The main virtue of in-ear headphones—or, as most of us now call them, earbuds—has always been that of convenience. They’re easier to put on and carry around than their over-ear counterparts, something that has become even more true as wireless and Bluetooth technology have done away with all those pesky cords.
But while earbuds have always been more practical than a pair of clunky over-ear cans, the audio performance disparity between the two has all but disappeared over the last decade. Thanks to massive technological improvements, like smaller drivers and active noise canceling (ANC) technology, in-ears now sound just as good in many cases. Because of this, the market is now jam-packed with earbuds that can deliver premium audio whether you’re looking for something to wear on your morning commute, at the gym, or just around the house.
That doesn’t mean that finding the right pair can’t be a challenge. Everyone’s ears and tastes are different, and to find the right pair, you’ll want to take into account fit, performance, and features. And don’t forget battery life, especially if you’re the sort of person who likes to soundtrack their day with a constant stream of your favourite albums, the seasonal playlist, or true crime podcasts
Fortunately, Robb Report is here to help. Below, 11 of our favourite wireless in-ear headphones currently on the market, at least a few of which should meet your needs.
Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($398.95)
Most Comfortable Earbuds: Beyerdynamic Amiron 300 ($359)
Best-Designed Earbuds: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Eleven ($910)
Best Apple Earbuds: Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($249)
Best Android Earbuds: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 ($229)
Most Improved Earbuds: Master & Dynamic MW09 ($544)
Best Earbuds for Working Out: Bose Ultra Open ($399)
Best Value Earbuds: Sony WF-C710N ($149.95)
Best Earbuds for Sleep: Ozlo Sleepbuds ($499)
Best Overall Earbuds: Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
Photo : Bowers & Wilkins
The convenience of earbuds must no longer come at the cost of premium performance, and no current pair offers better proof of this than the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8. The British brand’s range-topping in-ear models offer everything you could want from a pair of headphones. They are comfortable to wear thanks to their lightweight construction (which also means they stay put in your ears), come loaded with features you’ll actually use, and, most importantly, sound great. These ‘buds may be tiny, but they offer the kind of performance that comes close to those of bigger over-ear models. The Pi8 also provide the type of noise cancellation that will help you focus in noisy environments and equally solid call quality whether you’re inside or outside.
If you’re in the market for a pair of premium earbuds that you’ll primarily use to listen to music, then Technics has you covered. The Japanese brand, which is known far and wide for its superlative turntables, introduced a new in-ear headphone model last year called the EAH-AZ100 that comes closer to replicating the sound of over-ear headphones than anything else on this list. The flagship pair is tiny but produces vibrant sound that’s at once powerful and pristine. Each ‘bud houses a magnetic fluid driver that helps minimise distortion to ensure that your music sounds the way it is supposed to. That includes just about everything, whether you’re into glitchy techno or Beethoven. There’s also ANC to help block out unwanted noise and other distractions on your commute or at the office. Their 28-hour battery life also comes in handy if you don’t have to spend your entire day at your desk with access to an outlet.
Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Photo : Bose
Predictability isn’t always a bad thing. There are exceptions, of course— including one lower down this list—but for the most part, you know exactly what you’re going to get from a pair of Bose headphones: solid sound, a clean design, and stellar noise cancellation. This is especially true of the brand’s flagship QuietComfort headphones. Of those, our preference is for the in-ear model, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. Thanks to a variety of ear tips, stability bands, and ANC tech that Bose has been honing for years, this pair can block out just about all the unwanted ambient noise you’ll encounter during your day. Those first two features also ensure these earbuds are comfortable to wear from morning to night, allowing you to listen to music, catch up on podcasts, and take calls without a second thought.
Earbuds are, by definition, more comfortable than their over-ear siblings. There’s no pair currently on the market that this is truer of than the Beyerdynamic Amiron 300, a pair so small and lightweight you’re liable to forget that you are even wearing them. Because they’re so light, getting them to actually stay put is easy—no mean feat, as even the most seasoned earbud convert will tell you—since they’re less likely to be jarred loose while you move through your daily activities. Despite their slight size, these earbuds also pack an audio punch, with music coming through loud and clear regardless of the genre, whether or not they’re surprisingly effective ANC is on or not.
