Listen up! Top portable audio Mother's Day gift picks

Your Mom would love to hear from you -- why not let her take the call through a new wireless speaker or a pair of headphones? Check out this year's top Mother's Day gift picks for the portable audio category.

Sonos Play:1

4 stars (excellent)

THE GOOD This stylish, exceptionally well-made wireless speaker offers support for most key services (including Spotify, Pandora, Rdio) and super-reliable wireless streaming. Sound quality is good and gets even better when paired with a second Play:1 for true stereo playback. And Sonos Controller apps are available for Android, iOS, Mac and PC.

THE BAD The Sonos system can't stream from every app on your phone or tablet.

THE COST $197.49 to $199

BOTTOM LINE A fantastically designed compact speaker at an affordable price.

Bose QuietComfort 25

4 stars (excellent)

THE GOOD Extra-comfortable design; clearer, more dynamic sound; highly effective noise-canceling circuitry that's been slightly improved; a new folding design that allows the headphones to fit in a smaller carrying case; a 21- to 30-day risk-free home trial.

THE BAD Fairly pricey.

THE COST $299

BOTTOM LINE The QuietComfort 25 model takes Bose's already stellar noise-canceling headphones and levels them up to new heights.

V-Moda XS on-ear headphones

4 stars (excellent)

THE GOOD This compact, comfortable on-ear headphone has a sturdy design and folds up into a small carrying case (included). Sound quality is slightly better than V-Moda's earlier model, the M80, and comes with a reinforced detachable cord that has an in-line one-button remote and microphone.

THE BAD The design may not appeal to everyone.

THE COST $199.98

BOTTOM LINE If you're looking for a $150-$250 on-ear headphone, the well-built V-Moda XS should be on your short list.

UE Megaboom

4 stars (excellent)

THE GOOD The larger UE Megaboom speaker improves on the already impressive sound quality of its predecessor, the Boom, with even louder sound and fuller bass. It's also waterproof, has upgraded Bluetooth range (and Bluetooth Smart) and excellent battery life.

THE BAD A bit pricey at $300; no carrying case included.

THE COST $299.99 to $314.99

BOTTOM LINE The UE Megaboom Bluetooth speaker one-ups its little brother with a range of improvements, including a larger size, bigger sound (particularly on bass), better waterproofing and extended battery life.

The following CNET staff contributed to this story: executive editor David Carnoy, freelancer Steve Guttenberg, senior associate editor Matthew Moskovciak, associate editor Justin Yu and senior editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, visit cnet.com.

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