Latest news with #Soundcore
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
The headphones that help me drown out tourists are 20% off before Prime Day
Move over, Apple — there's another (maybe better) headphone in town: Soundcore by Anker. Truthfully, I never cared about headphones before commerce writer Angela Tricarico gave me a pair of the Soundcore headphones to test. But as soon as I did, I absolutely loved them. Never has the base in my favorite house track sounded so deep or vibrate-y. They deliver Baccarat-level, crystal clear sound, stay charged for days and can completely drown out the sound of annoying people, which sometimes feels, to me, like 70% of the population. Advertisement With Amazon Prime Day around the corner (July 8 through July 11), I'd typically tell you to wait until they go on sale, but you can grab them now, because they're 20% off as an early Prime Day deal, along with lots of other amazing finds. Amazon Pros: Hi-Res Audio Adaptive noise cancellation Rotating ear cups for comfort Up to 60 hrs (44 hrs with ANC) Clear, detailed sound 5 minutes of charging will get you 4 hours of music! Cons: Ear cups are not removable for washing If you want a pair of premium headphones without the premium price tag, the Soundcore Life Q3 will rock your world. Currently 20% off ahead of Amazon Prime Day, these over-ear headphones come with 40mm dynamic drivers, up to 60 hours of battery life (44 hours with ANC), and hybrid active noise cancellation, so you can tune out the chaos and tune in to your playlist. The headphones give rich bass, crisp treble, and customizable EQ settings through the Soundcore app, making them a win for casual listeners and audiophiles. They only need 5 minutes to give 4 hours of playtime, and the soft, rotating ear cups are super comfortable. With over 8,000 ratings and thousands sold this month alone, this deal is one to grab while it lasts. I know earbuds are the current rage, and believe me, I've owned a few pairs until they disappeared or one fell out while I was rushing to catch the 3. I much prefer the comfort and security of over-ear headphones, and the Souncore Life Q3 headphones stay securely in place no matter what's going on. See? I even wear these headphones during doctor appointments! Obviously, she was not in the room when I took this selfie. Holly J Coley I can wear them on my aggressive morning runs, while I'm doing Pilates in my apartment or walking through the isles of Trader Joe's. They've become just as essential as my wallet or smartphone — I even insist on wearing them during gyno visits, because why not? The noise cancellation on these headphones is pretty effing good, too, and the mic is incredible, allowing me to take calls even when my phone is stuffed in my bag and I'm two rooms away. Ask anyone (coworkers, friends — baristas of uptown Manhattan!), I'm rarely seen without them. I can't get over their quality sound and how cheap they are — especially now. They typically retail for $79 but are currently $64, which is a 20% off difference. I already own a pair (obviously), but you probably don't, and this is the perfect time to join the dark side by ditching those expensive earbuds (you know the ones) in favor of these very comfy, very noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphones from Soundcore ahead of Prime Day. I'm willing to bet you'll love them as much as I do. Looking for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping Post Wanted. For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America's go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We're not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren't already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we're known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
I Already Liked Anker's 'Built for the Wild' Bluetooth Speaker, but It's a Bargain at 32% Off
A little less than five years ago, Anker released a Bluetooth speaker called the Soundcore Motion Plus that turned out to be quite popular because it delivered surprisingly good sound for its fairly compact size and $100 price. In some ways, Anker's new Soundcore Boom 3i is the spiritual successor to that speaker. It's similarly shaped but has more of an outdoor adventure slant with Anker calling it "built for the wild" and billing it as the first Bluetooth speaker with playback in water, as it floats and "auto-corrects" to keep the speaker drivers facing upward just about the surface I've been using the Soundcore Boom 3i for the past few days and have been mainly impressed with it, but the speaker is a lot easier to recommend to CNET readers when Anker told me that if I applied the code BOOMTEST1 at checkout at I'd get $45 off the black model, dropping the price to $95. Meanwhile, the code BOOMTEST2 gets you $40 off either the blue or yellow model. As you'd expect from a speaker that promotional photos show strapped onto a kayak (it does have a detachable carrying strap), the Soundcore Boom 3i is fully waterproof and dust-resistant, with an IP68 rating. Anker takes things a step further, touting the Boom 3i as 5X saltwater-resistant. "While typical speakers may rust in under five months, Boom 3i stays corrosion-free for up to two years of beach, boat and seaside use." You shouldn't expect audiophile sound from a mono Bluetooth speaker of this ilk. But for the most part, the Soundcore Boom 3i gives you what you want from a portable Bluetooth speaker from a sound perspective. By that I mean it plays loud for its size (it weighs about 1.8 pounds and measures 8.3 by 3.1 by 3.3 inches), puts out a reasonably amount of bass and has fairly respectable clarity. You can find speakers that sound a little more natural, but these types of rugged portable speakers aren't designed for critical listening. The