Anker pairs) and some that didn't make the cut (my favorite bone-conducting pair is the Raycon's Open Earbuds). I have different headphones for the gym, my runs, bike rides, plane rides, and remote work calls, and all have a time and place in my gym bag or carry-on. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones took the top spot this year thanks to their cushioned ear pads, deceptively lightweight build, and world-class noise cancelling. Read on for the rest of our top picks. Credit: Amazon $449 at Amazon $450 at Target $449 at Walmart Landing in our top slot for the second year in a row are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. They have an intuitive design, just enough features to be convenient without confusing, and up to 24 hours of battery life. Similar to the classic QuietComfort, the Ultras are lightweight for their size, and don't constrict our ears. We don't feel aches and pressure points after wearing them on long-haul flights, and the Bose app is fairly intuitive with plenty of customizable settings. The setup process is quick and painless, and the 'touch bar' is a unique feature that can either adjust the volume or be set for customized shortcuts via the app. The plush leather ear cups fit nicely around our ears, and the sound quality—from noise cancelling to voice calls—was clear and crisp. As expected, we did get a little hot wearing these during the muggy summer days, but that's to be expected for a large set like this. Yes, you'll pay more for the Ultras than the standard, but if you're looking for a pair of do-it-all headphones that combine excellent comfort, long battery life, and premium sound quality, they're worth it. The Details: 8.96 ounces | Up to 24 hours of battery | Up to 30 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $249 $230 at Amazon $250 at Target View on Walmart Apple's AirPods have come a long way since their initial release, and the Pro 2 model brings it up another notch with effective noise cancelling and better in-ear comfort. The hear-through mode acts similar to bone-conducting headphones in that it separates your music from the noises around you. The earbuds respond well when we turn our heads to hear from different directions. The buttons are simple and intuitive, with one discreet button on either bud. The right button turns on noise cancellation and the left is for hear-through. 'This is new to me from their previous models, and I love it.' says T+L editor Taylor Fox. We were able to take phone calls on busy commutes and on loud streets, and they stayed in place well during test workouts, bouncy runs, and jumping jacks. These are a top choice for Mac users, as they connect to the Apple ecosystem and pair easily with our iPhone, though getting them to connect to our laptops was a little trickier. Lastly, these are some of the most compact earbuds on our list, weighing less than a quarter-ounce and perfect for stashing in the pocket of a personal item. The Details: 0.19 ounces | Up to 6 hours of battery | Up to 30 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure These premium headphones have been on our heads daily since we got them, from taking calls while running errands to riding the train and after eight-hour workdays. They set up like magic (hold your phone near the headphones and the app automatically downloads) and after a quick features tutorial, we were all set. They have an automatic on-off feature which helps conserve battery life, and each sound feature was as impressive as the last. The glass ear cup base operates all of the commands with swiping (which works with either hand), and they have a unique dial on both ear cups that operates sound volume and the level of noise cancellation. 'These are some of the most intuitive headphones that I own,' says T+L editor Morgan Ashley Parker. 'Other pairs I feel like I'm tapping and toggling and swiping and simply hoping for the best (or accidentally doing the wrong thing) but that hasn't happened once with these.' Parker was also impressed with the comfort of these headphones, fitting well over her ears without pressing into her lobes or piercings. They stayed secure even when moving and bending over, and the actual music quality felt like 'being in a recording studio.' A splurge? Yes. But if you have the funds and want just one incredibly high quality, comfortable pair of headphones, we think these are worth it. The Details: 13.2 ounces | Up to 32 hours of battery | Up to 40 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Bowers & Wilkins $389 at Amazon View on Target View on Walmart It's easy to forget where you are while wearing this luxurious set from Bowers & Wilkins—the noise cancellation is just that good. Phone calls came in clear, the layers of music were clearly audible, and ambient noise from traffic and public transport disappeared. 