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There are so many headphones to choose from that fit specific needs, and the market is only growing.
With so much to choose from, hailing from big brand names such as Bose, Beats, Sony, Skullcandy and Apple, it’s hard to make an informed decision. With a quick search on Google, prospective buyers are overwhelmed with models in vibrant candy-colored hues boasting a number of facets — some with wires, some without, Bluetooth compatibility, ANC or Active Noise Cancellation, comfort tech and so much more. It’s enough to make a shopper’s head hurt.
People are searching for quality sound that they can rely on. They want crisp and clear audio that immerses, letting you tune out the world for a while.
ShopBillboard’s rule of thumb? Go where the musicians are. Chances are, they’ve collaborated with a brand that they actively use, which bodes well for the product’s abilities. There are many celebrity collaborations out there that have come out within the last few years, with products toting a stamp of approval from big names such as BLACKPINK’s LISA and JENNIE, Olivia Rodrigo, Kim Kardashian, Maluma, ENHYPEN and more, but which ones are right for you? Our goal is to make shopping for these collaborations as easy as possible.
Below, we’ve compiled some of our favorites, offering our honest perspective on each. This will hopefully give you the tools to make the right decision before buying expensive tech that is made exponentially more expensive when a celebrity’s name is attached.
Before we begin, some words that you might see often throughout this article include “drivers,” which are essentially tech that converts digital audio data into analog signals for speakers and vice versa for microphones; “ANC,” which is active noise cancellation that filters out unwanted noise; and “Personalized Spatial Audio” that creates a unique audio profile based on how you listen to music. You’ll also be hearing about “EQ” a lot, which is equalization, a process of adjusting the volume of specific frequency ranges.
Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian – Premium Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Perks: Powerful ANC, Transparency Mode, up to 40 hours of battery life with Fast Fuel charging, lossless audio via USB-C, Personalized Spatial Audio, seamless Apple and Android compatibility, foldable design
Kardashian first partnered with Beats back in 2022 with the launch of Beats Fit Pro earbuds. Most recently, the reality TV star dropped over-the-ear Beats Studio Pro headphones in 2024, renewing her collaboration with the brand full-force. Much like her first collaboration, her 2024 iteration is centered in neutral hues of brown, tan and nude, mirroring the signature way she dresses. The neutral offerings are an all-around banger for $349.95 and can be purchased on Amazon.
We’d recommend this style to those who crave control over their audio-listening experience. You’ve got plenty of ways to adjust the audio to fit your specific needs, whether that’s through intense noise cancellation or through Beats’ Transparency Mode, which lets some noise filter through, keeping you aware of your surroundings. Our favorite aspect of these headphones is the compact design that folds in on itself, making it a breeze to pack away. These headphones have a 40 hour battery life for non-stop tunes and seamless Apple and Android compatibility.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Perks: Open-ear design, Immersive Audio with head tracking for spatial sound, private listening via OpenAudio technology with minimal leakage, extended battery life, IPX4 water resistance and customization via the Bose app.
Bose has lent its Ultra Open Earbuds model to a slew of ambassador musicians, including BLACKPINK’s LISA in her now sold-out collaboration in 2025, Griff in her 2024 music video for her track “Miss Me Too” and to Maluma, when he wore a custom pair worth $20,000 encrusted with diamonds at the 2024 Grammys. Unlike your normal earbuds, these Bose buds are an open concept, meaning they sit on the ear like a cuff for a more comfortable and intuitive fit.
While you can’t get your hands on any of the collaborative models as of 2026, the base model is practically the same. For $229 on Bose’s website, these earbuds feature what the company calls immersive audio, which uses digital signal processing and head tracking to create a spatial soundstage that makes the audio feel larger and more powerful by anchoring sounds in place even as you move. Another unique feature is the OpenAudio technology that plays on the same perks of the open design. This facet essentially gives you awareness while you’re listening to your music, opening up your ear to outside noise instead of closing it off. If you still don’t like the way music is sounding after all that, you can further customize via Bose’s app.
These earbuds are also water-resistant and boast up to 7.5 hours of battery life in stereo mode, or 4.5 hours with Immersive Audio. The case they are nestled in acts as a charging port, adding around 20 hours of extra battery life when fully charged.
LinkBuds Fit Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds
Perks: Lightweight, comfortable design for all-day wear, impressive Active Noise Cancellation, ultra-clear calls, IPX4 water resistance, smart controls like Wide Area Tap and head gestures
Olivia Rodrigo dropped her very own LinkBuds with Sony back in 2023 in a Guts purple hue. The limited-edition model was a major success, especially among Rodrigo’s fans. The buds featured two custom equalizers tuned by Rodrigo and her producer, Daniel Nigro, for a Rodrigo-approved sound, letting fans experience the star’s music the way she sees fit.
