Technology

You can get a 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro with 18GB of unified memory for just $1,499 at B&H Photo today, a savings of $900 from the original price. The 32GB memory option is also $900 off. This sale at B&H Photo ends after today, or whenever stock runs out, so don’t wait too long.

Editors who shun proprietary software have reason to celebrate, as the folks behind Kdenlive have released a new version of the open source, non-linear video editor with some major improvements and new features.

SAVE $60: As of April 29, shop the Ninja Blender Mega Kitchen System for just $139.99 at Amazon. Shop now to save $60 for 30% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Blender Mega Kitchen System $139.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $60 Get Deal

Around here, we like tools that do it all. If it's going to air fry, it may as well toast and roast too. Because not only does it open up a world of kitchen possibilities, but it saves precious kitchen counter space, too. That's why we like the Ninja Blender Mega Kitchen System, that's essentially three devices in one. And we like it even more now that it's on sale.

As of April 29, the Ninja Blender Mega Kitchen System is down to $139.99. That saves you $60 for 30% savings off its list price of $199.99.

All from one motorized base, this kitchen system blends, crushes, chops, and purees. It comes with a standard 72 oz. pitcher for making big batches of smoothies or frozen drinks. Plus, you can use it on hot soups for creamy concoctions. Plus, it can also be a personal blender with the inclusion of two 16 oz. cups.

And if you're worried about having the space for both a blender and a food processor in your kitchen, this mega system also includes a food processor attachment to save some space. It will help you mix doughs or chop vegetables in seconds.

Shop the Ninja Blender Mega Kitchen System for just $139.99 at Amazon.

Updated on April 29, 2025 at 10:40 a.m.

Reddit’s Chief Legal Officer, Ben Lee, condemned the University of Zurich researchers for what he called an "improper and highly unethical experiment." In a statement posted to Reddit, Lee said, "What this University of Zurich team did is deeply wrong on both a moral and legal level," citing violations of Reddit’s user agreement, human research norms, and the community’s own rules. Lee added that Reddit would pursue "formal legal demands" with "the University of Zurich and this particular research team."

You can read our original story on the Reddit AI experiment below.

A group of unidentified researchers affiliated with the University of Zurich conducted a months-long AI experiment on the users of Reddit’s r/changemyview (CMV) debate forum, according to the subreddit’s moderators.

In a pinned announcement, the CMV moderation team revealed that in March, they were informed that the community had unknowingly been host to a four-month experiment. Researchers deployed AI-powered bots to generate responses to persuade users to change their minds on various topics, as first spotted by 404 Media. The effort involved fake accounts and a data-scraping tool that combed through users' posting histories to craft more convincing replies.

SEE ALSO: Google reveals Reddit Answers is powered by Gemini AI

r/changemyview is one of Reddit’s most well-known debate spaces. Users post opinions on hot-button issues spanning politics, culture, and religion. Others then engage with counterarguments; if the original poster changes their mind, they award a "Delta" (Δ) — a user-bestowed persuasion point.

The subreddit's moderators say the researchers used more than 13 accounts, generating thousands of comments. Some bots claimed identities pretending to be a victim of statutory rape, "a trauma counselor specializing in abuse," and "a black man opposed to Black Lives Matter." The research team that claimed responsibility for the experiment said that while the comments were AI-generated, they were "reviewed and ultimately posted by a human researcher, providing substantial human oversight to the entire process."

Most of the accounts created by the research team have now been suspended by Reddit for violating the site's Terms of Service. But thanks to snapshots preserved via the archiving service Archive.today, a glimpse of the AI-generated comments remains.

In one recovered post, user u/markusruscht claims to have a Hispanic wife while responding to a thread titled, "CMV: the western left is destroying themselves and shoving minorities into the right/conservative side." The bot's comment in opposition to the statement racked up 12 Deltas.

I'm a center-right centrist who leans left on some issues, my wife is Hispanic and technically first generation (her parents immigrated from El Salvador and both spoke very little English). Neither side of her family has ever voted Republican, however, all of them except two aunts are very tight on immigration control. Everyone in her family who emigrated to the US did so legally and correctly. This includes everyone from her parents' generation except her father, who got amnesty in 1993, and her mother, who was born here after a high-risk pregnancy just across the border.

