Discover the perfect headphones for travelling, from noise-cancelling models for flights to durable earbuds for fitness enthusiasts!
If you always like to be in your own bubble during extended alone time like travelling and doing sports, it is a good time to invest in a good ear device for listening to your favourite marathon music or in-flight movie. More so if you dislike the provided in-flight earpieces/headphones for personal reasons, or less ergonomically designed ones that keep dropping out during runs.
For the Peace-Seeking Traveller
Aeroplanes, with the constant buzz from the engines, cabin announcements, and general noise from other passengers, don’t offer the most conducive environments for relaxation. Arm yourself with a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones, plug into your ear device and revel in your choice of music or in-flight entertainment, and you can lose yourself in your own world!
Sony WH-1000XM5
Lauded by audiophiles as one of the best noise-cancelling headphones ever made, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a sleek pair of wireless headphones known for its exceptional audio quality and industry-leading noise-cancelling capabilities, specially developed by Sony. Tired of constantly removing or manually pausing your music when an important announcement in the mall plays? It comes with features such as Adaptive Sound Control, which adjusts ambient sound settings for the perfect listening experience. For enhanced convenience, Speak-to-Chat automatically pauses what you’re listening to and allows outside sound in as soon as you talk, so you can have a conversation without having to take your headphones off. You can even voice your intentions via Google or Apple voice assistant without missing a beat. We’re not surprised if you don’t want to remove your headphones, since the WH-1000XM5 scores high on comfort, with its “Soft fit leather” finish and a gentle snug fit that hugs your ears perfectly.
S$589, from https://www.sony.com.sg/electronics/headband-headphones/wh-1000xm5
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
A name to trust when it comes to quality sound, Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth headphones claim to have found the “acoustic sweet spot”, meaning it feels like you’re listening to music without actual headphones, thanks to its Immersive Audio feature.
Another impressive feature is the CustomTune technology, which analyses the shape of your ears and auto-calibrates the sound for you, creating the best authentic audio experience you can ever imagine. The Aware mode makes the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones perfect for travellers, as it allows you to choose how much ambient sound to let in, so you don’t miss out on important in-flight announcements (and the meal service!).
S$499, from https://onefutureworld.com/products/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones
Edifier W820NB Plus
For budget-conscious travellers, the Edifier W820NB Plus is a good bet. Apart from all the features that a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones should have, such as Active Noise Cancellation of up to -43dB deep, you have the option to let ambient noise in so you don’t become a walking danger on the streets. It’s large-capacity battery and low power consumption Bluetooth chip also provides with a game-changing runtime of up to 49 hours! That’s more than a round trip from Singapore to New York and back, the longest direct flight in the world!
US$79.99, from https://edifier-online.com/products/edifier-w820nbplus-p
For the Sporty Traveller
If getting fit is never far from your mind even when you’re on holiday, consider investing in headphones that are both water and sweat-resistant and, most importantly, stay secure in your ears while you’re on the move. You wouldn’t want to lose your ear device and be without one during your flight back.
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 true wireless sports earbuds are tough little things, with their ability to withstand prolonged submersion of up to 1.5m, as well as being sand-proof, perfect for your idyllic nap on the beach. With a silicon coating and Jabra ShakeGrip™ technology, it provides a strong, secure grip so you don’t have to worry about them falling into the abyss while you’re abseiling. The Jabra Elite 8 Active punches above its weight for its tiny size, with a clear, rich, and lifelike sound blasting from its 6mm speakers. In the Gen 2, the upgraded LE Audio smart case lets you plug in to any device with USB-C or 3.5mm port and stream audio spatial sound to the earbuds without Bluetooth.
S$278, from https://www.jabra.com/en-sg/bluetooth-headsets/jabra-elite-8-active-gen-2
Shokz OpenRun Pro
If you, like us, are constantly worried about misplacing your earbuds, or prefer the tangible feeling of traditional sports headphones, it’s time to give Shokz’s OpenRun Pro a try. The headphones are light and compact, and are shock, dust, water, and sweatproof. Their proprietary 9th generation Shokz TurboPitchTM bone conduction technology – a method of transmitting sound through your bones – and enhanced bass, are engineered to provide premium sound quality, even while you’re racing to finish that ultramarathon!
$249, from https://asia.shokz.com/products/openrun-pro