While you can’t buy her purple LinkBuds anymore, beyond places such as eBay, the OG model is pretty much the same, save for the funky colorway. You can buy the original LinkBuds model for $229.99 on Sony’s website. The buds come in a slew of colorways and are super lightweight and comfortable to wear even for hours on end. Some of our favorite features are its impressive active noise cancellation that creates immersive sound, along with its water resistance for durability.
The most high-tech facet of these buds is the smart controls, namely, Wide Area Tap. This innovative control uses built-in sensors to detect vibrations from tapping the skin around your ears, not just on the earbuds themselves, allowing users to play, pause and skip music or calls by tapping your actual skin. This gives you more control of your sound with less effort.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Perks: Ergonomic blade design for comfort, excellent Active Noise Cancellation, AI-powered features (translation, sound optimization), IP57 water/dust resistance for fitness, improved voice controls, and seamless Galaxy device connectivity
ENHYPEN teamed up with Samsung back in 2024 to promote Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, a sleek and sophisticated design that the members endorsed while making music or via usage in their daily lives. The Samsung campaign the K-pop group was featured in was aptly branded with the tagline “Recommended by the Pros.” You can still purchase the earbuds via Amazon for $179.99.
These buds are nestled in a compact charging case, making sure your tech is charged and ready to go even on the go. The silhouette is a traditional earbud style with an acoustic outlet covered by ear tips for comfort and a long base that is essentially an antenna. You’ve got your standard earbud fair with noise-cancelling and water/dust resistance that make the model comparable to must, but the most impressive feature is the use of AI for “smart” controls.
With this feature, you can translate conversations in real time, optimizing sound based on your ear fit and surroundings for personalized audio and noise control for better ambient awareness. It’s a futuristic aspect that Samsung has really focused on to give their users the most streamlined experience possible. We’d recommend these Samsung buds if you want more out of your earbuds than just listening to music.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Perks: High-res audio, premium Nappa leather design, excellent Active Noise Cancellation with an 8-mic array, long battery life (30 hrs), fast charging, smart features like multipoint/fast pairing, physical controls, detailed music app for EQ customization
Bowers & Wilkins’ Px8 S2 is endorsed by the likes of English songwriter and producer James Blake and soccer star David Beckham. The marketing targets two types of demographics with help from these famous folk, proving that these headphones are meant for everyone, regardless of whether you’re a music pro or an athlete.
The over-the-ear style is available for $799, boasting one of the more hefty price tags on our list. It’s an investment piece, meant to last users a lifetime of listening. The design is stripped down and simplistic, made of Nappa leather, which explains the price tag. It’s an understated piece of tech when compared to some of the other, more colorful collaborative models featured on this list. As for the technical features, there are a bunch.
On the more standard front, you’ve got 30 hours of battery life, noise-cancelling functions, fast charging, fast pairing to devices and high-resolution audio thanks to aptX Lossless, which is a Bluetooth technology that allows you to listen to music wirelessly at the exact same quality as a standard CD with no data removed from the original recording. That means you can listen to your music wirelessly without fear of the quality of your audio dropping.
Physical controls can be seen throughout the headphones on the sides, allowing you to intuitively control your audio as you see fit. If that wasn’t enough, you can also control and customize your EQ with Bowers & Wilkins’ dedicated music app. If you’re looking to shell out on audio equipment that will last you a lifetime and come with all the bells and whistles of headphones, but refined, these headphones are for you.
AIAIAI TMA-2 Move Blood Orange Wireless Headphones
Perks: Excellent wireless audio via Bluetooth 5.0/5.3, 40+ hours of battery life, superior comfort with memory foam/vegan leather pads, intuitive joystick controls, dual mics for calls, and AIAIAI’s signature bio-diaphragm drivers for detailed sound
Blood Orange’s collaboration with AIAIAI is a rather niche one that we don’t think got enough love. This one’s for our music listeners who want more style and flair out of their tech, because these collaborative babies have tons of it. The TMA-2 Move headphones are basically a tech fashion statement, coming in this retro-inspired design with a gray color scheme with pops of bright orange for a vibrant twist.
Beyond the cosmetics of these headphones, the style is a long-lasting, ultra-comfortable model with memory foam/vegan leather pads that cradle the ears for a comfortable experience for hours of listening. 40+ hours of battery lets you listen to music at length while Bluetooth compatibility is at its best, connecting to your device in a blink without issue. You’ve got dual mics for making phone calls and AIAIAI’s signature bio-diaphragm drivers, which have excellent acoustic properties, that deliver detailed sound every time. For those seeking out stylish headphones with the most comfort, these are the headphones for you.
