Top 10 Headphones Purchased by Readers This Year, Excluding Beats, Sony, and Bose

Throughout this year, extensive testing of the latest headphones and earbuds revealed some unexpected favorites among our readers.

1. CMF Buds 2 Plus

Leading the charge this year, CMF Buds 2 Plus emerged as the most bought. Despite their economical $80 price tag, these earbuds are packed with features. They support Sony's LDAC Bluetooth codec for superior audio quality, carry an IP55 rating for dust and water protection, and offer excellent noise cancellation.

Owners of Nothing phones can utilize the Low Latency Mode for gaming and benefit from ChatGPT integration via their phone's voice assistant.

2. Soundcore Sleep A20

Engineered for a restful night, Soundcore's Sleep A20 earbuds provide comfort with ambient noise for those who sleep sideways. While they're best for ambient sound rather than noise blocking, their comfort for side sleepers makes them stand out, available at a price of $180.

3. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

Ideal for fitness devotees who need to stay alert to their environment, Shokz's OpenRun Pro 2 employs bone conduction technology. Lightweight and robust, these headphones offer 12 hours of battery time and feature an IP55 rating for dust and water-resistance. Notably, their sound quality surpasses typical open-ear designs.

4. Ozlo Sleepbuds

Ozlo Sleepbuds gained significant traction among our audience, lauded for their user-friendly design and superior performance, earning them the ZDNET Editor’s Choice award. Priced at $350, discounts can bring them down to $275.

5. Apple AirPods Pro 2

Before the Pro 3 took center stage, the AirPods Pro 2 were Apple's premium earbuds, celebrated for their advanced features, enduring comfort, and seamless integration with Apple devices. While no longer sold by Apple directly, they remain available through retailers like Best Buy.

6. H2O Audio Tri 2

The H2O Audio Tri 2 headphones boast an IPX8 waterproof rating, making them perfect for water sports enthusiasts. With built-in memory and an MP3 player, these headphones free you from carrying a phone for music. Ideal for athletes in remote or aquatic environments.

7. AceFast AceFit Pro

True wireless open-ear AceFast AceFit Pro headphones are a hit among active individuals. Offering LED visibility lights, an IP54 rating for resistance, and a 30-hour battery, they are often priced well below the standard $145 during sales.

8. Baseus Inspire XP1

With a distinct ergonomic design, the Baseus Inspire XP1 combines comfort with impressive audio features. A 45-hour battery supports sound tuned by Bose and Dolby Spatial Audio. These earbuds are usually priced at $130, occasionally dropping to $110 on sale.

9. EarFun OpenJump

EarFun OpenJump headphones cater to both casual users and exercisers, providing a secure fit with an IPX4 rating and certified hi-res audio. Their 11-hour playtime makes them ideal for daily use, retailing typically for $80 and on sale for $65.

10. Dali IO-8

Representing the only over-ear option in our list, Dali IO-8 headphones are crafted for audio aficionados who value outstanding audio quality. They feature high-end 50mm custom drivers, an extensive 35-hour battery life, and AptX Bluetooth codec support. Although they are priced at $1,250, discounts can see them reduced to $1,000.