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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.
Tom's Guide
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I've reviewed dozens of headphones and these are my 7 go-to tracks for finding the perfect pair
It's always a good day in the office when a new audio gear lands on my desk. Especially when they have a great sound profile and awesome noise cancellation. I know what I'm listening out for when I press play for the first time. My years with a guitar fixed across my lap, listening out for new chord progressions in the layers of my new favorite song that week have molded me perfectly for this job. I've also been told I have a somewhat eclectic taste. Just a glance at my Spotify and Qobuz accounts will tell you that I listen to everything from country to metal, pop to punk, so I have a pretty good gauge of the sound profiles I like for certain tunes… and the ones I don't. After testing some earbuds that I wouldn't use again (like the EarFun OpenJump) and headphones that I now use on a daily basis (the AKG N9 Hybrid headphones), I have become quite picky. Some headphones come with a customizable app, and as a self-proclaimed audio nerd, I love this feature. Other headphones will get you to do hearing tests and give you a personalized sound profile. But whatever you choose as the best headphones for you, you're going to need some great songs to test them with: enter this playlist. These are all songs I know very well and I use them to pick up on certain sounds in the songs. This is the song I always start with. Released only a year ago, this track has a feature in a fair few of my playlists and is incredibly catchy. It has a consistent riff that you can pick up throughout the hooks of the song, so this naturally became my main test. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. How clear can the riff be? Does it get lost behind the vocals? Does it drown out the rhythm guitar? Or does the sound profile completely balance the tune? This song particularly stood out when I tested the Edifier WH950NB headphones, but it took some fiddling with the in-app EQ settings. Such is the case with many headphones and ear buds, you need to figure out the right EQ for your hearing, but once you do the sound can be awesome. The Edifier WH950NB headphones aren't going to break the bank but still deliver awesome sound. They may not be able to support booming bass but the killer ANC capabilities make up for it. This is a primarily acoustic song with electric tones layered on top. It begins softly before building into an epic explosion of emotion and open D-tuning power chords (my favorite sounds a guitar can make). This song is chalk full of personality, so when earbuds can replicate each layer and harmony with ease I am super impressed. So while the Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds aren't my favorite earbuds I have tested, they enhanced Lizzie's voice and made it even more delicate, especially when using the Dolby Audio settings, making me feel like I was right there in the studio. The Custom EQ and Dolby Audio settings on the SOundcore Liberty 5 earbuds make you feel like you are in the studio with your favorite artist. And they are actually $20 cheaper than the Liberty 4. This is a song I will never skip — It's a banger. So if a pair of headphones ever make me want to skip it I'll know they are a firm no from me. The song is totally upbeat and is a great one to test the fit of headphones (do they fall off when I dance around). Thankfully I haven't encountered a harsh skip on these yet, but I have come pretty close. The EarFun OpenJump earbuds. I didn't get on with these at all but the fact they couldn't let me enjoy what is one of my favorite songs spoke volumes. I recently went to see Twenty One Pilots live, and anyone who has seen them in the flesh can attest to this: the bass shakes your bones. This is my favorite bass test as I think it's quite a harsh one. But it was actually a set of open ears that shocked me here. The Soundcore Aeroclip earbuds, while not built for bass, coped really well. I use these when I work out so I need some bass to keep me motivated and these carry brilliantly. Incredibly comfortable with impressive sound quality, the Soundcore Aeroclip open ear earbuds are secure for working out and let in ambient sound so you stay aware of your surroundings. This is the heaviest song I test with regularly because some headphones just aren't built to deal with metal. This fact was clearly pointed out by the LG xboom Buds which made the song sound muddy and actually managed to lose the drums completely. This is another of my favorites for bass testing. Charli XCX has been taking everything by storm since the Brat Summer of 2024. Not a pair of headphones but certainly an honourable mention is the Tribit Stormbox Lava speaker which has a bassX button on the top to or course, enhance the booming bass. The Tribit Stormbox Lava Bluetooth speaker packs a bassy punch and won't break the bank either. You can use the app to customize sound profiles, but the built-in BassX setting is enough to get the ground shaking. This song exposed my favourite headphones I have tested: The AKG N9 Hybrid headphones. I will be yapping about these cans until the cows come home and for good reason; they elevate absolutely anything. These headphones complement this track extremely well creating a crisp and clear vocal profile. But I would love everything I listen to on these headphones. The AKG N9 Hybrids are my favorite headphones for every situation. The have 100 hours of battery and support and a sound profile to make your favorite tunes sound better than you've heard before. There are so many other songs I could talk about and this playlist is ever changing, but these are the best starting point for getting audio that suits me… and maybe you too.