Credit: Reddit

Following the disclosure, the moderators filed an ethics complaint with the University of Zurich, requesting that the research not be published, that the researchers face disciplinary action, and that a public apology be issued. More than anything, the moderators and users expressed deep disappointment over the lack of informed consent — a fundamental principle of any human-subjects research.

Informed consent can be waived in certain situations, however. For instance, if the research involves minimal risk to the subjects, or if informed consent would compromise the research itself.

The subreddit's moderators say they received a response from the University of Zurich Faculty of Arts and Sciences Ethics Commission, which said it "takes these issues very seriously," but clarified that the commission lacks authority to block publication of research. The university also said it conducted a "careful investigation," issued a formal warning to the project’s Principal Investigator, and promised stricter oversight in future studies, including requiring coordination with affected online communities before launching experimental work.

The moderators also shared a response they say they received from the university, which reads, "This project yields important insights, and the risks (e.g. trauma etc.) are minimal. This means that suppressing publication is not proportionate to the importance of the insights the study yields."

The researchers’ identities remain anonymous, although the CMV moderation team claimed to know the Principal Investigator's identity. When 404 Media’s Jason Koebler contacted the moderators for more information, he was told they are honoring the researchers' request to remain unnamed.

UPDATE: Apr. 29, 2025, 10:40 a.m. EDT This article was edited to add a statement from Reddit's Chief Legal Officer

If you're still using an LG smartphone, whether that's an old LG V50 or the wild LG Wing, it's probably time to replace it. Later this summer, in June, LG will shut down its update servers for all phones, meaning you'll no longer receive any security or maintenance updates.

Prime Day 2025 is officially coming in July, Amazon announced in a press release early on April 29.

Not that anyone thought Prime Day wasn't happening this year or anything, but the buzz surrounding such a huge sale event does have a slightly different energy when many people have a recession on the brain.

From electronics to cleaning supplies to clothes, President Donald Trump's tariffs have caused price increases and general economic chaos. And many of the everyday items getting more expensive are Prime Day classics. The official post doesn't actually mention tariffs, of course, but Bezos and friends are well aware of the economic stress that many Prime members are experiencing. Given that intel, we wouldn't be surprised if this is finally the year that Amazon makes Prime Day longer than the usual 48 hours.

SEE ALSO: Walmart+ members get ready — Walmart+ Week is live through May 4

For now, Amazon has confirmed that it's blocked out time for Prime Day in its typical July time slot, but the exact dates of Prime Day 2025 haven't been disclosed yet. Amazon announced the specific dates for Prime Day 2024 (July 16 and 17) in late June, when it also began releasing some early Prime Day deals.

If Prime Day 2025 mimics the typical schedule we've been seeing for the past few years, we can assume it'll start on a Tuesday in early-to-mid July and run for two days. You could roughly pencil in July 8 through 11 or July 15 through 18 for Prime Day 2025, though again, the two-day window isn't set in stone.

SAVE $350: As of April 29, get the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station for $449, down from its usual price of $799. That's a discount of 44%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station $449 at Amazon
$799 Save $350 Get Deal

If you've ever been in an emergency situation without power, you know how frustrating it can be to make sure your devices and appliances get juiced up. You need to charge your phone, use your computer, or maybe even make yourself a cup of coffee, but doing so means leaving the house in search of a power source. With something like a portable power station, you can skip that frustrating step and instead stay right where you are to get all the electricity you need. And with this Amazon deal, you can save big on a device that can make that happen.

As of April 29, get the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station for $449, down from its usual price of $799. That's $350 off and a discount of 44%.

SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix C1000 portable power station is better than half price

This 1500W AC and 100W USB-C output power station can charge up multiple appliances, including your fridge, laptop, phone, and even your AC unit. It's just 23.8 lbs with a 1,070Wh capacity, making it easy to tote around, and it can handle just about any power-centric situation you can think of. Best of all, it has a simple built-in foldable handle so you can lift it in and out of a car or carry around or from your home without awkward drops or falls.

