With the rise of remote work, you may be looking to buy a desktop for your home office. Because they’re not designed to be portable, they can typically offer more power than a laptop at a lower price point, and right now you can snag one at a discount. Shopping refurbished is already a great way to save some cash, and today only, you can save even more on select refurb Dell models. Dell is offering 50% off refurb models priced at $199 or more with the promo code 50DESKTOP199. This offer is only available until 6:59 a.m. PT (9:59 a.m. ET) tomorrow, so be sure to get your order in before then if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.
There are over 150 different desktops to choose from at this sale, and all have been rated as either grade A or grade B refurbs, which means they may show slight signs of wear and tear, but will be in full working condition. It’s also worth noting that this offer excludes clearance items.
If you just want a PC that can handle the basics like checking your email and browsing the web, this Dell OptiPlex 3050 MFF is one of the most affordable models you’ll find at this sale. It’s a grade B refurb that comes equipped with a four-core Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, and you can get it for just $105 after the discount. Or if you need something with some serious power, you can pick up this OptiPlex 5060 MT for $325 after the discount. It features 32GB of RAM for lightning-fast performance, as well as an Intel Core i7 processor, 512GB SSD and an AMD Radeon RX 550 GPU. There are even some all-in-one desktops available, like this OptiPlex 7470 AIO, which features a 24-inch full HD display, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. It’s a grade A refurb, and you can grab it on sale for $445 after the discount.
And for even more bargains, you can check out our full roundup of all the best desktop deals available now.
If you tell this Optimus Primal to roll out, it really will. Hasbro is revealing Thursday an Optimus Primal animatronic toy that automatically transformers between its gorilla and robot modes, just by speaking to it.
The Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Command and Convert Animatronic Optimus Primal goes on sale today at $125, and features a 12.5-inch Optimus inspired by how the character will look in the upcoming movie.
The electronic toy includes 100 sound and motion combinations that will also play alongside the self-transformation. The figure also includes molded fur details for its gorilla mode and two attachable sword accessories.
Optimus Primal after transforming into robot mode via either a voice command or a button press.
Hasbro
This Optimus Primal comes after two iterations of the self-transforming Optimus Prime, the latter being a higher-end $750 set that includes a transforming trailer.
The Optimus Primal will respond to any voice command (not specifically “Optimus, transform,” but you could totally use that). It is now available for preorder on Hasbro Pulse and Amazon.
Online security has never been more important but it can be hard to maintain strong, unique passwords for every website you log into without a way to store them. Instead of writing them down, having to reset your password each time you try log in or, worse, compromising on safety by using the same password everywhere, it’s worth upgrading your setup to include a password manager.
And with Dashlane’s current 50% off sale now live ahead of Memorial Day weekend, you can upgrade your online security with $20 off its annual Premium plan. Down to just $20 with code MEMDAY23, it’s the equivalent of paying just $1.67 a month — but the deal expires May 30.
Dashlane’s service isn’t super expensive even at its full price of $40 for the year (or $6.49 monthly) but saving half certainly reduces the barrier to entry. The plan will renew at its regular annual price after your first year is up unless canceled.
A password manager like Dashlane allows you store all of your login credentials in one secure and encrypted vault. You can also use it to save important info like payment information, IDs, notes and more. Your passwords and other secure info can then be accessed across all of your devices with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and the web.
Dashlane can even help you generate stronger passwords and autofill them when you go to log in so you don’t have to worry about remembering them. Dark Web Monitoring is included with the Premium plan so you’ll be alerted if one of your passwords has been breached and you’ll be given steps to fix it. Another neat feature of this top-tier individual plan is a VPN for secure web browsing.
When you’re looking to stream the latest seasons of shows like Outlander, Yellowstone or new movies like Avatar 2, you probably search Google. But finding upcoming release dates for Netflix, Disney Plus, Max and any other streaming service can be time-consuming without a system.
So what’s the best way to hunt for which titles will be available on a particular streaming platform? Write it on a sticky note? Add it to your phone’s calendar? Use the streaming app’s reminder feature? While those methods may be effective, there are apps that can do it better.
Here are my suggestions for free apps that help you track streaming TV shows and films you plan to watch, ones you’re already immersed in and titles you may be curious about but need solid recommendations. They can alert you when new episodes are set to drop or remind you where you left off in a show. I should mention that some apps below are integrated with Trakt, a web-based platform that syncs with your PC, phone or home media center, but its native app is still pretty clunky, so we left it off this list.
TV Time tracks TV shows and movies, pitches recommendations and connects you with fellow fans on social media. The app is available for Android and Apple users and you can sign up for an account using Google, Apple, Twitter, Facebook or email. To get started, choose what shows you’ve watched on which streaming service (or network). Interestingly, when scrolling through Hulu’s selections, only its originals are listed but the app tells you that you can add more later.
