Is Matter worth waiting for in smart home devices?

Matter is the cross-platform standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung. Existing Zigbee devices from Philips Hue and similar brands are being updated via firmware. For new smart home builds, Matter-compatible devices are the future-proof choice.

Best Tech & Audio for Exercise (2026)

Finding the right tech & audio for exercise — we researched 2 options and selected the best.

📅 Updated 2026-05 🔍 2 products reviewed 🇬🇧🇺🇸 UK & US links

Best for Exercise

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

Best-in-class ANC for earbuds. Adaptive transparency. The standard for iPhone users.

★★★★☆ 4.7 (98,000 Amazon reviews)

✓ Best ANC in any earbud form factor — genuinely close to over-ear performance

✓ Adaptive transparency mode is the most natural available — sounds like no earbuds at all

✓ Spatial audio with head tracking — transformative for video content

Price range: Premium

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

Best Value

Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds

Best ANC earbuds for non-Apple users. LDAC hi-res audio. The AirPods Pro alternative.

★★★★☆ 4.6 (18,200 Amazon reviews)

✓ Best ANC in any earbud across Android and multi-device users

✓ LDAC hi-res audio — genuinely superior sound quality to AirPods

✓ Multipoint connection — phone and laptop simultaneously

Price range: Premium

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

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Why These Made Our List

#1: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

Best for: iPhone users who want the best audio integration, most seamless switching and strongest ANC in an earbud form factor.

AirPods Pro 2 are the definitive choice for iPhone users — the ecosystem integration is unmatched. Adaptive transparency is the most natural-sounding passthrough available. For Android, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is a stronger proposition.

Full verdict →

#2: Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds

Best for: Android users and multi-device users who want the best ANC earbuds with hi-res audio and true multipoint connection.

The WF-1000XM5 is the definitive earbud choice outside Apple's ecosystem. LDAC audio, best-in-class ANC and true multipoint connection make it the most feature-complete premium earbud available. For Android users especially, this is the clear recommendation.

Full verdict →

How to Choose: Tech & Audio for Exercise

The tech and audio market moves fast and is full of spec inflation and marketing hype. We cut through to what actually makes a difference — whether that's noise cancellation genuinely tested against alternatives, smart home devices that work reliably, or portable power that lasts as long as claimed.

What to Look For

These are the factors that genuinely separate good purchases from regretted ones:

ANC Performance

Noise cancellation specs are meaningless without independent testing. Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 2 consistently top third-party tests. Mid-range claims rarely hold up. Always check independent comparisons.

Battery Life (Real-World)

Manufacturer battery claims are measured at low volume with ANC off. Real-world figures are typically 20-30% lower. For ANC headphones: 20+ hours is good. For earbuds: 6+ hours per charge.

Ecosystem Compatibility

Some features are locked to specific ecosystems (AirPods Pro to Apple, Bose to a single device at a time). Always verify compatibility with your phone and computer before buying.

Smart Home Protocol

Matter is the emerging universal standard. Zigbee, Z-Wave, and proprietary protocols still dominate but limit expandability. Buying Matter-compatible devices future-proofs your setup.

Audio Codec Support

Bluetooth audio quality depends on the codec. LDAC (Sony) delivers hi-res audio on Android. aptX Adaptive is the Qualcomm equivalent. AAC is the best iOS codec. Standard SBC is the fallback — significantly lower quality.

Build Quality & IP Rating

For portable speakers and earbuds, IP ratings matter. IP67 means fully dustproof and waterproof to 1m for 30 minutes. IPX4 (splash-resistant only) is not suitable for outdoor or gym use.

Mistakes to Avoid

⚠ Buying AirPods Pro for Android — you lose Adaptive Transparency, spatial audio and seamless switching. Get the Sony WF-1000XM5 instead
⚠ Paying for a smart speaker with poor audio quality when a Sonos One costs only marginally more
⚠ Buying smart home devices without checking they support Matter or your existing ecosystem
⚠ Choosing headphones based on bass emphasis in-store — bass is always boosted in retail demos
⚠ Ignoring codec support — Bluetooth headphones with only SBC support sound noticeably worse than LDAC alternatives

Understanding the Price Ranges

Under 50: Budget tier. Echo Dot, basic earbuds. Functional but significant compromises on audio quality and ANC.

50–150: Mid-range. Solid true wireless earbuds (Sony WF-C700N), decent portable speakers. Good daily use value.

150–300: Premium tier. AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, JBL Charge 5. Genuinely excellent performance.

300+: Luxury tier. Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QC45, high-end smart home setups. Diminishing returns but real differences.

Price Ranges Explained

under-50

Budget tier. Echo Dot, basic earbuds. Functional but significant compromises on audio quality and ANC.

50-150

Mid-range. Solid true wireless earbuds (Sony WF-C700N), decent portable speakers. Good daily use value.

150-300

Premium tier. AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, JBL Charge 5. Genuinely excellent performance.

300-plus

Luxury tier. Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QC45, high-end smart home setups. Diminishing returns but real differences.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sony or Bose headphones better?

Sony WH-1000XM5 wins on ANC performance, audio quality (LDAC support) and battery life in independent testing. Bose QC45 wins on comfort for long sessions and call quality. If you wear headphones all day, comfort matters more than specs — try both if possible.

Are AirPods Pro worth it for Android users?

No. AirPods Pro's best features — Adaptive Transparency, Personalised Spatial Audio, seamless Apple switching — are iPhone-only. Android users get standard ANC earbuds in an Apple case. The Sony WF-1000XM5 delivers better ANC, LDAC audio and multipoint connection for Android.

What's the difference between a smart speaker and a Bluetooth speaker?

A smart speaker (Echo, Sonos One, Google Nest) connects to your WiFi, has always-on voice control and integrates with smart home devices. A Bluetooth speaker (JBL Charge 5) pairs directly to your phone, is portable and battery-powered. You need both for different situations.