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Tag: wireless earbuds

  • Best AirPods (2024): Which Apple Headphones Should You Buy?

    Best AirPods (2024): Which Apple Headphones Should You Buy?

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    If you’re hunting for your first pair of AirPods, you may have a few questions, such as proper cleaning methods and how to tinker with certain settings. We’ve got some answers to a handful of common questions about AirPods.

    Do Airpods work with Android?

    Yes, you can use AirPods with non-Apple devices, since they use the standard Bluetooth protocol. But you’ll lose out on features like Siri integration, ear detection (it won’t automatically pause audio when you take an AirPod out), and the ability to customize shortcuts on the double-tap feature. However, headphones from Beats usually offer broader support for Android.

    Can you buy a single AirPod?

    Yes. If you lose an AirPod, you can buy a replacement for the right or left AirPod through Apple. AppleCare+ doesn’t cover lost or stolen AirPods, so it will cost you. You can use Apple’s “Get an Estimate” tool to calculate the possible cost. The same applies if you lose the Charging Case. Your replacements will be new versions.

    Why is only one AirPod working?

    If you can’t hear audio in an AirPod, make sure your case is fully charged. Then place both AirPods in the case and charge them for 30 seconds. From there, open the charging case and use your iPhone or iPad to check that each AirPod is charging (there should be a lightning bolt icon next to both). Put both AirPods in your ears and test the audio. If that doesn’t work, you should reset your AirPods.

    Why isn’t the AirPods case charging?

    Start by checking your connections. If you have the AirPods or AirPods Pro, make sure the cables are fully plugged into the case and power adapter. Allow your AirPods to charge for at least 15 minutes (you should use one of Apple’s cables). If you have the AirPods Max, allow them to charge for at least five minutes. Then, open either the case on the AirPods or AirPods Pro or the Smart case on the AirPods Max and hold them near your iPhone or iPad. You should then see the charging icon appear when looking at the battery status. If that doesn’t work, you should contact Apple Support.

    If you lose an AirPod, can you find its location?

    If you have the AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro (all versions), and AirPods Max, you can track your AirPods using the Find My app. (You can’t, however, track an empty AirPods case unless you have the 2nd-generation AirPods Pro.) Make sure the feature is turned on by going to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the “I” icon, and scroll down to turn on Find My Network. If it’s already on, go to the Find My app, and under the Devices tab, tap on your AirPods. From there, you’ll see the exact location of both your left bud and your right bud. If they aren’t near you, tap Get Directions and it’ll automatically open their location in Maps. If you’re nearby, you can also press Tap Sound to listen for beeps. If you have AirPods Pro (2nd generation) along with an iPhone 11 or newer, you can also use Precision Finding.

    If your AirPods show “No location found” or “Offline,” this means they’re out of range or need to be charged, so you’ll only see their last known location. At that point, you might be able to get directions, but you won’t be able to use Find Nearby or play a sound. You’ll get a notification on your Apple device if they do come back online.

    Can you clean AirPods?

    Yes. You can use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe down the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. But there are other additional steps you can take, depending on the type of AirPods you have. Apple has steps on how to properly clean each version here.

    Why won’t AirPods connect to my device?

    If your AirPods won’t connect, you should start by checking that your iPhone, iPad, and Mac are all updated to the latest version of their respective operating systems. Then, make sure both AirPods are charging, Bluetooth is on (Settings > Bluetooth), and double check that AirPods appear in your list of devices via Settings and that they’re selected. If they aren’t on the list, hold the button on the back of the charging case until the status light flashes white and follow the onscreen instructions.

    How do you get rid of the crackling or static sounds on AirPods Pro?

    If you’re hearing crackling or static sounds from your AirPods Pro, make sure you’re running the latest software. You should also check that your connected device is nearby and that there is no wireless interference or obstructions between you and your iPhone, iPad, or Mac (like walls or floors, a lot of Wi-Fi activity, wireless speakers, etc). If none of these are issues, try listening to audio from a different app to see if it’s the app causing the problem. Otherwise, you can look into the AirPods Pro Service Program for sound issues.

    Why isn’t Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) working?

    Double-check that you’re running the latest software version on your Apple devices. When both AirPods Pro are in your ears, check that ANC is turned on (you can go to Settings > AirPods Pro > Noise Control on your iPhone). You should also check if Adaptive Audio is on. It helps to clean the microphone and speaker since earwax and debris can build up over time. If it’s still not working, you can look into Apple’s AirPods Pro Service Program for sound issues.

    Can you turn off Siri Notifications?

    Yes, if you don’t want Siri annoyingly reading aloud text messages and other notifications while you’re trying to listen to music or a podcast, you can turn them off. You can read step-by-step instructions here.

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  • 16 Best Wireless Earbuds (2024): Noise Cancelers, Cheap, Luxe, and More

    16 Best Wireless Earbuds (2024): Noise Cancelers, Cheap, Luxe, and More

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    Every month seems to bring new sets of earbuds with longer battery life and more compact designs. As such, we can’t list everything we like. But if you’re still hunting, here are some other recommendations.

    Montblanc MTB 03 for $395: These earbuds are priced out of reach for most buyers, but if you’ve got the cash, you’ll be rewarded with a luxury experience worthy of the brand. Montblanc has called in some heavy hitters from the audio industry to design and voice these buds. The result is a small, comfortable, and quite flashy-looking pair of wireless earbuds that sound really impressive.