With TV Time, you can choose from multiple lineups, including Trending Shows like Ted Lasso, Demon Slayer or Grey’s Anatomy. There are also categories for genres, a “Most Added” section with titles such as You and even a “Most Added Animation Series” row.
Once you lock in your choices, TV Time collates a Watch List and suggests which episodes of your chosen shows you should watch next. There’s a separate tab labeled “Upcoming” that outlines the day and time that new episodes drop. Thanks to TV Time, I now know the exact premiere dates for The Witcher season 3 on Netflix and the new season of Reservation Dogs on Hulu.
The app also prompts you to check off which movies you’ve watched, and the list spans decades, platforms and genres. Once you’ve completed that step, TV Time then asks what movies you want to watch. Here is where you search for specific titles or pick from TV Time’s trending list to add them to a calendar.
Additionally, you can filter your TV Time display by progress — including what you finished, shows and movies you stopped midway or what you’re currently watching.
You may already be familiar with JustWatch as an app that curates where a title is streaming, but you can also make a watchlist, track upcoming releases, and watch a show with a single click. Once you open the app, you can select each streaming service you use — including Disney Plus, Crunchyroll and Fubo — to watch shows and films. There are 100-plus providers listed on JustWatch, and the app recently added a streaming guide for sports.
Use the app to search for TV shows and movies or click Discover to go on a scrolling adventure. Narrow your search by platform, genre, year or rating. When you click a show tile, you can tap “Track” to keep up with every episode and season. JustWatch will ask which episodes you’ve watched, and you can check off entire seasons or individual installments. Where this app stands out is when you navigate to “Watch Now” to click a streaming service’s logo, and you’re immediately taken to the show’s landing page to begin watching. Talk about convenience.
Add a title to your watch list, and JustWatch tells you which episode to watch next or you can check off when you’re caught up. It also displays the dates for upcoming episodes.
For sports fans, JustWatch Sports directs you to where you can stream football (NFL and NCAA), basketball (NBA), baseball (MLB), soccer (MLS, Liga MX and all major European leagues), tennis and Formula 1 legally online.
The app also has a personal recommendation feature and displays the price of each streaming platform. You can use JustWatch on a web browser, on Fire TV devices or on iOS and Android mobile devices. Sign up directly on the app or with your Google or Facebook account.
Available on iOS and Android, Hobi is one of the most popular and comprehensive tracking apps out there.When you open it, you can select the shows you plan to watch or have watched, and Hobi indicates where you left off. The titles are added to your watch list. If it’s an old show, Hobi lets you know the series ended but still reminds you which episodes are next for you. The Discover feature highlights trending shows, series returning in the current week, new ones airing for the month, and recommendations across genres and networks, including HBO and Netflix.
In addition to monitoring your watch list and new episode release dates, Hobi provides personal viewing stats on how much TV you’ve watched. It also estimates your favorite genres based on those statistics. The app can be integrated with Trakt.
SeriesGuide is available on Android and Amazon Fire TV, and touts that it has no ads and doesn’t track your personal information.
When you first sign on to SeriesGuide, it gives you the option to block spoilers for show episodes you haven’t watched yet. You can either search for a title or click Discover and scroll through a lengthy list of content. Like Hobi and TV Time, the app lets you know which platform houses the series or movie you’d like to watch or track. It also integrates with Trakt.
Once you select your shows, SeriesGuide provides upcoming release dates or recent release dates and times. For example, the display shows that episode 9 of Succession dropped on Max at 9 p.m. ET on May 21, and Power Book IV season 2 debuts on Starz on Friday, Sept. 1. I’ve been able to glean tracking information for content on Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, Max, Paramount (Yellowstone) and more.
Its movie listings are pulled from TMDB and JustWatch, and you’ll find the release date, run time, cast credits and synopsis on the page. You can add films to your personal watchlist, click on the trailer link or tap the Stream/Purchase option if the digital version is available.
Among its features, there’s a notification system that alerts you when new episodes are available, a favorites list and a catalog of how many episodes remain unwatched per season. With SeriesGuide, you can click “Skip” and the app will consider an episode watched. The user interface is very easy to navigate, and you can sync alerts to your device’s calendar, rate content or check out your viewing statistics for movies and shows.
Cinetrak allows you to track both TV shows and movies, but you have to set up a Trakt log-in in order to create watch lists. You will see ads at the bottom of the screen, but the interface is clean and intuitive. Under the TV Shows menu, you can find titles under several categories: Genres, Trending, Popular and Top Watched. Click on a series and Cinetrak pulls up general information about the show and the seasons. Tap the plus sign to add a show by title, episode or season.
The calendar feature allows you to see episodes that have been watched, added to collections or added to your watch lists. Basic access is free, but you can upgrade your account for additional features such as creating “Liked” lists, curated collections or sharing with friends.
Take the time to review the privacy notices and settings for each service. JustWatch explains that it collects user data that may be used to target ads based on your movie tastes, while TV Time also uses nonpersonal information for marketing and advertising purposes. With the latter, you’re also able to toggle your personal account settings and set it to private, which prevents nonfollowers from viewing your activity. You can also unlink social media accounts.
Should I pay to upgrade for more tracking perks?
Though some of these apps offer the ability to upgrade, we recommend sticking with the free versions, especially if you just want a basic way to remind yourself of upcoming releases or to track your progress for a show.
Why didn’t Reelgood make this list?
Reelgood is an excellent platform that enables you to track movies and TV shows that have already been released or those with scheduled arrivals for the current month. However, it doesn’t provide information for the months ahead. JustWatch and TV Time, on the other hand, show the release date for the new season along with an episode count. You can even set a notification for its arrival.
ChatGPT, the revolutionary and controversial artificial intelligence chatbot, is now available to use as a dedicated app for your iPhone or iPad. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, released the official ChatGPT application for iOS last week — a smart move, considering all the fakes and copycats that have flooded the market since ChatGPT first came out in late 2022.
The free ChatGPT app does everything you would expect from the web version, which is mostly providing comprehensive answers to your many prompts. Thanks to Bing Search, you can even get access to real-time information, something which ChatGPT has never been able to do (it could only provide data before 2021). There is one new feature exclusive to the iOS app — you can now ask ChatGPT questions using voice recognition.
If you’re interested in testing out ChatGPT on your iPhone or iPad, we’ll show you how to download the application, sign up for the service, and use ChatGPT to get answers to your biggest and most complicated questions.
As previously mentioned, there are a ton of third-party applications pretending to be ChatGPT, so you have to be careful when downloading the correct one. If you don’t want to search for it in the App Store, use the link below to download ChatGPT for iOS. You’ll know it’s the correct one if the developer is OpenAI.
If you already have an account, hit the Log in button and sign in with your existing email and password.
If you don’t, you can easily create an account using your Apple ID, Google account or email. You’ll then be asked to enter your name and birthday (people age 13 and older can use ChatGPT, but minors may need a parent’s consent) and type in your phone number to verify that you’re a real person.
Finally, you’ll see a single welcome page, where ChatGPT will warn you that its responses may be inaccurate and that you shouldn’t share sensitive information because the chats may be reviewed by AI trainers. Hit Continue to use ChatGPT.
If you already have a ChatGPT account through OpenAI, you can log in with your existing credentials.
Nelson Aguilar/CNET
Using ChatGPT on your iPhone or iPad
Now you can use ChatGPT just as you would in your web browser, although the user interface does have a slightly different look on mobile.
To ask ChatGPT a question, tap on the text field at the bottom of the screen that says Message. If you want to use the new voice-to-text feature, tap on the audio icon on the far right of the text field. ChatGPT will ask for access to your microphone. After providing access, you can then speak for as long as you like — tap to stop recording. Hit the enter button to send your prompt to ChatGPT.
The voice-to-text feature allows you to speak for minutes at a time while creating ChatGPT prompts.
Nelson Aguilar/CNET
In the top right, you can access ChatGPT’s menu, which allows you to rename your chats, delete your chats, view your history, manage your settings and start a new chat.
In your settings, you can subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, which gives you access to OpenAI’s most current language model — GPT-4 — and provides access to ChatGPT, even when demand is high and free users may be locked out. You’ll also get early access to any new features. It’s $20 a month for ChatGPT Plus, but it’s not necessary to pay for ChatGPT on iOS unless you want these advanced features and guaranteed access.
ChatGPT Plus gives you access to GPT-4.
Nelson Aguilar/CNET
ChatGPT on iOS is currently limited to the US, but will expand to other countries in the following weeks. And for Android users, don’t fret — OpenAI says that ChatGPT will be coming to Android devices soon.
The PlayStation Vita is long gone, but Sony is making a return to gaming handhelds — in a sense. At Sony’s latest PlayStation gaming showcase on Wednesday, the company teased a surprise new device that should be coming later this year. It looks very much like a giant display fused with a DualSense controller.
The handheld, which should play all PlayStation games over Wi-Fi, has an 8-inch HD screen and a controller that Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan promised will have all the features of the DualSense that’s standard on the PlayStation 5.
