Thanks to the strong economy, the ASX bank share sector has done quite well during this period of higher interest rates. However, there are still danger signs, particularly with arrears rising.
In the recent FY24 third-quarter update, we heard from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) how its arrears over 90 days have increased. At March 2023, home loans at least 90 days overdue were 0.44% of its loan book, but that had increased to 0.61% at March 2024.
There is a broad consensus among the banks that bad debts will follow arrears higher over the medium-term amidst weakening credit quality from the still percolating impact of higher interest rates on households.
ASX bank shares are expected to see earnings per share (EPS) decline in FY24 and FY25, according to Wilsons. It described the current valuations as “uncompelling” and said investors should stay “underweight”.
In our view, it will be difficult for retail bank margins to expand and profitability to improve given the ambitions of the five largest banks.
We think this limits the potential for a strong recovery in EPS and dividend growth and an increase in sustainable returns.
Where I’d invest in ASX shares
I’d imagine that many investors are attracted to the ASX bank shares of CBA, Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) partly because of the dividend yield.
So, I’ll talk about three ASX shares that seem reliable for dividends and offer a good yield.
Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) owns a variety of farmland including cattle, almonds, macadamias and vineyards. It has grown or maintained its distribution every year since it first started paying in 2014. Its rental income is benefiting from steady contracted rental increases at its farms. The business currently has a distribution yield of 5.8%.
Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) is Australia’s largest private health insurer. Many households value having access to private health, and some high-income people are benefiting from avoiding the Medicare levy surcharge by having private health insurance. Its policyholder numbers keep growing and this is helping its underlying profit grow. Commsec forecasts suggests a grossed-up dividend yield of 6.6% in FY25.
Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) is Australia’s largest telecommunications business, with leading 5G network coverage. The ASX share continues winning new subscribers and this is helping drive its profitability higher, as well as funding more investment across its business. It’s growing its dividend again and has a projected grossed-up dividend yield of 7.3% for FY25, according to Commsec.
Should you invest $1,000 in Medibank Private Limited right now?
Before you buy Medibank Private Limited shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Medibank Private Limited wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service heâs run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Rural Funds Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Rural Funds Group and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
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The best wireless earbuds include models from brands like Sony, Technics, Anker, Apple, and more.
Best Buy/Insider
The best wireless earbuds let you listen to music on the go without any pesky cables getting in the way. Top models also have extra features like active noise cancelation (ANC) to block unwanted background sounds and sweat-proof designs for workouts.
We tested several popular wireless earbuds to compare their sound quality, comfort, battery life, and overall value. We recommend the Sony WF-1000XM5 as our top pick. They deliver premium audio and excellent ANC but are a bit pricey. If you want to spend less, the JLab Go Air Pop earbuds drop noise cancelation and other advanced features but still offer solid entry-level performance for an incredibly low price.
Below, you can find all seven of our picks for the best wireless earbuds, including models geared toward high-end sound quality, workouts, and easy pairing with Apple or Samsung devices.
Best midrange: Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC – See at Amazon
Best for Apple users: AirPods Pro Gen 2 – See at Amazon
Best for Samsung phones: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro – See at Amazon
Best for workouts: Jabra Elite 4 Active – See at Amazon
Best overall
Sony makes some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy, with several options that combine handy features, top-notch sound, and excellent noise-canceling performance. Its latest flagship pair, the WF-1000XM5 (AKA the "Mark 5"), distill the best of what we love about the brand's buds into a sleek and powerful design.
Where the previous-generation WF-1000XM4 earbuds were large and bulbous, the M5s are refreshingly small and light, with a compact charging case to match. Their size is all the more impressive given that they have great battery life and among the very best noise-canceling performance we've tested in an earbud. They do a great job crushing low-end drone sounds and suppress difficult high frequencies remarkably well. Only a few earbuds, like Bose's QuietComfort Ultra, can beat them in this department.
As with other Sony flagships, the M5s are packed with features via the Sony Headphones app for iOS or Android. There, you'll find settings to adjust everything from the Ambient sound mode to features like Multipoint pairing, speak-to-chat, Sony's 360 Reality Audio spatial sound, and a multi-band EQ to create a personal sound profile.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 offer an incredible balance of top-notch sound quality, features, and noise-canceling performance.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
Like their predecessors, the WF-1000XM5s deliver clear, rich, and detailed sound across instruments and vocals. You can improve the quality even more by engaging Sony's DSEE Extreme audio upscaling engine, while supported Android devices can access high-resolution Bluetooth via Sony's LDAC audio tech. Bone conduction sensors also help to deliver good call quality, even in noisy environments.
The M5s are comfortable to wear for hours, offering a selection of foam ear tips that keep them stable in your ear and baseline water resistance for various use cases. Sony has also finally added volume controls. This is done by repeated taps on the left or right buds to lower or raise volume, respectively, which isn't our favorite method but gets the job done.
Our only real complaint about the M5s is that their small, glossy housings make them slippery. You've got to really nudge them from the sides to get them out of their case. Their price tag is also high, but we think they're worth the premium for anyone who wants a top-notch pair of wireless earbuds.
Best budget
JLab's Go Air Pop earbuds offer performance that defies their price point. Even when they're not on sale, these buds cost less than you'd pay to pick up dinner for two at your local pizza joint.
At just $25 a pair, we don't expect much from the Go Air Pop, but within those qualified expectations, these earbuds shine. While they're not big on features, they offer the essentials, including responsive touch controls, great battery life with up to eight hours per charge, and even a few EQ modes to adjust the sound.
Sound quality is simple but passable, without any notable sharpness or overbearing bass to ruin the overall audio profile. You won't be blown away by the detail here, but you'll be able to hear your podcasts just fine and make out all the main elements of your favorite tunes.
These aren't the most comfortable buds out there, but they're fine for short-to-medium listening sessions, and they come in various colors to add a "pop" of style. Frankly, given their price, there's not much more we'd ask of these earbuds. But remember, you won't get features like auto-pause or even an app, let alone extras like noise canceling or a transparency mode.
