Headphones | The VergeThe Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.2026-04-22T09:26:27+00:00https://www.theverge.com/rss/headphone/index.xmlhttps://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1John.Higgins<![CDATA[Anker made its own chip to bring AI to all its products]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9164632026-04-22T05:26:27-04:002026-04-22T05:30:00-04:00
Anker has announced its own custom silicon that the company says will bring local AI to audio devices, mobile accessories, and IoT devices. The Thus processor is the world's first neural-net compute-in-memory AI audio chip, which is smaller than traditional chips, and requires less power to run complex computations. That makes it an attractive solution for smaller devices.
When comparing Thus to existing chips, Anker CEO Steven Yang said, "Every AI chip built until now stores the model on one side and does the computation on the other. To think, the device has to carry all those parameters across, many times per second, every single infere …
]]>
Brandon Widder<![CDATA[Nothing’s modular CMF Headphone Pro are down to their lowest price to date]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9139892026-04-19T10:21:23-04:002026-04-19T10:30:00-04:00
Over the past several years, Nothing’s budget-centric subsidiary, CMF, has built a reputation for producing attractive, inexpensive products with features often reserved for gadgets that cost twice the price. The CMF Headphone Pro — the company’s first pair of over-ear wireless headphones — fit precisely in that lane, especially now that they’re on sale at Amazon in both light gray and a subtle green shade for an all-time low of $69 ($30 off).
Although the Headphone Pro eschew the retro-transparent design found on Nothing wares like the Headphone 1, I wouldn’t necessarily say that’s a bad thing given the polarizing, squared-off design of the latter. Instead, the Pro go all in on the curves, with circular earcups, cushions, and a plush headband. You can also add an additional pop of color with CMF’s $25 interchangeable cushions, which, as of now, are available in either orange or the aforementioned green hue.
Unlike many premium pairs of noise-canceling headphones, the Pro ditch touch-capacitive controls for physical buttons — a plus, as far as I’m concerned — allowing you to control playback, adjust the volume, and tweak a range of other settings using a customizable action button and a multi-function roller. Nothing also includes something called an Energy Slider, so you can adjust the treble and bass balance on the fly without digging into Nothing’s app to make EQ adjustments.
The biggest draw of the Headphone Pro, aside from their adaptive ANC, is that they offer a whopping 100 hours of battery life per charge, ensuring you can travel just about anywhere without having to top them off. That number drops to 50 hours with active noise cancellation enabled; however, that’s still 10 hours more than what you’d get with a higher-end pair like Sony’s WH-1000XM6 and 20 hours more than the latest Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. The fact that they support Google Fast Pair and the higher-quality LDAC codec is just a plus.
Other alternatives to consider
Beats Solo 4
With lossless USB-C audio, 50 hours of battery life, Find My support, spatial audio, and comfy ear cups, the Beats Solo 4 offer significant quality-of-life improvements over their predecessors. They still deliver that bass-rich Beats sound, too. Read our review.
The Sony WH-CH520 offer a lot for very little. The on-ear Bluetooth headphones provide 50 hours of battery life and support hands-free voice assistants, including Google Assistant and Siri. They also offer multipoint Bluetooth support and can tap into Google’s Find Hub network.
]]>
Sheena Vasani<![CDATA[The AirPods Pro 3 are $50 off right now, nearly matching their best-ever price]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9138572026-04-17T12:18:59-04:002026-04-17T11:07:50-04:00
The latest AirPods Pro $50 off at multiple retailers, which is their second-best price to date.
From OLED TVs to smartphones, Best Buy’s Upgrade Sale has slashed prices on all kinds of tech, including a wide range of Apple devices. We’ve rounded up the best deals from the sale here, but one of the most notable is the AirPods Pro 3, which are down to $199.99 ($50 off) at Best Buy, with Amazon and Walmart matching said price. That’s their second-best price to date and just $15 shy of their all-time low.
The AirPods Pro are Apple’s high-end wireless earbuds, and as such, they offer the best sound quality and most effective active noise cancellation you can get in a pair of earbuds. They’re also more versatile than prior models, thanks to a built-in heart rate sensor that works with Apple’s Fitness app to monitor calories burned across more than 50 workout types. You also get access to a number of more advanced features courtesy of Apple’s newer H2 chip, including real-time translation and conversation awareness, which automatically lowers the volume when you start speaking to someone nearby. You can even use your AirPods as a camera remote, letting you snap photos or start recording video on your iPhone with the press of a stem.
