If you are looking for some headphones or earbuds as a gift for Christmas, I’ve tried out some of the best wireless options available to buy right now
I’ve recently made the switch to wireless headphones, ditching my trusty old Sennheiser MX 365. With Christmas on the horizon, headphones and earphones make for a perfect gift, so if you’re in need of some inspiration, here are my thoughts.
Mixx Streamq C4 Noise Cancelling Headphones – £49.99
These headphones were such a hit 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’, things can get a bit chaotic.
The Mixx headphones come with an active noise cancelling feature that helps drown out external sounds. The best part? You can turn this feature on even when you’re not playing anything, effectively muting the ruckus caused by a bunch of rowdy boys just a couple of feet away, reports the Liverpool Echo.
When it comes to music, I always test new headphones with my current favourite track to see if it enhances the experience (if you’re wondering, it was Right in Two by TOOL). The sound quality on the Mixx headphones is a high standard, even at louder volumes, there is little distortion.
You can distinctly hear different elements of the songs and individual instruments. But what really sets these headphones apart is the ANC feature, which lets you immerse yourself in the music and tune out your surroundings. If you’d rather stay connected to the world around you, there’s a ‘transparent mode’ that turns off the ANC, allowing you to hear things like traffic if you’re out for a walk or run.
With a whopping 40-hour battery life, these headphones also boast a quick charge mode that gives you eight hours of use after just a 15-minute charge. They’re foldable for easy storage and even allow you to take calls on the move.
What’s more, they’re perfect for drowning out background noise, making them ideal for festivals, gigs or a noisy household. The Mixx Streamq C4 Noise Cancelling Headphones are available from HMV for £49.99.
Skullcandy Dime Evo earbuds – £39.99
If you’re after something a bit more discreet, Skullcandy’s Dime Evo earbuds, priced at £39.99, could be just the ticket. These compact earbuds offer an impressive 36-hour battery life from a full charge, plus an additional two hours from a rapid 10-minute charge.
They come in a handy clip case that can be attached to your keychain or bag, and the earbuds themselves slot in perfectly for charging on the go.
Despite my initial concerns about comfort due to my sensitivity to inner ear buds, I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortably these earbuds sit in your ears.
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, 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 getting used to. You tap the Dime Evo earbuds for varying durations to execute different commands, but pausing quickly was a breeze and you can still answer calls.
I was a fan of the sleek design and battery life. Some users on the Skullcandy website weren’t fans of the sound quality and others reported their earbuds falling out during gym sessions – I wore mine on the bus to and from work and around the house and didn’t encounter any of these problems.
You can purchase the Skullcandy Dime Evo earbuds for £39.99 on their website, but they’re also available elsewhere.
Rebocico Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones – £22.
If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, I picked up the Rebocico Bluetooth Headphones Over Ear headphones after hearing about them from a colleague. I snagged mine in an Amazon Prime Day sale for £14, but they’re currently priced at £22, although Black Friday is just around the corner.
Of course, when you opt for a lower price point, you have to compromise slightly on sound quality. But as long as you don’t crank up the volume (which isn’t good for your ears anyway), the sound quality is decent for the price.
They’re 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 only needed to charge them thrice – though I have been using other headphones and earphones intermittently.
These are a solid purchase and ideal as a first pair for older children without the steep price tag. They’ve garnered thousands of positive reviews on Amazon.
It might be worth waiting for Black Friday or another Prime Day to see if they slash the price again, but £22 is still a bargain.
