Earbuds

Earbuds

Fit is the first thing to settle, because it decides comfort more than any spec sheet. A sealed in-ear tip blocks outside noise passively before any active cancellation is switched on, and is the usual choice for commuting or travel. An open-ear design sits at the ear rather than in the canal, trading some isolation for full awareness of traffic and conversation, which suits running and cycling outdoors. Beyond fit, active noise cancelling uses microphones to cancel background sound electronically, which matters most on a plane or in an open office, while battery life and the case's extra charges decide how long a pair lasts between plugging in. Call quality varies more between models than people expect, driven by microphone placement and wind handling rather than by the driver used for music.

Samsung Galaxy Buds cover the Buds3 and Buds3 Pro with noise cancellation and clear calls. JBL focuses on bass and battery life for everyday use, and Marshall pairs active noise cancelling with its usual rock-inspired design. Shokz and Soundcore cover the open-ear and sport-focused end, including the Aerofit and C40i ranges.

A reduction here usually moves a buyer from a basic pair to one with active noise cancelling, which is the feature worth having. Prices are live all year, so see what is reduced now on headphones and earphones on sale, or the Black Friday headphone deals.