Best-Designed Earbuds: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Eleven
Photo : Bang & Olufsen
In the audio world, no brand puts out as consistently stylish gear as Bang & Olufsen. Just look at the latest version of its ultra-chic in-ear headphones, the Beoplay Eleven. Thanks to their graceful shape, smooth finish, and jeweled touchpads, this pair will complement your outfit, not detract from it. But B&O knows that style only gets you so far, which is why these earbuds offer significantly better performance than their predecessors, the Beoplay EX. Each headphone houses a 9.2 mm driver strong enough to ensure your favourite artist sounds exactly as they should, no matter how high you turn up the volume. They also have several quality-of-life improvements that improve the listening experience, including solid ANC, multi-point Bluetooth connectivity, and IP57-rated dust and water protection.
If you’re already a part of the Apple ecosystem, there’s no pair of earbuds as easy to use as the company’s flagship AirPods Pro 2. Once you connect the in-ears to a device, be it an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, it’ll remember it. The pair can even cycle between devices without missing a beat, even if you’re struggling to stay focused. This seamless connectivity is why the pair has become so ubiquitous since its introduction in 2019, but the latest version of the headphones now offers audio quality that can be described as “good.” That is a marked improvement from what came before. Audiophiles obviously won’t be swayed, but for most of us, Apple’s ‘buds will be more than good enough. Strong noise-cancellation, even better call quality, and USB-C charging also make it that much harder to resist the urge to be just like everyone else.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are Google’s answer to the Apple AirPods Pro 2. The company’s newest top-of-the-line earbuds are aimed at those who’ve gone all in on its products, particularly the Pixel phone. Sure, you won’t see them as much as their older, more ubiquitous rival, but they’ve caught on with their intended audience and for good reason. Connecting them to and switching between devices running the Android operating system is a breeze. They also feature improved audio and noise cancellation, as well as a respectable 12-hour battery life (though this drops to eight if you have ANC on the whole time). Google’s Gemini AI integration doesn’t work quite as smoothly as you’d hope, but it’s not that bad compared to some of the competition.
Practice makes perfect, just ask Master & Dynamic. The company’s MW08 was a solid pair of in-ear headphones, but their successor, the MW09, is a clear upgrade in every single way. The stylish earbuds have been fully re-engineered to be lighter, more comfortable, and sound better (although you’ll likely want to play around with the equaliser, especially if you prefer music with more of an acoustic profile). Their 16-hour battery life is also nothing to shrug off. Another highlight is that they come with a charging case that both looks (and feels) good and, thanks to its intuitive battery gauge, is actually useful.
It’s apparently very hard to make a good pair of workout earbuds—especially if you don’t want to include behind-ear hooks—but Bose seems to have finally figured it out. The Ultra Open solves the fit issue that plagues so many of their peer by utilising an unorthodox design. Each headphone unit clips to the wearer’s ear with the earpiece sitting just outside the canal rather than inside it. Yes, they look like earrings, and yes, they take some getting used to, but doing so is worth it. The open-ear design also allows you to hear your surroundings, something that’s vital if you run on busy roads and streets. It’s enough to make you wish that Bose, despite its well-earned reputation for building consistently reliable headphones, would take more chances.
Sony fans are spoiled for choice when it comes to in-ear headphones. The company’s flagship pair, WF-1000XM5, may feel a bit dated at this point, but they’re not far behind the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8. The company’s newest set of earbuds, the WF-C710N, is the most intriguing currently on offer, though. They may not sound as strong as the WF-1000XM5 or have as effective ANC, but they come awfully close, especially if you’re willing to play around with the equaliser inside Sony’s Sound Connect app. And, since they cost just over a third of the price of their older siblings, coming that close is a big deal. They even beat the WF-1000XM5 in terms of battery life, allowing you to go up to 30 hours between charges, even if you’re addicted to using ANC. That’s hard to beat, especially at such an accessible price point.