Streaming handhelds are a definite trend now, with Android devices like Logitech’s G Cloud and the Razer Edge. It’s unclear how or if Sony’s new handheld will work offline at all, but it’s clearly being pitched as a second screen and a mobile play option for the PS5. Meanwhile, the Backbone One game controller, which has a PlayStation partnership and works with phones to play PS5 games wirelessly via streaming, just announced an Android-compatible model.
A glimpse of the handheld next to the PS5 for comparison.
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony’s second-screen PS5 game handheld does look exciting, though the price isn’t known. A screen that large could make games look great and a full-featured controller would make everything feel as responsive, possibly, as playing on the PS5 itself. Maybe, just maybe, Sony might consider a new Vita someday, too?
Google Bard, the search giant’s generative artificial intelligence engine that competes with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Bing AI, has integrated images into queries, the company said in a blog post on Tuesday.
“We’ll also integrate Adobe Firefly into Bard so you can easily and quickly turn your own creative ideas into high-quality images,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement.
In Bard, you can also ask for images directly. In addition, Bard will show the image source. This can be handy when you want to look up must-see sights in, say, New Orleans or you’re planning a road trip and want to visit some scenic destinations. In the coming weeks, you’ll also be able to use Google Lens to prompt Bard with related images.
Ever since the launch late last year of ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that could pretty much answer any question with a novel response, Google has been upping its AI game. Earlier this year, it introduced Bard, just as Microsoft announced ChatGPT integration into Bing Search.
If Google does fully integrate AI into search, it’ll change the experience of finding information online for billions of people, but it might also require a rethinking of the larger ad-driven internet economy. After Google I/O, the company saw its stock jump 4.1% suggesting investor confidence.
Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to create some personal finance explainers that are edited and fact-checked by our editors. For more, see this post.
Microsoft announced Tuesday that OpenAI is using data from the Bing search engine to help improve its ChatGPT chatbot. Incorporating Bing data allows the chatbot to provide real-time information to users, but at first, you’ll have to pay a monthly premium for ChatGPT Plus to use it.
The deal lets ChatGPT anchor its responses to Bing search data from up-to-date websites, said Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s marketing chief for consumer products, in an interview.
“They get to ground the answers. That will improve the relevancy. It will also make the answers more timely,” Mehdi said. “The second thing is they can now use citations, so when they have answers, they can point to links where people want to learn more.”
It’s not entirely new. In March, ChatGPT Plus subscription members were able to use an “experimental model” that tapped into Bing to browse the internet for more up-to-date information than previously available, although this change was not disclosed at the time. ChatGPT Plus premiered earlier this year and costs subscribers $20 per month.
ChatGPT Plus members will be the only ones to get the new Bing-infused version of the chatbot — at first. But Microsoft said it will eventually come to users of the free chatbot version. Right now, that version only pulls data from before September 2021. Users of the free product will need to enable a plugin to bring Bing to ChatGPT.
Microsoft had already built AI into its Bing search engine and Edge web browser.
Microsoft also announced that it has begun building an AI chat interface straight into Windows, its most important software product. The company will begin testing the tool, called Windows Copilot, in June. It will perform tasks like summarizing documents, suggesting music, offering tech support for your PC and answering questions you might ask a search engine or AI chatbot.
Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to create some personal finance explainers that are edited and fact-checked by our editors. For more, see this post.
Looking for a new smartwatch? If you’re an Android user, it’s hard to beat the Galaxy Watch 5. It’s the latest wearable in Samsung’s lineup, and if you’re looking to snag one for yourself for less, we’ve rounded up some of the best deals you can take advantage of right now. For the most part we’re seeing bigger deals on the Pro variant, though you can find savings for each.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, unveiled last August, feature relatively minor upgrades to the Galaxy Watch 4, but the new smartwatches do have a longer-lasting battery and a skin temperature measurement sensor as a new health feature. The bigger Watch 5 Pro in particular is geared toward outdoor sports enthusiasts and features a durable titanium design, 80-hour battery life and exclusive tools like turn-by-turn navigation.
The two new Samsung smartwatches are now available to order.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
What colors do the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro come in?
The Galaxy Watch 5 is offered in four colors: silver, gray, gold and blue. Gold is exclusive to the smaller 40mm size and blue is only available on the larger 44mm variant. On the Pro side, you can choose between two titanium finishes: black and gray. There are plenty of interchangeable bands for both versions of the Galaxy Watch 5 if you want to customize the look further.
How much do the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro cost?
