Music is a crucial part of the college experience, whether it’s sitting quietly with your favourite tunes while studying, putting on something loud on a Friday night, or enjoying music for enjoyment’s sake. Therefore, a good set of headphones or speakers is a crucial investment for student life.
Whether you want to block out the other university life noises with a pair of noise-cancelling headphones or invite others to enjoy the beat with a Bluetooth speaker, these are the best headphones and speakers for college life.
10. Beats Solo3 Wireless
The Beats Solo3 Wireless is a well-built wireless headphone that sounds good in wireless and wired modes and is relatively comfortable to wear for an on-ear headphone. Its battery life is best-in-class (40 hours) and has a remote control built-in to the right earcup that’s easy to operate by feel. In addition, the new W1 chip makes it super simple to pair with Apple devices.
Beats’ Solo3 Wireless on-ear Bluetooth headphone looks nearly identical to the Beats Solo 2 Wireless because at least Beats hasn’t updated its design on the outside. The significant change is inside: The Solo3 uses Apple’s new W1 custom Bluetooth chip, which improves battery life drastically and makes pairing the headphone with Apple devices dead simple. ( select models are free with a purchase of a Mac or iPad Pro)
9. Bowers & Wilkins
The Bowers & Wilkins PX headphone offers impressive build quality and excellent sound. Wireless operation is nearly flawless, battery life is perfect, and a premium carrying case is included. It works well as a headset for making calls.
High-end audio brand Bowers & Wilkins has made a few different wireless headphones, but the PX is the company’s first headphone to feature Bluetooth and noise cancelling. Moreover, it’s B&W’s first noise-cancelling headphones of any kind.
8. Tribit XFree Tune
The Tribit XFree Tune sounds terrific for the money. It’s comfortable to wear and seems relatively well built. The headphones fold up to fit into an optional carrying case, and battery life is rated healthy at 24 hours at moderate volume levels.
The carrying case boosts the price by $5. The Tribit logo could be less prominent. Amazon product page touts noise-cancelling technology, but it’s only for voice calls, not true active noise-cancelling.
7. Beats Studio3 Wireless
The Beats Studio3 Wireless offers improved sound quality, noise-cancelling and battery life as its predecessor in the same sturdy design. In addition, apple’s W1 chip makes pairing with Apple devices dead simple. As a result, it performs well as a headset for making phone calls and stacks up well against competing models from a sound standpoint.
Although the design stayed the same, Beats upgraded its Studio Wireless headphone with new drivers and components and much-improved noise-cancelling and battery life, with slightly better sound. ( select models are free with the purchase of a Mac or iPad Pro)
6. Bose Soundsport Free
Bose’s SoundSport Free, a set of totally wireless earphones, offers richer sound than Apple’s AirPods and a more secure fit. In addition, the buds are water-resistant and durable, battery life is decent, and a charging case provides two extra charges on the go.
Since their release, Apple’s AirPods may have dominated the wireless headphone market, but some compelling alternatives, including the Bose SoundSport Free, have hit the market in recent months.
5. Jabra Elite Active 65t
The Jabra Active Elite 65t are fully sweat-resistant, truly wireless earphones that fit comfortably and securely. They sound excellent, perform reliably and are great for making calls, with two microphones in each earpiece. Battery life is decent at 5 hours, and the included charging case delivers two extra charges. In addition, a quick-charge feature allows you to get 1.5 hours of juice from a 15-minute appointment.
Compared to their Elite predecessors, the Active 65ts have a more refined, comfortable design, improved sound, slightly better battery life, excellent call quality and voice support for all principal virtual assistants, including Amazon’s Alexa on the go.
4. Apple AirPods
The ultra-lightweight Apple AirPods are fully wireless headphones that offer a reliable wireless connection, effortless pairing with Apple devices, decent sonics, and good call quality. The included compact charging case quickly charges the buds. In addition, you can now control the playback of your music with a double-tap.
Forever changing how students use headphones, AirPods seamlessly turn on and connect to the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Mac. Like magic, AirPods play music or podcasts automatically when they are in the ear and pause when taken out. In addition, double-tapping AirPods accesses Siri can adjust volume, change the song to make a call or even get directions. $219CAD at Apple or apple.com/ca.
Apple’s wireless AirPods have taken the world by storm. They’re designed to automatically pair with the iPhone X, 8, 8 Plus, and other Apple devices running the latest operating systems (they’re Bluetooth headphones, but Apple devices get access to special features).
3. V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless
The sturdily built, well-designed V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless delivers better battery life and improved sound over its predecessor, with more sculpted bass and better detail. In addition, the new larger earpads provide a more comfortable fit. And the headphone folds up to fit a well-designed protective case that now includes air vents.
V-Moda’s latest Bluetooth headphone is its best model yet, with improved sound, battery life, and comfort. In addition, it features excellent build quality and is one of the best premium over-ear wireless headphones, although it doesn’t feature active noise-cancelling.
2. Bose QuietComfort 35 II
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphone adds a dedicated button for Google Assistant, but it can also be programmed for other functions. Retains its predecessor’s top-of-the-line active-noise cancelling, excellent wireless Bluetooth sound and extra-comfortable design. Works in wired mode with an included cord if a battery dies.
Bose has added a dedicated button for connecting to Google Assistant to its excellent QuietComfort 35 wireless noise-cancelling headphone, which doubles as an advanced headset for making calls. Otherwise, the headphone hasn’t changed.
1. Sony WH-1000XM2
The Sony WH-1000XM2 is an excellent-sounding, comfortable wireless headphone with effective noise cancelling that measures up to Bose’s for muffling ambient noise. In addition, its battery life has been improved, and it has some nifty extra features geared toward frequent travellers.
The WH-1000XM2 is an impressive-sounding wireless Bluetooth headphone that also features active noise-cancellation technology that’s on par with Bose’s and some nifty extra features geared toward frequent travellers.
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