There are headphones for practically everything, including listening to music, blocking unwanted noise, and … getting to sleep. The Ozlo Sleepbuds are for those of us who like to listen to dry history podcasts or classical music before slipping off to dreamland. They do everything beloved-but-discontinued Bose Sleepbuds can and more (no wonder, since they share some developers). The streamlined M&M-sized headphones were designed not to put pressure on your ear should you roll over in your sleep, and come with a variety of silicone tips to ensure a snug fit and to help block out any unwanted noise. Their best feature, though, is that they come equipped with sensors that can tell when you actually drift off, allowing them to switch to a soundtrack, like white noise or nature sounds, that is less likely to wake you up.
Audio Quality: As the preceding list shows, earbuds are for more than just listening to music. Still, audio quality remains an important factor when selecting a pair. Fortunately, recent advances in driver technology ensure that even the tiniest set of headphones can deliver commanding sound. Plus, most earbuds are compatible with a proprietary app that allows you to improve sound if you’re not afraid of playing around with the equaliser settings.
Battery Life: There’s nothing worse than putting in your earbuds at the gym or on the way back from work and realising they’re dead. Listening habits vary, but you’ll want a pair that offers at least six hours of continuous battery life (anything less isn’t on this list). Most pairs also come with smart charging cases—something almost all top-notch earbuds offer at this point—that can multiply that time, too.
Noise Cancelling: Our day-to-day lives can take us through some noisy environments. If you want to hear what you’re listening to, you’ll want a pair of earbuds with noise-cancelling. Some wireless earbuds even have ANC that, depending on the volume of your surroundings, will adjust white noise levels to balance everything out.
Multipoint: It may sound unnecessary, but you’re going to want a pair of headphones that can connect to more than one device at a time. Pairs with this feature, which is often called multipoint, allow you to switch between devices—say a phone and computer—without a second thought.
Water Resistance: Sometimes you’re going to get caught in the rain. That’s why almost all premium earbuds have some level of water protection. The current industry standard, IPX4, means your headphones can withstand splashes of water, but higher levels can protect against more, including being fully submerged.
The Swiss watchmaker just unveiled its new Constellation Observatory Collection today, the next step in its Constellation lineage and the first two-hand hour and minute timepieces to ever earn Master Chronometer certification. And if you were paying attention to any of the dazzling watches spotted at the Oscars this year, you would’ve caught a glimpse of the new line already: Sinners star Delroy Lindo rocked one of the models on the Academy Awards red carpet, giving us a pre-release preview of the collection.
Developed at Omega’s new Laboratoire de Précision (its chronometer testing lab open to all brands), the collection houses a set of nine 39.4 mm watches. The watches underwent 25 days of scrutiny there, analysed via a new acoustic testing method that recorded every sound emitted from the timepiece to track irregularities, temperature sensitivities, and more in the name of all things precision. (Details such as water resistance and power reserve are also thoroughly examined.) This meticulous process is all in the name of snagging that Master Chronometer label, meaning that the timepiece is highly accurate and surpasses the threshold for ultra-high performance. The Constellation Observatory Collection has now changed the game, though, thanks to its lack of a seconds hand.
A watch from the Constellation Observatory Collection, with the Observatory dome on display. Omega
“Until now, precision certification has required a seconds hand,” Raynald Aeschlimann, president and CEO of OMEGA, said in a press statement. “The development of a new acoustic testing methodology has made that requirement obsolete. It is this breakthrough that has enabled us to present the Constellation Observatory, the first two-hand watch to achieve Master Chronometer certification.”
In addition to notching its place in history, the collection also debuted a new pair of movements: the Calibre 8915 and the Calibre 8914, each perched on a skeletonised rotor base. The former’s Grand Luxe iteration will appear on the 950 Platinum-Gold model in the collection, which offers up that base in 18-karat Sedna Gold alongside a Constellation medallion in 18-karat white gold with an Observatory dome done in white opal enamel surrounded by stars. The second Calibre 8915, the Luxe, will find its home on the other precious-metal models in the line, either made with the brand’s 18-karat Sedna, Moonshine, or Canopus gold seen across the case, the hand-guilloché dial, and, of course, the movement itself. (Lindo chose to rock the Moonshine Gold on Moonshine Gold iteration, priced at approximately $86,000, for Sinners‘s big night at the Oscars.) As for the Calibre 8914, it can be found in the collection’s four steel models.