'I kept cycling through the different noise-canceling modes while listening to music and the difference was astounding. It was like I was transporting between a quiet room and a crowded train with the press of a button,' says T+L's senior testing editor Jackie Cucco, who was shocked to hear how loud the people around her were after turning off the noise cancellation. The combination of comfort and security is also a dream, with a just-right fit that feels secure around the heads and ears without too much pressure. We watched movies, listened to podcasts, all types of music, and took calls in these headphones and never noticed staticky, distorted, or poorly mixed sounds. The battery life is also impressive, hitting the mark on the claimed 30 hours of listening time and saving the hassle of dead headphones during the noisiest part of our commute. The Details: 10.8 ounces | Up to 30 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Beats $249 at Amazon $200 $180 at Walmart View on Seamless to set up and packed with features, these workout-friendly headphones combine over-ear and earbud designs with a curved ear band that tucked behind our ears and secured the headphones in place. We loved the on-device controls that eliminated the need to keep taking our phone out, and we could play, pause, and adjust the volume right from the in-ear units. Like similarly high-end headphones, these have a power-charge setting where you can get up to 90 minutes of playback with just a few minutes in the charging case and up to 10 hours per charge, with 45 hours stored in the case. Aside from the sweat -and-water resistance, the biggest argument for tossing these headphones in your gym bag is their built-in heart rate monitoring. Just connect the headphones to your fitness app, and the internal tech uses LED optical sensors that pulse over 100 times per second to measure your blood flow. Finally, the sound quality was crisp and clear from the gym and back during noisy commutes. 'The quality is great, no matter the content I listen to,' said T+L writer Rosie Marder. 'It's clear and powerful with no distortions.' Our main issue was with the combination design: the wrap-around kept the headphones secure, but we did feel some discomfort during longer wears from the added pressure points. The Details: .28 ounces | Up to 45 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Around-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbuds are both comfortable and portable, making them an easy choice for tucking into a jacket pocket or in the outside of our gym bags. The audio is also clear and immersive, whether watching movies or listening to multilayered songs in any genre. The podcast conversations were easy to hear, and we didn't have issues with having to turn the audio up or down depending on what was happening in the episode. 'These are great for listening to music or watching movies with intricate sound design,' noted T+L senior editor Lydia Price. The headphones come with four different silicone ear tips, which made it easy to get a secure fit for workouts. They're also waterproof, which eliminated the stress of avoiding a rainy run or damaging them during a sweaty workout. We had no sore spots or pressure points from the in-ear portions, and phone audio was very clear regardless of how the microphones were positioned. These don't have the best battery life out of the headphones we tested, so they're best for shorter wear and wouldn't be our first choice for a full workday or long-haul flight. The Details: 0.21 ounces | Up to 8 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Google $229 $193 at Amazon View on Walmart View on We've used both generations of the Pixel Buds Pro, and the 2 is a noticeable upgrade from the original model. The touch/gesture options to control the headphones mirror the controls for the Pixel Buds 1, but the new version responds faster and more reliably. We also love that the 2 allows auto-pause when one earbud is removed, which was technically a feature on the 1 but suffered delays and glitches. We appreciated the moderate amount of features and menus (via the unit and the app) that offered plenty of options without feeling overdone, and the noise cancellation was effective during everything from riding the train to staying distraction-free at work. Comfort is also a noticeable upgrade from the previous version. Our ears would start to get a little sore from the size and shape of the earbuds on the older model, but we were able to wear the PB2 for hours without feeling discomfort. These have a slimmer profile that reduces pressure without losing security, and we barely felt like we had anything in, which was especially nice in 'transparency' mode. Overall, the sound is balanced, the battery life is more than adequate, and these might have the best upgrade between versions of anything we've tested. The Details: 0.14 ounces | Up to 30 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $450 at Amazon View on Walmart View on These highly cushioned headphones paired easily and were customizable via the JBL app, though we loved how the app wasn't required for pairing. These also come with a nifty transmitter, which allows you to join two headphones for listening to the same source, or to connect to an output source without Bluetooth (think: game system or airplane TV). We didn't find this super intuitive, but 'once you get the hang of it, it's a nifty feature and all the cords that you need to use the transmitter are included,' reported T+L editor Jasmine Grant. Along with high sound quality, these were some of the most comfortable headphones we tested. The ear cups were plush and pillowy, but didn't feel bulky like other highly cushioned models. They slip on and off without pulling, and the headband is springy and generously sized so it didn't squeeze our heads and ears during all-day wear. The noise cancellation mode was more than sufficient for listening to audiobooks and podcasts, and the treble, bass, and even acoustic and lighter music felt full and