In addition, the third-gen AirPods Pro come with a fifth ear tip size (XXS) and an IP57 rating for sweat and water resistance, making them a better fit for a wider range of users and improving durability. Their angled design helps them fit more securely in your ear, too, while subtle improvements in battery life let them last up to eight hours with active noise cancellation enabled. Unsurprisingly, they also offer clear call quality and integrate well with the rest of the Apple ecosystem, so you can easily switch between your phone and Mac or easily track your earbuds using their Find My-compatible charging case.
Blink’s latest Video Doorbell is on sale at Amazon with a Blink Outdoor 4 camera and a Sync Module Core for an all-time low of $43.99 ($96 off), which means you’re basically getting the outdoor cam for free. Both cameras capture 1080p video and support motion alerts, two-way audio, and Amazon Alexa; however, the battery-powered buzzer is meant for monitoring your front door, while the weather-resistant Outdoor 4 gives you a bit more flexibility for keeping tabs on other areas outside your home.
Now through Sunday, April 19th, Verge readers can use promo code 15VERGEVAC at Wellbots to grab a Dreame X40 Ultra for $458.15 ($192 off), which is a new low for what was once our favorite robot vacuum / mop for hard floors and carpets. While it’s not as powerful as the newer X50 Ultra and lacks its motorized swing arm, the X40’s dual oscillating mop pads still do a great job of scrubbing floors. It can also empty its own dustbin, refill its own water tank, clean the base, and wash and dry its own mop pads.
Okay, this isn’t technically a deal, but if you’re looking to save on the Meta Quest 3S or Quest 3, now might be a good time to buy. Starting April 19th, Meta is raising prices by $50 for the Quest 3S and $100 for the Quest 3. For now, though, you can still pick up the 128GB Quest 3S for about $299.95 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, and the 512GB Quest 3 starting at about $499 (Amazon, Best Buy, and Target). Both VR headsets can play the same games, though the Quest 3 offers better display resolution and optics quality.
]]>
Sheena Vasani<![CDATA[Ozlo’s comfy Sleepbuds are nearly 30 percent off in the run-up to Mother’s Day]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9133522026-04-16T14:10:53-04:002026-04-16T15:00:00-04:00
If you’re struggling to get a full night of rest, a good pair of sleep earbuds can help you tune out unwanted distractions. The Ozlo Sleepbuds are one such option, and they’re currently available for $249 ($100 off) in the run-up to Mother’s Day at Amazon and Ozlo’s online storefront, which is easily the lowest price we’ve seen.
Made by former Bose engineers, Ozlo’s Sleepbuds are extremely similar to Bose’s discontinued Sleepbuds. They work well as a white noise machine and helped our reviewer, Victoria Song, get better sleep during her testing. The biggest upgrade over the Bose Sleepbuds II is that you’re no longer limited to a small library of white noise sounds. The Ozlo buds let you play your own audio, then switch back to white noise once you’ve fallen asleep. In our experience, that feature is a bit hit-or-miss, but when it does work, it’s helpful. In November, Ozlo added a host of sleep tracking features to both the earbuds and their charging case as part of a beta, allowing you to track your sleeping habits and the factors that might disrupt your cycle (we’ve yet to test them).
Otherwise, the Ozlo Sleepbuds are largely similar to the last-gen Bose. They’re lightweight, comfortable for side sleepers, and stay put overnight. Battery life still lasts up to 10 hours, which is enough for a full night, and you can set private alarms that won’t disturb anybody else. They’re not quite as advanced as Soundcore’s newer Sleep A30 earbuds — which offer active noise cancellation and an adaptive snore masking feature — but if you just want a comfortable pair of earbuds built specifically to help you sleep, they do the job quite nicely.
]]>
Brandon Widder<![CDATA[Bose’s noise-crushing QC Ultra Earbuds are nearly 20 percent off right now]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9111882026-04-14T11:04:49-04:002026-04-14T11:04:49-04:00
When it comes to the best noise-canceling earbuds, the competition has gotten fierce. Apple, Sony, Samsung, and Google all offer excellent options, though, unsurprisingly, Bose still retains the noise-canceling crown with the latest QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. Luckily, you can now grab the second-gen earbuds at Amazon and Best Buy for $249 ($50 off), which matches their second-best price to date.
While the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) aren’t a massive step up from the first-gen model, at least visually, they make noticeable strides in both sound and call quality. They still lean a little bass-heavy, but the high-end is clear and lively, whether you’re listening to the stock sound or fine-tune your preferences using the three-band EQ located in the Bose app. They also come with a wireless charging case and continue to support Immersive Audio, which is similar to Apple’s spatial audio in that it can add greater depth when listening to select content.