The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-only Galaxy Watch 5 starts at $280, while the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro starts at $450. If you want the LTE versions, that’ll cost you $50 more. Here’s how US retail pricing breaks down in full:
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (40mm): $280
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (44mm): $310
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 with LTE (40mm): $330
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 with LTE (44mm): $360
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro (44mm): $450
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro with LTE (44mm): $500
Be sure to check out all the Galaxy Watch 5 deals below for some ways to save on their retail prices.
While Amazon has both the regular GPS Galaxy Watch 5 and LTE configurations available at full price right now, you can get the Bespoke edition for $340 — that’s a $50 discount.
Best Buy is not currently offering any discounts on new Galaxy Watches at the moment. However, you can trade in your old smartwatch there for as much as $150 off your Galaxy Watch 5. The best prices are paid on the most recent Apple Watch models, though Samsung, Garmin and Fitbit devices are also accepted.
Shopping directly at Samsung won’t nab you any direct savings on Galaxy Watch 5 models. However, you can get up to $155 off when you hand over your old smartwatch. Exclusive offers from ClassPass, YouTube Premium, OneDrive, Spartan and Tough Mudder are also included with your purchase.
If you’re in the market for more than one new smartwatch, you can get a second Galaxy Watch 5 for $360 off at AT&T. You’ll need to purchase both devices on an installment plan, and will need to add at least one new line of service to get the deal.
Amazon is one of the few retailers offering a straightforward discount on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro at the moment. You can save $51 on the GPS model, or $70 on the LTE model.
At Samsung’s own web store, you can $50 off the Pro model of the Galaxy Watch 5 right now. Plus, you can also get up to $220 off when you trade in your old smartwatch. Exclusive offers from ClassPass, Obé, Men’s Health and Women’s Health, Spartan and Tough Mudder are also included with your purchase.
The Pro model gets the same deal as its standard Galaxy Watch 5 counterpart, with up to $180 off when you trade in an eligible smartwatch. You can also save up to $150 when bundled with an eligible Android smartphone purchase.
Best Buy is offering a straightforward discount of $50 on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro at the moment, knocking the price to $400. But you can also save up to $150 if you’ve got an older smartwatch to trade in.
AT&T is offering the same deal on both the Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro at the moment. When you buy one at full price, you can get a second Galaxy Watch 5 Pro for $360 off. You’ll need to purchase both devices on an installment plan, and will need to add at least one new line of service to get the deal.
Once upon a time, active noise canceling, or ANC, was only available in a few true-wireless earbuds and those models were rather pricey. But today the majority of wireless earbuds feature active noise canceling — or “noise cancelling,” as companies like Bose and Google spell it.
Noise-canceling technology continues to evolve and improve with each passing year, with the best noise canceling able to mask a wider range of frequencies and do it on the fly (“adaptive” noise canceling) with sophisticated software algorithms and more powerful but energy-efficient processors embedded in the buds. Apple, Sony and Bose remain among the leaders in the category, but they have plenty of competition.
This list is just made up of the best noise-canceling earbuds, not full-size headphones. If you’re looking for the best noise-canceling headphones, we’ve got a list that includes a mix of earbuds and over-ear headphones. We update both of these lists regularly as new models hit the market.
Battery Life Rated up to 6 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint NoHeadphone Type Wireless earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)
The new AirPods Pro (second generation) are powered by Apple’s new H2 chip, which delivers more processing power while being more energy efficient, according to Apple. The new chip, combined with new low-distortion drivers, allows for improved sound that offers better clarity and depth. The noise canceling is also improved — Apple says the new AirPods have “double” the noise canceling of the original AirPods Pro. Additionally, the new AirPods add an extra hour of battery life, up from five to six hours with noise canceling on. Plus, a speaker in the case that emits a sound that helps locate your buds via Find My should they decide to hide from you.
Battery Life Rated Up to 6 HoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint NoHeadphone Type Wireless EarbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 — Splash-Proof)
Bose’s second-generation QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are not only about 30% smaller than their predecessors, but their case is about 40% smaller and truly pocketable. They feature best-in-class noise canceling and improved sound, thanks to Bose’s new CustomTune sound calibration system that customizes the sound for your ears. Voice-calling performance is also significantly better than that of the original QuietComfort Earbuds.
The other big change is to the ear tips. Bose has ditched its one-piece StayEar wing tips for a two-piece Fit Kit system that features separate ear tips and “stability bands” in three size options, giving you more flexibility to get a secure fit and tight seal.
The buds initially ship in the Triple Black Color with the Sandstone color to follow later in the year. Like the originals, they’re IPX4 splash-proof.
Battery Life Rated up to 30 hoursNoise Canceling YesMultipoint YesHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating
Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM4 buds were arguably the top overall earbuds for 2021 and part of 2022. They feature excellent sound and great noise-canceling with decent voice-calling capabilities and good battery life. They’re still great earbuds but they’ve been surpassed in some ways by both Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds 2. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider them, but look for them at a discount.
