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CNET
a day ago
- CNET
These Anker ANC Headphones Are Just $56 in Four Gorgeous Colors
Busy offices and noisy commutes are just some examples of when a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can be worth their weight in gold. Listening to your favorite music or must-listen podcast is easier when they aren't competing with outside noise, and ANC is great at blocking it out. Sure, there are some big-name headphones from some big-name brands out there, but you don't have to spend big money on a pair of headphones. Right now, one of our favorites -- Anker's Soundcore Life Q30 headphones -- can be had for just $56 at Amazon. That's an incredible 30% off the original asking price of $80, with four different colors available for you to choose from. Regardless of the color you choose, the headphones can filter out up to 95% of low-frequency ambient sound while promising up to 40 hours of music listening. Turn the active noise cancellation off and you'll extend that to 60 hours, while a 5-minute top-up will get you an extra 4 hours of listening time. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. As CNET's resident headphone expert, David Carnoy, found in his testing, "as far as sound, comfort level and build quality go, you'd be hard-pressed to do better than Anker's Soundcore Life Q30 for the money." The clarity or bass definition isn't quite on par with premium Bose or Sony models, but these headphones offer balanced sound overall and only really fall short on microphone quality for voice calls. With the kinds of features you'd expect from headphones costing much, much more, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 headphones are a great option for those searching for noise-canceling headphones under $100 -- especially when you can get them for even less. Looking for something a little different? Our list of the best headphone deals should have something right up your street. Why this deal matters There are so many headphones on the market that it can be difficult to choose the right ones, but at this price, and with these features, it's hard to look beyond this Q30 deal. A long-lasting battery and support for connecting to multiple devices make them a real winner in our eyes. The price being just $4 more than their all-time low is the icing on the cake.
CNET
12-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
The Beats Earbuds I Recommend Most for Workouts Are Back Down to Their Best-Ever Price
Beats launched the Powerbeats Pro 2 earlier this year after a six-year hiatus in the lineup. The new pair introduced a built-in heart rate tracker, improved the ergonomics, and borrowed the Apple H2 chip from the AirPods Pro 2. I've been using them on and off since launch, and these are my new go-to earbuds to use for workouts. If you're in the market for ear-hook style true-wireless earbuds, you're in luck. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are available at their lowest price yet. Despite being relatively new to the market, the $250 Beats earbuds are seeing a $50 discount on both Amazon and Best Buy. You don't need to enter any codes or clip any coupons to take advantage of this offer. It's a limited-time deal, though, so we don't know how long it'll hang around for. The Powerbeats Pro 2 are feature-packed Android users have to manually start the heart rate monitor in the app or use the control button on the buds. Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET Beats' new workout earbuds represent one of the biggest generational updates to this model. They come equipped with the Apple H2 chip, which puts them on par with the AirPods Pro 2. Beats says it's "leveraged Apple's best noise canceling." I find that I get a good, secure seal when I'm wearing them, so the noise cancellation performance is pretty good. However, they're tuned differently compared with the flagship Apple earbuds. The Powerbeats Pro 2 are more bassy, which some gym enthusiasts might appreciate. The best part about them is their fit, thanks to their ear hook build. The music never left my ears. Whether I was on a run or in the gym, the earbuds sat comfortably. More than the fit, I was surprised by the voice-calling performance. As CNET's David Carnoy noted in his review, "Thanks to the H2 chip, new microphones and voice accelerometers to help pinpoint your voice, Beats has made some big improvements in the voice department." Read more: Best True Wireless Earbuds With Ear Hooks for 2025 I haven't relied on their heart rate monitoring system, because I have an Apple Watch. And if you're like me and you already own the Apple Watch, your iPhone will prioritize readings from the Watch. If you don't own one, it'll show the heart rate data in Apple's Health app. Like other Beats products, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are also platform-agnostic, and the company says all Android fitness and wellness apps with heart rate monitoring capabilities are compatible with its earbuds. That said, the Powerbeats Pro 2 offer a few Apple-exclusive features, like personalized spatial audio with head tracking, hands-free Siri, audio sharing and iCloud pairing across all your Apple devices logged in to your iCloud account. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 key specs Weight: 8.7 grams per earbud (case weighs 69 grams) Bluetooth 5.3 Apple H2 chip Custom designed, dual-element dynamic diaphragm transducer IPX4 splash-proof and sweat-proof Active noise cancellation (adaptive) Transparency mode Adaptive EQ Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking Six microphones total (one dedicated voice microphone on each earbud) Sensors (per bud): Optical in-ear detection, optical heart rate monitoring, accelerometer, gyroscope Customizable controls Five sizes of soft silicon ear tips (XS, S, M, L, XL) Wireless charging case (Qi compatible or via USB-C cable) Battery life: Up to 10 hours with ANC off (8 hours with ANC on) 35 additional hours from charging case with ANC off (28 hours with ANC on) Fast Fuel: 5-minute charge gets you up to 1.5 hours of playback Telephony: Up to five microphones employed for phone calls, wind-noise reduction, voice accelerometer isolates user's voice Colors: Electric Orange, jet black, Hyper Purple and Quick Sand The case isn't easy to carry Prakhar Khanna/CNET Though Beats made the Powerbeats Pro 2 50% smaller, the case is still on the bigger side. It isn't as comfortable as carrying other earbud cases, especially when you go for a run. I leave the case at home most of the time, but if you want a pair of earbuds that's easy to carry in a case, the Powerbeats Pro 2 aren't for you. That said, if portability isn't a priority, the Powerbeats Pro 2 can be counted among the best ear hook earbuds on the market right now, which is why they're on CNET's list of the best wireless earbuds of 2025. They offer good sound quality and great noise cancellation and voice call performance, and they stay snug in your ears. They also offer heart rate detection. With the $50 discount, this might be the best time to buy them. If you're interested in other options to improve your listening experience, check out our roundup of the best earbud and headphone deals.
CNET
09-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Beats Solo 4 Wireless Headphones Are 50% Off In These Gorgeous Colors
It's never a bad time to upgrade to a new pair of headphones, especially if you're still dealing with messy wires. Going wireless is a game-changer, and it's even better when you can do it at a discount. Well, it just so happens that you can now pick up a pair of Beats Solo 4 headphones at Amazon for just $100. That's not only 50% off, but also $30 cheaper than they were during Amazon's Big Spring Sale event. We're not expecting this deal to last long, though, so grab it quick if you want it. The good news? Best Buy is offering the same 50% discount, so you've a choice of retailer here. As far as headphone deals go, you won't want to miss these. The Beats Solo 4 headphones have plenty going for them, including a 50-hour battery life, so you won't need to reach for the charger that often. But when you do need to charge them up, a 10-minute charge will give you 5 hours of listening time. If you prefer to listen with a cable rather than wirelessly, the Beats Solo 4 and includes support for high-quality audio, too. CNET's audio expert David Carnoy rated the Beats Solo 4 highly in his full review last year, but advised readers to wait for them to drop to $130 or so. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The colors on sale include matte black, pink and blue, and all have custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers to offer Beats' signature sound. If you're a fan of bass, you won't be disappointed. The adjustable earcups and so-called UltraPlush cushions ensure long listening sessions won't be uncomfortable. Why this deal matters The Apple-owned Beats brand is iconic and this is your chance to put a pair of the company's headphones in your tech bag at a huge saving. Getting anything for half the price is an incredible opportunity. Being able to pick your color sweetens the deal, but the limited-time nature of the deal does mean you need to act sooner rather than later.