rich. These give almost a 'surround sound' feel in noise cancellation mode, and we plan to take these on our upcoming flights this season. The Details: 9.8 ounces | Up to 70 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $349 at Amazon View on When it comes to noise cancellation, white noise, and comfort, the Ozlo Sleepbuds are my top choice for sleeping headphones. The T+L team tested them as well, and came away impressed with the comfort, sleek design, and fit options. I have smaller ears, and these feel stable when I sleep and are very effective at blocking out noise. The tips are soft and squishy, and I've experienced no discomfort even after wearing them all night. These are a must-have for red-eye flights and noisy campsites, and they blocked out the seven nights of fireworks over the Fourth of July week. The Ozlo app has a lot of white noise options, and unlike other sleep headphones, you can also play your own music through the connectivity to whatever music app you usually listen to. That said, these aren't perfect, and I've had some battery issues with both sets I've tested. My first set wouldn't hold a charge, and though the company replaced them, my second set is quite finicky and only charges with the branded USB-C cable. Additionally, unlike my other headphones, these die when I leave them stashed in a drawer. I've boarded more than one flight only to find them completely dead in the case, and while they charge quickly, it's a frustrating glitch. We also had some issues getting these to connect via the app, and they can take a few tries to register via Bluetooth. The fact that we still love these despite their tech glitches is a testament to how well they perform when they work. Once they're charged, they make a red-eye bearable. The Details: 0.12 ounces | Up to 12 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $100 $80 at Amazon View on View on Verizon These headphones were among the most comfortable T+L editor Amelia McBride has worn, and she also loved the combination of plush foam and faux leather that never felt compressive or heavy. McBride was especially hyped about where the headband expands, 'where the speakers connect to the headband, rather than at the middle.' This expansion includes a brushed metallic metal core that matches the color of the logo and details on each speaker, which makes them look sleek and stylish when fully expanded. The headphones did slip a little during weight-lifting sessions, but once they were tightened down, they stayed in place well. They felt quite light for the size, though the over-ear portion is a bit bulkier than others we've tested. The sound quality was also impressive, allowing clear layers of music while on busy streets, running errands, or even listening passively to podcasts. That said, we appreciate a good bass and reverb, and the resonance was somewhat lacking in that regard. We played around with the EQ presets for somewhat deeper sound, but overall our complaints are minor for the comfort and features of these relatively affordable headphones. The Details: 10.3 ounces | Up to 60 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $49 at Amazon View on Walmart View on The Soundcore Space A40 were my only earbuds on a 500-mile Colorado Trail backpacking trip where weight, battery life, and weatherproofing were critical. These worked so well and were so convenient, I couldn't believe they didn't cost more. These buds were also a favorite among T+L editors thanks to their combination of value, extended battery life, and resonant sound quality that belied their small size and reasonable price. They were easy to wear for hours at a time, and didn't budge during sweaty hikes or inclement weather. I wore them in downpours on the Colorado Trail, and the T+L team even tested them in the shower with no adverse effects. I was able to wipe them off and tucked them back in the case to charge after wearing them in the rain. They provide up to 50 hours of listening on a fully charged case, and 10 hours at a time, which was more than enough for a day of hiking. The Details: 0.63 ounces | Up to 10 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $20 $16 at Amazon View on These bright, fun headphones have been perfect for road trips, audiobooks, and kid's music, with a simple AUX cord plug-in that works with any device with a headphone jack port. The cord comes with a safety-minded noise limiter, and we were able to toggle between 85 and 95 decibels for max volume. These were comfortable for our pint-size tester to wear for several hours at a time, with nicely cushioned ear cups and a simple design that didn't feel too high tech or intimidating. The materials are lightweight but still durable, and even though these took a few falls during the test period, they suffered no dings or damage. They also come in a variety of fun colors that even the adults were jealous of. Even though the price is quite reasonable, there were no wiring glitches and the sound was clear through both ears. The Details: 6.7 ounces | Wired connectivity | On-ear | Volume Limited Hearing Protection Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure
CNET
an hour ago
- Business
- CNET
Amazon Deals of the Day: Our Favorite Bone-Conduction Headphones Are Back to a Record Low
