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Audio-Technica ATH-CK3TW review: Decent, affordable true wireless earbuds
There's no denying the ATH-CK3TW was Audio-Technica's most interesting announcement at IFA. The prospect of $99 true wireless earbuds from a company you could trust to deliver decent sound could have a huge impact on the competition. And even though the company increased the price to $119 before they went on sale, the point stands. Audio-Technica already has premium and mid-range options. Now it's trying to bring its true wireless formula to a budget device. And as you might expect, a cheaper price comes with a few sacrifices.
The latest Louis Vuitton true wireless earbuds cost over $1,000
True wireless earbuds are the new black, but let's face it -- most of them look boring at best and ugly at worst. The updated Horizon Earphones by Master & Dynamic and Louis Vuitton solve that first-world problem, but at a cost. The buds made waves when they launched last year for just under $1,000. This year's model is even more expensive, coming in at $1,090, but you'll get some upgrades -- both functional and aesthetic -- for the extra cash.
Apple's AirPods drop to $129 on Amazon
Don't worry if you missed out on some of the sweeter AirPods deals from the holidays -- you can get a solid bargain right now. Amazon is selling Apple's standard wireless earbuds for $129, or $30 off (and a return to an all-time low price). You won't get a wireless charging case or the noise cancellation of the AirPods Pro, but you're also paying relatively little for some iconic audio.
LG's first true wireless earbuds go on sale in the US
After debuting in South Korea in October, LG's first true wireless earbuds are now on sale in the US. The Tone Free buds cost $200 from LG's site. Other retailers are set to start offering them January 11th.
The best true wireless earbuds we listened to at CES
The year 2019 was when true wireless earbuds became ubiquitous, so it makes sense that there were a lot of new models at CES. Those include new options from Audio-Technica, Jabra, JBL and more. I spent the week listening to new products from the companies that had working units to demo. Some of the more interesting ones, like Klipsch's T10, were on display, but there wasn't a functioning model to try. As CES draws to a close, I've compiled my list of the best true wireless earbuds I tried this week so you'll have an idea of what's coming soon and if they're any good.
Audio-Technica brings active noise cancellation to its wireless earbuds
Audio-Technica is esteemed for its high-quality equipment in pro audio -- you're likely to find the company's ATH-M50x headphone monitors in most recording studios. And while the brand may not be well known for its consumer-level headphones, the company's recent efforts in the wireless earbuds market have ranged from decent to impressive. Audio-Technica's latest true wireless model, the QuietPoint ATH-ANC300TW, will add active noise cancellation (ANC) -- but at the cost of battery life.
Panasonic introduces its first true wireless, noise-cancelling earbuds
True wireless earbuds are obviously trending. At CES this year, we've already seen models by Harman Kardon, Jabra and Shure. Now, Panasonic and its Technics brand are introducing three more options: the Panasonic RZ-S500W and RZ-S300W and the Technics EAH-AZ70W.
JBL reveals a colorful $100 AirPod alternative
JBL had a strong 2019, releasing impressive Bluetooth speakers, true wireless earbuds and soundbars throughout the year. The company is hoping to continue its winning streak with the upcoming TUNE 220TWS buds. At $100, they're clearly positioned against Apple's AirPods. The earbuds have a simple and slim design and are coated in eye-catching colors. They last for three hours on a charge -- a bit less than entry-level AirPods -- and the charging case has an additional 16 hours of battery life. The possible drawback for some is the lack of features found in JBL's higher-end models, like built-in virtual assistants.
Harman Kardon's return to headphones includes true wireless earbuds
Harman Kardon is coming back to headphones after a six-year absence, and it's making up for lost time by seizing on all the latest trends. It's introducing a new Fly wireless audio lineup headlined by the Fly TWS (above), a set of true wireless earbuds that promises a few advantages over others at its price. The battery life is so-so at five hours for the buds themselves and a combined 15 hours with the charging case, but you'll get sweat and rain resistance, fast charging, touch control (including voice assistant support) and in-ear detection for $150.
Cleer promises 60 hours of listening time with its latest ANC headphones
Competition in the headphone space is fierce these days, but San Diego-based Cleer got our attention at CES this year by announcing the Enduro ANC, a pair of over-the-ear headphones with 60 hours of battery life. That's impressive enough, but Cleer says that's with active noise cancellation enabled. Naturally, it's impossible for us to test those claims yet, but I did get a chance to hear the headphones and check out its noise cancellation capabilities at a noisy press event.