    Samsung Galaxy Buds2 for $100: Even several years in, Samsung’s Buds2 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are a great value. For cheaper than a pair of AirPods, you get noise canceling, transparency mode, and some of the lightest, most comfortable buds around. Frustratingly, the companion app only works for Android, so iPhone users will miss out on most features. Some people have also had issues with these earbuds causing irritation in their ears. We did not experience this, but if you do, be sure to return the buds immediately.

    Apple/Beats Powerbeats Pro for $180: Apple’s beefy Powerbeats Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) provide a super-secure fit, sound far better than Apple’s standard AirPods or Beats pairs before them, and squeeze an impressive nine hours of life out of a charge. They’re getting long in the tooth and forego now-standard extras like transparency mode and ANC, but could still be worth consideration for those after serious stability.

    OnePlus Buds Pro for $140: These AirPods-esque earbuds sound great, look great, and work just about the same as the Apple product, though they’re designed for Android. If you want that, go ahead. I just happen to think some of the designs above are much sleeker.

    JBL Tour Pro 2 for $250: When I first saw photos of these headphones at CES 2023, I believed that a screen on a pair of wireless earbuds—to see how much battery is left, play and pause music, etc—would be awesome. It turns out that while the earbuds are totally fine and they are totally decent sounding, I don’t need a screen on the case. At all. I don’t think I looked at it once, beyond testing, while using the headphones. So much for that.

    Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 for $179: Sennheiser’s aging Momentum True Wireless 2 are still available, and now at a much lower price point. Apart from fantastic sound, Sennheiser also fixed the bug in the first Momentum pair that drained the battery after a week or so even if you didn’t use them.

    Raycon Everyday Earbuds for $80: These YouTuber-beloved earbuds are actually a decent cheap pair (7/10, WIRED Review). They are small and light, and they come with an IPX6 rating, which makes them great for workouts.

    Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport for $299: The Sport are a great option that come with active noise canceling and a striking design, but the high price keeps them out of the reach of most people.

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  • 21 Best Wireless Headphones (2024): Earbuds, Noise Canceling, and More

    21 Best Wireless Headphones (2024): Earbuds, Noise Canceling, and More

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    Whether you’re listening to the latest episode of the Gadget Lab podcast or hitting the trail with Taylor Swift on repeat, the right pair of wireless headphones can make your day. The only problem is that there are so many to choose from. WIRED’s Gear team is constantly testing new models, and these are the very best wireless headphones we’ve found.

    Be sure to check out all our audio buying guides, like the Best Wireless Earbuds, Best Workout Earbuds, Best Smart Speakers, and Best Bluetooth Speakers, for more music nirvana.

    Updated March 2024: We’ve added the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, and Sony WH-CH720N headphones.

    Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

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  • Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds Review: Impressive Sound, High Price

    Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds Review: Impressive Sound, High Price

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    The cling-on (not Klingon) design feels odd at first, but the buds nearly fade away over time thanks to their relatively light weight of 6.5 grams each. They feel slightly precarious, but they held on for a variety of activities, from yard work to jogging. The steadfast hold is entirely down to that malleable curling hinge that keeps its grip while still feeling pretty comfy, with only a tinge of pinching after multiple hours.

    The Ultra Open Earbuds’ single-key control system is well thought out, letting you play/pause, skip songs, take calls, and even control volume with relative ease through a series of taps and long presses. There’s an assignable shortcut for each side that lets you choose between commands like activating a voice assistant, switching Bluetooth sources, or choosing between stereo mode and Bose’s 3D audio system.

    The latter works, for better or worse, in the same way as Bose’s noise-canceling Ultra headphones and the latest QuietComfort earbuds. The system employs digital processing to create a deeper sense of immersion from stereo sources, including the ability to track your head movements to keep the sound centralized as though you’re listening to speakers. As noted in my Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones review, I’m not a big fan—I’d rather the feature be cut and the price dropped—but it can be interesting to play around with.

    Other notable features include a three-band EQ alongside a selection of audio presets, Auto Volume to dynamically adjust the sound based on your environment (though it doesn’t seem particularly accurate), and a solid 7.5 hours of playback time per charge. Android users will also get Google’s Fast Pair connection and aptX Adaptive for hi-res streaming. I was surprised to find the charging case does not include support for Qi wireless charging—something I expect in this price bracket. There’s also no multipoint pairing to seamlessly switch between connected devices, like your laptop and phone, though Bose says this is coming later.

    I experienced multiple connection hiccups during my review, including a few where the left earbud disconnected completely, requiring me to put the buds in the case to reset them. I was not alone, as Bose sent out a firmware update (the second during my evaluation) to address several software quirks. It’s not a great look at this price, but so far the update seems to have created a much more stable connection with only occasional hiccups.

    In the Open

    The big pitch for open-ear headphones and adjacent devices like audio sunglasses is their blend of environmental awareness and sonic accompaniment for a wide variety of activities. This translates to options like chatting with your partner while you groove to your Discover Weekly playlist, jogging in traffic without sacrificing spatial awareness, or simply humming along through your daily routine at the office without missing a greeting from the CEO.

    Person holding Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

    Photograph: Ryan Waniata

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