Technology
The best noise-canceling headphone deals
With extra individuals working from dwelling than they used to, proudly owning an excellent pair of noise-canceling headphones has turn into extra interesting than ever. Nevertheless, they are often costly and tough to buy because of the vary of accessible fashions, a lot of which cater to totally different life and priorities. Some are higher suited to long-haul flights, whereas others are perfect for multitasking and marathon listening classes.
That’s why we’ve curated this record of the most effective offers on noise-canceling headphones. Right here, you’ll discover gross sales on every kind of on-ear and over-ear headphones, all of that are designed to get rid of outdoors noise however include their very own strengths and weaknesses. And if you wish to do much more analysis earlier than making a shopping for choice, we’ve put collectively a information to the most effective noise-canceling headphones, which can assist you establish which is best for you.
Highlights throughout the vary
Sony WH-1000XM4 offers
Sony’s WH-1000XM4 is our total decide for the most effective noise-canceling headphones. They provide wonderful noise-canceling, good sound and voice high quality, and the flexibility to pair to 2 units concurrently. You may put on these for lengthy intervals of time as nicely, as their plush ear pads make them snug to put on for so long as you want. They’ll even last as long as 30 hours on a single cost and could be charged by way of USB-C.
Throughout Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we noticed the $349.99 headphones drop to $248 — their lowest value so far. Fortunately, you’ll be able to nonetheless purchase them for round $278 at Amazon, B&H Picture, Goal, Finest Purchase, and Sony, regardless of the shortage of vacation gross sales. Learn our overview.
Bose QuietComfort 45 offers
Bose QuietComfort 45s, our decide for essentially the most snug noise-canceling headphones, are a pair frequent vacationers will certainly respect. They’re light-weight and foldable, so you’ll be able to simply carry them round with you, and ear fatigue is unlikely, because of their oval ear cups. Battery life now sits at 24 hours as nicely, which means you needn’t fear about consistently having to cost them. The brand new transparency mode, in the meantime, turns out to be useful when it’s good to be extra conscious of your environment, like whenever you’re about to cross the road, whereas a recently-introduced firmware replace means that you can customise the bass, mid-range, and different points of the EQ. The USB-C-equipped headphones don’t supply the identical bassy response as Sony’s 1000XM4s, but when consolation is what you’re after, the QC45 supply it in spades.
Proper now, Amazon, Finest Purchase, Adorama, Goal, and Bose are promoting the QC45 for $279 as an alternative of $329, their greatest value so far. Learn our overview.
Apple’s AirPods Max offers
If you happen to’re on the lookout for the most effective sound high quality you will get in a pair of noise-canceling headphones, we suggest the AirPods Max. The headphones pair seamlessly with different Apple units and sound very good, particularly mixed with Apple’s encompass sound-like spatial audio characteristic, which permits for a extra immersive expertise when listening to or watching choose content material. Additionally they tout the most effective transparency mode of all of the headphones on our record and boast unbelievable construct high quality because of a luxe design that opts for aluminum, metal, and cloth over plastic.
At $549, these headphones are costly, however many retailers have been closely discounting them as of late. Proper now, as an illustration, Amazon and Walmart are promoting the AirPods Max for round $449 — with the low cost making use of at checkout, in some situations — which is about $20 shy of their greatest value so far. You can even decide them up at Micro Middle in choose colorways for a similar value, although they’re solely out there for in-store pickup in choose places. Learn our overview.
Microsoft Floor Headphones 2 offers
Multitaskers will respect Microsoft’s Floor Headphones 2 given they provide terrific multipoint Bluetooth help, which lets you pair them with a number of units and change backwards and forwards between them with ease. The headphones additionally supply intuitive dial controls for each quantity and noise cancellation, in addition to improved sound high quality and battery life over their predecessor. Whereas Microsoft’s noise-canceling tech isn’t fairly as efficient as Bose’s and Sony’s, the Floor Headphones 2 nonetheless adequately silence outdoors noises so you’ll be able to focus.
