Sony’s release of its new WF-1000XM5 buds (The Verge) has reminded me that probably my most consistently carried pieces of tech, after my phone, is my earbuds. They live in the coin pocket of my jeans — nowadays no more dedicated to coins than a glove compartment is to gloves. 😂

At the moment, I ride for the Beats Fit Pro, which is a bit pathetic in some ways because I’m now onto my second pair after the first developed crackles and reduced output in the left ear bud. The best part? My current pair has started doing the same, just four months in. Yet, I love the fit so damn much that I keep putting up with it… (I’ll be taking these ones to an Apple store on the weekend to see if they’ll replace them like they did with my first-gen AirPods Pro a couple of years ago.)

Photo: TheStreet.com

Photo: ScreenRant.com

I’ve been on the ‘true wireless’ train for a very long time now, as my ADHD and related touch hypersensitivity always saw me get easily irritated by the cables of wires buds, especially if I had them running down the inside of my shirt. Wireless buds have been a godsend for me, even if I do constantly fiddle with their position in my ears!

The Beats Fit Pro are probably the best fit I’ve ever had, and the sound is good enough for me. As much as I live for music, I’m not an audiophile, so while I do demand good sound, I don’t seek out the absolute very best.

My only real demands are good sound, excellent fit, and a very coin-pocketable design.

I’ve had the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds, but they were a bit uncomfortable and cumbersome, and so I ultimately returned them for the Beats Fit Pro. I think I’m addicted to the winglets now, but even still, I’m bloody tempted by the XM5s…

So, what are your favourite buds? What are you biggest priorities?

Wired or wireless, hit me.

Main photo: Sony WF-1000XM5 buds next to XM4 buds. Chris Welch, The Verge.