Tom's Guide
13-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I just tested these Skullcandy x Bose earbuds, and my 2008 emo heart is happy
Some of the best earbuds are sleek and inconspicuous. The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds — made in collaboration with high-fidelity brand Bose — are not one of them. The Method 360 ANC earbuds are slap-you-in-the-face nostalgia, complete with a carrying case destined for low-slung skater pants. Besides being a blast from the past, the Method 360 ANC earbuds really benefit from this Bose sound. The bass is pumping, loud enough to be destined for the sticky dancefloors of yore. Don't think the bass overpowers detail, though — not at all. With a little EQ tweak, these earbuds can provide both electric bass and sharp detail. While they have a few connectivity annoyances, for just $129, these earbuds are most definitely underpriced. I'd get them now before Skullcandy realises and bumps up the cost. I'll discuss everything in extensive detail in this Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review. Price $129 / £99 Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 ANC Yes Durability IPX4 Battery 9/32 hours (ANC) 11/40 hours (No ANC) Weight 2.7 ounces Drivers 12mm Dimensions 3.5 x 1.9 x 2 inches Colors Black, white, red, beige, leopard Compatibility iOS, Android The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds are extremely cheap considering their sound quality: just $129 from Amazon U.S. and £99 from Amazon U.K.. This makes them some of the cheapest earbuds I've tested, but oh boy, they do not sound like it. They're miles better than the $129 Soundcore Liberty 5 and not even in the same ballpark as the relatively impressive $99 EarFun Air Pro 4. I was actually gobsmacked when I found out how affordable these earbuds are. As I wrote above, the sound quality performs like earbuds double the price, if you can overlook the semi-cheugy design. At $129, they're the priciest earbuds on Skullcandy's roster (the Sesh and Rail buds are $69), but still very cheap when compared to rivals. Complete with a carabiner ring, these Skullcandy earbuds are destined to be clipped to low-slung skater pants. Their home is a belt loop inhabited by a chain belt and the waistband of boxers that've seen better days. If you're wearing the Method 360 ANC earbuds and not listening to Limp Bizkit, what are you doing? As someone who grew up on Fred Durst & crew, coloring my entire eyelid with a crumbly black pencil, and spending my allowance on spiky jelly earrings and fingerless gloves, the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds remind me of that simpler time. I think for me, the design of these buds is incredibly nostalgic and comforting, but for others, the design could be a major con. On the side of each bud is a cute little skull (Skullcandy's logo, of course), which matches the logo on the charging case itself. The earbuds are a little big, so if you have super small ears, I'd recommend something dinkier like the AirPods 4. My ears err on the side of small and they were a little snug, but not uncomfortable. I switched out the ear tips for the smallest size, which helped with the snugness. Now, the charging case. Probably the Method 360 ANC's most… unique feature. Some people might love this case, and others might hate it. I'm somewhere in the middle. I am prone to losing things — I sewed a pouch on the inside of my bag to prevent misplacing my AirPods — so for other absentminded folk, this overly large case could be a breath of fresh air. For others, however, it's bulky and counterintuitive. Our Audio Editor, Tammy, was not a fan of the bulk. The case is a pretty massive 3.5 inches long, which is easy to find in a bag, but also not possible to fit in a pocket. Unless you've got super baggy skater pants, of course. While controls have been an issue with other budget earbuds I've tried in the past, I had no headaches with the Method 360 ANC. I was able to customize my controls completely in the Skull-IQ app, including adding a volume control. Although most of the Method 360 ANC's features are excellent, I'm going to discuss my one issue first. As with other non-native gear, I found the earbuds a little annoying to switch between devices, even after setting up multi-point connectivity. When I removed the earbuds and did something else for a few minutes, once I put the earbuds back in, they didn't connect to my laptop or phone. I had to return the buds to the charging case, and then reinsert them. This is a little annoying, I suppose, but I also assume you're supposed to return the earbuds to the charging case after taking them out every time anyway. Another minor annoyance is the lack of single-ear wear detection. Skullcandy claims that the Method 360 ANC have wear detection, and that's only half accurate. Yes, if you take out one earbud, that earbud pauses. But the other one doesn't. Only the removed earbud pauses, which is kind of pointless. My AirPods pause my music entirely when I remove one earbud. While this isn't unheard of for $129/£99 earbuds, I'd like to see this as a toggleable feature on future versions. Now that's out of the way, I'll discuss everything I do like about the Skullcandy Method 360 ANCs. Firstly, these earbuds have IPX4, which means they'll be able to withstand mild water like gentle rain or sweat. However, they're not completely waterproof so don't go dunking them in the sink. Other cheaper earbuds have IPX5, like the EarFun Air 2 ($49) and EarFun Air 2 NC ($69), but this is really