Which headphones are best? My 2015 Round Up

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.