Beats Solo 4
Perks: Affordable, fast charging, up to 50 hours of battery life, lossless audio via USB-C/3.5mm, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking (Apple), dual iOS/Android compatibility with one-touch pairing, improved sound quality with custom drivers, and an ultralight design for comfort
Beats Solo 4 is the most affordable option on our list as far as collaborations go for just $149.99. BLACKPINK’s Jennie collaborated with Beats to take the brand’s Solo 4 model to the next level, adorned with sleek little bows and turned a vibrant bright red that is just as head-turning as JENNIE is. The collaborative headphones sold out early on after their release, so you unfortunately can’t get your hands on them now unless you want to pay extra on eBay.
The OG Beats Solo 4 model is pretty much the same, just without all that JENNIE flair. This over-the-ear style has up to 50 hours of battery life, the most we’ve seen, along with your standard personalized spatial audio that utilizes AI to change your audio experience in real time based on your surroundings.
As you may have surmised, a bunch of these headphones utilize AI tech to tailor your listening experience. It’s a smart perk, especially when you take into consideration that everyone listens to music and audio differently. It’s hard to provide for everyone, but AI tech helps bridge that gap. Custom drivers improve sound quality, while the design is ultra-light for comfort. If you’re looking for affordable headphones that still deliver quality audio, the Beats Solo 4 is for you.
Sony – ULT WEAR Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Perks: Clear calls with beamforming mics, customizable EQ via the Sony Connect app, Adaptive Sound Control, and a comfortable, foldable design with a case for travel
Post Malone partnered with Sony in 2025 to promote the brand’s ULT WEAR Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, currently retailing for $248 on the brand’s website. He also promoted Sony’s 1000X Series headphone model. The singer was tapped as part of their “For the Music” campaign, seen wearing the headphones while making music in the studio, showcasing the headphone’s capabilities when it came to music and tech innovation.
While you’ve got things like custom EQ and a 30 hour battery life, our favorite perk is the beamforming mics, which use an array of microphones and digital signal processing to create a focused “beam” of audio. This allows an isolated sound that focuses on a specific speaker’s voice while filtering out background noise, which is great for taking calls or streaming. We also love how these headphones can fold over, making them compact and easy to carry for travel when stored in the accompanying carrying case. If you’re a sucker for mic quality, these headphones should be at the top of your list.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Perks: World-class adaptive noise cancellation, immersive spatial audio with Still & Motion modes, plush comfort, long battery life (up to 24-30 hrs), CustomTune personalized sound, multi-device Bluetooth, clear calls, and customization via the Bose app, with 2nd Gen models adding lossless USB-C audio, Cinema Mode, and extended battery
DJ John Summit, producer of hits such as “Where You Are” (with HAYLA) and “Shiver,” endorsed Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones back in 2024 in conjunction with his new track”Go Back” featuring Julia Church. The collaboration showcased how Bose’s tech performed in the hands of a music producer, showing off its capabilities along with other Bose products like the SoundLink Max speaker.
These headphones come in a unique cranberry hue with a soft and sleek design and subtle Bose branding. Breaking down the most basic capabilities you’ve got a 24 hour, up to 30 hour battery life, excellent Bluetooth compatibility with multiple devices, a comfortable fit thanks to the cushions over the audio output and a CustomTune feature that lets users customize the sound they get to fit their specific needs. As mentioned in the name, the QuietComfort model is hallowed for its noise-cancelling abilities, the best out there according to Bose.
This world-class noise canceling is all thanks to the headphone’s Still & Motion modes. Still mode anchors the sound in one spot for stationary listening, while Motion mode allows the audio to follow your head movements for consistent immersion on the go. Essentially, both modes adapt to your surroundings to give users quality audio no matter the circumstances. If you’re looking for the best noise-cancelling capabilities that money can buy, these headphones are our pick.
LinkBuds Fit Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds | Green x Hatsune Miku
Perks: Limited-edition color, lightweight, comfortable design for all-day wear, impressive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Natural Ambient Sound, immersive sound with High-Res Audio support (LDAC), ultra-clear calls, IPX4 water resistance, smart controls like Wide Area Tap and head gestures
We’ve mentioned Sony’s LinkBuds when touching on Olivia Rodrigo’s collaboration with the brand. In 2026, Sony broke new grounds by collaborating with holographic artist Hatsune Miku, a Vocaloid voice synthesizer software created by the Japanese company Crypton Future Media. Not much is different about this collaboration from Rodrigo’s model, except for the color, which is a seafoam green to match Miku’s hair. You’re still getting all the same perks of the OG LinkBuds, but in a limited-edition colorway. In short, these buds are a niche model made for the music nerds.