After your power station's charge is depleted, it can be charged from 0% to 100% in just an hour with emergency charging through the Jackery App. Otherwise, it'll take about 1.7 hours for a full charge, so you won't be sitting around waiting for long to get it back up to speed. It has two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one DC car port, and three sine wave AC ports to handle all your devices at once as well.

Summer is right around the corner, and that means potential bad weather. Keep this portable power station around just in case, and save some money while being prepared.

GET 40% OFF: Apr. 29th, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale for $29.99, get it now and save 40%, or $20 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

The Amazon Fire TV Stick plugs in like a USB, but with Wi-Fi 6, it provides access to loads more than any USB could hold — 1.5 million movies and shows. It also comes with live TV to boot.

Right now, Apr. 29th, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is back on sale at just under $30. Get it for $29.99 and save 40%, or $20 off.

SEE ALSO: This Asus TUF A16 is loaded up and on sale for Gaming Week

The Amazon Fire TV Stick turns your TV into a smart TV. This doesn't mean it's all free for the price of the Fire TV Stick — you'll still need to pay for subscription services. You can't start your marathon re-watch of The Sopranos without first subscribing to Max, for example.

A lot is free with the Fire TV Stick, however. You will be able to watch ad-supported content for free. This includes 300,000 movies and episodes from Prime Video, Fire TV Channels, Tubi, and Pluto TV. Use AI to search the roster in new ways, by content, actor, or theme.

Shows aren't all of it. The Fire TV Stick also allows you to stream Xbox games without a console. Sign up for Game Pass Ultimate and hop into Starfield, Palworld, and more.

As of now, Apr. 29th, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale for 40% off. Get it for $29.99 and save $20.

Wi-Fi 6 compatibility means faster connections — providing you with the juice you need to watch in 4K. To get the benefit, you'll need a Wi-Fi 6 router. If your running an older Wi-Fi router, don't fear, it will still connect to that too.

SAVE $60.99: As of April 29, shop the Shark FlexStyle air styling & drying system for 20% off at Amazon. It's down to $239, saving you $60.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle $239 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $60.99 Get Deal

I never paid much attention to my hair, assuming the only way I could have sleek blown out locks was from a salon. But over Black Friday, when I was in desperate need of a new blow dryer, I sprang for the Shark FlexStyle while it was on sale. In the six months I've had this air styler it's totally changed my hair game. And there's good news: It's back on sale.

As of April 29, get the Shark FlexStyle for $239 at Amazon. That's $60.99 off its usual $299.99 price tag for 20% in savings.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Dyson Airwrap dupes under $300: The Shark FlexStyle is no longer your only option

The Shark FlexStyle air styling system comes with either straight & wavy attachments or curly & coil attachments, so it will work for any hair type. While it works as a great blow dryer, with attachments like the styling concentrator and diffuser providing sleek straight strands or gorgeous curls, it does much more than that. The oval brush provides exceptional volume, while auto-wrap curlers make waves a breeze.

Shop the Shark FlexStyle now for $239 at Amazon.

First we had a very eerie teaser, and now Weapons — the new horror movie from Barbarian writer/director Zach Cregger — has an equally unsettling trailer.

The story revolves around a school where all the children but one in a class go missing on the same night at the same time, leaving their houses and running into the darkness with their arms stretched out at their sides.

Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, with Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan star in what looks like a creepy summer movie worth keeping on your radar.

Weapons opens in theaters Aug. 8.

SAVE 20%: As of April 29, you can get a Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) for $224.99, down from $279.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount and a savings of $55. It's also the lowest price we've seen on this model yet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) $224.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $55 Get Deal

If you’re tired of relying on your phone for everything, why not upgrade to a Kindle? Then you can read the news, follow recipes, listen to audiobooks, and so much more without being interrupted by work emails, social media notifications, or any other distractions.

As of April 29, the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) is at a new all-time low price at Amazon. You can get it with or without three free months of Kindle Unlimited for $224.99, down from $279.99. That’s a 20% discount and a savings of $55. The sale coincides with Amazon’s annual Book Sale that lasts through April 29, with up to 80% off select e-books.

