Get wired: the best wired earbuds, headphones and hi-fi gifts
Whether you want to gift cheap wired earbuds, elite open-back cans for home, a hi-res player, a cassette Walkman, a CD spinner, passive tower speakers or any kind of portable DAC, these are the best we've used the year
As retro music trends take hold, enthusiasts are gravitating towards analog equipment and vintage audio gear. This shift is evident in the preference for CD and cassette tapes over streaming services like Spotify, and the desire to recreate nostalgic listening experiences from the 80s. Tower speakers, turntables, and hi-fi stacks have become popular additions to personal spaces.
For those who are drawn to this trend and may be considering wireless earbuds as a gift, there are several options available, depending on the device they plan to use them with. If the headphones or earbuds will be connected to a USB-C device, such as a phone or tablet, USB-C-enabled earbuds are ideal. Bose, Sennheiser, and Sony all offer high-quality options in this category.
For those who want to enhance audio quality from their phone, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) like the iFi GO Link 2 can be paired with 3.5mm headphones or earbuds.
In this roundup, the recommended wired earbuds and headphones cater to a variety of preferences and budgets, ensuring there is an option for everyone. Read on to discover the best wired audio gifts of 2026.
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