a negligible difference. The ANC is very good; I couldn't hear any street noise or ambient office sounds like typing and talking. There are 'Stay aware on', 'Stay aware off', and 'ANC'. I wish Stay aware was a little more, well, aware. When I tried to have a conversation with this ANC mode, I couldn't hear properly and had to remove the earbuds. Finally, there's a range of features in the app, like EQ customization Spotify Tap. Spotify Tap — hold down a touch control to launch Spotify and pick up where you last left off — is a great feature in a pinch, but I found myself gravitating towards manually selecting music myself. Also, of course, this won't work with Tidal, Apple Music or the like. There's also a pretty bizarre feature: Take a Photo. This feature allows you to transform the earbuds into a remote control for your phone's camera. I have no wish to do this so never made use of it, but I suppose it's a good option to have… maybe. As the Method 360 ANC earbuds are made in collaboration with Bose, I had high hopes about the music quality. And, thankfully, I was not disappointed at all. To test the Method 360 ANC earbuds, I listened to a wide variety of music on Qobuz, our best streaming service for audiophiles. Right off the bat, I could tell that these earbuds were very bassy. I fiddled with the EQ settings in the SkullcandyIQ app, and reduced the low end and increased the mids to counteract this. Of course, if you love bass, then this step is unnecessary, but I wanted to get the most detail out of my music as possible. I listened to 'Fallen Alien' by FKA Twigs, which is an atmospheric, layered track with immersive percussion and almost cinematic synths. The choral sections were clear and seemed to surround my ears. I could hear every piece of audio detail, from the inflections in the lead vocal to the discordant bass and mids. The $129 earbuds did a fantastic job of both separating the instruments and detail, and also making the track sound harmonious. Afterwards, I switched genre. I played '3AM (LA LA LA)' by Confidence Man, a track with an all-consuming, heady '90s synth and pulsing bass. The bass was insistent and strong, although there was a little tinniness in the mids. To fix this, I adjusted the EQ ever so slightly. This made the kick drum crackle a touch, but really not bad considering these are $129 earbuds. To give the earbuds a thorough test, I wanted to play something really gritty and gristly. I opted for 'Endless, Nameless' by Nirvana, because what else? The bass growled in my left ear and the lead guitar screeched in my right. Neither instrument clipped or warped, and I could feel the raw vocal in my eardrums. I'm sure you already know, but 'Bad Guy' by Billie Eilish has a really intimate, breathy vocal, where Billie's voice feels like it's right next to you. None of this detail was lost on the Method 360 ANC earbuds, and I could hear all the layers of bass that are often lost on inferior earbuds. Where the Method 360 ANC earbuds excel is, of course, bass, but that doesn't mean they lack detail. I was never left longing for missed detail, and I could discern multiple layers of instruments in quite immersive tracks. To test the Method 360 ANC earbuds, I tested them out on a work call. The earbuds have 2 mics within each earbud, so 4 overall, and Skullcandy's 'Clear Voice Smart Mic', which is described as an 'AI-enabled' feature that isolates voices. My colleagues reported that I sounded crisp and clear, very similar to how I sound when I wear my usual AirPods Pro 2. I think for just $129/£99, this is an incredibly affordable way to get excellent call quality. Unlike the Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones ($199), which use the Skullcandy app, the Method 360 ANC earbuds are compatible with the Skull-ID app. This app is very pleasant to use: it has an attractive UI and it's easy to navigate. There's an easily accessible range of features on the homepage, including firmware updates. Here's a screenshot from the app. The Skull-ID app is one of the better budget companion apps. It's more modern than the JBL app, but not as unique as the Soundcore app. With ANC off, the Method 360 ANC earbuds will play for 11 hours, and then an extra 29 with the case, so 40 hours overall. With ANC off, the battery life reduces to 9 hours in the buds and another 24 in the case, so 33 hours overall. In reality, I found that the battery was a little better than this. After listening for 5 hours, the earbuds only dropped to 75% battery. This battery life is the same as the EarFun Air Pro 4 ($99). While the Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds are supposed to have 8 hours in the buds, in reality this was more like 5 hours. As a result, the Method 360 ANC earbuds are more reliable than the Soundcore offering. Considering the Method 360 ANC earbuds are just $129, I think they're absolutely fantastic. Obviously they're not perfect — hence the 4-star rating — but they perform well above their price tag. On top of having thrumming, powerful Bose bass, the earbuds are capable of translating precise audio detail, too. Softer, airy vocals and high-frequency sound effects were still audible, and only improved by my custom EQ. I think Skullcandy has absolutely nailed the sound quality here, and for just $129? It's a steal. If you can look past the slight connectivity issues and overly large charging case, then there's no reason why the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds can't be some of the best value wireless earbuds on the market today.
