- The best MagSafe accessories of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed
- Threads will show you more from accounts you follow now - like Bluesky already does
- Nile unwraps NaaS security features for enterprise customers
- Even Nvidia's CEO is obsessed with Google's NotebookLM AI tool
- This Kindle accessory seriously improved my reading experience (and it's on sale for Black Friday)
The best wired earbuds of 2024: Expert reviewed
Just last year Apple transitioned away from its Lightning ports and went all-in on USB-C cords for everything from its iPhones and iPads to its infamous EarPods. That was a welcome change, according to ZDNET’s Kerry Wan.
Priced like inflation doesn’t exist, the $19 EarPods, now with USB-C, are ideal for the latest iPhones, just about any Android phone, laptops, tablets, and more, Wan said. The EarPods don’t come with cushioning — a notable advantage and disadvantage to the earbuds. “While they won’t dig into your ear and induce pressure buildup over time, there’s a noticeable lack of audio immersion (or passive noise cancellation),” Wan said.
But you’re not really buying these for the best sound performance. Instead, buy them for the ease of use, the technically long battery life, and the built-in microphone. They’re so spectacular that Wan says he uses it to record his voiceovers for nearly every video he makes for our social platforms.
Apple EarPods tech specs: Battery life: N/A | Noise cancellation: No | Voice assistant: No | Build: Plastic