speaker has some colorful LED lighting on each side. David Carnoy/CNET I used it outdoors and inside in a few rooms, including a bathroom (it does make for a good bathroom speaker), and it was able to fill smaller rooms with sound. You can tweak the sound with the equalizer settings in the Soundcore companion app for iOS and Android and play around with the settings for the built-in beat-synched LED light show, which I kept turned off most of the time. You can also pair two of these speakers up in stereo mode and get significantly better sound. I tested the speaker's playback in water by dropping it in my bathtub (once I get to a pool, I'll drop it in there). It indeed flipped over, so the speaker drivers were facing up, and the music kept playing, though the audio got a little garbled when a little wave passed over the speaker, and the drivers started spitting water out. One of the problems with Bluetooth devices and water is that Bluetooth doesn't transmit through water, which is why you have to load MP3s into memory when using wireless headphones while swimming (you can't stream music to the headphones if you're head is underwater). I don't know where the Bluetooth antenna is on this speaker, but presumably it's on the side that stays above the surface when the speaker is floating. Enlarge Image The Soundcore Boom 3i not only floats but auto-corrects to an upright orientation. David Carnoy/CNET You can actually activate a Buzz Clean mode from the app that makes the speaker vibrate and shed dirt and particles (like sand after a day at the beach). After finishing the Buzz Clean, you can then rinse off the speaker to get it truly clean. The speaker also has another interesting feature: Holding down the "BassUp" bass boost button for five seconds sets off a 96-decibel emergency alarm (Anker says it's clearly audible at up to 100 meters) with flashing red LED lights. You can hit any button to turn the alarm off. Battery life is rated for 16 hours at moderate volumes, which is decent for a speaker this size. It's also worth pointing out that the Boom 3i has a Bluetooth range of 100 feet, which is better than the more typical 33 feet you get with many Bluetooth speakers.
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
Bag These ANC Anker Headphones for Just $40 While You Can
The days of having to spend big to get a great pair of headphones are long gone, and Anker makes some of our favorite pairs for under $100. Amazon is offering them for even less if you're an Amazon Prime member, slashing $20 off the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid over-ear headphones. That means you'll pay just $40 for the black version, while you can get the blue or gray ones for a few dollars more. While these affordable Anker headphones won't compete with the premium pairs from Bose or Sony, they're a pretty great value for just $40. Internal and external microphones provide decent noise cancellation, and they have 40mm drivers for hi-res audio. The headphones also boast an impressive 60-hour battery life, and there's an aux port for wired listening. They're also fairly comfortable thanks to the foam earpads and lightweight 255g design. Why this deal matters Even at full price, Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid headphones are a pretty incredible value. They boast active noise cancellation, solid audio quality and an impressive 60-hour battery life. Plus, this deal drops them back down to their all-time low price.
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Forget AirPods Max — here's the 5 headphones I recommend for every budget
When your headphones die, it can often be a mission to try and work out what new pair you should pick up. One of the best ways to narrow down the search is to nail down your budget — that way, you can maximise the value of your headphone purchase, without spending too much. Sometimes that budget stretches to the $499 sticker price of the AirPods Max. Sometimes it doesn't. And sometimes, you're looking to go all-out for the crème de la crème of audio gear and the AirPods Max simply won't cut it. Whether your budget is tight or large, there are plenty of options to spend your money on. To make life even easier, I've got here 5 budgets and 5 pairs of the best headphones to fit them. JLab is well known for making some excellent headphones at bargain prices — and the JBuds Lux sit pretty close to the top of the pile. They forgo some luxuries like a protective case, but they more than make up for it with some solid battery life, good comfort, and extra features that outperform headphones that are even twice the price. For $79 they're something of a steal. Our reviewer, Erin, particularly liked the sound quality of the JBuds Lux, thanks to some lovely detail to the sound. ANC is excellent for the price, and they're built much better than you might expect. They more than prove that you don't have to spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars to net yourself a great pair of headphones. For just $79 you're getting a pretty special pair of headphones. They're comfortable, feature ANC and other premium amenities, and they sound good too. For the price, they're a fantastic option. The $100-200 price range is jam-packed with excellent headphone options — but our review Erin was bowled away by the Soundcore Space One Pro when she got the opportunity to give them a test. They step up the design and the features from the previous model — the only thing missing in the package is a carrying case. They're very comfortable, with great padding on the earcups and headband. They fold up super small, so you can fit them in even the tightest of bags and packs. Sound is very good, and the ANC does a great job at silencing the outside world for long-haul flights or quick bus