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Best headphones and earbuds for your daily commute

Plus, a revolutionary new pair of earbuds with hearing aid capabilities

By Shazrina Shamsudin - 

Credit: Apple
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Headphones and earbuds have come a long way since their inception in the late 19th century. Take, for instance, Apple’s latest AirPods Pro 2, the tech giant’s latest release that doesn’t just play your favourite tunes but also doubles as a hearing aid itself. Yes, you read that right. This upgrade represents the company’s years of dedication to hearing health, building on innovations like the Noise app on the Apple Watch and audio level monitoring on the iPhone.

Having launched recently in October, the AirPods Pro 2 uses a H2 chip as opposed to the H1 Chip that you can find in the original AirPods Pro. With the new H2 chip, Apple says that the device is equipped with better active noise cancellation, improved noise reduction, and better acoustics. But what about its hearing aid capabilities that make it so special? Well, the new device works by enabling personalised dynamic adjustments so the sounds around you can be boosted in real time. Doing so helps users to better engage in their conversations and keeps them connected to the people and the environment around them. Not to mention, the personalised hearing profile also works to improve the music, movies and phone calls on your iPhone – making it more user-friendly, especially for those with hearing disabilities.

AirPods Pro 2, $349, Apple

Apple

Though the latest AirPods Pro 2 may look identical to its predecessor, Apple has made thoughtful upgrades. The addition of an extra small earbud tip offers a better fit for those with smaller ear canals, and battery life has been extended from 4.5 to 6 hours. However, if you’re considering using them as a hearing aid, an extra battery pack or a second pair might be necessary for all-day use.

With so many new options on the market, choosing the right earbuds or headphones can feel overwhelming – whether you need them for your daily commute or even if you’re working from home. Some boast top-notch noise cancellation features, while others are well-loved for their lightweight designs that are perfect for your workouts. To help you find the best pair worth the splurge, we’ve rounded up the latest picks that are making waves right now.

AirPods Max, $749, Apple

AirPods Max, $749, Apple

Earlier in September this year, Apple released new colourways for their Apple Airpods Max headphones, and they’re just as impressive as they sound, literally. With five colours to choose from, including Blue, Purple, Orange, Starlight and Midnight, the headphones add the perfect pop of colour to your everyday look while making it look sleek. Plus, these headphones deliver stunningly rich, high-fidelity audio with incredible detail. 

Apple’s spatial audio feature also brings an immersive, virtual surround sound experience when watching videos, while the premium build and mesh canopy headband ensure comfortable wear—even with the slightly heavier design.

Apple

Apple AirPods 4, from $199, Apple

Apple AirPods 4, from $199, Apple

For those of you who prefer a more open-ear design, consider the AirPods 4. Small, lightweight, and pocket-friendly, they’re now available in two models: the standard AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Both models are powered by Apple’s H2 Chip, offering smart features like Voice Isolation for clearer calls and Siri Interactions that respond to simple head nods or shakes.

The AirPods 4 also have a new force sensor on the stem for easy media control, letting you play, pause, mute, or end calls with a quick press. Designed with precision, they incorporate advanced modelling to fit comfortably for more users worldwide, making them Apple’s most comfortable AirPods yet.

Apple

Sony WH-1000XM5, $589, Sony

Sony WH-1000XM5, $589, Sony

While it may not be a new contender in this category, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 is still proving to be a popular choice for many and is well-loved for good reason. This is the fifth generation of the 1000X series headphones, of which the first edition was released in 2016 as the MDR-1000X Wireless. What you can expect from this is that the headphones has a more refined sound and even better noise cancelling features, which comes in handy especially if you’re constantly exposed to noisy environments. The ear cups are plush to the touch, providing a comfortable fit, and the WH-1000XM5 also boasts excellent voice call quality, making it a perfect option for those who prefer answering calls or attending meetings on Zoom. 

Apple

Dyson OnTrac™ headphones, $699, Dyson

Dyson OnTrac™ headphones, $699, Dyson

Unlike its predecessor, the Dyson Zone, the new Dyson OnTrac headphones skip the wearable air purifier, a feature that received mixed reviews for its design. In this new edition, the headphones which is crafted out of machined aluminium, boasts a sleek design that the brand is known for and comes with customisable ear caps and cushions, offering the option to personalise your headphones. It comes in various colourways including CNC Aluminium, CNC Copper, Ceramic Cinnabar and CNC Black Nickel, including an assortment of caps and cushion accessories for you to play around with. One other notable feature about the noise cancellation headphones is that it also comes with superior sound quality capabilities and it has a long battery life of up to 55 hours (with a single charge) that can probably last you a week if you’re using them daily on your commute. 

Dyson

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, USD$299, Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, USD$299 (S$395.30), Bose

For a pair of earbuds that has great noise cancelling features and a comfortable fit, peep Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. Whether you’re working out or in a quiet office environment, this pair of earbuds also comes with a natural-sounding transparency mode with a new ActiveSense feature that kicks in some noise cancelling should the sounds in your environment get too loud around you. Plus, you can switch between different listening modes, like Immersion Mode, for those moments when you want to fully lose yourself in the music.

Bose

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