Amazon sells a vast array of products, with new ones arriving daily across many categories, including home essentials, tech gear and furniture. As much as the retail giant loves adding new products, it also loves cutting prices. Deciding which offers are worth grabbing (and which aren't) is a full-time job -- our job, specifically. That's why we scope out the top deals for you. Today, we found our favorite bone conduction headphones, the Shokz OpenRun Pro, back down to their all-time low price. We also spotted the 65-inch Insignia TV back down to its record low. And finally, grab our favorite DNA kit for a whopping 67% off. If you're an avid runner or biker, you're probably familiar with bone-conduction headphones. Our favorite ones are the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones. They are pretty lightweight and made with a wraparound titanium frame. They have a secure fit even with the open design. Our experts consider them "arguably the best sounding bone-conduction headphones." And as for voice-calling quality, it's pretty decent. The battery lasts for up to 10 hours of music playback. But if they die, don't worry -- you can get 90 minutes of battery life from a quick little five-minute charge. Usually $180, you can get just over 30% off right now. That brings them back to their record-low price of $125, don't miss your chance to score a pair. If you're looking for a new TV, you know the good ones don't come cheap. But with all the tariff talk, buying one now is probably a good idea. One we like is the Insignia F50. It is made with 4K Ultra HD resolution and is backlit, so you'll get a clear and crisp picture with vibrant colors. Streaming is a breeze with apps for services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube and more. With the Amazon Alexa Voice Remote, you can search easily and control other Alexa-enabled smart devices, too. And if you have kids, you can use the built-in parental controls to filter what your kids watch. A 65-inch Insignia F50 TV is normally $450. But right now, you can score it at a record-low price of $285, that's almost a 40% savings. If you've ever wondered where you truly come from, a DNA kit might be for you. Our favorite DNA kit is the AncestryDNA kit, specifically for historical research. We love it because it gives you access to genetic counseling resources. Since it has a next-generation sequencing service for screening for heart disease, some cancers and blood disorders, having genetic counseling is super important to truly understand your results. You can also download your full DNA results profile and upload the raw data into other tools. All you need to do is spit in a tube and ship it back to AncestryDNA. This kit is usually $119, pretty on par with other options. But for a limited time you can get almost 70% off, bringing the price down to a record low of $39. Don't miss out. With so many deals on Amazon, deciding which ones are worth your money can be difficult. But CNET's combed through what the world's largest online retailer has to offer and gathered the best deals for you to check out.
Digital Trends
a day ago
- Business
- Digital Trends
These pro-level, noise-canceling Beats headphones are 29% off for a limited time
If you're looking for headphone deals, you may want to check out Amazon's offer for the Beats Studio Pro. These wireless headphones are originally sold for $350, but they're currently available with a $100 discount that drops their price to a more affordable $250. Apple-owned Beats is one of the most popular brands in the space, so the stocks that are up for sale may already be running low. Hurry with your transaction if you want to get these headphones at 29% off! Why you should buy the Beats Studio Pro wireless headphones We said that the Beats Studio Pro were worth their premium price in our review, so you wouldn't want to miss this chance to get them with a discount. The wireless headphones are the follow-up to the Beats Studio 3 Wireless — they look almost the same, but that's because most of the improvements are under the hood. With redesigned drivers for better sound, enhanced active noise cancellation and the addition of a transparency mode, support for Apple's head-tracking spatial audio, and lossless audio via USB-C, the Beats Studio Pro check a lot of the boxes for audiophiles and sound artists. The wireless headphones are also great for taking calls with their voice-targeting microphones that filter background noise. The Beats Studio Pro are a fantastic all-day companion because their battery can last up to 40 hours on a single charge, and Fast Fuel technology replenishes up to 4 hours of usage in just 10 minutes of charging. You also won't mind wearing the wireless headphones for an extended time because of their UltraPlush over-ear cushions that provide both comfort and durability. The Beats Studio Pro are on sale from Amazon with a 29% discount, which brings their price down from $350 to only $250. That's a steal considering the features of these wireless headphones. However, Beats headphone deals almost always sell out quickly, so there's no time to waste if you're thinking about taking advantage of this offer. Add the Beats Studio Pro wireless headphones to your cart and finish the checkout process immediately so that you can be sure that you'll pocket the savings of $100.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Sonos Confirms Tom Conrad As Its New And Permanent Chief Executive Officer
