I just use AirPods. Only the pro version is waterproof though. Built in mic and Siri. Small, no wires, always work with no hassle with newish iPhones. Walking, housework, gym, sauna etc.
For running I prefer standard wired apple headphones. Cheap and I like the tiny controls on the cord. I’m forever playing with volume when running for some reason.
For office or using loud power tools it’s Bose QC25 (forget the number) noise cancelling. Some of my colleagues are as loud as my petrol lawnmower. These are a godsend on flights too… they make flying 20% less tiring.
Cheers mate. I want to avoid wired Apple ones and I find I’m always bending over and have them in various coat or trouser pockets and the cable always breaks near the lightning connection end.
I’ve just binned my Bose QC 35 headphones. They were really really old and not wireless. They were $600 back in the day but not worth keeping. Tried to sell them with zero interest at all. I’d be happy to look at modern versions.
With my new desk set up, I’ve noticed some wireless mag chargers also have room for the AirPod case as well. Neat solution!
When you say “headphones”, just to check, do you actually specifically want those kind, or are ear buds also under consideration? Quite a difference.
If you had some older Bose QC cans, I’d get the newer ones. Bluetooth as standard so will connect to your phone, watch (if you have a music one), laptop, etc. To be fair, this is true of any war buds too.
Earbuds is very personal preference, but I have a few different iterations of jabra elite actives. They’ve discontinued the line recently so no further version (although will maintain support for the historic models) so might be able to get some cheap. I’d only ever use ear buds for exercise / on the tube. I’d only ever use my actual headphones at home or on a plane.
I also got some shokz for Christmas. Haven’t given then a decent go yet, but was very pleasantly surprised in terms of sound quality. Definitely a different sensation though. Will be experimenting with them when I return to commute cycling, given the open ear design.
One comment on using stuff for work. I absolutely hate anyone office based using ear buds or even wired phone connections. Sound insulation is horrendous. You hear everything in the office. A proper video conference headset with boom mic is 100x better. Both for the user, and everyone else on the call!
I’d consider either really for specific application. I would imagine earbud types might be better for gardening and car cleaning etc and the headphone type for the office.
Having said that, I’ve never used the old QCs/headphones for anything other than being on a plane. Mine were so old that if you wanted to listen to music, then you have to have the audio cable connected.
I like like the idea of ‘grab and go’ earbuds but thinking about it, if they don’t get sweaty, the QCs will do a lot of what I want. I don’t want anything for running but would feel a prat walking down the road with the phones on.
Agree. Plenty do in London, but I’d only ever use my ear buds for out in public. Even when flying, I’ll have the headphones for the plane but still have the ear buds in my pocket for getting from my house to the plane seat.
Ear buds are fine for you folk that do not have cauliflower ears. Damage to them from playing rugby means that buds will just not sit in the ear channels fully - and I have tried a few brands.
So, over the head cans are the only way for me when I want to listen in public which isn’t often - trains, planes etc.
I have a pair of Lindy bluetooth cans which do the job - no need for very expensive ones based on use profile.