Throughout Black Friday, Microsoft’s $249.99 Floor Headphones 2 dropped right down to round $162, which is nearly half their typical retail value. We’re not at the moment seeing any offers that steep proper now, nevertheless, Amazon is promoting them in white for $214.40, their second-best value so far. You can even purchase the black mannequin for about $11 extra at Amazon, Finest Purchase, and Microsoft. Learn our overview.
Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 offers
If you happen to plan to ceaselessly use your headphones for voice calls, Bose’s Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are the best choice on this record for doing so. They boast wonderful voice name high quality, which means all people in your Zoom name will have the ability to hear you loud and clearly, they usually supply nice noise cancellation with passable sound. Just like the QC45, the over-ears may join to 2 units concurrently, however they’ll’t be folded and solely supply 20 hours of battery life, which can also be lower than different headphones on this record present.
We’ve seen a number of reductions on the 700s over the previous yr or so, with the most effective reaching an all-time low of $299. We haven’t seen any gross sales that steep as of late, however Amazon, Walmart, Finest Purchase, and Goal are all at the moment promoting them for $329, a $50 low cost. Learn our overview.
Different nice noise-canceling headphone offers value trying out
Sony WH-CH710N
If you happen to’re on the lookout for noise-canceling headphones which are underneath $200, Sony’s WH-CH710N could be value a glance. The budget-friendly headphones include an “Synthetic Intelligence Noise Cancellation” characteristic, which, in accordance with Sony, will robotically choose the right noise cancellation mode primarily based on the sound ranges in your atmosphere. The Bluetooth headphones additionally characteristic an ambient mode for whenever you need to hear what’s happening round you and supply as much as 35 hours of steady playback on a single cost.
Sony’s WH-CH710N sometimes retail for $199.99, however in the intervening time you should purchase them for round $98 at Amazon, Finest Purchase, Goal, Adorama, and Sony.
Beats Studio 3 offers
Whereas we couldn’t suggest these to anyone outdoors of the Apple ecosystem, the Beats Studio 3 Wi-fi could possibly be an honest different in order for you a pair of over-ear headphones from Apple however discover the AirPods Max to be too costly. The Beats Studio 3 are snug to put on, fold inward for simple stowing, and have Apple’s last-gen W1 wi-fi chip, which lets you rapidly join and change between Apple units. Observe, nevertheless, not like these constructed with Apple’s newer H1 chip, the headphones lack hands-free Siri help. Additionally they cost by way of a Micro USB port as an alternative of a Lightning port or USB-C.
They’re definitely exhibiting their age at this level — they launched in 2017, in any case — however they’re on sale in the intervening time in most colorways for round $199 at Amazon, Finest Purchase, and Goal. Learn our overview.
Beats Solo Professional offers
After we first reviewed the Beats Solo Professional in 2019, we discovered the properly designed Apple headphones supplied efficient noise cancellation, good sturdiness, prolonged battery life, and a balanced sound profile. Whereas its sticker value was $299.95, Walmart at the moment has them for $129. Observe, nevertheless, these headphones have since been discontinued. Because of this, Apple not sells them, and the retailers that do — like Walmart — will not be more likely to proceed stocking them sooner or later.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wi-fi offers
If you happen to’re a non-Apple consumer on the lookout for a pair of noise-canceling headphones that sound incredible, Sennheiser’s Momentum 3 Wi-fi are the best choice. We discovered that they boast detailed, bass-rich sound, a trendy, retro-inspired design, and are extraordinarily snug to put on — even whenever you’re donning glasses. Though their noise cancellation won’t rival different fashions on our record, they make up for it with handy software program options like ambient passthrough and a customizable EQ. Plus, not like many different headphones, they combine immediately with the Bluetooth monitoring gadget Tile.
The headphones sometimes retail for $399.99, however Amazon is at the moment promoting the Momentum 3 Wi-fi in black for $246.28 and white for $249.95 — a slight improve over their Black Friday and Cyber Monday pricing. The noise-canceling headphones are additionally out there in each colorways by way of Sennheiser for $249.95. Learn our overview.