Jabra debuts a sporty version of its Elite 75t true wireless earbuds
Just like it did for the Elite 65t in 2018, Jabra has created a version of its latest true wireless earbuds designed for workouts. The Elite Active 75t carries all of the improvements the company added to the Elite 75t a few months ago and then some. This means you can expect much smaller earbuds, improved battery life and better overall audio quality. Like the Elite Active 65t, this new model also has a soft-touch grip coating to make them easier to grab when you're sweaty.
Olive Union Smart Ear hands-on: A stylish hearing device with tradeoffs
As wearable technology becomes the norm, there's still one gadget that carries a stigma: the hearing aid. You can wear wireless earbuds and no one flinches, but for some, a behind-the-ear device can still seem awkward. Invisible hearing aids are an option, but they're often pricey or less effective. Olive Union understands this and hopes its Smart Ear hearing amplifier — which looks just like a wireless earbud — will help squash any anxiety for those who need a little volume boost in the world.
Klipsch’s next true wireless earbuds will include AI and gesture controls
For the second year in a row, Klipsch is introducing new true wireless earbuds at CES. Last year, it offered the first glimpse of its T5 True Wireless earbuds. Now, the company is expanding its lineup with three more true wireless models.
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW review: Long battery life at a decent price
Now that companies are on at least their second or third generation of true wireless earbuds, many of them are worth recommendations. A lot of these new models address earlier issues like poor battery life, connectivity issues and subpar sound quality. Thankfully, some companies have introduced more affordable options that will cost you less than $250 -- and in a lot of cases, less than $200. In 2018, Audio-Technica debuted its first true wireless model, the ATH-CKR7TW. Those earbuds lasted six hours on a charge and were priced at $249. This year, the company took things a step further with the ATH-CKS5TW ($169). Not only are they more affordable, but they offer more than double the battery life: 15 hours on the earbuds alone. There are some caveats, but at that price, are Audio-Technica's latest earbuds too good to pass up?
Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus review: Improved, but still pricey
In 2018, Master & Dynamic joined the true wireless fray. The company had been making headphones for years, including a number of wireless models, but it had yet to jump on the latest earbud bandwagon. With the MW07, M&D was able to bring its trademark sound to a new niche, but that model had some key issues. Battery life was abysmal compared to the competition, and the Bluetooth range wasn't great. The company fixed both of those problems with the MW07 Plus, and added active noise cancellation (ANC) and increased water resistance to meet IPX5 standards. And it did all of that while keeping the price at $299.
Sony’s stellar WF-1000XM3 wireless earbuds are under $200 at Amazon
Sony's WF-1000XM3 are still the best true wireless earbuds, even though they debuted a few months ago. The combination of great sound quality and powerful noise cancellation put these ahead of the rest of the pack. And they've been more affordable at $230 since they arrived. Well, right now they're an even better value at Amazon. The WF-1000XM3 is down to $198, and that's the best price ever on Amazon for these stellar true wireless earbuds.
Samsung's Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Buds are on sale for $624
Amazon has dropped the price of its Samsung Galaxy bundle to $624. The package includes a Galaxy S10 (unlocked with 128 GB in Prism black), Galaxy Buds and a $50 Amazon gift card. Valued at $1,078, the bundle has most recently been on sale for $850. At this new Cyber Monday price, it's an even better deal (while it lasts).
Sony adds much-needed volume control to its WF-1000XM3 earbuds
Sony has just released an update for its WF-1000XM3 earbuds that make an already great product even better. The update adds three new features: support for Alexa, on-board volume controls and the ability to see the battery level of the charging case in the Sony Headphones Connect app.
Jabra Elite 75t review: The leap from good to great
Jabra's Elite 65t have been some of the best true wireless earbuds you could buy since their introduction last year. They don't have the best sound quality, but overall, the company assembled a compelling package that costs significantly less than a lot of the competition's. Now Jabra is hoping lightning strikes twice. In September, it debuted the follow-up: the Elite 75t ($180). The new model is smaller, lasts longer and adds a lot of handy features, but is it better than last year's surprise superstar?
Jabra's Elite 75t true wireless earbuds are available now for $180
It took longer than expected, but Jabra's Elite 75t is here -- and with a small upside for patent would-be buyers. The true wireless earbuds will be available today for $180, a slight drop from the originally quoted $200, through Amazon, Best Buy and Jabra's own website. Given that the earlier Elite 65t officially sells for $170, that makes the 75t a safe pick unless you can find a steep discount on the older buds.