If you're looking for more, you may want to jump up to our midrange pick, the Soundcore Liberty 4 earbuds, which are pricier but add extras like noise canceling to the package. Otherwise, the JLab Go Air Pop are the perfect starter buds, whether you're just testing the waters or looking for an affordable stocking stuffer. At such a low price, what have you got to lose?
Best for sound
Technics has always made great-sounding earbuds, but with the EAH-AZ80, Panasonic's storied audio brand puts it all together. Offering a comfy and stylish design, plenty of useful features, and solid noise canceling to go along with wonderfully clear sound, the AZ80s are serious contenders.
These buds look and feel luxurious, with flashy touches like a brushed metal finish atop the case and sparkling endcaps on the buds that mimic the turntables and amplifiers that made Technics a household name. While they aren't the tiniest buds in their class, they're small enough to fit in your pocket easily, and their ergonomic housings provide a comfortable fit for hours of wear.
The AZ80s also offer plenty of top-flight features, including a "Find My" function in case you lose your buds, adjustable noise canceling and ambient sound modes, customizable controls, and conveniences like a wireless charging case. Perhaps most notable is their multipoint pairing for up to three devices at once — one more than anything else we've tested — with an agnostic approach that easily lets you work and play across PC, Android, and Apple devices.
The Technics EAH-AZ80 stand out thanks to their impressive audio performance.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Of course, the big seller here is the AZ80s' sound quality, which is among the best you'll find. They provide impressive detail, excellent frequency balance, and a full and spacious soundstage. Sony's LDAC hi-resolution transmission over Bluetooth ups the ante with supported devices, while Technics' Audio Connect app lets you adjust the sound to taste with various presets and a multi-band EQ.
The AZ80s' noise canceling is very good, but it can't quite match the best options from Sony or Bose. The limitations here are especially notable in higher frequencies, which is a slight drawback given the price. They also skip any 3D audio features. That said, if you're looking for a versatile pair of earbuds that sound as good as they look, the AZ80s are a fantastic choice.
Best midrange
Soundcore's Liberty 4 NC earbuds are one of those products that has you continuously asking: How did they do that? These buds offer good sound, a truckload of extras, and noise canceling on par with plenty of flagship earbuds. They're also stylish in an AirPods way, with a premium look and feel. The kicker? They do all that for $100 or less.
Soundcore has been perfecting its formula for undercutting the competition for years, and the Liberty 4 NC earbuds are the culmination. Name a flagship feature, and these buds likely have some version of it, from personalized multipoint pairing and an available volume limiter to an earbuds finder and noise-canceling mode that can be programmed for your specific environment.
Soundcore's Liberty 4 maintain a midrange price without sacrificing advanced features.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Not surprisingly, at this price, there are a few compromises. Some features — like 3D spatial audio — can feel tacked on. The touch controls are sometimes less responsive than we'd like, and while the audio quality is clear and detailed, it can sound brittle without some EQ. And rather than the 10 hours that Soundcore clams, we got more like seven hours of battery playback per charge with ANC engaged.
One place these buds easily live up to the hype is their noise-canceling performance, which meets or beats anything in their class, and even plenty of earbuds well above it. You can still get better noise cancelation by spending up, but you'll pay double or even triple the cost to get there.
Bottom line: If you're looking for a flagship experience at a midrange price — especially regarding features and noise cancelling — the Liberty 4 NC are the best wireless earbuds we've found.
Best for Apple users
If it were up to us, everyone would be granted equal access to the AirPods Pro (Gen 2), regardless of which hardware or operating system you prefer. They're so good, everyone should get a chance to try them. But we know that's wishful thinking since a big part of what makes these earbuds tick is their near-perfect integration with all things Apple.
If you're an Apple fan, these are easily the best wireless earbuds you can get. Though the second-gen AirPods Pro may still look like their predecessor, virtually everything has been upgraded inside for a downright futuristic experience.
The sound has been redesigned for better detail and punchier bass. The noise canceling has been overhauled to compete with some of the best out there. Their transparency mode is the most natural sounding we've heard, along with a new audio-limiting feature to protect your ears from unexpected loud noises. Apple even took things further with an update called Adaptive Audio, which naturally blends transparency mode and noise canceling to adjust to your environment and personal volume preferences.
The AirPods Pro remain the top earbuds to buy if you own an iPhone.
Antonio Villas-Boas
You'll also get all those little extras that make using the AirPods Pro with Apple devices so intuitive, like Hands-free Siri, Auto Switching to move between devices connected to your iCloud account, and Find My support to track the buds down if you've left them behind. There's a 3D spatial audio feature with head tracking as well, which is most useful with Dolby Atmos videos and a few audio tracks found on services like Apple Music.
As before, Apple has not added features like EQ or noise canceling control. And alas, there's still no app for Android users, making these earbuds decidedly aimed at Apple folks, start to finish. If you fit that mold, the AirPods Pro work in concert with Apple and iOS devices for an intuitive experience unlike anything else on the market. But if you're looking for earbuds similar to Apple's offering that play nicer with Android, check out our guide to the best AirPods alternatives.
Note: Apple sells the AirPods Pro with a Lightning or USB-C charging case. Given Apple's transition to USB-C for its other devices, we recommend the USB-C model.
If there's an AirPods Pro for Samsung users, it's the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. So named because they're an update of the cheaper Galaxy Buds 2, these buds take everything we like about Samsung's mid-tier model to the next level, with great sound, good noise canceling, and plenty of features.
Similar to how AirPods Pro are designed primarily for Apple devices, some of the most intriguing features of the Buds 2 Pro are Samsung-only, including 24-bit sound, 360 spatial audio with head tracking, and Auto-Switching between Samsung devices like tablets and phones. Other features, however, are available to any Android (but not Apple) user thanks to the Samsung Wearable app. From there, you can select EQ presets, use the earbuds finder, and customize the controls for features like volume control and Spotify connection.
The key to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro really comes down to the design. They're extremely comfortable in your ears, and their IPX7 water resistance makes them dunkable. The matte design looks good, and the earbuds come in various fun colors. But we wish Samsung would have pushed the battery forward here, as they only offer five hours per charge.
Under the hood, each earbud is affixed with dual drivers to create full, powerful, and detailed performance. Sound is rapid and exuberant, without pushing toward snappy or sharpness. Noise-canceling is also impressive, if not quite on the level of other top options, and calling is excellent in various conditions.
The Galaxy Buds Pro 2 won't be for everyone, but if you're looking for a flashy pair of earbuds with great sound that's especially handy for Samsung devices, these are a great option.
Best for workouts
Buyers on the hunt for earbuds specifically designed with workouts in mind should consider the Jabra Elite 4 Active. These buds deliver excellent durability, a great fit, solid battery life, and effective noise cancellation. They also have a handy HearThrough mode that lets in ambient sounds when needed.
During our hands-on tests, the Elite 4 Active had no trouble staying comfortably in our ears during treadmill sessions, jump rope workouts, and other activities. They also have an IP57 waterproof rating, so they can handle sweat without any issues.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active offer a comfy and stable fit during workouts.
Mattie Schuler/Insider
But while not on par with pricier earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM5, the Elite 4 Active have solid ANC to block out distractions. And we found the easy-to-toggle HearThrough feature to be useful for amplifying outside sounds during moments when we needed to be aware of our surroundings at the gym or during runs.
On the downside, it's a bit frustrating that Jabra requires you to download an app to get the earbuds set up and connected. However, the app has a solid assortment of settings and details about specific features. And thankfully, the Elite 4 Active have convenient playback, volume, and ANC controls on the buds themselves. They also support Alexa built-in, so you can use hands-free voice commands.
Ultimately, the main draw of these earbuds is their particularly secure and comfy fit, which makes them ideal for gym use. Our pricier picks deliver better audio and ANC performance, and our cheaper options are a better overall value for basic uses, but the Jabra Elite 4 Active are an excellent pair of workout headphones.
We use a combination of reproducible tests and regular daily listening to evaluate the best wireless earbuds.
Antonio Villas-Boas
We take product testing seriously and use consistent, reproducible testing methods wherever possible. To determine the best wireless earbuds, we evaluated several models and assessed their sound quality by listening to a wide range of music genres from common streaming services. This process includes a dedicated playlist to keep our testing consistent and video samples to evaluate features like spatial audio and head tracking with stereo and Dolby Atmos content.
We also test things like ease of setup and use with various devices, especially for features like Multipoint pairing. To test ambient audio features like noise canceling, we use a sound-treated room and professional stereo monitors to reproduce noises like airplane drones, voice chatter, and various other frequencies. For battery tests, we time the earbuds while playing music at medium volume, either in our ears or out, with auto-pause sensors disengaged when possible, monitoring the earbuds at regular intervals.
We also test the best wireless earbuds the way regular people use them; we go for walks with the dog, listen to music alongside high-traffic areas with noise canceling on and off, and chat with friends and neighbors to test features like transparency mode. As much as possible, we live with these earbuds to analyze how they work and feel daily.
Wireless earbuds FAQs
Wireless earbuds are convenient thanks to their compact size, but they do have some drawbacks.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider
Are wireless earbuds better than wired headphones?
That depends on how you're going to use them. While wired headphones are more likely to offer better, more consistent sound quality at lower price points, they're less useful for tasks like working out, doing yard work, or walking the dog than a compact pair of wireless earbuds. Wireless earbuds have also improved at reproducing good sound in recent years thanks to updated Bluetooth protocols and other technology enhancements.
The best wireless earbuds also offer features you're less likely to find in wired options, including noise canceling and transparency mode to suppress or let in the sound around you, respectively. Generally, we prefer high-quality wired headphones, especially those with an over-ear design, for serious listening with high-resolution audio tracks, and wireless options for most other activities.
Noise cancelation is a sound-suppression technology that helps defray environmental noises with the use of advanced hardware and software. Noise-canceling earbuds use onboard microphones to capture the sound around you. They then flip the polarity of these frequencies to "cancel" certain sounds.
Some frequencies are easier to suppress than others, with higher frequencies presenting particular difficulty. As such, noise canceling can't suppress all the sound around you. However, this technology has advanced with each new generation, offering increasingly better isolation from unwanted environmental annoyances.
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that lets compatible devices, like earbuds, exchange data, including audio, across limited distances. The majority of Bluetooth devices top out at 33 feet, though devices with Bluetooth Class 1 can extend much further. This technology has improved over time for better sound, more data, and a more reliable connection. Newer Bluetooth versions often provide advanced features and/or better quality and reliability.
Best overall: Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 offer an incredible balance of top-notch sound quality, features, and noise-canceling performance.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Sony consistently makes some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy, with models that pack in tons of features, top-notch sound, and excellent noise-cancelling performance. Its latest flagship pair, the WF-1000XM5 (AKA the "Mark 5"), distill the best of what we love about the brand's buds into a sleek and more powerful design.
Where the previous-generation WF-1000XM4 earbuds were large and bulbous, the M5s are refreshingly small and light, with a compact charging case to match. Their size is all the more impressive given that they offer great battery life and among the very best (if not the best) noise-cancelling performance available in an earbud. They do a great job crushing low-end drone sounds and suppress difficult high frequencies remarkably well. Only a few earbuds, like Bose's latest QuietComfort, can rival them in this department.
As with other Sony flagships, the M5s are packed with features via the Sony Headphones app for iOS or Android. There you'll find settings to adjust everything from the Ambient sound mode to features like Multipoint pairing, speak-to-chat, Sony's 360 Reality Audio spatial sound, and a multi-band EQ to create a personal sound profile.
Like their predecessors, the WF-1000XM5s deliver sound performance that is clear, rich, and detailed across instruments and vocals. You can improve the quality even more by engaging Sony's DSEE Extreme audio upscaling engine, while supported Android devices can access high-resolution Bluetooth via Sony's LDAC audio tech. Bone conduction sensors also help to deliver good call quality, even in noisy environments.
The M5s are also comfortable to wear for hours, offering a selection of foam ear tips that keep them stable in your ear and baseline water resistance for a variety of use cases. Sony has also finally added volume controls. This is done by repeated taps on the left or right buds for lowering or raising volume respectively, which isn't our favorite method but gets the job done.
Our only real complaint about the M5s is that their small, glossy housings make them slippery — you've got to really nudge them from the sides to get them out of the case. Their price tag could be tough to swallow as well, but we think they're worth the premium for anyone who wants a top-notch pair of wireless earbuds.
Best budget: JLab Go Air Pop
Best Buy
JLab's Go Air Pop offer performance and features that seem to defy their price point. Even when they're not on sale, these buds cost less than what you'll pay to pick up dinner for two at your local pizza joint.
At just $25 per pair, we don't expect much from the Go Air Pop, but within those qualified expectations, these earbuds really shine. While they're not big on features, they offer the essentials, including responsive touch controls, great battery life with up to eight hours per charge, and even a few EQ modes to adjust the sound.
Sound quality is simple but passable, without any notable sharpness or overbearing bass to ruin the overall audio profile. You're not going to be blown away by the detail here, but you'll be able to hear your podcasts just fine and make out all the main elements of your favorite tunes.
These aren't the most comfortable buds out there, but they're fine for short-to-medium listening sessions, and they come in a variety of colors to add a "pop" of style. Frankly, there's not much more that we'd ask of these earbuds given their price. But keep in mind you won't get features like auto-pause or even an app, let alone extras like noise cancelling or a transparency mode.
If you're looking for more, you may want to jump up a step to something like the Soundpeats T3, which cost around double, but add extras like a modicum of noise cancelling to the package. Otherwise, the JLab Go Air Pop are the perfect starter buds, whether you're just testing the waters or looking for an affordable stocking stuffer. At such a low price, what have you got to lose?
Best for sound: Technics EAH-AZ80
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Technics has always made great-sounding earbuds, but with the EAH-AZ80, Panasonic's storied audio brand puts it all together. Offering a comfy and stylish design, plenty of useful features, and solid noise cancelling to go along with wonderfully clear sound, the AZ80s are serious contenders.
These buds look and feel luxurious, with flashy touches like a brushed metal finish atop the case and sparkling endcaps on the buds themselves that mimic the turntables and amplifiers that have made Technics a household name. While they aren't the tiniest buds in their class, they're small enough to easily fit in your pocket, and their ergonomic housings provide a comfortable fit for hours of wear.
The AZ80s also offer plenty of top-flight features, including a "Find My" function in case you lose your buds, adjustable noise cancelling and ambient sound modes, customizable controls, and conveniences like a wireless charging case. Perhaps most notable is their multipoint pairing for up to three devices at once — one more than anything else we've tested — with an agnostic approach that lets you work and play across PC, Android, and Apple devices with ease.
Of course, the big seller here is the AZ80s' sound quality, which is among the very best you'll find, with impressive detail, excellent balance across frequencies, and a full and spacious soundstage. Sony's LDAC hi-resolution transmission over Bluetooth ups the ante with supported devices, while Technics' Audio Connect app lets you adjust the sound to taste with a variety of presets and a multi-band EQ.
The AZ80s' noise cancelling is very good, but it can't quite match the best options from Sony or Bose. The limitations here are especially notable in higher frequencies, which is a slight drawback given the price. They also skip any 3D audio features. That said, if you're looking for a versatile pair of earbuds that sound as good as they look, the AZ80s are a fantastic choice.
Best midrange: Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Soundcore's Liberty 4 NC earbuds are one of those products that has you continuously asking: How did they do that? These buds offer good sound, a truckload of extras, and noise cancelling on par with plenty of flagship earbuds. They're also stylish in an AirPods kind of way, with a premium look and feel. The kicker? They do all that for $100 or less.
Soundcore has been perfecting its formula for undercutting the competition for years now, and the Liberty 4 NC earbuds are the culmination. Name a flagship feature, and these buds likely have some version of it, from personalized multipoint pairing and an available volume limiter to an earbuds finder and noise-cancelling mode that can be programmed for your specific environment.
Not surprisingly at this price, there are a few compromises here. Some features — like 3D spatial audio — can feel tacked on. The touch controls are sometimes less responsive than we'd like, and while the audio quality is clear and detailed, it can sound brittle without some EQ. We also got more like seven hours of battery playback per charge with ANC engaged rather than the 10 hours Soundcore claims, though that's still respectable.
One place these buds easily live up to the hype is their noise-cancelling performance which meets or beats anything in their class, and even plenty of earbuds well above it. You can still get better noise cancelation by spending up, but you'll pay double or even triple the cost to get there.
Bottom line: If you're looking for a flagship experience without the flagship price — especially when it comes to features and noise cancelling — the Liberty 4 NC are the best wireless earbuds we've found.
Best for Apple users: AirPods Pro (Gen 2)
The AirPods Pro remain the top earbuds to buy if you own an iPhone.
Antonio Villas-Boas
If it were up to us, everyone would be granted equal access to the AirPods Pro (Gen 2), regardless of which hardware or operating system you prefer. They're so good, everyone should get a chance to try them. We know that's wishful thinking, though, because a big part of what makes these earbuds tick is their near-perfect integration with all things Apple.
If you're an Apple fan, these are easily the best wireless earbuds for your needs. Though the second-gen AirPods Pro may look a lot like the original version, inside virtually everything has been upgraded for a downright futuristic experience.
The sound has been redesigned for better detail and punchier bass. The noise cancelling has been overhauled to compete with some of the best out there. Their transparency mode is once again the most natural sounding we've heard, along with a new audio-limiting feature to protect your ears from unexpected loud noises. Apple even took things further with an update called Adaptive Audio, which naturally blends transparency mode and noise cancelling to adjust to your environment and personal volume preferences.
You'll also get all those little extras that make using the AirPods Pro with Apple devices so intuitive, like Hands-free Siri, Auto Switching to move between devices connected to your iCloud account, and Find My support to track the buds down if you've left them behind. There's a 3D spatial audio feature with head tracking as well, which is most useful with Dolby Atmos videos and a few audio tracks found on services like Apple Music.
