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Best headphones for Android in 2023 (UK)
The best headphones for Android users, including models from brands like Bose and Samsung.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
All Android smartphones come bundled with earphones for you to listen to your favourite music or podcasts immediately, but they’re rarely impressive. It’s a fact of life. It’s a better idea to purchase a separate pair of headphones or earphones that suit your needs, as long as you know the kind of headphones or earbuds you need.
It’s important to think about when you’re going to be using your headphones. For starters, do you want to block out background noise while you’re on your daily commute? Do you want a pair that are great while you’re running or working out at the gym? Or do you just want to relax at home, listening to music through your headphones, perhaps even while you sleep?
These sort of questions will help you find the best wireless headphones for your Android device. To make it even easier, we’ve put together a quick guide.
What is Android?
Perhaps best known as the alternative operating system to Apple’s iOS, the Google-owned Android is an open source platform — that means (unlike Apple) any developers and tech companies can use and build on it. It’s used on many non-Apple phones and tablets, including devices made by Samsung and Google itself. Over 3 billion people actively use Android devices.
What makes a pair of headphones good for Android users?
It stands to reason that headphones made by the likes of Google and Samsung will make headphones that brilliantly sync with Android devices. Generally, look for headphones that have compatibility with Android-specific features, such as Google Fast Pair and Google Assistant. Most decent Bluetooth headphones have access to a voice assistant, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, or Samsung’s Bixby. You just need to set the headphones to your preferred version — in this case, Google Assistant. Be wary of headphones that only support one voice assistant (some have Alexa built-in).
What can Google Assistant do?
Once you have Google Assistant set up on your headphones and Android device, it’s seriously helpful. You can ask it to play specific songs — not to mention control all playback features — as well as make calls and send messages, set schedules and alarms, do general searches, and check the news or weather.
What is Google Fast Pair?
This Google-specific feature eliminates the faff of fiddling around with menus to connect Bluetooth devices. Your Android device will use Bluetooth Low Energy and location tech to immediately detect any Bluetooth devices nearby. A window will automatically pop up on your device and ask if you want to connect. Fast Pair devices can also sync with your Google account and offer personalised features.
Are cheap headphones worth the money?
The simple answer is, not really. If you’re looking to go easy on your wallet, you could just stick with the pair that come with your Android smartphone. This is only really a worthwhile plan if you’re prone to losing headphones, because — ultimately — the standard-issue headphones are never that good. If you regularly enjoy music or podcasts, it’s definitely worth investing in a more expensive pair that offer more useful features like active noise cancellation or companion apps.
What are the best headphones for Android?
To help you find something that will work for you and your Android device, we have tracked down a selection of your best options. We’ve done the research, read the online reviews, and have come up with a list of the best headphones for Android users.
These are the best headphones for Android devices in 2023.
Best Headway Premium deal: 80% off lifetime subscription
A lifetime subscription to Headway Premium is on sale for £49.22, saving you 80% on list price.
TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to Headway Premium is on sale for £49.22, saving you 80% on list price.
You don’t have to wait for New Year’s Eve to set goals for self-improvement. How about committing to learn something new every day?
Headway can help you reach that goal. It’s an app that breaks down nonfiction content into mini-reads or podcasts. And a lifetime subscription is only £49.22. That’s the lowest price found on the web.
Headway doesn’t have full-length books or podcasts — the idea is that you get the main ideas broken down into a 15-minute read or listen. That means you don’t have to spend weeks (or months) reading a single book to learn about topics like personal growth, business, or health and wellness.
And there’s always something new to learn. Currently, the app has over 1,500 summaries and up to 50 new ones are added each month. Enjoy personalised recommendations on what to read or listen to next, and stay motivated with widgets and daily insights like learning streaks.
Turn your downtime into an opportunity to learn. You could enrich things like standing in line, waiting for an appointment, commuting, or winding down at night with a quick Headway summary. Or, replace habits like doom scrolling with something a little more productive. You could meet your self-growth goals long before the new year.
Commit to lifelong learning with the web’s best price on Headway Premium, just £49.22 for a limited time.
![Headway Premium advert](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03SPu4NLSRD6N4q5dvLH5ax/images-1.fill.size_256x192.v1698922454.jpg)
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Best Audible deal: 60% off 3-month subscription (UK)
A three-month subscription to Audible is on sale for just £2.99 per month, saving you 60% on list price.
TL;DR: A three-month subscription to Audible is on sale for just £2.99 per month, saving you 60% on list price.
![Audible logo](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/01UwI129gLKHKNA1IBRL8WE/images-2.fill.size_256x125.v1699014432.png)
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What can you expect from Black Friday? You can never count on deals on headphones, speakers, laptops, and tablets, although these are still highly likely. What you can always rely on are deals on Amazon’s range of services. That means discounts on Amazon Music, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible.
A three-month subscription to Audible is already on sale for just £2.99 per month, saving you 60% on list price. This Black Friday deal includes a credit each month to purchase any audiobook from the world’s largest selection of material, regardless of price and including the latest best sellers.
This special offers is not available to current Audible members (or anyone who cancelled their membership within the past month). After the promotional period, the subscription will automatically renew for £7.99 per month. You can cancel this function at anytime though, so there is no pressure to pay anything more than the deal price.
Audible members get unlimited access to thousands of select Audible Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. Save 60% on a three-month subscription to Audible this Black Friday.
Apple AirPods Pro deal: Get them for their lowest price since Prime Day
As of Nov. 3, you can score a pair of Apple AirPods Pro for just $189.99, down from $249, at Amazon and Walmart.
SAVE $59.01: As of Nov. 3, you can score a pair of Apple AirPods Pro for just $189.99, down from $249, at Amazon and Walmart. That’s a 24% discount or a savings of $59.01.
![apple airpods pro](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02tod8w798nHOuNLiVyxChV/images-1.fill.size_256x256.v1699020801.png)
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![apple airpods pro](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02tod8w798nHOuNLiVyxChV/images-1.fill.size_256x256.v1699020801.png)
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Tis the season to go shopping. Black Friday is just around the corner, and retailers are already dropping prices on everything from electronics to home goods. Even Apple products are receiving significant discounts, with the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) being one of the most sought-after deals.
As of Nov. 3, you can snag a pair of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) for just $189.99, down from $249, at Amazon and Walmart. That’s a 24% discount or a savings of $59.01. This is the lowest price we’ve seen since Prime Day 2.
These high-end buds feature active noise cancellation, a customizable fit for maximum comfort (includes four pairs of silicone tips in extra small, small, medium, and large), and spatial audio technology for an immersive listening experience. Plus, the transparency mode allows you to stay aware of your surroundings while still enjoying your music or podcasts.
Whether you’re gift hunting or treating yourself, this deal on the Apple AirPods Pro is too good to pass up.
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