The best headphones, portable speakers for business travelers
ZDNet explores some of the best headphones, speakers, and earbuds on the market for audio quality, price, and noise cancellation.
Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones II
There is a reason why Bose is popular with frequent travelers -- the noise-canceling technologies which make travel in crowded, noisy spaces a little more bearable.
The QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones version II are a great investment for today's business travelers as they offer enough noise cancelation to work effectively without distraction, whilst also providing high-quality audio and bass. Google Assistant is also inbuilt, allowing users to receive messages on-the-go and organize their daily tasks.
Price: $349.95 (£329.95)
Urbanista Tokyo
Urbanista's Tokyo wireless, Bluetooth earbuds are for travelers which prefer simplicity. While these are not suitable for longer commutes due to a playback time of roughly three hours, the audio quality is of a high standard -- especially for the size -- and the minimalist case the earbuds come with also acts as a charger on-the-go.
Price: $129.99 (£99)
Libratone Too
The Libratone Too is a bottle-sized and shaped speaker which comes with a handle for portability. While it is a bit heavy, you do not get quality shredding at high volumes which you sometimes experience with other portable speakers. As an accessory to enjoy music while on business trips and in hotels, and with a 12-hour playback rate on a single charge, the Too is a worthwhile investment.
Price: $149 (£129)
JBL Charge 3
Another portable speaker option is the JBL Charge 3. While perhaps not as attractive as the Too, the Charge 3 does have strong waterproofing which may be more suitable for those who also plan to enjoy water sports while on the road.
The device also acts as a powerbank for USB-connected devices, and so could work if luggage on business trips is restricted and users wish to have both but keep items they take with them to a minimum. The sound quality is nothing to sniff at, either.
Price: $149.95 (£159.99)
Plantronics BackBeat Pro
A headset offering some of the best audio quality I've come across to date is the Plantronics BackBeat Pro. The wireless headset comes with controls at the side, excellent bass, and a fairly strong Bluetooth connection. They are of particular worth on flights when you need to eradicate background noise and concentrate on work. However, they are rather chunky and will not appeal to everyone aesthetically.
Price: $199.99 (£229.99)
Philips Fidelio wireless headphones
Another set which does well in the audio quality arena is the Philips Fidelio wireless headphones. While the cups are not always perfectly comfortable, the audio quality of these headphones -- designed for use with mobile devices -- is very good for a mid-range product.
Price: $167.99 (£152)
RHA T10i
The RHA T10i earbuds are an affordable alternative for sleek, quality earbuds which are useful for the daily commute.
The build is excellent, the earbuds are comfortable, and they have a sleek, modern design. Sadly, they are not wireless, but the high audio quality makes up for the lack.
Price: $149.99 (£59.95)