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Headphones, speakers & hi-fi compared
Earbuds, headphones, Bluetooth speakers, soundbars and hi-fi gear from brands we've reviewed, compared on price and returns.
This page is for people shopping for sound: wireless earbuds for the gym, open-ear buds for running, a Bluetooth speaker for the yard, a soundbar for the TV, or in-ear monitors, DACs and turntables for serious listening at home. Many of the brands here are smaller companies that sell good-value gear online, often for much less than the big names. If you want to try headphones on in a store first, these online-first brands may not suit you.
Think about where you'll listen. For earbuds, look at fit, battery life and whether you need noise cancelling or open-ear awareness. For speakers, check waterproofing and size. For hi-fi gear, check what connects to what. Returns vary a lot here: some stores give a year, while a few only accept sealed items or ask you to ship back to China at your own cost, so read the policy before you open the box.
Prices we saw ran from about $10 for entry earphones to $3,899 for a high-end music player, but most earbuds and speakers cost $40 to $160.
Best for
- Best for runners: OpenRock. Open-ear buds from $49.99, so you can hear traffic.
- Best for a cheap waterproof speaker: Tribit. Speakers and earbuds from $39.99, with 30-day returns.
- Best for long returns on hi-fi gear: Headphones.com. A 365-day return window (fees apply) on a wide range of brands.
Picked from the prices and terms in the table below, checked on the dates shown. Our blue Our Pick label is separate: how we choose.
Compare all 12
| Company | Main products | Best for | Starting price | Trial, refund or free plan | Prices checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOSS Checked by Vetteroo | Bluetooth speakers | Shoppers who want low-cost Bluetooth speakers | Speakers $39.99 to $229.99 | 30-day money-back on undamaged items; you pay return shipping for non-defects | October 30, 2026 |
| Fosi Audio Checked by Vetteroo | Small amplifiers, DACs, turntables | Budget hi-fi buyers who want a small amp or DAC | From $39.99 | 30-day returns | October 30, 2026 |
| Haylou Checked by Vetteroo | Budget earbuds and smartwatches | Buyers who want very cheap wearables | From $25.50 | 30-day money-back (some reasons) | October 30, 2026 |
| Headphones.com Checked by Vetteroo | Headphone, DAC and amp store | Audio fans who want expert picks and long returns | Varies by product | 365-day returns (fees apply) | October 30, 2026 |
| Hidizs Checked by Vetteroo | Hi-fi players, DACs, earphones | Audio fans who want hi-fi on a budget | DACs from about $35.99 | Returns to China at buyer cost | October 30, 2026 |
| HiFiGo Checked by Vetteroo | In-ear monitors, DACs, players | Audio fans buying Chinese hi-fi earphones and DACs | IEMs from $39.99 | 7-day DOA guarantee | October 30, 2026 |
| Linsoul Checked by Vetteroo | In-ear monitors and headphone amps | Audiophiles who want Chinese IEM brands | From $9.99 | 7 days sealed; 35% fee if opened | October 30, 2026 |
| OpenRock Checked by Vetteroo | Open-ear wireless earbuds | People who want low-cost open-ear earbuds | OpenRock E $49.99; X $159.99 on sale | 30 days, unused | October 29, 2026 |
| Padmate Checked by Vetteroo | Budget and sleep earbuds | Shoppers who want budget wireless earbuds | Earbuds about $39 to $69 | 30-day returns; you pay shipping | October 30, 2026 |
| Retrolife Checked by Vetteroo | Turntables and bookshelf speakers | Vinyl beginners who want a styled turntable with Bluetooth | Turntables from $199.99 | 60-day returns; 15% restocking fee and you prepay return shipping | October 30, 2026 |
| Tribit Checked by Vetteroo | Waterproof speakers and earbuds | Buyers who want cheap waterproof speakers | From $39.99 | 30 days unused | October 30, 2026 |
| ULTIMEA Checked by Vetteroo | Soundbars and budget projectors | Shoppers who want budget TV sound | From $99.99 | 30 days; buyer pays change-of-mind shipping | October 30, 2026 |
How we checked
We checked each store's official prices and its return and warranty terms on the date shown. We didn't run listening tests, so we compare what each brand sells, what it costs and how returns work.
Our reviews
DOSS Checked by Vetteroo
Bluetooth speakers, from mini to outdoor party speakers.
Read more →ReviewFosi Audio Checked by Vetteroo
Budget amplifiers, DACs and turntables.
Read more →ReviewHaylou Checked by Vetteroo
Budget smartwatches and earbuds.
Read more →ReviewHeadphones.comChecked by Vetteroo
Headphone, DAC and amplifier store with 365-day returns.
Read more →ReviewHidizs Checked by Vetteroo
Portable hi-fi players, DACs and earphones.
Read more →ReviewHiFiGo Checked by Vetteroo
In-ear monitors, DACs and portable hi-fi gear.
Read more →ReviewLinsoul Checked by Vetteroo
In-ear monitors, DACs and headphone amps.
Read more →ReviewOpenRock Checked by Vetteroo
Open-ear wireless earbuds for running and everyday listening.
Read more →ReviewPadmate Checked by Vetteroo
PaMu wireless earbuds, sleep earbuds, translator earbuds and AI camera glasses.
Read more →ReviewRetrolife Checked by Vetteroo
Turntables, record players and bookshelf speakers.
Read more →ReviewTribit Checked by Vetteroo
Bluetooth speakers and earbuds.
Read more →ReviewULTIMEA Checked by Vetteroo
Soundbars, projectors and home theater speakers.
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