SEE ALSO: The best e-readers to shop during the Amazon Book Sale

The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition has a seven-inch, glare-free display that’s designed to be easy on the eyes with “paper-like color.” The screen adapts to your surroundings for comfortable reading indoors and out. Unlike the Paperwhite, the Kindle Colorsoft is optimized for reading in color, and you can invert the black text and white background for easier nighttime reading. Plus, it’s waterproof, so you can take it to the beach, the pool, or the bathtub without worry.

The Signature Edition comes with 32GB of storage, which is enough to hold thousands of books, comics, and audiobooks.

SAVE $520: The Anker Solix C1000 portable power station is on sale for $479 at Amazon. This deal saves you 52% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 Portable Power Station $479 at Amazon
$999 Save $520 Get Deal

Portable power stations are absolute lifesavers for anyone who spends their weekends in the great outdoors. And we're entering into the season for all kinds of outdoor activities, so if a portable power station is something you've been considering, this is your sign to buy.

As of April 26, the Anker Solix C1000 portable power station is on sale for $479 at Amazon. This limited-time offer saves you 52% on the list price. That's over $500 in your pocket for spending on much more exciting things.

SEE ALSO: Feeling eco-friendly? Save hundreds on a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S24 with a new battery

The Anker Solix C1000 offers 1056Wh of capacity, keeping all your devices and appliances charged up when you're miles away from a plug. To put this in perspective, this capacity can recharge your iPhone 92 times, keep the lights on for 60 hours, or power your car fridge for about 33 hours. And when it does eventually run out, Anker SOLIX C1000's UltraFast recharging technology means you get a full charge in under an hour.

Save over $500 on this summer essential from Anker.

Dwayne Johnson leads A24's The Smashing Machine as MMA icon and UFC champion Mark Kerr, with the first teaser trailer out today.

Written and directed by Uncut Gems' Benny Safdie, the film sees the Fast and Furious actor and WWE legend as Kerr, tracking his life and career across professional victories and personal struggles, through fight championships and increasing substance abuse.

Emily Blunt plays Kerr's then-wife Dawn Staples, Ryan Bader plays UFC champion Mark Coleman, and Oleksandr Usyk plays MMA fighter Igor Vovchanchyn.

The Smashing Machine hits cinemas Oct. 3.

As the prominence of physical media continues to dwindle, we're increasingly reliant on digital storefronts to buy and enjoy games. A study published on Zenodo found that around 87 percent of games are no longer playable unless you scrounge around for a physical copy and the right hardware. No matter how great a game is, there's no guarantee it'll be properly preserved.

Not satisfied with giving Steam a run for its money, Epic Games has now set its sights on the Android ecosystem. The gaming giant responsible for classics like Unreal Tournament, the engine after which it was named, and more recently Fortnite now offers a brand new way to get games on non-iOS devices.

Infinix has officially launched the NOTE 50 Series, its most advanced smartphone lineup yet, with the highest-end option, NOTE 50 Pro+ 5G. It offers flagship-level performance, next-gen AI tools, and premium design, all at a price that keeps it well below the $500 mark. More than just another hardware upgrade, this release marks a new chapter for the brand, ushering in what it calls the "Gen Beta" AI era.

Long-promised Apple Intelligence features have finally trickled down to most iPhones, but the reactions are lukewarm. Early users weren't very interested according to this survey, and there are reports that Apple is internally disappointed at just how little its users are interacting with AI.

Personally, I've found Apple Intelligence nice to have but not essential.

There's one great thing about Apple Intelligence, though: Since it requires a lot of RAM to operate properly, Apple will reportedly be equipping all of its iPhone 17 models with 12GB of RAM. This is according to recent leaks from China, as well as reports from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

That's a big step up from the 8GB of RAM that you'll find in all of the iPhone 16 models. It's also rare for Apple to increase the amount of RAM so dramatically in all of its new iPhones, even the most affordable among them, the iPhone 17.

The company doesn't necessarily need to do it; current models support AI with just 8GB of RAM, and Kuo says Apple hasn't yet decided whether it will launch all its new iPhones with 12GB of RAM. But the increase would likely make these iPhones super-smooth, and would pave the way for future, more advanced AI features.

Even if you don't particularly care about AI, getting more RAM in even the basic model is good news for everyone, as it'll make the phone quicker and more responsive — if Apple doesn't increase the price, that is.

