The yr 2024 has been one other excellent one for wi-fi earbuds. We’ve reached some extent the place each tech large is firing on all cylinders. Apple’s AirPods Pro, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 are every unbelievable in their very own proper and pretty comparable within the options they provide. Are there benefits relying on which you decide? Sure. Samsung’s new voice controls are tremendous handy. Google wins out on consolation. And Apple’s new listening to well being options actually degree up what we anticipate from shopper earbuds. But when it comes to on a regular basis efficiency, they’re all inside spitting distance of one another.
As for over-ear headphones, Sonos launched its long-rumored Ace headphones this yr. Their marquee trick, TV Audio Swap, is the power to obtain audio from a Sonos soundbar for personal listening — an excellent instance of a model making an attempt to muster a novel promoting level in a aggressive market, whereas Apple, Samsung, and Google are laser-focused on interaction inside their very own respective ecosystems. (Of course, Sonos’ headphones had been all however forgotten within the avalanche of controversy introduced on by the corporate’s overhauled cellular app.)
But this yr has strengthened that you just don’t must spend large to search out nice worth. Apple introduced energetic noise cancellation to its inexpensive AirPods 4. With the Nothing Ear and budget-priced Ear (a), Nothing proved but once more that it might compete with long-established earbud makers — and outdesign a lot of them. Style-wise, it’s onerous to decide on between the flashy yellow of the Ear (a) or Beats’ sweet crimson Solo Buds, however Nothing offers you extra in your cash than Apple’s model.
2024 additionally noticed Jabra make an exit from the buyer earbuds market. The firm spent years producing worthy options to the AirPods and different merchandise again throughout the early waves of true wi-fi earbuds, however Jabra misplaced its momentum and didn’t meaningfully stand out with its more moderen Elite earbuds. The Elite 10 Gen 2 are wonderful by all accounts however onerous to suggest once they signify the tip of the road.
As for the place the class is headed, earbuds are shortly evolving into units with a function that extends properly past audio consumption. Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 now provide a strong trifecta of listening to well being options: you’ll be able to put on them as listening to safety, take a check to gauge your individual listening to loss, or use the earbuds as clinical-grade over-the-counter listening to aids. I’d anticipate we’ll see different trade heavyweights like Sony, Samsung, and Google carry comparable capabilities to their very own future buds — maybe as quickly as subsequent yr.
Fitness monitoring is one other space the place we’ll proceed to see earbuds provide new benefits. Heart fee monitoring is changing into comparatively widespread, and the next-generation Powerbeats Pro, due early in 2025, are rumored to incorporate the helpful characteristic.
As for the brand new yr, Sony’s long-popular 1000X collection is due for a refresh. The 1000XM6 earbuds (and headphones) look like a lock for 2025. I believe the identical is true of the following AirPods Pro; Apple will reportedly launch a redesigned third-gen pair someday subsequent yr. On the opposite hand, with Samsung and Google having each launched new fashions within the final six months, I wouldn’t anticipate a lot from them within the close to future.
For you audiophiles on the market, 2025 is more likely to see the introduction of extra earbuds that may wirelessly stream lossless audio as Qualcomm’s most superior chips begin to proliferate throughout new merchandise from numerous manufacturers — probably together with Sennheiser, Bose, and others. As for different options, I’m curious to what extent earbud makers will faucet into AI chatbots. Google’s Pixel Buds Pro make it potential to hold on complete conversations with Gemini Live. Will different manufacturers look to supply an analogous expertise with totally different AI platforms?
The new yr is for certain to get off to a busy begin proper out of the gate, with headphones and earbuds from dozens of manufacturers anticipated at CES 2025. Hopefully there’ll be some real surprises among the many bunch.
Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge
