Audio is a huge part of my life – whether I’m listening to Andy Weir’s “The Martian” audiobook while cleaning the house, getting turn-by-turn directions using Co-rider while cycling around rural Australia, joining in on a Sendle team Hangout in the office, blocking out ambient noise so I can concentrate, or falling asleep to Dan Carlin’s Horrible History – it’s everywhere!
Getting the right pair of headphones for the job is essential. Here’s what’s currently in my rotation.
Jabra SPORT Wireless+
This bluetooth headset is my current favourite headphone and the iPhone accessory I carry (I don’t even carry a wallet). It’s elegant design and durability are fantastic.
Pros
- Great for running/cycling because you can hear what’s going on around you
- Includes an FM radio for when you run out of audio content
- Stays comfortably in the ears – doesn’t fall out easily at all
- Packs away nice and small
- Micro-usb charging
- Easy to use controls
- Best quality microphone of the bunch
- Very durable so far – it even survived going through the wash!
Cons
- On the expensive side (A$150)
- Range: if it’s in my left pocket it struggles – but that’s the case with all my bluetooth headsets so far.
Plantronics Backbeat Go 2
These headphones are the slimmest of the bunch but I struggled to get a good fit.
Pros
- Almost half the price of the Jabra (A$85)
- Fits so snug that it blocks out noise
- Packs away incredibly small
- Micro-usb charging
Cons
- Blocks out too much noise for cycling/running to be safe
- Falls out far too easily, I tried many of the different sizes with no luck
- Range: if it’s in my left pocket it struggles – but that’s the case with all my bluetooth headsets so far.
Avantree Jogger
These headphones are the slimmest of the bunch but I struggled to get a good fit.
Pros
- Cheapest set (A$52)
- Fits very comfortably and doesn’t get tangled!
- Great for running/cycling because you can hear what’s going on around you
- Great customer support
Cons
- Not as durable (had to get it replaced a couple of times but the customer support were great). That was the old discontinued model so 4.0 may be better.
- Range: if it’s in my left pocket it struggles – but that’s the case with all my bluetooth headsets so far.
Apple EarPods with Remote and Mic
This standard set is fantastic to get free from Apple but I can never bring myself to shell out the $45 once they invariable get broken or lost. The lack of bluetooth seems to make it hard to justify the expense but having a wired pair of headphones always helps.
Pros
- Never need to charge it as it plugs right in!
- Great quality for phone calls
- Comes free with your (albeit almost thousand dollar) iPhone
Cons
- Pricey (but I find all decent wired headphones to be pricey considering the little technology inside)
- The cable seems bound to get caught with me!
Sony MDR-NC31EM Digital Noise Cancelling Headset
This is the newest addition to my collection and so far they’re going great.
Pros
- These were great for my flight back from Canada as they blocked out the loud engine and air conditioning sounds of the plane
- Fits in so snug that it blocks out lots of other noise
- Comfortable enough to wear all day in the office so I can concentrate (listening to Lovers in Japan on repeat, yes, yes I do)
Cons
- The noise cancelling controls are half way down the cable which makes it a bit awkward
- Another wired set and less portable than the iPhone ones so they stay at my desk
- They’re only mildly noise cancelling (doesn’t block out voices etc) but that’s to be expected with earbuds at this price range.