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The Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
by Lauren Dragan
The Soundcore Space A40 true wireless earbuds perform so well it’s hard to believe they’re so affordable.
The Best Bookshelf Speakers for Most Stereos
by Brent Butterworth
The Triangle Borea BR03 passive speakers and the Edifier S1000MKII powered speakers are the best we’ve tested under $600.
Your Wireless Earbuds Are Trash (Eventually)
by Lauren Dragan
Wireless earbuds are great, but their small batteries have a limited lifespan. Are you willing to sacrifice longevity for convenience?
The Best Record Player Setup for Beginners
by Adrienne Maxwell
Start your vinyl music journey here with our picks for turntable, receiver, speakers, and more.
How to Connect Your New Turntable to Any Audio System
by Brent Butterworth
No matter what kind of turntable and audio gear you have, it is possible to get them working together. Here’s how.
Ready to Get Serious About Vinyl? Start With These Affordable Accessories.
by Ian D. White
If you’ve discovered a passion for vinyl, a few affordable accessories can make a positive difference in your turntable setup.
How to Set Up Your Turntable to Sound Its Best
by Chris Heinonen
No matter what turntable you own, there are a few adjustments you can make—often for little to no cost—to help it sound its best.
Outgrown Your Starter Record Player? Here’s How to Shop for a Quality Turntable.
by Freddy Gerngross
Shopping for your first higher-end, dedicated turntable can be a confusing experience. We explain the important features to consider.
Gear to Get Better Sound From Your TV
by Grant Clauser
TVs are made for great pictures, so we recommend the best ways to get great sound too.
The Best AV Receivers for Most People
by Dennis Burger and Adrienne Maxwell
The Denon AVR-X1800H is an easy-to-use AV receiver that sounds great and has the necessary features to meet most people’s movie, music, and video-gaming needs.
The Best Computer Speakers
by Brent Butterworth
The Pioneer DJ DM-50D-BT is the best-sounding pair of computer speakers we’ve heard in the $200 price range.
The Best Audiophile Headphones for Everyday Use
by Lauren Dragan and Brent Butterworth
Audiophile headphones focus on delivering the best sound quality, period. We’ve tested hundreds of them and selected our favorites for different uses.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Kids Is a Growing Problem. Here’s How to Protect Little Ears.
by Lauren Dragan
Noise-induced hearing loss is a growing problem for kids. It’s preventable, but you need to understand what causes it and take early preventive measures.
You May Have Signs of Hearing Loss and Not Know It. Here’s How OTC Hearing Aids Can Help.
by Rose Maura Lorre
Mild to moderate hearing loss affects adults of all ages. Here are the signs that you might be experiencing it—and how over-the-counter hearing aids can help.
11 Great Gifts for Listening to Music
by Samantha Schoech
All our best equipment and tech to help the music lover in your life enjoy their passion to the fullest.
Yes, You Should Be Wearing Earplugs to Concerts. Specifically, These Earplugs.
by Rose Maura Lorre
Loop Experience Earplugs can help you endure loud environments—not just concerts—safely and comfortably. Here’s why Wirecutter staffers love them.
The Best Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids and Other Hearing Solutions
by Lauren Dragan
No single over-the-counter hearing device is perfect for everyone, so we offer different recommendations for different priorities and budgets.
The Best USB Microphones for Musicians and Podcasters
by Freddy Gerngross and Brent Butterworth
Monoprice’s Dark Matter Sentry is an excellent all-purpose USB microphone that sounds great, offers an array of features, and comes at an affordable price.
The Best Home Bluetooth Speaker
by Brent Butterworth
Klipsch’s The One Plus Bluetooth speaker is a great way to get full, satisfying sound in your home with no need for complicated setup.
The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
by Brent Butterworth
The UE Wonderboom 3 is the all-around best portable Bluetooth speaker because it sounds good and looks cool, and it’s the most rugged model we’ve tested.
The Best Sleep Headphones (But We Hoped for Better)
by Lauren Dragan
All of the sleep headphones we tested fell short in some way, but we still have three recommendations for different uses and budgets.
The Best USB Audio Interfaces for Musicians and Podcasters
by Brent Butterworth
If you’re serious about recording high-quality music or podcasts, a great USB audio interface—like Focusrite’s Scarlett 2i2 or Vocaster Two—is a vital tool.
Sound Machines Aren’t Just for Sleep. Here’s How to Use Brown Noise to Focus at Work.
by Elissa Sanci
The brown noise settings on your machine or your white noise app can help drown out the sounds of the world (and your own thoughts).
The Best Stereo Amplifiers and Receivers Under $300
by Brent Butterworth
Stereo amplifiers come in various flavors. We have affordable picks for full-featured integrated amps, discreet mini amps, and powerful stereo receivers.
The Best Outdoor Speakers
by Brent Butterworth
The OSD Audio AP650 is the best all-around choice in a passive outdoor speaker because it sounds great and has a rugged, sealed design with a versatile mount.
The Best Soundbar
by Brent Butterworth
The Polk MagniFi Mini AX is the all-around best soundbar because of its big, immersive sound, small footprint, affordable cost, and easy operation.
The Best Turntables and Record Players
by Freddy Gerngross and Brent Butterworth
The Fluance RT85N is our favorite turntable under $600 because it’s easy to set up and use, and it sounds great with all types of recordings.
The Best Google Nest Smart Speakers
by Nena Farrell
The Google Nest line of smart speakers makes it easy to access music, audio, trivia, and in some cases video, all by voice commands to Google Assistant.
The Best Portable Headphone Amp With Built-In DAC
by Brent Butterworth
The affordable Fosi Audio DS1 is our favorite headphone amp/DAC because it has the needed connections and power output to suit most headphones.
Great Sound on a Small Budget
by Grant Clauser
Good sound doesn't have to cost a lot. We found the best audio gear for around $100 or less.
The Best Wireless and Wired Headsets
by Kaitlyn Wells and Melanie Pinola
Whether you prefer the freedom of Bluetooth or the reliability of a wired headset, we have picks to suit all budgets and fit preferences.
The Best Multiroom Wireless Speaker System
by Dennis Burger
The Sonos multiroom music platform offers great-sounding speakers, supports the widest variety of streaming services, and is easy to set up and use.
The Best Karaoke Machines
by Thom Dunn
After months of research and straining our vocal cords, we think the Tonor K20 Wireless Karaoke Machine is the best karaoke machine for most people.
Subwoofers Range From $100 to $50,000. Here’s What You Get When You Spend More.
by Brent Butterworth
Subwoofers are a powerful addition to an audio system, but they vary greatly in cost. Here’s what you can get when you pay more.
I Cheated on My Clock Radio With an Echo Dot. I’m Never Going Back.
by Jon Chase
A balky clock radio was killing our morning wake-up mojo. An Echo Dot with a clock was the replacement that solved our woes.
This Sonos System Is the Easiest, Best-Sounding Way to Enjoy Music at Home
by Grant Clauser
Sonos is the best speaker system you can get to stream any music anywhere in your home with almost no fuss.