It is that time of year where playlists get longer, flights get booked and everyone suddenly remembers they need a good pair of headphones, earbuds or tech that’s simply complimented with good audio. This audio gift guide is all about the stuff that actually stuck with us over the year, from smart earbuds that handle meetings for you to compact speakers that basically live in your bag.
Every pick here is something we have tested, reviewed or own ourselves, so think of this as a shortlist of favorites instead of a giant catalog. Whether you are shopping for an audio nerd, a traveler, a gamer or just someone tired of bad sound, there should be at least one thing in here that fits.
Viaim RecDot
Viaim RecDot feels built for people who live in calls, meetings and classes as much as they do in playlists. They are true wireless earbuds with surprisingly solid sound, but the hook is the AI side of things: one touch recording, real time transcription and live translation across multiple languages through the Viaim app. That means you can capture a full meeting, get it turned into text and even translate key points when you are working with people in other countries, all without juggling extra gear.
Great gift for the friend or coworker who should always be taking notes or jumping between Zoom, in person meetings and travel. We’ll have a review on these soon enough but make sure you take advantage over the holiday and check out the latest deal here.
Bowers & Wilcons PX8 S2
B&W PX8 S2 are the definition of true luxury sound, with soft Nappa leather, metal accents and a super comfortable fit wrapped around serious audio hardware. The 40 mm carbon drivers, high res support over aptX Adaptive and Lossless, and a clean tuned sound give these a really detailed, rich presentation that makes albums, movies and games all feel a level up. Add in strong active noise cancelling, a handy transparency mode and up to 30 hours of battery with quick charge and you have a set you can wear all day on commutes, flights or office sessions without thinking about it. If you are looking to spoil an audio fan for the holidays, this is that “endgame” pair they will reach for every time they want to actually sit and listen. You can check out our full review here (B&W PX8 S2 Review – Premium Upgrades) and make sure to check out current deals here.
JBL Grip
JBL Grip is that little speaker you end up taking everywhere without really thinking about it. It is a compact Bluetooth speaker with bold JBL sound, punchy bass and a built in ambient light strip that gives it a fun, almost lava lamp vibe on a desk or nightstand. The IP68 rating means it is water, dust and drop proof, so it is just as happy next to a pool or on a hike as it is in a bedroom, and you still get up to around 14 hours of playtime on a charge.
If you are looking for a gift that works for pretty much anyone, this is a safe pick. It is small enough to toss in a backpack, loud enough for a hotel room or small get together and you can even pair multiple Grip speakers with Auracast to fill a bigger space. It is the definition of a “use it all year” kind of present. Check out the latest deal for them here.
Soundcore Sleep A30
Soundcore Sleep A30 is built for people who are serious about getting better sleep, or at least trying to. These tiny earbuds are designed to be worn all night, with a slimmer profile for side sleepers, soft tips and wings and surprisingly comfortable fit once you get the sizing right. Inside you get smart active noise cancelling tuned for sleep, plus an adaptive snore masking system that listens for snoring and blends in sounds to help block it out without blasting your ears.
Paired with the Soundcore app, you can pick from relaxing soundscapes, track your sleep, see how often you move around and even set a gentle alarm that wakes you without waking the whole room. Battery life is strong enough to cover multiple nights before you have to dock the case, and they can double as regular earbuds on trips when you are not in bed. If you are shopping for someone who complains about noise, shares a bed with a snorer or travels a lot, these are a very easy recommendation. Check out the latest deal for them here.
Status Pro X Earbuds
Status Pro X are for the person who wants that “flagship” earbud sound without always defaulting to the usual big brands. Each earbud packs a triple driver setup with hi res audio and LDAC support, plus hybrid ANC that cuts a serious amount of noise when you are on trains, planes or in busy offices. They run Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, have six beamforming mics with clever voice processing for clear calls, and come in a compact, premium case that looks as good as the buds themselves.
These make a great gift for someone who listens to a lot of music and actually cares how their headphones sound. The tuning is detailed and enjoyable, ANC performance hangs with the bigger names, and the design avoids the glossy, overdone look you see on a lot of earbuds. If you want to hand someone a pair of everyday buds that feel like a real upgrade the moment they hit play, Pro X absolutely fits that role. Check out the latest deal for them here.