trips to work. Soundcore's second try at the Space One brought a "Pro" moniker along with some excellent features. They feature brilliant sound, classy looks, and very good ANC for the price. We loved them in our 4.5-star review, especially for their comfort that lasts all day. I love every second I spend with the Marshall Monitor III. I love the way that they look, I love the way that they sound, and I've found I can wear them for super long periods of time without any problems at all. ANC is good too, and I think they're some of the coolest looking headphones that you can buy today. Most people are going to be interested in their incredibly impressive battery life, however. They last for 100 hours if you leave ANC turned off, and if you turn noise canceling on they last for 70 hours. They are, in fact, the current battery life Tom's Guide record holders. For $150 less than the AirPods Max, they're a spectacular option. The Marshall Monitor III pack rock star looks and style into a great headphone package. They sound excellent, and they're extremely comfortable. It's the 100-hour battery life that really impresses though, especially when it only drops to 70 with ANC turned on. Now we're in the AirPods Max's price territory, and yet, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 are the most impressive headphone launch of the year in my mind. They take a winning formula, and then slim it down and improve in some key areas to make a set of cans that take the fight to the more established competition. When I tested them earlier this year, I was incredibly impressed. The ANC is now comparable to similarly priced headphones, they're incredibly comfortable, and the battery life is more than enough for most of your daily applications. It's the sound that really wins the day here though. They've got plenty of detail, but they also manage to be a lovely warm listen as well. The Px7 S3 are currently my pick for the best headphones at the moment, with excellent sound quality, plenty of battery, and a comfortable fit. They might not be the cheapest pair on the list, but they likely tick the most boxes for largest amount of people. When I tested these headphones last year they just about fit into the budget — although since then there have been... happenings which have jacked up the price. The Dali IO-8 are still a pretty special pair of headphones if you've got a bit more money to spend. They sound sublime, with one of the best sound signatures I've heard in a pair of wireless headphones. They're comfortable too, and their physical controls are top notch. They're not for vegans — all of the padding is leather and there are no alternative options — but they are spectacular for the price. Dali's IO-8 are some of the best wireless headphones I've ever tested — they're also incredibly expensive. UK shoppers are in for the deal of the century when they only pay £500, while US buyers pay a more premium price. They sound incredible and offer excellent comfort.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I test earbuds for a living — and these are some of the best on a budget
We've all been there. You've misplaced your earbuds. I've done this more times than I would care to admit. I am always leaving them in a random bag after a day out, or at the office on my desk, or just forgetting when I put them all together. In such cases I usually reach for my wired earbuds in a pinch, but since testing some of the best cheap wireless earbuds on the market, I think I have a better solution. Having a spare pair of budget buds on hands to get you through the day while you look for your favorite pair. Enter the Soundcore Liberty 5. The Souncore Liberty 5 earbuds may be budget but they know how to pack a punch. They look sleek and have a companion app that enhances the sound and ANC capabilities even further. While it doesn't compete with class-leaders like Bose or Sony, tweaking the EQ in app will solve most sound issues. Despite being only $129 at Amazon U.S. and £99 at Amazon U.K., the Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds have an impressive sound profile that only improves when using the custom EQ settings in the Soundcore app. It also helps that the app is awesome. In the same way I have tested a whole host of headphones and earbuds, I have also become well acquainted with their companion apps — and I have to admit, the Soundcore app is my favorite. Incredibly user friendly and totally effective, the app makes the listening experience so much better. It allowed me to achieve the best results from the ANC of the buds (which is epic by the way) so I could stay in the zone with my music. You can save $20 by picking up two pairs of the Soundcore Liberty 5 wireless earbuds. Ideal for gifting a fellow music lover, or just having two pairs for yourself and picking a color based on your outfit that day. With budget buds, I have come to expect basic design. It's just part of the trade off for a good deal. But with the Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds, the design is sleek and has the interesting addition of squeeze controls. The squeeze controls stumped me at first but essentially there are two small buttons that squeeze together rather than touch controls. The case is also kind of fun to use as it slides open unlike the flip up design I am used to with earbuds. The buds themselves also feel premium despite the price point and are a similar shape to the best Airpods. Sound quality in the mids and bass of the Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds is pretty great and with the Dolby Audio and you are able to get the most out of complex songs. For budget buds they pack one heck of a punch, and you can find out more about what they are capable of by reading my full Soundcore Liberty 5 review.
