Nothing Ear (2)

Nothing Ear 2 are in-ear buds, not over-ear headphones, which makes them the commuter and gym recommendation on this list. At $150 for genuinely effective ANC in an IEM form factor, they punch significantly above their price. The custom 11.6mm drivers produce a warm, detailed sound that audio reviewers consistently place near $300 competitors. The LHDC audio codec support (similar quality to Sony's LDAC) is unusual at this price. The transparency mode (hear your environment without removing buds) is among the best implemented of any IEM. The practical case for in-ear over over-ear: they fit in a pocket, work with in-person conversation without removal adjustment, and are 40% lighter. For developers who find over-ear headphones uncomfortable after 2+ hours, Nothing Ear 2 are the best alternative.