Digital Trends
30-05-2025
- Business
- Digital Trends
Soundcore giveaway: How to win 3 pairs of wireless earbuds worth $430
Soundcore, owned by consumer electronics brand Anker, has rolled out an excellent lineup of audio devices, and here's your chance to win not just one, not just two, but three of them in this giveaway! One lucky winner will receive the Soundcore AeroFit 2 adjustable open-ear wireless earbuds, the Soundcore Liberty 5 noise-canceling earbuds, and the Soundcore AeroClip open-ear clip-on earbuds, which are worth a total of $430. That's an amazing haul. You have until June 29 to join this Soundcore giveaway, but we highly recommend signing up right now to make sure you don't forget. Read on to find out the mechanics, as well as to learn more about the three wireless earbuds you'll hopefully win. How to enter Soundcore AeroFit 2: Adjustable ear hooks with AI translation The Soundcore AeroFit 2 adjustable open-ear wireless earbuds feature four-level adjustable ear hooks that will not only let you find the most comfortable fit, but will also deliver sound closer to your ear canal for deeper bass. The wireless earbuds also offer in-ear AI translation that supports more than 100 languages, for real-time responses with high accuracy. They can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, and up to a total of 42 hours with their charging case. Soundcore Liberty 5: Noise-canceling with Dolby Audio We described the Soundcore Liberty 5 noise-canceling earbuds as 'excellent daily driver earbuds' because of their great sound, very effective active noise cancellation that adjusts every 0.3 seconds, and support for Dolby Audio. With ANC activated, the earbuds can run for 8 hours on a single charge and up to a total of 32 hours with their charging case, with just 10 minutes of charging replenishing up to 5 hours of usage. Soundcore AeroClip: Revolutionary clip-on design for comfort The unique Soundcore AeroClip open-ear clip-on earbuds come with an adaptive open-ring design that's durable and flexible, allowing you to enjoy listening to your favorite tracks without any pressure on your ears. You'll be able to stay aware of your surroundings, but these earbuds will stay in place throughout the day. You'll also get AI-boosted calls for superior clarity, and an 8-hour battery life from a full charge and a total of 32 hours with their charging case.
Stuff.tv
14-05-2025
- Stuff.tv
I've never seen cheap wireless earbuds with battery life this huge
Looking for a new set of top earbuds? While there are plenty of options to pick from, if you want the best features, they can set you back a fair amount. Battery life is arguably one of the most important features, and most affordable buds drop the ball here. But not the newest wireless earbuds from Anker's sub-brand Soundcore. The Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds come with a 48-hour battery life. You get 12 hours per charge and then three full top-ups from the case. It even supports wireless charging, because that really should be the bare minimum. Better yet, you get all this for £100/$130. Read more: Best cheap headphones in 2025 rated and reviewed Noise cancellation is pretty good here, with Adaptive ANC 3.0 thrown in. That basically means these buds are constantly adjusting the noise cancellation every 0.3 seconds. The previous-gen Liberty 4 earbuds offered pretty decent noise cancellation, and it'll only be better in this latest version. Sound-wise, we're talking 9.2mm wool paper diaphragms and twin bass tubes. It all adds up to mids that should offer actual presence, trebles that don't screech, and a bass punch that doesn't sound like a tin can in a wind tunnel. Chuck in Dolby Audio support with three immersive modes and suddenly these budget earbuds have a lot to offer. Calls get the six-mic and AI treatment, so you should sound crystal clear on the line. There's even wearing detection borrowed straight from Apple's AirPods Pro 2, so your music stops when you take one out. The Liberty 5 buds play nice with Google Fast Pair and Bluetooth 5.4. They even have stem controls that let you tap to skip or pause, and IP55 resistance to handle a sweaty jog or a surprise drizzle. The Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds are available now for $130 or £100 directly from Anker or online retailers like Amazon. If you order from Anker, you get a free MagSafe battery pack thrown in.