Shure Aonic 50 offers
Shure’s Aonic 50 supply first-class sound high quality and satisfactory noise cancellation, in addition to help for superior codecs like apt-X HD and LDAC. Like Sennheiser’s aforementioned Momentum 3 Wi-fi, they’re additionally snug to put on, boast detailed, bass-rich sound, and supply options like ambient passthrough and a customizable EQ. Usually $299.99, Shure’s Aonic 50 are on sale proper now for round $239 at Amazon, Finest Purchase, Goal, Adorama, and B&H Picture, amongst different retailers.
Technology
L’Oréal claims its new skincare gadget can tell which ingredients work best for you
L’Oréal is hoping its latest beauty gadget can demystify skincare. At CES 2025, the company announced Cell BioPrint, a device that’s designed to analyze your skin and give personalized advice on how to slow down signs of aging.
The device is the result of a partnership with NanoEntek — a Korean startup that specializes in chips that can read biofluids. A person essentially takes a facial tape strip, sticks it on their cheek, and then puts the strip in a buffer solution. That solution is then inserted into a cartridge for the Cell BioPrint to analyze. Once that sample is processed, the device takes images of your face as you answer a few short questions about skin concerns and aging.
From there, L’Oreal says it uses proteomics, or the analysis of protein structure and function from a biological sample. In this case, the Cell BioPrint is designed to determine how well your skin is aging. It’ll then give personalized advice on how to improve your skin’s appearance, as well as predictions of how responsive your skin may be to certain skincare ingredients.
It’s an attractive claim, but as with most beauty tech, it’s difficult to properly evaluate L’Oréal’s methods without peer-reviewed studies or experts weighing in. L’Oréal also claims the device can help predict future cosmetic issues before they manifest. For example, it may be able to determine if your skin is prone to hyperpigmentation or enlarged pores.
Skincare became massively popular during covid-19 lockdowns, sparking a shift in beauty trends toward self-care and the rise of “skinfluencers.” On the flip side, that virality has since turned skincare buying into an extreme sport. Hop onto TikTok, and you’ll find dozens of skinfluencers egging you into dropping $80 on a vial of vitamin C serum, debating the moisturizing properties of glycerin versus hyaluronic acid, or wagging a finger about this or that retinol cream. (Some, may even convince you to buy a wand that zaps your face to increase the efficacy of said ingredients.) It’s confusing, expensive, and maddeningly, what works for one person may not for another. The most the average consumer can do is cross their fingers and hope that the latest potion they bought will actually work.
The Cell BioPrint’s appeal is it claims to use science to cut through that noise. Maybe every skinfluencer says you need to start using retinol when you turn 30, but this device will purportedly tell you based on your own biology whether retinol will actually work for you. Personalization has always been a major theme with CES beauty tech, but it’s particularly compelling with skincare, which is highly dependent on your individual biology. But again, right now there’s no way to know how reliable the Cell BioPrint’s science and recommendations are.
L’Oréal says the Cell BioPrint will be easy to use, with the process taking only five minutes. It also says people will be able to repeat tests, enabling them to monitor changes and progress over time. That said, it might be a while before something like Cell BioPrint is available for consumers. L’Oréal says the device will first be piloted in Asia later this year but otherwise didn’t have a concrete launch timeline or price.
Technology
Can I outsmart thieves with a hidden AirTag in RFID wallet?
Apple AirTags can be a great way to outsmart car thieves, but there are some drawbacks to consider. A key limitation is that thieves who also have iPhones can usually detect a hidden AirTag in vehicles they are trying to steal. This makes hiding an AirTag tricky.
That’s why we were intrigued by Brian’s inquiry about using other ways to make Apple AirTags undetectable to car thieves or outsmarting them twice.
“If an AirTag is put in an RFID wallet and hidden in a car, can the AirTag be located by a thief using a locator? I know the AirTag will function in the wallet, but will it be undetectable by the thief?“ — Brian, LaSalle, Illinois
Below are reasons why using an RFID wallet might end up leaving you outsmarted instead.
