My 2026 Headphones Forecast Might Surprise You, but It's an Open Secret – CNET
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Tech CES 2026 was light on new headphones yet heavy on open earbuds, signaling a move away from noise-isolating designs. Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer The Shokz OpenFit Pro are the company's best-sounding open earbuds to date. Over the last few years, I've spent a lot of time reviewing the latest true-wireless noise-canceling earbuds, with premium models like Apple's AirPods Pro 3 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (second generation) featuring ever more powerful noise-muffling alongside impressive sound quality. Here's something I've noticed: While noise-isolating earbuds with silicone eartips aren't going away, more attention right now is on open designs that don't seal your ear canal and let you hear the outside world for "situational awareness."
Published: January 15, 2026 3:00 pm
Source: CNET — Read original