CNET
06-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
The Sonos Ace Headphones Have Never Been So Cheap
Sonos is a name that you've probably seen associated with wireless speakers more than anything else, but it finally entered the headphone market last year. The Sonos Ace headphones instantly became real competition for some of the top headphones from more familiar headphone companies, which is always a good thing for consumers. When CNET's audio expert David Carnoy reviewed the Sonos Ace, one of the few downsides he pointed out was the high price tag, but that's less of an issue right now, thanks to a limited-time $175 discount. This deal brings the price down to just $274, a price that makes this the best deal that we've seen to date. The catch? This deal ends this weekend which means you only have a very limited amount of time to act. On a more positive note, you do get to choose between the white and black versions when placing your order. Carnoy liked the headphones a lot, stating that "overall the Ace deliver a more premium listening experience, as well as better noise-canceling and voice-calling performance" than many other options at this premium price range, but did state that the price tag itself was an issue. They're comfortable, have strong spatial audio and they look good to boot. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. These headphones boast support for lossless audio via Bluetooth and their USB-C port, while plush memory foam ear pads ensure a comfortable fit all day long. You'll also get up to 30 hours of battery life even with ANC enabled, while just three minutes on the charger gets you up to three hours of playback. The newness of the Sonos Ace headphones and the rarity of Sonos deals make this one of the best deals on headphones right now, especially if you like having the latest devices. Why this deal matters The Sonos Ace headphones are currently available at a significant discount. You can save $175 on these if you are quick. This is the lowest price we've seen, but the limited-time status means you need to act soon. We don't expect this price to be beat any time soon, so keep that in mind when planning your purchase.
CNET
05-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
I Got Belkin's New Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories But Not the Switch 2
You'd think an accessories company like Belkin would have already made some gaming accessories, but until now it hasn't. That's changing as it's released four new accessories for the new Switch 2 game console, which Nintendo just started shipping to consumers. I'm still waiting for my Switch 2 to arrive, but I did get review samples of all four Belkin Switch 2 accessories, which include two cases -- one with a bundled battery -- and two glass screen protectors. Read more: CNET's Switch 2 accessories round up The $30 Belkin Travel Case for Switch 2, available in three color options (charcoal, sand and green), is a compact, elegant case that seems durable (the fabric is water-resistant). On the inside you'll find a slot system to store 10 game cards and a hidden AirTag compartment. What's kind of cool is that you can detach the carrying handle, turning it into a wristlet strap. According to Belkin, the relatively compact case weighs 285.5 grams (.63 pounds) or 821.5 grams (1.81 pounds) with the Switch 2 stored in it. The Travel case comes in three color options. Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET The $70 Belkin Charging Case has the same footprint as the Travel Case but is about a third thicker as it includes a 10K power bank that sits in a little well in the bottom of the case under your Switch 2. You can charge the console in the case or remove the battery and uses it to charge the Switch 2 outside the case -- or charge other devices. It's a pretty basic looking 10K portable battery that offers fast 20W charging and has two USB-C charge out ports (the Switch 2 has a 5,220mAh battery and Belkin says its power bank will charge the Switch 1.5x). In my tests with an iPhone 16 Pro Max, the power bank doesn't heat up too much while charging. The Charging Case also includes the same slot system to store 10 game cards and a hidden AirTag compartment. The Belkin Charging Case for Switch 2 includes a 10K power bank. Belkin The screen protectors are solid glass screen protectors, which is nice (these aren't those cheap, thin plastic ones you sometimes see). Belkin has a history of making screen protectors for iPhones -- it has a partnership with Apple to apply screen protectors in Apple Stores -- so they also seem good though a little pricey. Read more: Hands-on with Nintendo's Switch 2 on launch day I'm already seeing a slew of Switch 2 cases and accessories showing up on Amazon from no-name brands, with cases starting at a little less than $20. We'll be putting together a list of the best Switch accessories as soon as we test more items, but I like what I've seen so far with these Belkin accessories. I'll add any additional comments should I encounter any issues once I actually use them with my Switch 2 that is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Belkin's antireflective screen protector for the Switch 2. Belkin Belkin's new gaming accessories:
