Parker Hall
Gear
Nov 16, 2024 10:02 AM
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
Featured in this article
The Perfect Bluetooth Speaker
Ultimate Ears Boom 4
Read more
$150 $100 at Walmart
An Ultimate Ears Alternative
Tribit StormBox 2
Read more
$70 at Amazon
Solid-State Earbuds
Soundpeats Capsule3 Pro+
Read more
$100 $90 at Amazon
Beloved Headphones
Sennheiser HD6XX
Read more
$219 $199 at Drop
Show more
4 / 32
Whether you’re trying to find a turntable so Mom and Dad can bust out their vintage vinyl collection or you want to give the gift of great sound to a young music lover or a middle-aged audiophile, it can be tough to find great-sounding gear that doesn’t cost a lot. That’s where we come in. Each year, we spend hundreds of hours listening to the latest gear, looking for the elusive products that bring the best possible sound for the money.
These are our favorite gifts for music lovers, from affordable accessories to insane hi-fi wonders. Looking for other cool audio gear or gift ideas? Be sure to check out our other buying guides, including the Best Cheap Headphones and Best Bookshelf Speakers.
Updated November 2024: We’ve overhauled this guide with new picks from many of our favorite brands, including Ultimate Ears, Sony, Vizio, and others.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
The Perfect Bluetooth Speaker
Ultimate Ears Boom 4
The Ultimate Ears Boom 4 is our favorite Bluetooth speaker because of its smooth and detailed sound and 360-degree listening profile. You’ll enjoy bold, full-frequency sound and excellent wireless range no matter where you place this speaker, and IP67 dust and water resistance means that it will take a licking and keep on ticking. We tested it by dropping it, floating it in water, and generally treating it like hot garbage, and it came out no worse for wear. Fifteen hours per charge at medium volume means that it has more than enough juice to make it through the day.
$150 $100 at Walmart
$150 $120 at Amazon
$150 at Best Buy
$150 at Ultimate Ears
Photograph: Amazon
An Ultimate Ears Alternative
Tribit StormBox 2
If the Ultimate Ears model above is a bit too expensive, you can get virtually the same experience from this more affordable Tribit model. It has the same full 360-degree sound and nearly the same detail as the UE speaker it is clearly designed to imitate. An IPX7 rating makes it a bit less durable, but we’ve been able to get it wet and bang it around in normal use without issues. If you just need a decent go-anywhere speaker for your loved one, this is a great choice.
$70 at Amazon
$70 at Tribit
Photograph: Amazon
Solid-State Earbuds
Soundpeats Capsule3 Pro+
These earbuds from Soundpeats earned a rare 10/10 rating from us, and for good reason. They offer excellent sound quality, with a balanced and detailed sound profile that’s perfect for all genres of music. They also have a comfortable fit and long battery life, making them perfect for long listening sessions. Plus, they’re affordable, making them a great gift for any music lover.
$100 $90 at Amazon
Photograph: Drop
Beloved Headphones
Sennheiser HD6XX
These headphones from Sennheiser are a cult favorite among audiophiles, and for good reason. They offer incredible sound quality, with a balanced and detailed sound profile that’s perfect for all genres of music. They also have a comfortable fit and long battery life, making them perfect for long listening sessions. Plus, they’re affordable, making them a great gift for any music lover.
$219 $199 at Drop
Show more
4 / 32
Whether you’re trying to find a turntable so Mom and Dad can bust out their vintage vinyl collection or you want to give the gift of great sound to a young music lover or a middle-aged audiophile, it can be tough to find great-sounding gear that doesn’t cost a lot. That’s where we come in. Each year, we spend hundreds of hours listening to the latest gear, looking for the elusive products that bring the best possible sound for the money.
These are our favorite gifts for music lovers, from affordable accessories to insane hi-fi wonders. Looking for other cool audio gear or gift ideas? Be sure to check out our other buying guides, including the Best Cheap Headphones and Best Bookshelf Speakers.
Updated November 2024: We’ve overhauled this guide with new picks from many of our favorite brands, including Ultimate Ears, Sony, Vizio, and others.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