The ANC tech is where the latest Ultra Earbuds truly shine, though, particularly if you’re someone who likes to adjust the intensity. The wireless earbuds feature 11 steps, from full on to full off, which you can lock in with your own presets, whether for running or your commute. They’re fantastic at drowning out low-frequency sounds and loud spikes in sound, too, even when using Bose’s helpful transparency mode (aka Aware mode), making it easy to better focus on your conversation and everything else going on around you when you need to.
It’s no 25W MageSafe charger, but Belkin’s last-gen BoostCharge Pro is on sale at Woot with an AC adapter for $34.99 ($65 off) through April 12th, which is the lowest price we’ve seen. The sleek, StandBy-ready 2-in-1 charging stand can still deliver up to 15W of power to newer iPhone models — specifically, from the iPhone 12 onward —while allowing you to top off a pair of earbuds via a second wireless pad located directly underneath.
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot has returned to its all-time low of $99.99 ($40 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, making it a great time to pick up the versatile gamepad if you missed its big price drop in February. The wireless PC controller features drift-free Hall effect sticks, built-in social notifications, and a set of programmable back buttons; however, its calling card is a pair of swiveling modules that let you quickly transition from a traditional layout to one better suited for retro titles and fighting games. It even works with Xbox consoles via a wired connection.
It’s kind of baffling to me that Apple hasn’t released a new entry-level tablet this year, which means the 2025 iPad remains the cheapest option available. The tablet’s A16 chip is definitely starting to show its age, though, if all you plan to do with it is simple tasks like check your email and mainline The Pitt on your day off, you can pick it up at Amazon and Best Buy right now with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage starting at $299 ($150 off). Read our review.
]]>
Sheena Vasani<![CDATA[Nothing’s noise-canceling CMF Buds 2A are down to $19.99 for the rest of today]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9084092026-04-07T18:40:21-04:002026-04-07T18:16:21-04:00
It’s not every day you find a decent pair of wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, and app support for less than $20, which is why the current lighting deal on the CMF Buds 2A stands out. Now through 11:15PM ET today, April 7th, Nothing’s budget earbuds are available on Amazon in all three colors for just $19.99 ($29 off), which matches their lowest price to date.
For the price, the Buds 2A cover the basics and then some. They deliver decent (albeit somewhat tinny) sound and 42 decibels of noise cancellation, along with an IP54 rating and a useful transparency mode for staying aware of your surroundings. They also provide a commendable eight hours of battery life per charge with ANC disabled — or up to 35.5 with the included charging case — and feature four onboard mics that leverage Nothing’s noise reduction tech, which helps boost voice call quality. I wouldn’t say voice clarity is their strong suit, though, again, they’re a $20 pair of earbuds.
Like the rest of Nothing’s entry-level earbuds, the 2A also work with the Nothing X app, adding a level of flexibility that’s hard to find at this price. With the app, you can tweak EQ settings, adjust the bass response, switch between ANC modes, or quickly enable multi-device pairing. There’s even a “find my earbuds” feature if you lose them, and you can assign a gesture to trigger your phone’s virtual assistant on the fly, whether that’s Siri or Google Assistant. On top of that, if you’re using a Nothing or CMF phone, you can use your voice to access ChatGPT directly through the earbuds.
]]>
Sheena VasaniBrandon Widder<![CDATA[The best AirPods deals you can get right now]]>https://www.theverge.com/21302051/best-apple-airpods-deals2026-04-02T17:19:18-04:002026-04-02T17:19:13-04:00
If you know where to look, you can often score deals on Apple’s ever-expanding AirPods lineup. Both the AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods 4 (with and without ANC) now consistently receive discounts, as do the AirPods Pro 3. And while major shopping events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day have delivered some of the biggest price drops, there are still good deals to be found on every model — including the recently released AirPods Max 2.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best deals currently available on each set of AirPods, including both iterations of the AirPods 4 and AirPods Max, as well as the third-gen AirPods Pro.
At the end of 2024, Apple introduced the AirPods 4, a pair of wireless earbuds available in two variations: a $129 standard model and a $179 noise-canceling model. Both versions represent significant upgrades over the third-gen AirPods, with a more comfortable design and improved audio performance. They’re also better for taking calls thanks to Apple’s Voice Isolation feature, which focuses the mics on your voice so you can be heard more clearly in noisy environments.