As before, Apple has chosen not to add features like EQ or noise cancelling control, and alas, there's still no app for Android users making these earbuds decidedly aimed at Apple folks, start to finish. If you fit that mold, the AirPods Pro work in concert with Apple and iOS devices for an intuitive experience unlike anything else on the market.
Note: Apple now sells the AirPods Pro with either a Lightning or USB-C charging case. Given Apple's transition to USB-C for its other devices, we recommend the USB-C model.
Best for Samsung phones: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Samsung
If there's an AirPods Pro for Samsung users, it's the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. So named because they're an update of the cheaper Galaxy Buds 2, these buds take all the things we like about Samsung's mid-tier earbuds to the next level, with great sound, good noise cancelling, and plenty of features.
Similarly to how AirPods Pro are designed primarily for Apple devices, some of the most intriguing features of the Buds 2 Pro are Samsung-only, including 24-bit sound, 360 spatial audio with head tracking, and Auto-Switching between Samsung devices like tablets and phones. Others, however, are available to any Android (but not Apple) user, thanks to the Samsung Wearable app. From there, you can select EQ presets, use the earbuds finder, and customize the controls for features like volume control and Spotify connection.
The key to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro really comes down to the design. They're extremely comfortable in your ears, and their IPX7 water resistance makes them dunkable. The matte design looks good, and the earbuds come in a variety of fun colors. We do wish Samsung would have pushed the battery forward here, as they only offer five hours per charge.
Under the hood, each earbud is affixed with dual drivers to create full, powerful, and detailed performance. Sound is rapid and exuberant, without pushing toward snappy or sharpness. Noise cancelling is also impressive, if not quite on the level of other top options, and calling is excellent in a variety of conditions.
The Galaxy Buds Pro 2 won't be for everyone, but if you're looking for a flashy pair of earbuds with great sound that's especially handy for Samsung users, these are a great option.
How we test wireless earbuds
Antonio Villas-Boas
We take product testing seriously, and we aim to use consistent, reproducible testing methods wherever possible. To determine the best wireless earbuds, we evaluated several models and assessed their sound quality by listening to a wide range of music genres from common streaming services. This process includes a dedicated playlist to keep our testing consistent, and video samples to evaluate features like spatial audio and head tracking with stereo and Dolby Atmos content.
We also test things like ease of setup and use with various devices, especially for features like Multipoint pairing. To test ambient audio features like noise cancelling, we use a sound-treated room and professional stereo monitors in an attempt to reproduce noises like airplane drones, voice chatter, and various other frequencies. For battery tests, we time the earbuds while playing music at medium volume either in our ears or out with auto-pause sensors disengaged when possible, monitoring the earbuds at regular intervals.
We also test the best wireless earbuds the way regular people use them; we go for walks with the dog, listen to music alonngside high-traffic areas with noise cancelling on and off, and chat with friends and neighbors to test features like transparency mode. As much as possible, we live with these earbuds in an effort to analyze how they work and feel on a day-to-day basis.
Wireless earbuds FAQs
Are wireless earbuds better than wired headphones?
That depends on how you're going to use them. While wired headphones are more likely to offer better, more consistent sound quality at lower price points, they're less useful for tasks like working out, doing yard work, or walking the dog than a compact pair of wireless earbuds. Wireless earbuds have also gotten better at reproducing good sound in recent years thanks to improved Bluetooth protocols and a variety of other technology enhancements.
The best wireless earbuds also offer features you're less likely to find in wired options, including noise cancelling and transparency mode to suppress or let in the sound around you respectively. In general, we prefer high-quality wired headphones, especially those with an over-ear design, when doing serious listening with high-resolution audio tracks, and wireless options for most other activities.
What is noise cancelling?
Noise cancellation is a sound-suppression technology that helps defray environmental noises with the use of advanced hardware and software. Noise-cancelling earbuds utilize onboard microphones to capture the sound around you. They then flip the polarity of these frequencies to "cancel" certain sounds.
Some frequencies are easier to suppress than others, with higher frequencies presenting particular difficulty. As such, noise cancelling can't suppress all the sound around you. However, this technology has advanced with each new generation, offering increasingly better isolation from unwanted environmental annoyances.
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that lets compatible devices, like earbuds, exchange data, including audio, across limited distances. The majority of Bluetooth devices top out at 33 feet, though devices with Bluetooth Class 1 can extend much further. This technology has improved over time for better sound, more data, and a more reliable connection. Newer Bluetooth versions often provide advanced features and/or better quality and reliability.
As World War II ended and the Iron Curtain fell over Eastern Europe, relations deteriorated between the Soviet Union and its Western allies.
The Soviet repudiation of the West and of capitalism went as far as banning business with Western companies, as there was no reason to trade with "imperialist" powers.
That created a problem for one of the most revered Soviet military leaders, marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov, who oversaw many of the USSR's greatest victories against the Nazis.
The problem? Zhukov had developed an intense liking for Coca-Cola, a drink now illegal in the Soviet Union. Not only that, but Zhukov also feared that being seen consuming such a recognizable Western product would lead to punishment.
In an effort to maintain good ties, the Truman administration undertook a covert effort to get Zhukov the soda he wanted.
A cultural icon
Soldiers the front lines of the Cassino Front drink the first Coca-Cola to reach US troops in Italy on March 16, 1944.
PH/Sherman Montrose ACME
Coca-Cola's steadfast support for the Allied war effort helped make it both distinctly American and recognizable worldwide.
As the US entered the war, Coca-Cola President Robert Woodruff ordered his company "to see that every man in uniform gets a bottle of Coca-Cola for 5 cents, wherever he is and whatever it costs the Company."
The soft drink was seen as an important morale booster and thus a wartime necessity. Coca-Cola bottling plants sprang up close to front lines all over the world to get the drinks to Allied troops as fast as possible.
More than 100 employees known as "Coca-Cola colonels" were even given the Army rank of technical observer and deployed to the front to ensure soldiers got their Cokes quickly and efficiently.
In 1943, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, a fan of the drink himself, ordered 3 million bottles to the front in North Africa. He also requested enough supplies and materials to refill 6 million more bottles every month.
When Richard Bong, a US Army pilot in the Pacific theater, set the American record for air-to-air-combat victories in January 1944, Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold, the head of the Army Air Forces, sent him two cases of Coke as a reward.
By the end of the war, Allied military personnel had consumed 5 billion bottles of Coke from 64 bottling plants around the world.
'White Coke'
Zhukov, Eisenhower, and Montgomery at a banquet at Allied headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1945.
Keystone-France\Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Zhukov acquired his taste for Coke after drinking it during a meeting with Eisenhower after the war. Zhukov could enjoy Coke in meetings with Western officials but not at home, as the Soviet Union had banned Coca-Cola outright.
No alternative sated Zhukov's thirst for Coke, but in 1946, he had an idea: If the drink were delivered without its distinctive caramel color, it could possibly be passed off as vodka.
Zhukov asked his American counterparts to see if such a feat was possible. Gen. Mark W. Clark, commander of US forces in the American sector of Allied-occupied Austria, eventually passed the request to President Harry Truman, who contacted James Farley, chairman of the Coca-Cola Export Corporation.
Coca-Cola was actually in the process of expanding its business operations in Austria, and one of its employees was assigned to the effort. A company chemist soon made a clear version of the drink by removing caramel from the ingredients.
Zhukov, then Soviet defense minister, demonstrates a bayonet thrust at the military academy at Dehradun, India in January 1957.
CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
At Zhukov's request, the new beverage wasn't put in the usual Coke bottles but instead in unmarked, straight-edged bottles. To create a communist-friendly appearance, Coca-Cola even used custom-made white caps emblazoned with a red star on the bottles.
Fifty crates of "white Coke" were delivered to the Soviets in Vienna. While all other goods entering the Soviet occupation zone were stopped and inspected, Coca-Cola was able to deliver the crates without interference.
In the end, the rare olive branch between East and West amounted to little more than a personal favor between wartime colleagues.
It's not known what became of the drinks or their bottles, and the exchange had no effect on the deteriorating relationship between the two blocs.
A woman surveys the damage after severe thunderstorms struck Houston on Thursday night.
AP
Houston got hit by a line of thunderstorms with hurricane-strength winds.
At least 4 people are dead and almost 1 million are without power.
The outages could last weeks, one elected official said.
A series of powerful thunderstorms packing hurricane-force winds smashed through Houston on Thursday, leaving at least 4 people dead and nearly 1 million without power.
And damage to the grid could leave some parts of Texas's largest city without electricity for weeks, one county executive said.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said on Friday that the storm flipped an 18-wheeler and toppled power transmission towers. She said the recovery effort would take time.
"We are going to have to talk about this disaster in weeks, not days," Hidalgo commented at a press conference.
CenterPoint Energy said that more than 700,000 customers are still without electricity.
The storms plowed through Texas around 7 p.m. Thursday, packing winds of up to 75 miles per hour, Houston Public Media reported, citing the National Weather Service.
Photos from the area revealed the extent of the damage: downed trees, crushed cars, and even a partially collapsed building. The Associated Press reported that windows in skyscrapers were blown out by the powerful gusts, and glass littered the sidewalks.
Glass windows were blown out at this downtown Houston skyscraper.
Reuters
Videos on social media show debris smashing through glass storefronts and driving rain inside Houston's Minute Maid Park baseball stadium — even though the roof was closed.
School districts across the area canceled classes on Friday, and Houston Mayor John Whitmire warned people not to go to work unless they were essential workers.
Debris fills the feeder road near Interstate 10 and Interstate 45 near downtown Houston after severe storms passed through the area Thursday, May 16, 2024
Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images/Getty Images
Texas has been battered by powerful storms recently. Heavy rains pounded the region earlier this month and caused severe flooding in the Houston metro area.
Ford's F-150 Lightning is one of the automaker's keystone EVs.
Ford
Ford is asking suppliers for cost-cutting ideas.
Ford and other major automakers still lose billions of dollars on EVs.
The auto industry is adjusting to a new wave of EV customers.
Ford is asking its suppliers to help them cut electric vehicle manufacturing costs, soliciting money-saving ideas in a new memo sent to suppliers this week.
In the "call to action" memo, first reported by Crain's Detroit Business, Ford asked its EV parts suppliers to work together with the company on cost-cutting measures that can bring about much-needed affordability in the electric vehicle market.
This request to suppliers is the latest in a series of strategy shifts car companies have employed since the EV market hit a slowdown last year. Ford and its legacy competitors still lose money on EV sales, a problem the industry was hoping to address as it moved more vehicles in the coming years.
But EV supply out of Detroit is at odds with consumer demand, hurting sales and pushing out profitability.
Ford, one of the only auto companies to break out the results of its EV business, reported $4.7 billion in losses for the division in 2023 and has said it's on track to lose another $5.5 billion this year. At the same time, the automaker has been forced to slash prices on its electric cars and slow production as customers tighten purse strings and Elon Musk's Tesla wages a price war.
The memo sent to suppliers is broad, according to reports, and asks for cost reduction proposals related to both current and future electric vehicles, including the Mustang Mach-E, the Ford F-150 Lightning, a future unnamed electric pickup, and a future large SUV.
"We need your best ideas to drive cost reduction, even if they have been previously rejected by Ford," Ford's Chief Supply Chain Officer Liz Door reportedly wrote in the memo. "We have all invested heavily in the success of the EV business, and we will all win or lose together."
A Ford spokesperson told Business Insider the company remains " focused on delivering affordable electric vehicles to our customers and building a profitable EV business."
"We value our suppliers' collaboration and asked them to share their ideas for cost reductions," they said.
The EV market is changing
Ford and other major automakers, including Tesla, are struggling to meet the demands of a new crop of electric vehicle customers who have come to dominate the segment. These shoppers are more practical, frugal, and more likely to be considering electric, hybrid, and gas-powered options at the same time.
In these matchups, hybrids have been winning as of late, a phenomenon that Musk has said is detrimental to the electric vehicle market. Industry experts, however, say hybrids are a good bridge technology for future EV adopters.