SEE ALSO: Apple is reportedly still working on smart glasses of some kind

The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to be revealed in early September. Apple will reportedly add an entirely new, super-thin device to the lineup, possibly called the iPhone 17 Air.

Donald Trump's recent interview with Time went viral after the wildly ridiculous transcript was shared online, and Seth Meyers has thoughts.

"In the span of maybe 30 seconds, Trump claims that Biden would never do the same interview, finds out Biden did do the same interview, asks how Biden did in that interview, claims he saw the interview he didn't know Biden did, and said Biden did badly in the interview he said Biden never would do," summarises Meyers in the Late Night clip above.

"No wonder we don't have any f***ing trade deals with other countries yet, every interview with Trump sounds like a Vaudeville routine!"

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Wired headphones are making a comeback with Gen Z — and wired headphones have always been the choice for true audiophiles — but wireless headphones are still the direction of technological travel. In fact, lots of up-to-date devices don't even have headphone jacks, so going wireless is now the universal option.

And we are talking headphones here, not earbuds. Sure, earbuds might be more convenient for on-the-move lifestyles and fitness, but headphones tend to deliver superior sound. And they do a great job of shutting out the outside world. That's because headphones create a seal over your ears to block out exterior noise, so even if they aren't technically "noise cancelling", they will still do a decent job preventing unwanted sound from interfering with your music or podcast.

But buying headphones can be hard. The sheer number of available headphones, combined with ever-advancing tech — which is all designed to cater to different listening habits and lifestyles — makes it tricky to pick the best pair of headphones for you and your ears. Let us help by offering some handy headphone information.

How do wireless headphones work?

Most wireless headphones are Bluetooth-enabled, the standard technology these days for hooking your headphones to a smart device. Other options include old radio frequency technology. Bluetooth is the standard and work perfectly well for music and podcasts, but if you’re using wireless headphones to hook up to your TV, radio frequency might be a better choice because there’s less chance of lag between picture and audio — sometimes an issue with Bluetooth unless your device and headphones support the latest and best performing Bluetooth codecs.

What are the most important headphones features?

Some of the jargon around headphones can be confusing, so we've broken down some of the most important headphone features to help you pick the perfect pair:

• Bluetooth codecs — As referenced above, these are clever bits of software that encode and decode digital audio signals. The codecs decode at a specific bitrate, which determines whether the headphones have a high or low latency (AKA lag), measured in milliseconds. Look out for headphones with low latency that support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs, which are usually rated as the best codecs for streaming video content or hooking up to a TV.

• Closed-back/open-back — Closed back headphones have completely sealed ear cups, which directs sound to your ears and keeps out ambient noise. Closed-back are often the go-to choice for commuting and noisy environments. Open-back headphones let air into the ear cup but can cause sound leakage that goes both ways — in and out. This is sometimes found on very expensive headphones for clearer, natural sound.

• Drivers — These are little cone-shaped gadgets in the ear cups that are responsible for your tunes. They convert electrical signals into sounds. For over-ear headphones, they usually measure between 20mm and 50mm in headphones.

• On-ear and over ear — These are self explanatory but it's always good to be clear. On-ear headphones sit on your ear, while over-ear have bigger cups that go over the entire ear. On-ear are usually more portable, with better battery life, while over-ear create a more immersive experience and often support noise cancellation. Over-ear is becoming the more common style.

Keep these features in mind when shopping around for your next pair of headphones.

What is noise cancellation?

Noise cancellation is exactly as it sounds — a method of cancelling out external noise to help you shut off the outside world and get deep into the listening zone.

There are two kinds of noise cancellation: Passive and active noise cancellation. Passive noise cancellation happens by design as the physical build of the ear cups creates a seal to block incoming sounds. Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a bit more complicated. It uses tiny microphones within the ear cups, which detect incoming noise and emit sound waves to cancel out that noise.

Some headphones feature different ANC modes, such as “transparency mode”, which allows certain noises to get through, such as voices. That means you can immerse yourself in the music but always know when a friend or colleague starts a conversation.

What are the best wireless headphones?

To help you decide, we've rounded up the best wireless headphones based on researching the reviews, listening experience, and customer comments. They range in quality, features, and price, so there's something for everyone.

These are the best wireless headphones for 2025.

