After years of relying on my trusty Sennheiser MX 365, I recently made the switch to wireless headphones. With Christmas just around the corner, headphones and earphones make fantastic gifts, so if you’re looking for some inspiration, these suggestions might just do the trick.
Mixx Streamq C4 Noise Cancelling Headphones – £49.99
These headphones were so impressive that I found myself wearing them even when I wasn’t listening to anything. Living in a house full of boys, or as I like to call them, ‘disturbers of the peace’, can be quite overwhelming at times. The Mixx headphones feature active noise cancelling that can be switched on to drown out external noises. This feature can even be activated when no music is playing, effectively silencing the boisterous chaos of a house full of boys. When it comes to actually listening to music, I always recommend testing out your current favorite track to see if the headphones enhance the sound. For me, the Mixx headphones delivered crystal-clear audio, allowing me to hear individual instruments and specific parts of songs with remarkable clarity, even at higher volumes. But what truly sets these headphones apart is their ANC feature. It allows you to completely immerse yourself in your music and forget about everything else around you. If you prefer to stay connected to the outside world, simply switch to ‘transparent mode’ to disable the ANC and let in sounds like traffic when you’re out walking or running.
With a 40-hour battery life and a quick charge mode that provides eight hours of use after just a 15-minute charge, these headphones are perfect for those who are always on the move. They’re also foldable for easy storage and allow you to take calls while on the go. The Mixx Streamq C4 Noise Cancelling Headphones, available from HMV for £49.99, are particularly handy for their noise-cancelling feature, making them ideal for festivals, gigs, or simply a noisy household.
Skullcandy’s Dime Evo earbuds – £39.99
For those seeking something more discreet, Skullcandy’s Dime Evo earbuds, priced at £39.99, could be the answer. These compact earbuds boast a long battery life (36 hours from a full charge plus two hours from a 10-minute rapid charge) and come in a cute clip case that can be attached to a keychain or bag for on-the-go charging. Despite initial concerns about comfort due to my sensitivity to inner ear buds, I found the Dime Evo earbuds to sit comfortably and firmly in my ears, much to my pleasant surprise. When it comes to sound quality, it’s always best to test out your favourite tune. The audio was clear and sharp with a solid bass, and thanks to their snug fit in the ear, they offer a noise-reducing feature that lets you immerse yourself in the music without any disruptions – this is the ‘noise isolating fit’ that Skullcandy guarantees. The controls are excellent, though they do require some acclimatisation, as you tap the Dime Evo earbuds for varying durations for different commands. However, quickly pausing was incredibly simple, and phone calls can still be taken. I was a fan of the sleek design and battery life. Some users on the Skullcandy website expressed dissatisfaction with the sound quality, while others reported that their earbuds fell out during gym sessions. I wore mine on the bus to and from work and around the house without encountering any of these issues. The Skullcandy Dime Evo earbuds can be purchased for £39.99 on their website but are also available elsewhere.
Rebocico Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones – £22
If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, I recommend the Rebocico Bluetooth Headphones Over Ear headphones, which I bought after hearing about them from a colleague. I snagged mine in an Amazon Prime Day sale for £14, but they are currently priced at £22, although Black Friday is approaching. Of course, when you opt for a lower price point, you may have to compromise slightly on sound quality. But as long as you don’t attempt to listen to music at high volumes (which isn’t good for your ears anyway), the sound quality is decent for the price. They are lightweight and foldable, making them easy to carry in your bag. The battery life is truly impressive; I’ve had mine for five months and have only needed to charge them three times – although I have been using other headphones and earphones intermittently. These are a solid purchase and an excellent first pair for older children without the steep price tag. They also boast thousands of positive reviews on Amazon. It might be worth waiting for Black Friday or another Prime Day to see if they reduce the price further, but £22 is still a bargain.
