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Gift guide

Gifts for music lovers

For someone who always has something playing. A speaker to share it and headphones to keep it to themselves.

Every product below comes from recent independent reviews, and an automated fact check confirmed each detail against its source. We don't test products ourselves. How we pick.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Portable Bluetooth speaker

A small speaker that plays music from a phone, indoors or out.

Budget pick

Soundcore Select 4 Go

  • Rated IP67 for dust and water, and it floats. (TechGearLab)
  • TechGearLab measured about 25 hours of battery life in its test, more than the 20-hour rating. (TechGearLab)
  • Weighs about 9.3 oz, has a carrying loop, and two units can be paired. (Engadget)
  • The Soundcore app offers a 9-band equalizer. (SoundGuys)

Recommended in: SoundGuys, TechGearLab, Engadget

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Mid-range pick

JBL Clip 5

  • A built-in carabiner clips onto a backpack, and output rose to 7W from the Clip 4's 5W. (SoundGuys)
  • Supports multipoint connections and has presets and a custom EQ in the JBL Portable app. (SoundGuys)
  • Rated IP67 for dust and water and weighs about 0.6 lb. (TechGearLab)
  • Reviewers at TechGearLab found it survived drops without a scratch and clips onto a showerhead. (TechGearLab)

Recommended in: SoundGuys, TechGearLab

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Splurge pick

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

  • Rated IP67 and floats. In TechGearLab's testing it survived repeated 3-foot drops onto concrete. (TechGearLab)
  • Weighs about 1.3 lb, and two Bose speakers can be paired. (TechGearLab)
  • The Bose app adjusts bass, mid and treble. (TechGearLab)
  • Has a built-in microphone for calls and works with phone voice assistants. (Engadget)

Recommended in: TechGearLab, Engadget, SoundGuys

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Wireless over-ear headphones

Over-ear headphones for music, shows and calls.

Budget pick

Soundcore Life Q30

  • Rated for up to 40 hours of playback with noise canceling on and up to 60 hours with it off. (NBC Select)
  • Headphones Addict measured 44 hours of playback with noise canceling on. (Headphones Addict)
  • Folds up, comes with a hard case, and connects to two devices at once. (NBC Select)
  • Has noise canceling and a transparency mode, plus the Soundcore app for iPhone and Android. (NBC Select)

Recommended in: NBC Select

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Mid-range pick

1More SonoFlow Pro

  • TechGearLab's testers found it comfortable for about 8 hours. (TechGearLab)
  • Supports LDAC, multipoint pairing and EQ in the app, and comes with a case. (TechGearLab)

Recommended in: TechGearLab

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Splurge pick

Sony ULT Wear

  • SoundGuys measured 32 hours 35 minutes of battery life in its lab test. (SoundGuys)
  • Folds, comes with a hard case, weighs 8.99 oz and connects to two devices at once. (NBC Select)
  • A ULT button adds bass: a little with one press and a deep boost with two. (NBC Select)

Recommended in: SoundGuys, NBC Select, SoundGuys

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