Ford is leaning more heavily on its hybrid lineup, which has notched impressive sales since the start of the year. Crosstown rival GM, which previously planned to skip hybrids, has reversed course and is planning to bring hybrid models to North America in the near future.
That doesn't mean these companies are throwing in the towel on electric cars, though. While companies like Ford and GM fall back on hybrid and gas-powered profits to offset the billions of dollars in EV investment, it's likely that we will see more cross-industry collaboration on bringing down the overall costs of electric car manufacturing.
A 3D rendering of the Chengdu J-20 Chinese stealth jet.
bbevren/iStock/Getty Images Plus
The Chengdu J-20 is China's most advanced stealth fighter jet.
The J-20 reportedly had several encounters with the US-made Lockheed Martin F-35 jets in 2020.
The Chinese air force has a fleet of more than 200 J-20 jets — and the figure is only expected to grow.
The Chengdu J-20 is China's most advanced stealth fighter.
J-20 stealth fighter jet performs during the 2023 Changchun Air Show.
Wan Quan/VCG via Getty Images
The jet, nicknamed the "Mighty Dragon," was introduced to China's People's Liberation Army Air Force in March 2017. Manufactured by the Sichuan-based Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, the jet is considered one of China's most advanced military weapons.
It debuted in November 2016 at the Zhuhai Air Show in Guangdong, China.
Lockheed Martin touts the F-35 as the "most advanced fighter jet in the world," with very low observable stealth, advanced sensors, information fusion, and network connectivity.
The F-35's close encounters with the J-20 in the East China Sea in 2022 impressed a top US Air Force general, the South China Morning Post reported.
Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the head of US Pacific Air Forces, said in 2022 that the US had some impressions of the J-20's performance and was tepid about its capabilities.
"It's not anything to lose a lot of sleep over, but they seem to be a building a lot of them, and certainly, we're watching them closely," Wilsbach said.
The J-20 is a long, wide aircraft, measuring 23 meters in length and 5 meters in height.
A J-20 stealth fighter jet deploys orange parachutes on on the runway during the 2023 Changchun Air Show.
Jia Tianyong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
The J-20 is an enigma and Western estimates of its capabilities range widely.
There are several variants of the J-20.
J-20 stealth fighter jets perform during the 2023 Changchun Air Show.
Jia Tianyong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
Some notable variants are the J-20A, the first version of the jet, the thrust-vectoring J-20B, and the J-20S, the first twin-seat stealth fighter jet.
China is working on upgrading the J-20 by increasing the number of missiles it can carry and installing thrust-vectoring engine nozzles, according to the Pentagon's China Military Power Report released last October.
The J-20 was initially fitted with Russian-built engines.
J-20 stealth fighter jets rehearse for an air show.
VCG/VCG via Getty Images
China later developed the Shenyang WS-10 engine to lessen its dependency on Russia for fighter aircraft engines.
Last summer, video footage of J-20 test flights led to speculation that the PLAAF equipped its Might Dragon fleet with a more advanced WS-15 turbofan engine. China has struggled to build an engine capable of sustaining supersonic speeds without an afterburner similar to that of the US F-22 Raptor.
"No one wants the Chinese to become capable of designing and building their own jet engines," a retired intelligence officer from a NATO country told Breaking Defense in 2023. "It would move the threat marker as to their air power capability up more than just a couple of notches. But they seem to be close to that goal whether we want them to be or not."
The jet costs between $100 million and $120 million a unit, according to The EurAsian Times.
A J-20 stealth fighter jet is seen on a runway while rehearsing for an air show.
Wang Jingtian/VCG via Getty Images
In the early 2000s, the preliminary cost of the jet was quoted to be 450 million to 500 million Chinese yuan, or about $60 million to $70 million, The Diplomat reported. According to estimates from multiple reports, the cost of the jet has increased significantly since then.
The jet's research and development cost was estimated to cost over 30 billion yuan, the South China Morning Post reported.
Editor's note: This article was first published in June 2022 and has been updated to reflect recent developments.
Google handed out free guides on how to write successful AI prompts for Gemini at Google I/O.
The booklet covers best practices for Google Workspace and gives examples for various professions.
Some tips include drafting 21-word prompts that include persona, task, context, and format.
Google handed out booklets about how to write successful AI prompts at its big summer developer conference, Google I/O.
But you're still in luck even if you weren't one of the developers or press in attendance — Google has a free PDF version available for download on its website.
The guide breaks down how to best write AI prompts for Gemini for the company's Google Workspace apps, which include Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Meet, and Google Slides.
But there are some great takeaways in general for writing AI prompts.
It lists some helpful tips, like how the most successful AI prompts average around 21 words, and users should refrain from making them too long or too short. The guide also went over the four key points to hit in every prompt to receive the most useful responses.
The guide showcases how different roles can use Gemini to improve productivity. For example, an HR manager might use Gemini to create a script for an onboarding presentation, while a sales representative may use it to create an elevator pitch for a client.
While the digital version is only 45 pages long, we uploaded the booklet to Google's Gemini to see the biggest takeaways (yes, we prompted AI to summarize a book about AI prompts).
Here's what it said in response.
Gemini for Google Workspace: A Guide for Busy Professionals
This guide is a comprehensive resource for anyone who wants to learn more about using Gemini for Google Workspace to improve their productivity and creativity. It covers a variety of use cases for different roles (Recruiter, HR Manager, Marketing Manager, Project Manager, Sales Manager) and provides specific prompts and examples to help them leverage Gemini's capabilities.
Key Takeaways
Gemini for Google Workspace integrates with various Google Workspace apps (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet) to assist with tasks like writing, organizing, summarizing information, creating visuals, and more.
Effective prompts for Gemini should include Persona (who you are), Task (what you want to achieve), Context (background information), and Format (desired output style).
Gemini can be used across various departments to improve productivity and streamline workflows.
Additional Tips
Level Up Your Prompt Writing: The guide offers additional tips to help you improve your prompt writing skills. These include breaking down complex tasks into smaller prompts, using constraints to generate specific results, and tailoring your prompts to the desired tone and audience.