Sonos Ace headphones were launched in May, 2024, shortly before the ill-fated software update that ... More caused the company some problems. After a torrid year or so for Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO), it looks as if the multi-room speaker and audio brand could be heading for calmer waters with today's announcement that the board of directors has appointed Tom Conrad as the new CEO with immediate effect. Conrad had been serving as interim CEO of Sonos since January 2025. He will remain on the board of directors. 'Following a comprehensive and competitive search, the board is confident that Tom is the best person to lead Sonos into its next chapter of delighting customers, spearheading innovation, and driving growth,' said Julius Genachowski, chair of the board. 'Over the past six months, Tom has earned the confidence of our employees, customers, partners and shareholders by restoring urgency and a deep commitment to delivering ever-improving experiences. He has a compelling vision for Sonos' future, with strong plans to harness technology to benefit our customers, as AI and other advances reframe the landscape and unlock new opportunities. We're energized by what Sonos' next chapter holds for all our stakeholders.' It's been a difficult time for Sonos since the company rolled out a controversial new update for its app last year which was met with widespread disapproval by many of the company's customers. There were complaints that many popular features had been left out of the update, while others complained of faulty firmware updates and some even saying their speakers had been rendered unusable. Tom Conrad has been confirmed as the new CEO of Sonos where he had been serving as interim CEO. The road to recovering the trust of the Sonos customer base has been a tough one but Conrad has achieved notable progress while leading the company as its interim CEO since January, 2025. He set new standards for the quality of the Sonos software updates and the overall product experience. He also presided over a new product pipeline with the launch of innovative new software enhancements to flagship products like Sonos Ace and Arc Ultra. 'Since the beginning of this year, we've reestablished clarity, focus, and momentum at Sonos. We've dramatically improved our software products and recommitted to delivering the kind of premium experience our customers expect,' said Tom Conrad. 'We're just getting started. The opportunity in front of us is enormous and I'm so excited to move from rebuilding to imagining the next generation of experiences: more immersive, more intelligent, and more seamlessly integrated into our customers' lives.' Tom Conrad has served on the Sonos board of directors since 2017 and has over three decades of experience in the consumer technology sector. Previously, he served as CEO of Zero Longevity Science, where he drove growth for its subscription digital health platform. Prior to that, he served as the chief product officer of Quibi, a short form streaming service where he helped build the team and product from scratch. Conrad was also vice president of product at Snap Inc., where he oversaw innovations that solidified Snapchat as a leader in the social media landscape. At the start of his career, Tom worked at Apple and built the foundational user interface of the Macintosh. He holds a B.S.E. in computer engineering from the University of Michigan.
Digital Trends
a day ago
- Digital Trends
The absolute best safe-for-kids headphones are $50 off right now
Intensely loud music. It's fun, at least for a little while, but it can have lifelong impacts. Children that are excited about music may make an early choice that they'll regret in the 20s, 30s, and beyond. But these headphones, our pick for the best kids headphones, can help keep children's listening time fun, but also safe. Unfortunately, a price tag of nearly $150 for a child's headphones is pretty steep for most people. That's why we're so happy that the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Plus are marked down by $50, from $149 to $99, in all six of their colors at this time. To see the headphones yourself and check if this deal is still active, go ahead and tap the button below. Otherwise, keep reading for our take. Why you should buy the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Plus The big thing to know about Puro's kids headphone is that they can help prevent hearing damage from a young age. They do so by holding volume to a maximum of 85dB. Yet, at the same time, they still keep a balanced sound that your child can enjoy. It's not about tampering the music down to something unlovable, but more about safe delivery. Plus, as the parent, you won't have to be the constantly reminding your kid to check their volume and protect their hearing. Of course, they're also pretty great headphones in other respects (they're on our list of the best wireless headphones, too). They provide 35 hours of Bluetooth listening (they can go 3.5mm wired, too, even with no battery power left) and even have some ANC for enhanced studying. Like all headphones that have ANC, it takes extra battery power, but your child will still get 23 hours out of a charge if they use ANC the whole time. If you want to take advantage of this great deal on the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Plus, which makes the $149 headphones just $99 after a $50 discount, go ahead and tap the button below and choose your child's favorite color. We aren't sure when this deal will end, so don't wait too long to start making your purchase.
