JBL packed a color touchscreen into the charging case of the Live Beam 3 earbuds, priced at $99.95 (was $149.95). That addition changes how people interact with their audio gear during a normal day. Someone heading to work or hitting the gym can open the case and swipe through options right there. Volume goes up or down with a touch. Playback pauses or skips without pulling out a phone. ANC modes switch from full noise blocking to letting in some surroundings. Even EQ presets become accessible on the go.

Runners and cyclists who train outdoors face a constant balancing act between enjoying their audio and staying safe amid traffic and other users on the path. Sealed earbuds can isolate a person too much from honks, voices, or approaching bikes. Traditional over-ear options add bulk and heat during intense efforts. Bone conduction, like on the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, priced at $119.95 (was $199.95), sidesteps both issues by sending sound through vibrations in the cheekbones straight to the inner ear while leaving the ear canal free.

Frequent flyers and daily commuters have a common frustration. Engine drone on flights, train clatter, and workplace background noise all compete for attention over extended periods of travel or sitting at a computer. Many noise-cancelling headphones provide relief, but they come with software, touch controls, and expensive pricing that appear unnecessary for just basic needs. ONANOFF’s Made for Amazon headphones, priced at $19.99 (was $80), cut through the noise in a refreshingly practical manner.

Anyone who scans store shelves for headphones quickly realizes that low prices usually indicate significant tradeoffs in noise reduction or listening time. Anker’s Soundcore Q20i, priced at $39.99 (was $70), disrupts this pattern by including features that continue to provide long after the first listen. Hybrid active noise cancellation is fundamental to the user experience. Four microphones inside and outside the ear cups detect ambient noise and reduce it up to 90% in real time.

Runners frequently struggle to strike the perfect balance when it comes to listening to music or podcasts on long runs: they want to be able to zone out from the world while also remaining aware for approaching cars or chatter from fellow trail-goers without having to rip out their headphones at every little sound. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 bone conduction headphones, priced at $139.95 (was $180), solve that exact problem with a design that sits snugly against your cheekbones while leaving both ears open for full awareness.