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Earbuds, speakers, headphones and other killer audio tech to gift this year

By Kim Komando, Komando.com
•
November 26, 2021

When Dr. Dre introduced Beats headphones, they were a must-have. Since then, countless brands have produced everything from speakers to earbuds to blow your mind. It’s hard to go anywhere without seeing at least one person with a pair of AirPods in.

There are thousands of options out there, but if one thing is universal, it’s that someone on your shopping list likely wants something audio-related. So, do you splurge on Apple or skimp with the cheaper models?

If you’re struggling to pick out the right audio gift, let us help. Here are 12 presents from everyone on your list, from soundbars to wireless earbuds.

1. When you need music 24/7

The Everyday Raycon Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds

The Everyday Raycon Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds

Want high-quality on a budget? Go with Raycons. They offer three sound profiles to make sure everything you're listening to has just the right amount of bass. They last through up to 8 hours of playtime, too, so you can listen all your favorite tunes and podcasts and even take calls.

Promising review: "This is my second pair of Raycons. Also, have the e50. I brought these to use at work. Great for listening to music indiscreetly at work. People think I am on a conference call. Compared to the e50 the e25 has better audio and pairing is easier. I think these are definitely worth the money and would buy again."
Buy Now
$79.99 on Amazon.com

2. You want to spice up your shower

JBL CLIP 3 - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

JBL CLIP 3 - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Who said dancing in the shower wasn't still a thing? With this waterproof portable speaker, you can dance in the shower, sing in the rain, or do anything your heart desires. You can easily pair the speaker to your phone via Bluetooth for up to 10 hours of playtime. There's a handy carabiner so you can attach it just about anywhere, and speakerphone mode so you can even take phone calls.

Promising review: "Let me start by saying I love this speaker. I work at Walmart and we have these for $59, and only in black, camo, and silver. I’ve been wanting one for a while so I decided to go on here and check for cheaper prices first. Boy, am I glad I did! Not only was I able to get these for a good $20 cheaper, but in my favorite color, pink!"
Buy Now
$49.95 on Amazon.com

3. For the gamer on your list

Razer BlackShark V2 X Gaming Headset

Razer BlackShark V2 X Gaming Headset

If you're an avid gamer but still want to have money to spend on Christmas gifts for others, this headset will do the trick. With excellent audio and a friendly price point, you'll be gaming like a pro in no time. Easily connect to a PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch or mobile device via a 3.5 mm jack.

Promising review: "I'm a former semi-pro Overwatch player, and these headphones are almost better than the studio-grade sound-canceling ones we used for tournaments. 4 stars for sound quality since the ANC isn't as good, but it still allows me to focus on the game and tune out everything else. The Surround is amazing on these, allowing for distinct and accurate noises even in a chaotic battlefield."
Buy Now
$49.99 on Amazon.com

4. For Apple lovers on a budget

New Apple AirPods Pro

New Apple AirPods Pro

It's hard to go anywhere without seeing someone with AirPods in their ears. Sure, they're trendy, but they're also excellent earbuds. This pair clocks in well under $200 and features Active Noise Cancellation for blocking outside noise and Transparency Mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you.

Promising review: "These little things pack one hell of a punch! Apple’s new noise cancellation and transparency modes lay the groundwork for a new generation of wireless headphones. Yes, others may have used similar technology before, but Apple’s simplistic UI made for the AirPods Pro make the experience so much better than what other companies offer."
Buy Now
$194.99 on Amazon.com

5. Music indoors and out

Tribit XSound Go Speaker

Tribit XSound Go Speaker

If you want portability and quality, the Tribit XSound Go Speaker can easily fit in your backpack or your purse for when you need tunes outdoors or somewhere a little unlikely. Better yet, it's waterproof so your dance party isn't ruined if the weather doesn't cooperate. Get up to 24 hours of use from the lithium ion battery, and Bluetooth 5.0 technology allows you to connect devices up to 100 feet away.

Promising review: "I don’t write a lot of reviews. Normally, a product meets my expectations. And if it doesn’t, I send it back without complaining. But this speaker vastly exceeded my expectations and thought I should share. This tiny thing can boom sound like no other speaker of its size. I blasted the speaker full volume in a room downstairs. A few rooms and a flight of stairs away, I could still hear every lyric to the song I was playing."
Buy Now
$27.23 on Amazon.com

6. For the multitasker

Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

With Alexa and a mic built-in, these headphones do more than just cancel noise and let you listen to music. Make phone calls, operate your phone with Alexa, and escape into a world of silence with the same pair of headphones. With 4.5 stars and more than 24,000 ratings, you know these are good. The best part? Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging. Just 10 minutes of charging will get you 5 hours of playback.