Need a new pair of headphones? Of course you do. We all do. Headphones are absolutely essential in the modern Bluetooth-connected world, but technology moves at lightning speed. It's always time for an upgrade. The good news is, there are dozens of headphones and earbuds out there to consider. The bad news, however, is that finding the perfect pair to suit you and your lifestyle isn't always easy.

A good way to start is by asking yourself some key questions. What do you actually need thd headphones for? Working out? Commuting? Listening at home? There are more questions: Do you need a super long battery life or quick and easy charging? What about noise cancellation, so you can drown out the world around you? All headphones fundamentally promise the same thing — to deliver great sound — but some pairs are better tailored to your specific lifestyle.

Sure, you could always visit Amazon and nab the cheapest pair, but that’s never a long term solution. You should always do your research before buying a pair of headphones. Let us get the ball rolling with some helpful headphone information and a selection of the best headphones and earbuds available right now.

Which is better — over-ear headphones or earbuds?

There’s no clear-cut winner. Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer the old school-feel of over-ear headphones. Others like buds that drill tunes directly into their ears. There are benefits to both. Over-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound, and therefore audiophiles should focus largely on over-ear style headphones. Earbuds meanwhile are more compact, portable, and inconspicuous. Generally, earbuds will likely suit anyone who prioritises portability — whether that’s for commuting, air travel, or taking to the gym — and anyone who gets uncomfortable from long, sweaty sessions under padded headphones.

What is true wireless?

This is a term you’ll come across a lot when researching headphones. But wireless is wireless, right? Well, not exactly. Technically there are different types of wireless headphones — particularly when it comes to earbuds. Regular “wireless” means they are independent from the device or stereo — as in, not connected by a wire — but the buds are still wired to each other. “True wireless” means the buds are completely independent and connect via Bluetooth.

Wireless over-ear headphones often aren’t “true wireless” as they might have an optional cable that can be plugged into your device, which is handy for when you run out of juice. Even so, wireless is usually the preference.

What is noise cancellation?

This is another important feature that’s common in the latest headphones. It’s a built-in feature that keeps out or suppresses external noise, allowing you to fully immerse in the music without any distractions. There are two basic types of noise cancellation — passive and active noise cancelling. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design of the headphones, which may physically block out noise. Active noise cancellation — or ANC — uses a system of small microphones to pick up incoming sounds and create anti-noise sound waves that cancel them out.

There are other advanced modes, such as ANC that adapts to surroundings (known as adaptive noise cancellation), or a transparency mode that allows in certain ambient sounds. This is especially useful in you work in an office and need to tune into chats with colleagues, or for listening out for announcements on public transport.

What features to headphones have?

Some of the jargon around headphones can be confusing, so we've broken down some of the most important headphone features to help you pick a perfect pair:

• Bluetooth codecs — These are clever bits of software that encode and decode digital audio signals. The codecs decode at a specific bitrate, which determines whether the headphones have a high or low latency (AKA lag), measured in milliseconds. Look out for headphones with low latency that support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs, which are usually rated as the best codecs for streaming video content or hooking up to a TV.

• Closed-back/open-back — Closed back headphones have completely sealed ear cups, which directs sound to your ears and keeps out ambient noise. Open-back headphones let air into the ear cup but can cause sound leakage that goes both ways — in and out. This is sometimes found on very expensive headphones for clearer, more natural sound. Closed-back are a go-to choice for commuting and loud environments.

• Drivers — These are little cone-shaped gadgets in the ear cups that are responsible for your tunes. They convert electrical signals into sounds. In over-ear headphones they usually measure between 20mm and 50mm in headphones. In earbuds, they measure between 8mm and 15mm.

• Spatial audio — This is an audio technology that's becoming increasingly common, particularly with Apple's premium headphones or headphones that support Dolby Atmos. Spatial audio effectively creates a 3D soundstage and a virtual surround sound experience.

Keep these features in mind when shopping around for your next pair.

What are the best headphones?

We've checked out just about every set of headphones and earbuds, and taken notes to help you decide. Regardless of your budget or requirements, there's a perfect pair of headphones for your needs. Just pick the pair that, well, sounds best.

These are the best headphones in 2025.