You’re receiving price alerts for Technics EAH-AZ80
You should expect a lot from earbuds that cost $300 — and yes, that’s still a lot to pay for headphones, even if plenty of people seem to be willing to pay upwards of $450 for the likes of Apple’s AirPods Max headphones. Overall, Panasonic has done a nice job of creating an all-around top-performing set of buds that offer an improved fit with terrific sound, very good noise canceling and a robust feature set.
Voice-calling capabilities are decent but don’t quite live up to their billing (yet). Hopefully we’ll see some firmware upgrades that improve the voice-calling experience in noisier environments. Despite that caveat, as long as they fit your ears well, the Technics EAH-AZ80 are right up there with the best wireless earbuds on the market right now.
You’re receiving price alerts for Earfun Air Pro 3
Earfun has put out a series of wireless earbuds over the last couple of years with one important commonality: They’re very good values, made more so by frequent discounts. The company’s new-for-2023 Earfun Air Pro 3 earbuds feature the latest Qualcomm QCC3071 system-on-a-chip with aptX Adaptive for Android and other devices that support the new LE Audio standard and LC3 audio codec, which is superior to the SBC codec (they also support AAC for Apple devices).
Lightweight and comfortable to wear — I got a good seal with the largest ear tip size — these aren’t a huge upgrade over the Earfun Air S, but they are better. They have slightly larger wool-composite drivers (11mm versus 10mm), slightly improved noise canceling and better battery life (up to seven hours with noise canceling on, according to Earfun).
In short, the Earfun Air 3 deliver strong performance for their modest price, with robust bass, good clarity and a relatively wide soundstage. They also pack in a lot of features, including a wireless charging case and “multidevice” connectivity. (I could pair them to two devices simultaneously but had to pause the music on one device and hit play on the other for the audio to switch.) They’re IPX5 splash-proof and also work well (though not exceptionally well) as a headset for making calls.
Note that after you activate the instant 10%-off coupon at Amazon, adding the code EAP3CNET at checkout gives you an additional 20% off, bringing the buds’ price down to $56.
While the Beats Fit Pro ($200) technically aren’t AirPods, they’re built on the same tech platform as the original AirPods Pro (yes, Apple owns Beats). Unlike Beats’ earlier and less expensive Studio Buds, the Beats Fit Pro include Apple’s H1 chip and have most of the original AirPods Pro’s features (the AirPods Pro 2 have the H2 chip), including active noise canceling, spatial audio and Adaptive EQ. I’d venture to call them the sports AirPods you’ve always wanted. And for those folks looking for a more secure fit for a little less money, they might be a better fit than the AirPods Pro 2, especially when on sale.
Alas, for those of you who bought the original Beats Studio Buds, which remain on the market for now, I’m sorry to report that these new Plus buds are significantly improved, with better sound, noise canceling and battery life. Additionally, they now deliver top-notch voice-calling performance.
The transparent version is getting a lot of attention (who doesn’t like transparent electronics?), but the big changes are on the inside. Beats says 95% of the components are new and improved, and the buds’ “acoustic architecture” has been revised. The speaker drivers remain the same, but the Studio Buds Plus are powered by a new, more powerful custom chipset and have three new microphones in each bud, which are three times larger and more sensitive than the ones found in the Beats Studio Buds.
Bowers & Wilkins has upgraded its fantastic-sounding PI7 noise-canceling earbuds. The new S2 model has better battery life and Bluetooth range, now up to 25 meters (double the previous range). Additionally, the buds now integrate into the new Bowers & Wilkins Music app for iOS and Android and have a much improved setup experience.
While not a major upgrade from the originals, the PI7 S2s, which feature a dual-driver design, are easily among the very best-sounding true-wireless earbuds. The step-down PI5 S2s, which have a single driver design, don’t sound quite as good but are more affordable.
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer improved noise canceling along with very good sound and voice-calling performance, plus support for high-resolution wireless audio streaming if you’re a Galaxy device owner with the right setup. That said, their biggest upgrade may their new design and smaller size, which make them a better fit for more ears. Aside from their somewhat high price, their only drawback is that some of their key features only work with Samsung Galaxy devices.
Featuring excellent sound, improved noise canceling and voice-calling performance as well a smaller, more refined design that includes stabilizing fins (so the earbuds stay in your ears more securely), the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 are among the best new true-wireless earbuds for 2002. They’re also among the best true-wireless earbuds overall, giving the Sony WF-1000XM4 a run for the money.
JBL’s Tour Pro 2 earbuds have received a lot of attention for bringing something new to true-wireless earbuds: a full color touchscreen display embedded in the case that allows you to access the earbuds’ key features and control playback as well as adjust volume levels. It’s a bit of a gimmick but also useful.
While the buds could sound slightly better for their list price, overall the JBL Tour Pro 2s are very good earbuds that offer a good fit, a robust feature set, strong battery life, plus solid noise canceling and voice-calling performance.
Battery Life Rated up to 11 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Wireless earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)
The Pixel Buds Pro are Google’s first earbuds to feature active noise canceling. While it’s nice that they finally have a feature that a lot of true-wireless earbuds have had for a while, what ultimately sets the Pixel Buds Pro apart and makes them worth considering — particularly for Android users — is their distinct design and winning fit. That helps enhance their performance on both the sound quality and noise-canceling fronts. While not quite elite for voice-calling, they did perform well as a headset for making calls. A couple of features were missing at launch — spatial audio and a five-band equalizer — but the equalizer has now been added with a firmware update. We’re now just waiting for spatial audio. Read our Google Pixel Buds Pro review.
Battery Life Rated up to 9 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint NoHeadphone Type Wireless EarbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)
Unlike the “open” LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S are traditional noise-isolating earbuds with tips you jam in your ears. They’re more compact and lighter than Sony’s flagship WF-1000M4 and also feature Sony’s V1 processor. While their sound and noise canceling don’t quite measure up to the WF-1000XM4’s, they’re close and cost less. They’re the Sony buds for people who can deal with larger buds like WF-1000XM4 but want 80% to 85% of those buds’ features and performance for $80 less.
Battery Life Rated up to 10 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (Adaptive)Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Wireless earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX5 — protection against low-pressure water streams)
Over the years, JBL has put out some decent true-wireless earbuds, but nothing that really got me too excited. That’s finally changed with the arrival of the Samsung-owned brand’s new Live Pro 2 and Live Free 2 buds. Both sets of buds — the Live Pro 2 have stems while the Live Free 2 have a pill-shaped design — offer a comfortable fit along with strong noise canceling, very good sound quality and voice-calling performance, plus a robust set of features, including multipoint Bluetooth pairing, an IPX5 splash-proof rating and wireless charging.
The Live Pro 2 and Live Free 2 are equipped with the same 11mm drivers, six microphones, oval tubes and oval silicon tips. Aside from the design, the biggest difference between the two buds is battery life; the stemless Live Free 2 is rated for up to seven hours, while the Live Pro 2 is rated for 10 hours. The Live Pro 2 is available in four color options.
You’re receiving price alerts for Status Between 3ANC
Status Audio’s earbuds aren’t exactly the sleekest or most attractive earbuds you can buy, but if you don’t mind their utilitarian look and giant stems, you are getting an excellent sounding set of earbuds. The Between 3ANC, the company’s first noise-canceling earbuds, also do a good job muffling ambient sound, though they aren’t up to the level of the Bose QuietComfort 2 earbuds for noise-canceling prowess. They did perform very well in my voice-calling test, reducing much of the background noise around me in the streets of New York while picking up my voice clearly, or so callers told me.
While they have multipoint Bluetooth pairing — you can pair them to two devices simultaneously — they are missing a few features, including ear-detection sensors, and they only support the AAC audio codec (they’re equipped with Bluetooth 5.2), not LDAC or aptX. Some people with Android devices that support those codecs may not be thrilled with that, but, as I said, they sound quite good using AAC, offering clean sound with punchy bass and good clarity. That’s in part due to their driver design, and why the buds are on the larger side — they feature two balanced armature drivers, plus one 10mm dynamic driver in each earbud.
Despite being heavier than earbuds like Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, they fit my ears comfortably and securely. Their case charges wirelessly and battery life is very good at up to 8.5 hours with ANC on. There’s also a transparency mode that sounds only OK, not great (a physical button on the earbuds activates it) and they have an IPX5 water-resistance rating, which means they can withstand a sustained spray of water. The companion app for iOS is fairly basic, but you can upgrade the firmware and tweak the sound profile with a customizable EQ option.
You’re receiving price alerts for OnePlus Buds Pro 2
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 have a lot to like about them. They’ve got a more premium look and feel than many AirPods Pro 2 clones and feature a dual-driver design and very good sound quality with just a bit of bass push (by that I mean they’re slightly bass heavy at their default sound setting). Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, they also have support for a good range of audio codecs, including AAC (iPhones), LHDC 4.0, SBC, and LC3 (the successor to SBC). OnePlus says an upgrade to LHDC 5.0 will be available via a firmware upgrade. (LHDC stands for low-latency high-definition and it’s supposed to be close to on par with Sony’s LDAC audio codec.)