Promising review: "If you are looking for noise cancelation at its best, don't look elsewhere and buy this immediately."
Buy Now
$348.00 on Amazon.com

7. For the Cyndi Lauper in all of us

Moukey Karaoke Machine Speaker

Moukey Karaoke Machine Speaker

If you thought karaoke was dead, you're wrong. Record, sing, and even use this karaoke machine as a PA system wherever your event happens to be. It's rechargeable, wireless, and even has a subwoofer built-in.

Promising review: "I and the family enjoy this speaker!! Good sound, plays really loud. I’ve had it for over 4 months and still bumps as if it was brand new. I honestly bought it because of the outline it looks like an owl to me and I LOVE owls."
Buy Now
$179.99 on Amazon.com

8. When you want to kick it old school

Amazon Basics USB Plug-n-Play Computer Speakers

Amazon Basics USB Plug-n-Play Computer Speakers

With all the wireless options out there, you probably assumed computer speakers were a thing of the past. Well surprise, you can still get them. These plug-in speakers work through the USB port in your PC and still give awesome audio quality. And hey,t these ones come in at less than $20. They're a solid gift option for any remote worker in your life.

Promising review: "Amazon basics has done it again!! These are amazing speakers and have good sound. I bought them for my work computer so I didn’t want anything huge but still wanted good quality. These are the perfect compact speakers."
Buy Now
$18.93 on Amazon.com

9. Earbuds on a budget

TOZO T6 True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth Headphones

TOZO T6 True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth Headphones

These earbuds might be low in cost but they're not light on the features. They're waterproof and last over six hours on a single charge. The touch control function makes them a snap to use. Tap once to play/pause music and answer calls, double-tap to skip forward/backward, and hold to adjust the volume. That means no picking up your phone every time you want to pause.

Promising review: "These headphones are literally fantastic. I am a professional musician by trade and these have incredibly clear sound quality, really high-end parts put into this product. The connection is fast and easy, it charges while in the case which is a great feature but better than all these features I love the ability to wear them in the shower and jam to tunes while they get soaked and survive it like a champ."
Buy Now
$29.99 on Amazon.com

10. The ultimate speaker

Marshall Stanmore II Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

Marshall Stanmore II Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

Want a high-quality speaker with a little flare? This one from Marshall Stanmore is reminiscent of a guitar amp, with killer sound to boot. Connect and play music via Bluetooth 5.0 or plug into the RCA or 3.5 mm input for an analog listening experience.

Promising review: "Immersive sound, excellent frequency response. Carefully packed and delivered. Delivers surprising performance compared to its size. Even with the high volume you don't get the slightest deterioration in sound quality."
Buy Now
$249.99 on Amazon.com

11. The splurge

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max

If you're looking for the king of headphones, these are definitely it. With transparency mode and the Apple H1 Chip, there isn't a better audio experience. Of course, you'll have to pay a pretty penny for them.

Promising review: "When the AirPods Max were introduced in December I waited a few weeks to order them feeling that at $550 they could not be worth the price. I was wrong. I have several sets of headphones and the AirPods Max are quite clearly the best in every way -- the quality of sound, comfort, ease of use, and overall convenience. I have enjoyed listening to my music more since receiving these headphones than I have in a very long time."
Buy Now
$479.99 on Amazon.com

12. If you love Alexa that much

Echo Buds (2nd Gen)

Echo Buds (2nd Gen)

For those who just can't live without Alexa, these Echo Buds will give you what you need. They come with excellent audio quality and Alexa built-in and will still cost you less than a pair of AirPods. If you or your recipient have an Android, these are a solid option.

Promising review: "Personally, I find these to be a significant improvement over the previous version of Echo Buds. The new size and shape fits my ear MUCH better. With the previous model, the buds were so large and clunky that they always felt like they were about to fall out. These new ones don't stick out as much and have not fallen out of my ears like the old ones. The setup was much easier than the old buds too, as this time I didn't have to go to my phone settings and manually pair the buds; instead I just opened the case and they were detected in the Alexa app."
Buy Now
$119.99 on Amazon.com

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