The problem with enjoying music is that not everyone around you may share your taste. To keep the peace, consider these systems for use in the office, at the library, on a bus or plane, while running or at the gym, on the subway, or even at home.
Relaxed and Alert
Jabra Elite 4 ActiveThe best earbuds are those you scarcely notice, making these a good choice for use during active sports. Both waterproof and sweatproof, they’re designed to comfortably stay in place as you work out to avoid any interruption of your soundtrack. Active noise cancellation allows you to focus on the music, while the HearThrough system picks up the sounds around you while you’re running or cycling outdoors, or in the office when you need to hear the boss talking to you.
Born to Run
Shokz OpenRun Pro
A great soundtrack can make exercising more enjoyable—unless your earbuds keep falling out. This unique design keeps them securely in place, no matter how hard you’re working out. The open-air design allows outside sounds such as traffic to be heard, while the bone conduction system provides excellent audio quality. A full charge provides up to 10 hours of use, but if you forget, a five-minute charge allows 1 1/2 hours of use.
Stay Connected
Treblab X3 ProA clever set of ear hooks keeps these buds where they belong, so you don’t have to jam them into your ear, which is a good thing. Nine hours of run time per charge and passive noise canceling, combined with the ability to take and make calls, help you to maintain your focus while still being connected to the outside world. Compatible with all Bluetooth devices, they can also be used to summon assistance from Siri or Alexa.
Hear All the Notes
Shure Aonic 40These over-the-ear headphones deliver 25 hours per charge of studio-quality sound, with customizable equalization settings for maximum enjoyment. The sound-canceling system can be adjusted to either block all external sound or allow background input, making them a good choice for office use. For the ultimate in flexibility, they can be used with either Bluetooth wireless systems or wired inputs such as airplane entertainment systems, and an integrated microphone pairs with cellphones to make or take calls.
Upgrade Your Shades
JLab JBuds FramesWhile sunglasses with integrated speakers are available, there’s something to be said for being able to add music and phone capability to your favorite shades or prescription glasses. Simply slide these onto the earpieces and connect via Bluetooth to access your favorite music or news sources. An integrated microphone in each unit allows you to take or make phone calls, and access Siri or Alexa. To ensure your privacy, the microphones can be deactivated.
