It has been an exciting year for audio technology and headphones Not only did we see the introduction of the AirPods Pro 2, a great pair of earbuds with noise canceling capabilities, but the headphone market as a whole saw innovative new products that allow you to enjoy the listening experience anywhere, regardless of your needs

Thanks to new soundbars, one can recreate the cinema experience while in the living room In addition, new Bluetooth and smart speakers extend audio throughout the home

There has never been a better time to buy one of the best headphones, earbuds, or soundbars this year The same can be said for several other product categories we cover, so be sure to check out all the winners of the Tom's Guide Awards 2023 after you see the list of audio award winners below

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is the best headphone we tested this year, delivering the overall performance required in this category 60 hours of battery life completely raises our standards and is now the stamina to beat The Sennheiser Sennheiser Sound is the most comfortable headphones we've tested this year Add in the carefree Sennheiser sound and effective noise cancellation, and the Momentum 4 is one of the most practical wireless headphones we've ever seen Last year's winner in this category, the Sony WH-1000MX5, remains our favorite, but Sennheiser upped the ante this year by earning our coveted Editor's Choice endorsement

When you think of noise-canceling technology, you might first think of companies like Bose and Sony However, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 earbuds rival over-ear headphones in their ability to keep you quiet for extended periods of time Even without this additional feature, the AirPods Pro 2 proved to be the perfect partner for our long commutes, intense workout sessions at the loud gym, and any noisy places in between Taking it a step further, the clever Adaptive Transparency feature leverages ANC to automatically limit ambient noise above safe decibel levels

Adaptive sound, superior ANC, and a modern design make the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 the best wireless earbuds we reviewed this year A third smaller than the original QuietComfort Earbuds, the second-generation QC Earbuds improve the wireless listening experience in virtually every way The refined, balanced sound is truly impressive, and the call quality is nothing short of top-notch; proprietary technologies like ActiveSense and CustomTune balance sound and noise neutralization very well, making Bose's latest buds stand out in a saturated earbud market Bose's newest buds stand out in a saturated earphone market If you're looking for premium earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are a great choice

JLab consistently delivers versatile earbuds with the strongest battery life of any earbud set, creating tremendous value We loved the original $79 Epic Air Sport ANC earbuds, but the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC (2nd generation), released last year, are even better Priced at $99, the fitness-friendly earphones feature a reliable earhook design for a secure fit, an IP66 rating to protect against dirt and moisture, and active noise cancellation (ANC) They also feature active noise cancellation (ANC) The earbuds rank as one of the best inexpensive wireless earbuds we have tested thanks to their energizing, balanced sound, and they are a great value for regular listeners and active lifestyle users alike

Balancing upscale design with high-end sound, Bowers & Wilkins continues to play to its strengths with its latest offering The flagship Bowers & Wilkins Px8 ANC over-ear headphones, released late last year, are audiophile headphones at their best The brand's best-ever wireless over-ear headphones retain the appeal of last year's award-winning Px7 S2, but add luxurious materials for an even more comfortable fit and the latest drivers for optimal sound quality Without a doubt, they are among the most agile and engaging wireless headphones I have ever heard They are the company's ultimate wireless headphones and are perfect for audiophiles in pursuit of sound quality

The Apple-owned Beats brand has been regularly pumping out Bluetooth earbuds over the past few years, and the new Beats Studio Buds+ are their best wireless earbuds yet features found in their more expensive siblings, but they still offer improved battery life and effective noise cancellation Even better, they have a sleek fit that makes them the perfect workout partner If you haven't yet found earbuds that fit in your ears without falling out, the Beats Studio Buds+ are worth a try

While dedicated speaker systems are more customizable, the best soundbars are no match for speaker systems in the sound reproduction category A perfect example of this is Samsung's HW-Q990B, which comes with a main 'bar, two satellite speakers with up-firing drivers, and a huge sub The system is all wireless, so you don't have to worry about running audio cables through the wall, and it comes equipped with two HDMI inputs that can send a 4K HDR signal to your TV Another attractive feature of this system is that it is equipped with two HDMI inputs that can be used to send a 4K HDR signal to a TV In effect, this means one more HDMI port available for your TV, which is ideal if you want to connect a game console, Blu-ray player, and streaming device all at the same time

Despite its portable size, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 - UE Wonderboom 3 - packs a serious punch In a sea of average, affordable Bluetooth speakers, UE's colorful ball-shaped product stands out from the pack It proves that just because it's a small package doesn't mean the speaker has to be inferior in performance or features In most genres, the speaker delivers surprisingly strong bass and balanced sound; a pair of two speakers can be paired for a stereo effect; the UE Wonderboom 3 is waterproof and has settings that make music sound better in open spaces, especially for outdoor listening Recommendation Otherwise, the 14 hours of playback time will keep the soundtrack flowing on all your daily adventures

Sonos has long been at the forefront of multi-room speakers, with some of the best smart speakers and best soundbars on the market, but the company did something different earlier this year with the launch of its new Era speaker series The speaker placement is designed to maximize spatial audio This eye-catching smart speaker supports Alexa voice control and Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio to deliver the most immersive sound experience imaginable with the right content and impressive sound quality We also liked the fact that it offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, making it both retro and future-proof Additionally, the USB-C port and adapter on the back allow it to connect to turntables These amazing capabilities make the Era 300 a very versatile smart speaker and one of the best available