The $179 AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation offer a surprisingly effective noise-canceling mode, a helpful transparency mode, and several other Pro-level features. The latest AirPods Pro do a better job of tuning out noise, but the AirPods 4 with ANC still do a good job of reducing sound. They also feature other perks formerly reserved for Apple’s top-of-the-line earbuds, including wireless charging and a case with a built-in speaker that allows you to easily track it down via Apple’s Find My app.
Given they’ve been out for over a year, we consistently see discounts for both iterations of the AirPods 4. During Black Friday, we saw the standard model drop to a new low of $74; however, right now, they’re only down to $119 ($10 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and B&H Photo. The AirPods 4 with ANC, meanwhile, are on sale for $154.99 ($24 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Costco (for members), which is significantly more than their recent low of $99.
At its “Awe Dropping” event in September, Apple introduced the AirPods Pro 3. In addition to improved ANC and sound, the third-gen earbuds include a built-in heart rate sensor that syncs with the iPhone Fitness app, allowing you to track your pulse and calories burned across more than 50 workout types. They’re also more comfortable and secure than their predecessor, thanks to a redesigned, angled fit and five ear tip sizes — including a new XXS option. Additionally, they carry a more robust IP57 rating and support Apple’s new live translation feature, which, in our testing, generally conveys the gist well but still can’t beat a human interpreter.
Given how recently they launched, we’ve been surprised by how often the AirPods Pro 3 have been discounted. In fact, last month we saw them drop to $199 ($50 off), which is $15 shy of their all-time low. Unfortunately, while they’re still on sale, they’ve since increased in price to $224 ($25 off) at retailers like Amazon and Walmart.
The AirPods Max aren’t the iconic in-ears that have become synonymous with the AirPods name. Both the first-gen Max and the newer AirPods Max 2 are large and luxurious, comprised of aluminum, steel, and mesh fabric that remains comfortable during extended listening sessions. The original pair delivered clear, expansive sound, great noise cancellation, and lossless audio over USB-C; however, with the Max 2, Apple built upon that excellent foundation with improved ANC and a built-in amplifier for better sound. They also feature Apple’s newer H2 chip, enabling AI-powered live translation, adaptive audio, and other features once reserved for the AirPods Pro line. The over-ears aren’t the best noise-canceling headphones for everyone — blame the sticker price — but for iPhone users, they’re hard to beat.
The AirPods Max 2 retail for $549 — the same price as the original model — but you can currently save $20 on both the black and white versions at Amazon and Costco (if you’re a member), which is the first discount we’ve seen on the recently released headphones. If you’re okay with picking up the last-gen model, the original AirPods Max with USB-C are on sale in select colors for $399.99 ($150 off) at Woot through April 3rd, matching their best price to date. They’re also available in a wider range of hues at Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other retailers for $449.99 ($100 off), which is still a hefty discount.
Update, April 2nd: Updated to reflect current pricing and availability, as well as the recent release of the AirPods Max 2.
]]>
Sheena Vasani<![CDATA[The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are now at their lowest price in months]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9052922026-04-01T13:11:50-04:002026-04-01T13:11:50-04:00
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 deliver good bass for a pair of bone conduction headphones. | Image: The Verge
As the days get warmer, it’s tempting to take your workouts outside. Bone conduction headphones let you listen while staying aware of your surroundings, making them ideal for runs, walks, and more. Through April 7th, Shokz is discounting several models during its spring sale, from the Shokz OpenFit Air Earbuds to the OpenDots One clip. The best deal, however, is on the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, which are on sale for $139.99 ($40 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and directly from Shokz. That’s their best price since December and $15 shy of their all-time low.
The OpenRun Pro 2 are Shokz’s best bone conduction headphones yet, addressing a long standing problem with the category: bass. The running-safe open-ear design often comes at the expense of clarity. The OpenRun Pro 2 tackles that problem with dedicated 18mm by 11mm air conduction drivers, which our reviewer Victoria Song found delivered noticeably richer bass and clearer sound than their predecessor.
She was also impressed by the fit. The updated design features thinner, more flexible ear hooks connected to a lightweight neckband, resulting in a more secure and comfortable feel than earlier models like the AfterShokz. Those older versions could feel too tight around the temples and uncomfortable with glasses, but here, the reduced clamping force and more flexible build make a difference.
In addition to delivering better sound, the OpenRun Pro 2 also offers improved battery life. They can last up to 12 hours on a single charge, and now recharge over USB-C. They also include AI-powered noise cancellation to improve call performance, though in our testing it wasn’t particularly effective. Still, if you’re looking for a comfortable, safety-minded pair of headphones, they’re still a solid option, particularly if you primarily use them for listening to music or podcasts.