I found the noise-canceling to be good but not up to the level of what you get with Apple, Sony and Bose earbuds. Voice-calling performance was also above average with decent though not fantastic noise reduction on the streets of New York. (Callers said they could hear me well despite some background noise so the microphone quality seems good.)
Owners of the new OnePlus 11 smartphone can take advantage of the buds’ spatial audio feature. (Other smartphones may support spatial audio with the the Buds Pro 2 in the future but for now, it’s exclusive to the OnePlus 11.) The buds are rated for 6 hours of battery life with noise canceling on and are IP55 splashproof. The compact charging case supports wireless charging with a little more than four extra charges in the case.
The Buds 2 Pro list for $180, but hopefully we’ll see some discounts that bring them down to $150 or less.
You’re receiving price alerts for Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay EX buds are the company’s best true wireless earbuds yet. They feature a comfortable, secure fit (except perhaps for those with really smaller ears), top-notch build quality, great sound, good noise canceling and improved voice-calling performance over B&O’s EQ buds; with three microphones in each earbud they help with reducing background noise while picking up your voice. While they’re out of most people’s price range, they’re arguably the best earbuds out there with stems and offer superior sound to the AirPods Pro with better clarity, deeper more powerful bass and richer, more accurate sound.
Battery life is rated at 6 hours at moderate volume levels with noise canceling on and there’s an extra 14 hours of juice in the brushed aluminum charging case (wireless charging is supported). The buds have an IP57 water-resistance rating, which makes them waterproof and dust-resistant. They feature Bluetooth 5.2 and multipoint Bluetooth pairing so you can connect to two devices at the same time, such as a computer and smartphone. You can use a single bud independently and the earbuds have ear-detection sensors so your music pauses when you remove them from your ears.
The buds support AptX Adaptive for devices like Android smartphones that support Bluetooth streaming with the AptX HD audio codec (AAC is also supported). They’re available in the gold tone pictured as well as a graphite color.
You’re receiving price alerts for Master & Dynamic MW08
Battery Life Rated up to 12 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Wireless earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX5 — protection against low-pressure water streams)
Master & Dynamic’s earlier MW07 and MW07 Plus delivered top-notch sound for truly wireless, but they were a little lacking in the features department and weren’t so great for making calls. The 2021 MW08 offers some significant improvements, including the addition of solid noise canceling and call quality. Battery life is also very good (up to 12 hours with noise canceling off).
These buds may not fit everyone’s ear equally well, but they certainly have a distinct look, as well as excellent sound and a great listening experience if you can get a tight seal (I was able to get a secure fit with the largest tip). They deliver more of an audiophile sound profile, with smooth, well-balanced sound and well-defined bass.
Like their predecessors, the MW08 includes a swanky stainless-steel charging case (it charges via USB-C) that’s compact but carries more weight than your typical buds case. I prefer the matte finishes of the cases that come with the black and blue versions, and you also get a secondary pouch for safekeeping (yes, the charging case can get scratched up if you leave it in a bag).
You’re receiving price alerts for Master & Dynamic MW08
Other noise-canceling wireless earbuds we’ve tested
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: Available in four colors, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 noise-canceling headphones don’t feature as good sound or noise canceling as the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, but they’re compact (15% smaller and 20% lighter than the earlier Buds Plus, they barely stick out of your ears) and cost significantly less. Because they sit more flush with your ears — and have that curved design — they also pick up less wind noise. They’re IPX2 sweat-resistant while the step-up Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are fully waterproof (IPX7).
Soundcore by Anker Liberty 4: While their sound isn’t quite up to the level of higher-end buds like Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 that cost significantly more, the Soundcore by Anker Liberty 4 earbuds have a strong set of features, including a spatial audio mode with head tracking, multipoint Bluetooth pairing, up to nine hours of battery life, wireless charging and support for Sony’s LDAC audio codec that can offer sound improvements if you have the right setup.
Sennheiser CX Plus: The Momentum True Wireless 3 are Sennheiser’s flagship true-wireless earbuds. But if you can’t afford them, the CX Plus, which feature very good sound and decent noise canceling, are a good alternative for a lot less money. The step-down CX, which have no active noise canceling, cost even less.
Is it ‘noise canceling’ or ‘noise cancelling’?
Short answer: both. Either spelling is correct, as “canceling” is more common in American English while “cancelling” is more common in British English. CNET uses “noise canceling” since the company is based in the US, but the noise is canceled just the same, regardless of spelling. If you’re looking to see what different noise-impacting technology is out there for headphones, check out our article on noise-canceling versus noise-isolating headphones, which highlights differences in function — and not just a difference in spelling.