A look at a gold case-back from the collection. Omega
Each model is a callback to myriad design features on past Omega models. That two-hand dial, for one, comes from the 1948 Centenary (the brand’s first chronometer-certified automatic wristwatch), while the pie-pan dial (seen in various blue, green, and golden hues throughout the line) and that Constellation medallion caseback both appear on watches from 1952. The star adorning the space above 6 o’clock also harks back to 1950s timepieces from Omega. And to finish off the look, you can opt for alligator straps in a variety of colours, or perhaps a gold iteration to match the precious-metal models; the brick-like pattern on the 18-karat Moonshine bracelet was also inspired by Omega watches from the ’50s.
We’ll have to keep our eyes peeled for any other Constellation Observatory timepieces (or any other unreleased models from the brand) at the rest of the star-studded events headed our way this year—perhaps the Met Gala?
A modern classic in the making, combining naturally aspirated power with elegant restraint to deliver performance that feels as refined as it is visceral.
In a year when carmakers of all persuasions sheepishly extended hyperbolic electric targets, it’s fitting that the monastic puritans of Maranello—who, lest we forget, won’t finally yield to the sin of battery power until October with the Elettrica—opted to make combustion their major power play.
As an uncertain future of AI omnipresence barrels towards us, the 12Cilindri—an analogue, open-topped tribute to Ferrari’s late-’60s/early-’70s grand tourer, the Daytona—represents a defiant fade into the past, a pause for breath, a fleeting return to The Good Times when nascent technology provoked excitement rather than existential dread.
Guiding this automotive nostalgia trip is, as the nomenclature suggests, a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine, generating an unceasing wave of power as it sears towards the 9,500 rpm redline with relative nonchalance. That’s because the 12Cilindri is not a mouth-foaming attack-dog. It scales performance heights with the refinement of the finest Italian works of art; its “Bumpy Road” mode facilitates comfy al fresco GT cruising, and even the imperious powerplant is mannerly at most speeds.
For all the yesteryear romance, progressive technologies and engineering, such as a world-class 8-speed transmission, advanced electronic aids and independent four-wheel steering, are baked into the deal. The 12Cilindri’s clean, stark design somehow toggles between retro and modern; and while vaguely polarising, one can’t ignore its magnetic road presence.
In terms of aesthetics, Ferrari describes the 12Cilindri as being “ready for space”; in many ways, a fantasy vehicle that transports users to another dimension is probably what the world needs right now.
On the fourth floor of Westfield Sydney, near the Castlereagh and Market Street entrance—in the space formerly occupied by Chanel—Loro Piana has opened its first Australian boutique. It is a significant address change for that corner of the mall, and a meaningful one for the Italian house, which has sourced Australian merino wool for decades but until now had no retail presence here.
The facade is understated—creamy, tactile, more about texture than theatre. Inside, the store unfolds across a single, expansive level divided into distinct men’s and women’s wings. The separation is clear without being heavy-handed: womenswear leads from soft accessories and leather goods into ready-to-wear, while menswear occupies its own assured territory, with tailoring and outerwear given proper breathing room. Footwear (supple loafers, luxurious slides, pared-back sneakers) is particularly strong, and the sunglasses are a quiet standout: mineral-toned frames with a disciplined elegance that feels entirely of the house.
That same restraint carries into the interiors, where the surfaces do much of the talking. Walls are wrapped in the company’s own linen and cashmere; carpets are custom, dense underfoot, softening the acoustics and the pace. Oak and carabottino wood add warmth without fuss; marble accents introduce a cool counterpoint. The effect is a composed space calibrated around material, proportion and restraint.
The Spring 2026 collection now in store underscores that sensibility. Silhouettes are elongated and fluid; cashmere, silk and featherweight merino move in sandy neutrals, creams and muddied earth tones, with flashes of marigold and pale turquoise breaking the calm. Tailoring is softly structured and projects confidence without aggression. Leather goods arrive in buttery skins that feel almost pre-lived, as though time has already worked its magic.