Now through April 13th, Woot is selling the white, 14-ounce Ember Mug 2 Heated Coffee Mug for just $79.99 ($70 off), which is its best price to date. The self-heating smart mug is a Verge favorite, letting you set and save your preferred temperature between 125 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit via the app, and sending a notification when your drink reaches it. It keeps beverages warm for up to 80 minutes on battery or all day on the included charging coaster, and automatically wakes and sleeps to conserve power. Just note that while the mug’s water-resistant, it isn’t dishwasher-safe so you’ll have to wash it by hand.
The Goliath Power Saber is on sale for $22.99 ($37 off) at Woot through April 4th. As my colleague Sean Hollister wrote in 2024, the lightsaber toy is the first of its kind to automatically extend to a full 35 inches and retract back down at the press of a button. While it lacks official Star Wars branding and premium build quality, it still captures some of the magic of more advanced (and far pricier) lightsaber props. The toy also features motion-activated sound effects and can be displayed on the included stand or carried with the attached belt clip.
Apple has just released the second-generation AirPods Max, but if you want to save $150 the original model is currently available for $399 at Woot, which matches its all-time low. The first-gen AirPods Max still offer a premium build with aluminum, stainless steel, and breathable mesh along with great sound and noise cancellation, even if the newer version improves on both and adds features like live translation courtesy of Apple’s new H2 chip. Read our review.
]]>
Sheena VasaniBrandon Widder<![CDATA[The AirPods Pro 3 are nearly matching their best-ever price for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=8985022026-03-31T19:53:47-04:002026-03-31T19:53:47-04:00
Earlier this month, Apple announced the AirPods Max 2, a pair of over-ear headphones that leverage the company’s H2 chip for AI-powered live translation, conversation awareness, and a host of newer features. However, if you’re okay with a pair of earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3 offer access to all the same features for less — especially given they’re on sale at Amazon and Walmart for $199 ($50 off) as part of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, matching their second-best price to date.
For iPhone owners, nothing else really compares to the AirPods Pro 3. Apple’s latest pair of premium earbuds deliver the best active noise cancellation and richest sound of any AirPods model to date, combined with a more comfortable, angled design that fits securely and naturally in your ear canal. They also feature a new XXS ear tip size and a more robust IP57 rating for sweat and water resistance, making them better suited for long-distance runs and various gym activities.
Speaking of workouts, the Pro 3 can also pull double duty as a fitness tracker, thanks to a built-in heart rate sensor that works with Apple’s Fitness app to track calories burned across more than 50 workout types. It’s a welcome addition if you don’t use an Apple Watch; however, it may not be as useful for those who already own and rely on Apple’s wearable for its health tracking and wellness features.
Lastly, as mentioned up top, the AirPods Pro 3 also boast an H2 chip, allowing for the aforementioned real-time translation features and Apple’s newer Voice Isolation tech, which uses machine learning to isolate and enhance voice quality by removing unwanted background noise. That’s on top of their seamless integration with other Apple devices, mind you, which lets you take advantage of automatic device switching and a Find My-compatible charging case.
The Apple Watch SE 3 offers some big upgrades over its predecessor, including an always-on display, allowing you to glance at the time or unread notifications. It also has Apple’s powerful S10 chip, which enables on-device Siri requests. Read our review.
This innovative new smart lock uses the U1 ultra-wideband (UWB) chip in many iPhones and Apple Watches to automatically unlock your door as you approach. It will also work with the new Aliro standard and be compatible with Android phones for hands-free unlocking.
]]>
Cameron Faulkner<![CDATA[Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones are a whopping 39 percent off]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9041192026-03-31T11:14:43-04:002026-03-31T11:14:43-04:00
Every color is discounted at Amazon for a limited time. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Amazon is hosting a fantastic lightning sale on every color of the Sony WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones, offering them for $243 (originally $399) for a limited time. This is one of the biggest price reductions we’ve ever seen. Outside of a February discount at Adorama that briefly sold them for $204.56, we haven’t seen them fall below $250 price. The discount comes during the final day of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, which ends at 2:59AM ET on April 1st.
At this discounted price, the XM5 are over $200 cheaper than their successor, the $458 XM6.
The XM5s that released in 2022 still sound incredible, with some of the best active noise cancellation available in over-ear headphones. Plus, they’re comfortable to wear for long durations. Even with its successor on the market, Sony’s steeply discounted headphones are worth picking up, especially at this price. Read our review of the WH-1000XM5 headphones.