I’M GIVING AWAY THE LATEST AND GREATEST AIRPODS PRO 2
Why RFID wallets might not outsmart car thieves?
Some thieves use RFID readers, which use radio waves, to scan and read data such as credit cards in wallets. The function of RFID wallets and bags is to protect items or devices from these radio waves by blocking them.
Apple AirTags use different technology, so even if it was placed in an RFID-blocking wallet or bag, it could still be detected by a thief with an iPhone or locator. Unlike the radio waves used to scan for credit cards and other data, Apple AirTags use Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. Neither technology can be shielded by RFID-blocking material because those materials cannot block Bluetooth and UWB signals.
DO EMF BLOCKERS REALLY PROTECT US?
What can block AirTag technology?
Faraday bags, on the other hand, use electromagnetic shielding and can successfully block Apple AirTag signals, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals, from being detected by thieves. The only issue with putting an Apple AirTag in a Faraday bag to hide in your car is that if the car thief cannot read or locate the signal it emits, you cannot either.
While the Apple AirTag may go undetected when in a Faraday bag, you will likely not be able to use FindMy or any other tracking methods to locate it either, because those methods require signals pinged from the AirTag to other iPhones and Apple Devices to track location.
BEST CAR ACCESSORIES
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
Alternatives to AirTags for car security
While Apple AirTags offer some benefits, there are other technologies and methods to consider for enhancing car security. For example, GPS trackers provide real-time location data without the risk of being detected by a nearby iPhone. Additionally, physical deterrents like steering wheel locks and alarm systems can act as effective safeguards. Combining multiple layers of security can better protect your vehicle against theft. Check out how to prevent your car from being stolen.
HOW TO OUTSMART CAR THIEVES WITH THESE SMART AIRTAG TACTICS
Kurt’s key takeaways
While Apple AirTags can be a useful device to help you keep track of your vehicle, whether it is lost or stolen, it does not replace the reliability of a GPS system installed in your vehicle if you are trying to outsmart car thieves. Because car thieves might be able to locate an Apple AirTag hidden in your vehicle, it may not provide the layer of protection you hope for. Though the technology in RFID wallets will not block signals from an Apple AirTag, which will make them detectable to locators and scanners, Faraday bags will. Unfortunately, you will end up outsmarting yourself in trying to outsmart car thieves if you use a Faraday bag because you will then not be able to track the Apple AirTags either. If you are looking for the optimal way to outsmart car thieves, the Apple AirTags might not be the answer you are looking for.
What personal experiences have you had with technology aiding in theft prevention? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Technology
This pixel light grid can show you the weather (and the price of Bitcoin)
Govee is launching a new pixel light grid that can display art, animations, and live data. The Gaming Pixel Light lets you upload your own images and GIFs to display or choose from 150 different data sources, letting it provide live updates on the weather, Bitcoin prices, NBA scores, and more.
You can also sync the display to games you’re playing by hooking it up to Govee’s HDMI sync box or play 8-bit tunes that sync to the pixel grid using the built-in speaker. Naturally, there’s an AI component as well — an accompanying app can generate new pixel art for you using Govee’s “AI Lighting Bot.”
The Gaming Pixel Light is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can wall-mount the screen or place it atop a table or desk, making it seem like a neat little addition to a gaming room or office.
Along with this pixel light, Govee is announcing the Table Lamp 2 Pro — an LED-packed tabletop lamp with a 2.5-inch JBL speaker that syncs up lighting with your music. The portable device has 210 independently controlled LED beads and 600 lumens of brightness. When it’s not synced with your music, you can customize the lighting yourself or choose from 100 preset scenes.
The lamp works with Matter, Google Assistant, and Alexa and comes with a rechargeable battery. You can also link two lamps together for a “full stereo surround experience.” Govee says it will release the Gaming Pixel Light and the Table Lamp 2 Pro in the second quarter of 2025, but it didn’t provide any pricing information.
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