When most people ask you what your «big three» are, they’re likely inquiring about your sun, moon and rising signs. But when I ask you the same question, I’m not trying to determine your horoscope. Instead, I’m curious what your headphones and earbuds collection looks like.

After more than a decade working as a technology journalist, I’m in the fortunate position of having what most people would consider to be too much tech in my house. I make a real effort to keep it to a minimum and try not to accumulate any superfluous gadgets. But with headphones, I’ve reached the conclusion that everyone needs at least three pairs. No matter how hard I’ve tried, I can’t pare this number back.

See also: Best Earbud and Headphone Deals: Bag Big Savings on Models From Apple, Sony and Others

First, there are the everyday earbuds. These are the ones that can slide into your smallest bag or your pocket and travel everywhere with you — on your commute, on your errands and on shopping trips.

Second, there are the over-ear, luxury headphones. These need to have that heady combo of great noise cancellation, audio quality and battery life, combined with a level of comfort that means you could easily wear them for an entire long-haul travel day.

Finally, if you’re serious about fitness, you need dedicated workout headphones. Could you wear either of the above pairs to go on a long run? Sure, and plenty of people do. But for the sake of longevity and your sanity, having a sweat-proof, durable pair of headphones that won’t budge may save your sanity in the short term and save you money in the long run.

If you’re trying to make one pair of headphones work in every scenario, you might feel frustrated that none are able to truly deliver the experience you want across the board. This is where my theory comes into play. It really doesn’t matter which headphones you choose for each of these purposes but I do believe they are distinct categories with little crossover.

And what are my big three? They may not be the same as yours but these are the headphones I absolutely can’t live without right now.

My everyday earbuds: OnePlus Buds 3

I will die on the hill that you shouldn’t spend more than $100 on your everyday earbuds — the kind that you will drop, accidentally bash and at some point, inevitably, lose. So much about buds comes down to personal preference on how they actually feel when tucked inside your ears.

Personally, I’ve settled on the OnePlus Buds 3, which list right at $100. They’re aesthetically pleasing in a pale blue that matches my preferred fashion color palette, and I find them to be supremely comfortable. I’ve been using them for a good six months and I don’t have any of the usual niggles I have with earbuds — by which I mean they don’t fall out of my ears or have any random, weird sound glitches.

Soundwise, I enjoy the heavy bass and find the ANC to suit my needs as a frequent traveler on public transportation. With 10 hours of battery life, plus an additional 44 in the case, these buds have never let me down. They’re not necessarily anything special but I keep reaching for them even though I have other options at my disposal.

My luxury over-ear headphones: Dali IO-8

At the other end of the spectrum, my favorite luxury headphones have transformed my longest travel days into periods of prolonged sonic bliss. I wear the Dali IO-8 headphones through airports, on plane journeys, all the way through to checking into my hotel. They also come with me on my daily hot girl walks. 

With 30 hours of battery life and decent ANC, they allow me to move through the world in my own little bubble. Not only are they truly the most luxurious and comfortable headphones I’ve ever used, they also provide me with glorious sound.

You can switch between two modes: hi-fi and bass. I usually stick with the former. No matter whether I’m immersed in an audiobook, bopping away to Paramore, spacing out to Sigur Ros or getting lost once again in the depths of Taylor Swift’s back catalog, the $1,100 Dali IO-8s deliver.

My workout headphones: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

There’s no two ways about it: I’ve tried other workout headphones and I keep coming back to Beats. I’ve been known to tie up my running shoes and be halfway out the door, then calling the whole run off because I can’t find my Powerbeats.

I’ve been a fan since the earliest Powerbeats model but the latest Powerbeats Pro 2, priced at $249, are my favorite workout headphones yet. Once in, they simultaneously feel glued to my head with a tight seal in my ear, while also being so light and comfortable I forget they’re there. This is an essential combination when you’re exercising, as the last thing you want to do is deal with any discomfort or annoyance that might distract from your workout.

CNET’s resident audio expert, David Carnoy, rated the Powerbeats Pro 2 an 8.8 out of 10, noting the improved sound quality and good noise canceling. As someone who’s long been a fan of this line, I have to agree and I’d go so far as to say this latest upgrade has made running to my favorite high-energy tracks more enjoyable than ever.

Spring is well underway and many of us are revising our wellness goals so we can prepare for a fun, active summer. If you want to reach your goals, a new fitness tracker or smartwatch can help you monitor your health stats, so you can measure your progress. For those who want to stay in the Android ecosystem, a new Samsung Galaxy Watch is a good way to go. The Galaxy Watch FE LTEis budget-friendly and includes many of the same features as the more pricey Samsung Galaxy Watch6. Its regular asking price is $200, but a new Amazon discount brings it down to a new low price of just $150. This saves you $50, and buying now might be a great way to avoid potential price hikes due to impending tariffs.

From sleep tracking to heart-rate monitoring and offering performance insights, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE can just about do it all. Thanks to Galaxy AI, your data is specifically tailored to get you the best workout experience possible when paired with a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone. Its 40mm screen is easy to read and the band comes in three colors.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

The $150 price at Amazon is for the Bluetooth model. Best Buy is offering the same watch for $160, which is $10 more than Amazon but still less than the usual asking price of $200. If you prefer the LTE version, this is on sale for $200, which still saves you $50. If you have a device to trade in, Best Buy might be the way to go because you can save a few more dollars. However, Amazon is the best place to purchase if you don’t have a trade-in device and want to pay upfront.

If the Galaxy Watch isn’t of interest but you’d still like an Android-specific smartwatch, we’ve also rounded up the best Android smartwatches, so you can decide what’s best for you. From Garmin to Google, you’re sure to find one that fits your tastes.

Why this deal matters

The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE came out in June 2024, and although we saw a significant price drop during last year’s Black Friday, this is the lowest price we’ve seen for the Wi-Fi and LTE model at Amazon. It’s a high-performance smartwatch, especially considering that it has most of the same features as the Galaxy Watch 6 — for a lot less. Should you decide to buy at Best Buy, you might be able to save even more if you have an eligible device to trade in.