What distinguishes Loro Piana, particularly in a market that has grown noisier by the season, is its refusal to perform luxury in an obvious register. There are no oversized insignias telegraphing allegiance. Instead, the status is encoded in fibre count, in hand-feel, in how a coat hangs from the shoulder. It assumes the wearer knows and, crucially, does not need to announce it.
Sydney’s luxury landscape has matured in recent years; global houses no longer test the waters but commit to them. Yet Loro Piana’s arrival feels different. It is not trend-driven expansion but material logic. For a country whose sheep stations have long contributed to the house’s fabric story, this boutique reads almost as a thank-you note written in cashmere.
If all you’re going to do is look at it, a leather Dopp kit from a fashion house is a fine choice. But if you take travelling seriously—and do it often, for business, pleasure, or both—such a bag will inevitably end up blemished with droplets of water or stained by errant flecks of toothpaste. Get stuck with a cavalier team of baggage handlers, and it can even get soaked in your favourite fragrance or anti-ageing serum.
But Patricks, the high-performance Australian grooming brand stocked in Harrods and Bergdorf Goodman, has a solution. Its limited-edition bathroom bag, called BB1, is purpose-built to protect everything inside and out. Conceived by industrial designer George Cunningham with brand founder Patrick Kidd, the cuboid design is executed in a water-resistant recycled nylon you can rinse clean. It’s lined with a thin layer of shock-absorbing foam to safeguard your products, but if a bottle somehow gets cracked in transit, the two-way water-resistant zippers and sealed seams (which keep liquids from seeping in or out) ensure that whatever leaks won’t ruin your cashmere. Inside, two dual-sided zippered compartments are ideally sized to fit toothbrushes, razors, and other small essentials.
And though its clean lines and rugged construction make it undeniably masculine, its greatest feature is borrowed from women’s makeup bags. Like the best of these, BB1 unzips to lie flat, giving you unobstructed access to everything inside. Well, you and the 999 other gentlemen who move fast enough to snag one. $289
Courtesy of Patricks
1. Hanging Loop
The G-hook system isn’t just a stylish handle: You can also use it to hang the bag from a hook or secure it to your carry-on.
2. Two-Way Zipper
The closures are water-resistant in both directions, meaning liquids won’t get in or out.
3. Fold-flat Construction
BB1 opens to 180 degrees, letting you scan its 4.2-litre capacity at a quick glance.
4. Technical-Fabric Shell
The durable recycled-nylon is easy to maintain and woven to survive splashes and leaks from your go-to products.
You can bet on pretty much anything these days, from when Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will get married to who will be the next James Bond—and now that includes the Rollies on your wrist, or on your wishlist.
Prediction market platform Kalshi, regulated in the U.S., and luxe watch marketplace Bezel have teamed up on a new platform called Watch Futures that allows users to splash down cash on where they think the prices of a particular luxe timepiece are going, whether that’s a Rolex Submariner or a coveted Patek Philippe, Time & Tide reported.
You can also place a wager on which models might be discontinued, as well as any future launches from the top watchmakers on the new platform; with Watches and Wonders coming up, it’s certainly a well-timed launch that could see a lot of activity as a slew of new releases are announced at the event.
Watch Futures is all based on Beztimate, Bezel’s system (once used only internally) to help it accurately calculate the market price of a timepiece. It draws data from real-time transactions, live bids, verified sales, and other market offers to spawn its own series of independent valuation models to establish a watch’s value. From there, it’s up to bettors to place their wagers, and then the platform will showcase any price fluctuations or other updates as time goes on.
This new platform could have some pretty large implications for the watch industry. As any horological savant would know, the internet and collectors alike are constantly chattering about which models are on the way out or when a certain timepiece of the moment’s time in the limelight will fade, of course, having a large impact on the prices of said model. And now, a Watch Futures user can have a direct stake in where a model is headed—and if they own said timepiece, it can be a protection from dwindling values on the marketplace, say, if a user places a bet on their model losing value and that actually comes to fruition.
To see Watch Futures in real time (and scope out how some pieces in your collection are faring), you can use the Kalshi app or its website.
Courtesy of Patricks
