Best gifts for music lovers in 2025
Playlists and podcasts are the soundtrack to our daily lives. Down the gym. On the train. Chilling at home. We're all constantly spinning our favourites to stay entertained.
Chances are that the music lover in your life is serious about their audio too. And if you're looking at getting them a great-sounding gift, our guide has some top tech that should hit all the right notes. Including Bluetooth speakers to liven up their lounge and wireless earbuds for on-the-go listening.
Marshall Acton III Bluetooth speaker - for rockin' out at home
Inspired by the iconic rock 'n' roll amps, Marshall Bluetooth speakers have always looked and sounded the part. The Marshall Acton III is no exception, with cool retro styling and wide surround sound speakers that can turn any living room into an immersive listening space. Perfect if they love relaxing on the sofa, closing their eyes, and taking in their favourite albums from start to finish.
It's geared up for gatherings and house parties too, with Dynamic Loudness keeping everything sounding rich and clear even when cranked up to 11. And the clever Placement Compensation feature makes sure it sounds its best no matter where you set it up.
You can also tweak the onboard bass and treble controls to set things just right. Or if you're a real audiophile, fire up the Marshall Bluetooth phone app. It comes loaded with various EQ presets made for specific genres - from punchy rock and metal to smooth jazz and hip-hop.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra noise-cancelling headphones - for listeners who want pure escape
These Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen headphones are basically the audio version of a "do not disturb" sign. They're super-light, ridiculously soft around the ears, and perfect for anyone who wants to shut out the world (busy office, loud train carriage, chatty housemates... you name it).
Pop them on and the noise cancelling steps in to gently hush everything around you. Music feels close and warm, and podcasts sound clearer. The battery lasts for 24-hours with noise-cancelling switched on. And if you do forget to charge them, a quick 15-minute top-up gives you about 2.5 hours of play time.
JBL Live 770NC wireless headphones - for fuss-free sound
The JBL Live 770NC headphones are perfect for someone who wants their music to sound good without fiddling about with settings. They're comfortable, they look great, and they've got that signature JBL "oomph". The kind of punchy, upbeat sound that makes even the washing-up playlist feel epic.
Noise cancelling keeps things nice and peaceful when you want to focus, but there's also Ambient Aware for those "I need to hear the bus driver shout my stop" moments. Battery-wise, they go on and on, and they're light enough to wear for a full day without giving you that head-clamp feeling.
LG Xboom Grab portable speaker - for party animals
The LG Xboom Grab is one of those little speakers that's always up for a party. It's small enough to throw in a backpack - but when you fire it up it sounds way bigger than you expect. It's also built to take a bit of life's chaos. A splash of rain? Fine. A little drink spill? Also fine.
Sound Boost gives tracks a bit more kick when you want to turn the mood up, and Bluetooth pairing is instant. No faffing, no waiting for the party to get started.
Google Pixel Buds 2a wireless earbuds - for chilled-out listeners
These Google Pixel Buds 2a are great for someone who wants decent sound without feeling like they're wearing full on headphones. They're lightweight and comfy enough to forget you've got them on. Which makes them perfect for walks, commuting or pottering around the house.
Audio is sharp and surprisingly loud, and adaptive sound boosts things when the outside world suddenly gets loud. They're also great for hands-free moments - asking for directions, sending messages, or checking what's next in your diary while your hands are full.
