There are only a few hours in the day when you won’t see headphones on my head or earbuds in my ears. There’s nothing like finding a great pair of headphones or earbuds; the best pair for you may take some time to find, but once you do, you’ll be inseparable.
Also: Our favorite Black Friday headphones deals live now
As ZDNET’s audio editor, I take pride in our content, which not only provides you with buying advice on the most popular names in the consumer audio industry but also showcases lesser-known brands, budget options, and surprisingly impressive picks. We compiled data on the top-selling headphones, which are presented in order of units sold via links from ZDNET’s website (a disclaimer: Your privacy is protected; we only have access to aggregate data from our user base, and there is no way for us to identify individual people’s purchases).
Here are the ZDNET readers’ most purchased headphones in 2025 so far. (Some of these are currently on sale for Black Friday.)
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Best headphone deals of the week
Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.
The 10 most popular headphones among ZDNET readers
The CMF Buds 2 Plus are some of our favorite true wireless earbuds, and the most-purchased headphones in general among our readers this year. These earbuds are feature-rich and well-performing for their relatively low price point of $80. The CMF Buds 2 Plus are compatible with Sony’s high-resolution LDAC Bluetooth codec, sport an IP55 dust and water resistance rating, and impressive noise-canceling performance.
Review: CMF Buds 2 Plus
Users with Nothing phones can access Low Latency Mode for mobile gaming and ChatGPT integration with their phone’s voice assistant.
Deal: The CMF Buds 2 Plus are currently 13% off at Amazon.
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Soundcore’s Sleep A20 earbuds are designed to wear while you sleep, providing comfort and ambient noise for side sleepers. However, we recommend these sleep earbuds to people who need ambient noise to fall asleep, rather than those looking to block out external noises.
Review: Soundcore Sleep A20
Still, their comfort for side sleepers is what makes them great, and you can find them for $180.
Deal: Soundcore’s Sleep A20 earbuds are currently 5% off at Amazon.
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Shokz’s flagship open-ear bone conduction headphones are among the best for individuals who want to stay aware of their surroundings while exercising. They feature a lightweight design, 12-hour battery life, and an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance.
Review: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Many open-ear headphones sacrifice sound for their open and light form factor, but Shokz’s sound profile is highly impressive for an open-ear headphone.
Deal: The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are currently 5% off at Amazon.
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Another pair of sleep earbuds was popular with our readers this year, and the Ozlo Sleepbuds are the best ones we’ve tested. We awarded the Ozlo buds with a ZDNET Editor’s Choice award in April for their comprehensive software features, ease of use, impressive performance, and comfort.
Review: Ozlo Sleepbuds
The Ozlo Sleepbuds retail for $350, but you can find them for $275 during major sales.
Deal: The Ozlo Sleepbuds are currently $75 off at Ozlo.
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Before Apple released the AirPods Pro 3, the Pro 2 earbuds were the best Apple earbuds on the market. They were my daily drivers for many years, thanks to their advanced software features, software longevity, impressive noise cancellation, hours-long comfort, and seamless integration with iOS devices.
Also: The AirPods Pro 2 have dropped to a new low price – here’s why they’re still legit in 2025
Apple and Amazon no longer officially sell the AirPods Pro 2; however, you can purchase them at retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.
Deal: The Pro 2 are currently on sale at Walmart for $139.
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The H2O Audio Tri 2 multisport bone conduction headphones have an IPX8 waterproof rating, unlike the water-resistant rating found in many of their counterparts. We also like these headphones because they have onboard storage and an integrated MP3 player, allowing you to store up to 8 GB of music files for phone-free listening.
Review: H2O Audio Tri 2
They’re a great option for runners, bikers, hikers, and swimmers, and their internal storage is ideal for underwater listening or people who are active in remote areas.
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The AceFast AceFit Pro are great true wireless open-ear headphones for casual listeners and people with an active lifestyle. They’re fitted with LED lights for visibility, a 30-hour battery life, an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, and a liquid silicone finish for comfort and stability.
Review: AceFast AceFit Pro
The AceFit Pro retail for $145 but you can find them for well under $100 during major sales.
Deal: The AceFit Pro are currently 44% off at Amazon.
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The Baseus Inspire XP1 sport a unique ergonomic design that lends them an excellent in-ear seal, enhancing their sound and noise-canceling abilities without compromising comfort. Additionally, these earbuds promise up to 45 hours of battery life, sound tuned by Bose, and Dolby Spatial Audio.
Review: Baseus Inspire XP1
The Baseus Inspire XP1 retail for $130, but are often on sale for $110.
Deal: The Baseus Inspire XP1 are currently 15% off at Amazon.
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The EarFun OpenJump are suited for everyday use and for exercise. Their flexible yet secure fit and IPX4 durability rating make them a solid option for exercise. Additionally, their hi-res audio certification and 11 hours of continuous playtime make them great for daily use.
Review: EarFun OpenJump
The EarFun OpenJump are one of our favorite budget picks, retailing for $80 and typically on sale for $65.
Deal: The EarFun OpenJump are currently 20% off at Amazon.
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The Dali IO-8, the only over-ear headphones to make the list, are a pair of high-end headphones designed for individuals who appreciate well-crafted wireless headphones with a strong emphasis on sound quality. These headphones sport Dali’s premium 50mm custom drivers, a 35-hour battery life, and AptX Bluetooth codec support.
Review: Dali IO-8
The IO-8 are not cheap; they retail for $1,250. However, you can find them on sale for $1,000.
Deal: The IO-8 are currently 20% off at Amazon.
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Source: Robotics - zdnet.com
