Our music experts and gear reviewers round up the best speakers, headphones, and other audio gear to give in 2025
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Great sound is for everyone — not just us audiophiles. Our staff of music experts and product specialists has the privilege of testing hundreds of audio products throughout the year, including headphones, earbuds, speakers, and record players. So, when the gifting season comes around, we see it as a responsibility to help out friends and family members who might not be enjoying great sound. Whether it’s upgrading their headphones, introducing them to true home theater audio, or setting them up with a record player, there’s usually a piece of audio gear for everyone on your gifting list.
The Best Audio Gear Gifts 2025
Ahead, we’ve put together the best audio gear gifts to give during the 2025 holiday season. We’ve included new headphones and earbuds, standout speakers from our testing this year, and other audio accessories and pieces to round out setups.
Best Speaker Gifts
Marshall Middleton II
Marshall makes some of the most giftable Bluetooth speakers on the market. It’s not because they sound great (they do), or because they’re well-priced (they are): It’s because they look more stylish than any other Bluetooth speakers.
Edifier R1280DB Bookshelf Speakers
These bookshelf speakers from Edifier offer some of the best bang-for-your-buck in the audio world. Currently $133, the compact pair of speakers provides better sound than a portable Bluetooth speaker or your TV, and they look great doing it.
Sonos Arc Ultra
The Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar shines as a standalone piece for TV and music, but it’s even better as the heart of a larger whole-home Sonos system. Featuring the brand’s Sound Motion technology, it creates a room-filling surround sound experience all by itself. As part of the Sonos system, it can also connect to other Sonos speakers for the multi-room experience that has made the brand a mainstay in so many audiophile households.
Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4
This speaker set from Harman Kardon is a few years old, but it looks and sounds more than up-to-date — it’s futuristic. The center subwoofer (which you get to see in action thanks to its transparent housing) generates a shocking amount of bass for such a small, affordable system, and the satellite speakers are very capable.
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
Portable Bluetooth speakers are an easy gift if you’re at a loss for ideas. Ultimate Ears’ Wonderboom 4 is one of the best, offering very solid sound in a tiny, durable package.
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro
If you want to treat your giftee to some premium audio, consider the Zeppelin Pro from Bowers & Wilkins. It’s stylish, sturdy, and capable of creating big sound to fill just about any room.
Best Headphones & Earbud Gifts
Apple AirPods 4 Earbuds
You can’t go wrong with AirPods. They’re the most convenient earbuds for Apple users, and this new 4th-generation version features some significant upgrades that previous-gen AirPod owners will be happy to have, such as spatial audio, upgraded noise-cancellation, and a more comfortable design.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins Px8s are our favorite headphones. Period. They make other headphones (even nice ones) feel cheap by comparison, and the sound quality matches that elevated build. They’re pricey, yes, but they’re a treat for anyone on your gifting list.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones
If you don’t want to spring for the Px8s, Sony’s WH-1000XM5s are an incredible pair of cans. The noise-cancellation is actually a little better than the pricier Px8s, in my opinion, and their lighter weight is great for long hours of use.
Technics AZ100 Earbuds
Technics has been quietly making some of the industry’s best noise-cancelling earbuds. These AZ-100 earbuds are a great pick that your giftee might not know about, boasting Dolby Atmos Hi-Fi audio and a sleek metal build.
Shokz Open-Ear Headphones
For the athletic audio lover in your life, get them a pair of Shokz open-ear sports headphones. The bone conduction headphones fit securely around your ear, instead of inside them, meaning you can still hear the outside world and your breathing while listening to music.
Other Audio Gear Gifts
Victrola Eastwood LP
If your giftee wants to start listening to vinyl (or you want them to), give this Eastwood LP turntable from Victrola. It features a built-in speaker, plus Bluetooth capabilities if you don’t have a song on wax.
Crosley Fleetwood Radio CD Player
First vinyl came back, now CDs are following suit. If you know a CD fan, get them this stylish radio CD player. It’s part decor, part audio gear.
Loop Experience 2
Hearing protection is cool now, partially thanks to Loop. The company became a staple at concerts, raves, and other events because its earplugs look like jewelry. These Experience 2 earplugs are designed for live shows, turning down the volume while still letting users be immersed in the music.
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