2024: a superb yr for earbuds

The yr 2024 has been one other superb one for wi-fi earbuds. We’ve reached a degree the place each tech big is firing on all cylinders. Apple’s AirPods Professional, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Professional, and Google’s Pixel Buds Professional 2 are every improbable in their very own proper and pretty comparable within the options they provide. Are there benefits relying on which you choose? Certain. Samsung’s new voice controls are tremendous handy. Google wins out on consolation. And Apple’s new listening to well being options actually stage up what we anticipate from shopper earbuds. However 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 — a superb instance of a model making an attempt to muster a singular promoting level in a aggressive market, whereas Apple, Samsung, and Google are laser-focused on interaction inside their very own respective ecosystems. (After all, Sonos’ headphones had been all however forgotten within the avalanche of controversy introduced on by the corporate’s overhauled cellular app.)

However this yr has bolstered that you just don’t must spend large to seek out nice worth. Apple introduced lively noise cancellation to its inexpensive AirPods 4. With the Nothing Ear and budget-priced Ear (a), Nothing proved but once more that it will possibly compete with long-established earbud makers — and outdesign a lot of them. Model-wise, it’s arduous to decide on between the flashy yellow of the Ear (a) or Beats’ sweet pink Solo Buds, however Nothing offers you extra on your cash than Apple’s model. 

2024 additionally noticed Jabra make an exit from the patron earbuds market. The corporate spent years producing worthy alternate options to the AirPods and different merchandise again through the early waves of true wi-fi earbuds, however Jabra misplaced its momentum and did not meaningfully stand out with its more moderen Elite earbuds. The Elite 10 Gen 2 are glorious by all accounts however arduous to suggest after they characterize the top of the road.

As for the place the class is headed, earbuds are rapidly evolving into units with a function that extends effectively past audio consumption. Apple’s AirPods Professional 2 now supply a robust 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 business heavyweights like Sony, Samsung, and Google convey related capabilities to their very own future buds — maybe as quickly as subsequent yr. 

Health monitoring is one other space the place we’ll proceed to see earbuds supply new benefits. Coronary heart price monitoring is changing into comparatively frequent, and the next-generation Powerbeats Professional, due early in 2025, are rumored to incorporate the helpful function.

As for the brand new yr, Sony’s long-popular 1000X sequence is due for a refresh. The 1000XM6 earbuds (and headphones) seem to be a lock for 2025. I feel the identical is true of the subsequent AirPods Professional; Apple will reportedly launch a redesigned third-gen pair someday subsequent yr. However, 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 varied manufacturers — doubtlessly 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 Professional make it potential to hold on complete conversations with Gemini Reside. Will different manufacturers look to supply the same expertise with totally different AI platforms? 

The brand new yr is definite 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.

Images by Chris Welch / The Verge