Overall, this guide is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about using Gemini for Google Workspace to enhance their work within the Google ecosystem.
Although CEO Doug McMillon says the company is "not trying to chase higher-income cohort sales," it has nevertheless made considerable investments in key areas that are likely to retain wealthier, inflation-weary shoppers who came in looking for low prices.
Most visibly, Walmart is plowing cash into renovating its store fleet and building new locations, on track to overhaul 900 locations this year. The so-called "store of the future" design features brighter lighting, better signage, and a generally more inviting space to wander the aisles.
Walmart is also expanding its product selection in stores — most notably with the recent launch of its premium private label brand Bettergoods — and online as the number of third-party marketplace sellers grew by more than a third in the US, and product listings now top 420 million items.
Both of those things work together to increase the convenience of e-commerce, which continues to see significant sales growth in delivery and curbside orders.
"We've been known for price forever but we're increasingly known for convenience," McMillon told analysts Thursday. "Whether customers have more money or less money, if we're doing a good job on the items and prices and the service we provide, saving them money with pickup and delivery for example, we can continue to grow share."
This combination — nicer stores, upscale merchandise, and ultra-convenient pick-up and delivery — is making Walmart look increasingly like Target, and that's something that should worry its C-Suite in Minneapolis.
Target doesn't report earnings until next week, but if the past year is any indication, the Bullseye is having less success emulating Walmart than Walmart is having emulating Target.
Sales have been notably softer for Target, with the company projecting a 3% to 5% decline this quarter, and the brand continues to take a beating over its handling of its annual Pride celebration.
The company did introduce a new private label — the budget-minded Dealworthy brand — and it rolled out a paid membership that seems modeled off of Walmart+, but neither has received particularly glowing reviews.
Walmart meanwhile continues to be very effective at being Walmart, and it's getting better at being Target too.
Children admire a painting on a sunny beach day in Russia.
Vladimir Bogdanov/FotoSoyuz/Getty Images
Before the end of the Cold War, the Iron Curtain cut off the Soviet Union from the rest of Europe.
Life there was restricted, but as its leaders changed, Western influence began to reach residents.
Still, some older generations held on to the communist structure and devotion to the state.
The Iron Curtain was a figurative and ideological wall — and eventually a physical one — that separated the Soviet Union from western Europe after World War II.
The name, widely attributed to Winston Churchill, hinted that life in the USSR was secretive and very different from other western, capitalist countries.
But vintage photos provide a peek behind the curtain and show that, while members of the Soviet Union worked tirelessly to prove its power to the rest of the world, there was also time for music, shopping, and vacations in the sun.
Here's what life was like behind the Iron Curtain.
The Iron Curtain was a figurative and political barrier that divided Europe.
Gorky Street in Moscow.
Sovfoto/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
It sealed off the Soviet Union from Western countries between the end of World War II and the end of the Cold War in 1991.
Tour buses in front of the Winter Palace in what was then called Leningrad in 1970.
Bettmann/Getty Images
The Soviet Union was believed to be brutally restrictive, but after Joseph Stalin died in 1953, there were changes to everyday life.
Colleagues congratulate the best seamstress of the sewing shop.
In 1961, the Berlin Wall was built, and a combination of curiosity and fascination with American culture began to build throughout the '60s, '70s, and '80s.
"Style hunters" were basically the Soviet version of today's hipsters. They would listen to smuggled music and dance in hidden discotheques before the police busted them.
A group of style hunters rocking the wildest outfits they can come up with.
Marc DEVILLE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Fascination with punk style took the youth by storm, and punks would do anything to get their hands on even just a few seconds of rock 'n' roll.
This group of punks is probably everything the Soviet leaders feared.
In the 1950s, "bone records" were old X-rays printed on flimsy vinyl sheets that were used to share American rock music. The sound quality was awful, but it provided the taste of rebellion they were after.
A punk messes around in 1987.
Marc DEVILLE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Sports, and particularly soccer, were popular in the Soviet Union. When the soccer team won the European Championship in 1960, there were huge celebrations.
The Soviet Union played Yugoslavia in the 1960 final.
STAFF/AFP via Getty Images
In the earlier years of the Soviet Union, Stalin's leadership had organized teams as a way for the state to maintain control.
A soccer team in Moscow, Russia in 1960.
Photo by V. Sychev/TASS/Getty Images
While the government was no longer in complete control by the 1960s, they still used victories as a propaganda tool and claimed success whenever there was a big win.
But as younger citizens stirred up trouble, members of the older generation continued to represent Soviet culture and abide by the communist lifestyle.
Commuters in Moscow in 1967.
Sepia Times/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Public transport was a crucial tool to keep the republics connected. The Moscow Metro system was known to be the best kept to flaunt socialist success.
Rather," he said, "these were generic products devoid of any accompanying mythology."
A sales assistant shows clothing to shoppers in the GUM department store in Moscow in 1961.
James McAnally/Graphic House/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Pictured, a sales assistant shows shirts to customers at the GUM department store, known as the State Department store, in Red Square, Moscow.
Nikita Khrushchev, a former Soviet statesman, visited the US in the 1960s and tried to bring the concept of the Western supermarket to the Soviet Union, but it didn't catch on.
A group of people stock up on their fruits and vegetables.
Musk has had a fascination with using the letter X for his businesses dating back to at least 1999.
Social media users trying to access Twitter may notice something different today: Typing in Twitter.com now redirects to the X.com domain.
Platform owner Elon Musk confirmed the change in a post early Friday morning, saying, "All core systems are now on X.com."
A popup message alerting users to the change reads: "We are letting you know that we are changing our URL, but your privacy and data protection settings remain the same."
Musk has long talked about his plans for an "everything" app called X that he envisions would take inspiration from Tencent's WeChat.
"If you're in China, you kind of live on WeChat," he's said. "It does everything — sort of like Twitter, plus PayPal, plus a whole bunch of things, and all rolled into one, with a great interface. It's really an excellent app, and we don't have anything like that outside of China."
Musk has also used the letter X in the branding of his other businesses.
