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Visit a gym or watch a runner pass by and there's a chance they'll be using headphones. With the new announcement of the Apple 7 and the release of the new wireless AirPods, it seemed time to explore using wireless headphones while exercising.
I visited the Apple website and was intrigued by this headline: “Wireless, Effortless, Magical.” It continued to tug on my "gadget strings" by suggesting that all I need to do is "take them out and they can be used with all your devices. Put them in your ears and they connect instantly." If you're like me, you've tried connecting to your phone via Bluetooth. This task made me question either my abilities or the quality of the device.
To gauge the size of the market, I went to Amazon and searched for “wireless sports headphones.” I was shocked to find 2,858 different options. Prices fell into one of five categories, with 75 percent costing less than $25. 17 percent between $25 and $50; 5 percent between $50 and $100; 1 percent between $100 and $200; and only 1 percent costs more than $200. Even more surprising was that of all the wireless sports headphones, none of the brands received 5 stars and only 10 percent received 4 stars, 27 percent received 3 stars, 31 percent received 2 stars and the largest percentage only received 1 star 32 percent.
I wanted to find out what was considered “the best,” so I went to the Consumer Reports website, which featured the Jabra Sport Coach Wireless. In addition to the ability to sync workouts with a dedicated workout app, these headphones have a built-in activity tracker, microphone, and volume control. For a price under $100, it might be worth a try.
At the 2016 Consumer Electronic Show in Vegas, I tested more than a dozen different wireless sports headphones, ranging from expensive to affordable. For me, the bells and whistles are less important than these four specific things: price, ease of use, how the headphones fit in my ear, and battery life.
One of the most interesting headphones I tested was the AfterShokz Bluez (www.aftershokz.com). The design transmits audio through transducers that rest on your cheekbones, leaving your ears uncovered and the canals exposed. This design allows many users, including those uncomfortable with headphones and earbuds, to have an open design with long-term use capability. I was skeptical at first, but found them not only comfortable but also stylish.
So, what type of headphones do I use during my own workout? My answer may surprise you - even though I'm a techie and love everything, I use wired Bose headphones. I've found that if I forget to charge the aforementioned wireless headphones, I have another excuse not to work out - and that's something none of us need. What I love about my Bose headphones is that even when the battery runs out with the noise canceling aspect of the headphones, the headphones still work. Which means, at least for me, I have no excuse not to get out and move.