X

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.
By Charlie Osborne, Contributing Writer
screen-shot-2018-04-04-at-14-30-38.jpg
1 of 7 Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

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)

Via: Bose US | UK

screen-shot-2018-04-04-at-14-56-47.jpg
2 of 7 Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

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)

Via: Urbanista US | UK

screen-shot-2018-04-04-at-14-58-27.jpg
3 of 7 Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

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)

Via: Libratone US | UK

screen-shot-2018-04-04-at-15-02-00.jpg
4 of 7 Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

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)

Via: JBL US | UK

screen-shot-2018-04-04-at-15-04-57.jpg
5 of 7 Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

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)

Via: Plantronics UK | Best Buy US

screen-shot-2018-04-04-at-15-03-47.jpg
6 of 7 Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

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)

Via: Amazon US | UK

screen-shot-2018-04-04-at-15-07-03.jpg
7 of 7 Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

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)

Via: Amazon US | UK

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
Holiday lights in Central Park background

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes

21 Photos
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
Wooden lodge in pine forest with heavy snow reflection on Lake O'hara at Yoho national park

Related Galleries

Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting

21 Photos
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
3D Rendering Christmas interior

Related Galleries

Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes

21 Photos
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
img-8825

Related Galleries

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza

26 Photos
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
img-9792-2

Related Galleries

A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex

22 Photos
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
shutterstock-1024665187.jpg

Related Galleries

Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup

8 Photos
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'
Full of promises!

Related Galleries

Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'

8 Photos