Author: Nicholas Webb

Sennheiser 450bt Headphones deliver good sound quality, but aren’t comfortable enough as they lack spacious earcups for a wide audience. These noise-cancelling headphones do a good job of reducing ambient noise, but not as well as their big brother, the Sennheiser PXC 550-II.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Sennheiser 450bt Headphones: $216 at Amazon.com.au →

Does The Job

Good ANC headphones can usually cost a lot, but the Sennheiser 450bt does the job for just $216. Battery life is good enough for many round trips, but with ANC it’s no easy task. Still, the 450bt is an affordable noise-cancelling headset. Let’s see if the price can tolerate its shortcomings. 

PRO: Sound Quality & Battery Life

• The Sennheiser 450bt Headphones offer great sound quality with a well-balanced bass production and a clear sound reproduction.
• If you are a fan of road trips and traveling, the Sennheiser 450bt Headphones will be an excellent choice for you. The Sennheiser 450bt Headphones offer up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge.

PRO: Portable Design & Reliable Connection

• With Bluetooth 5, the Sennheiser 450bt Headphones can seamlessly pair for a reliable wireless connection with your devices.
• Portable design makes it easier to carry the headphones around.

CON: No Fast Charging & Poor Microphone

• When the battery runs out, you can easily charge it using the included USB-C cable. But there is no fast charging, so it should take 2 hours to fully charge the headphones. 
• The build-in mic performance is sufficient for voice calls, but it may not meet the expectations of users who demand high sound quality for voice recording, online games, etc. 

CON: Limited Controls & Uncomfortable Fit

• Limited controls with only basic functions like play/pause and volume control available.
• The oval earcups are ergonomically shaped, but average to above-average ears unfortunately seem to not sit comfortably. Some users report that the Sennheiser 450bt headphones are more on-ear than over-ear. 

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The JBL Live Pro 2 is the next-gen of the previous JBL Live Pro+. It is overall a great upgrade but still suffers from some of the problems that hampered its predecessor. 

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

JBL Live Pro 2 Earbuds: $165 at Amazon.com.au →

Value-For-Money

The JBL Live Pro 2 are a great pair of true all-round wireless earbuds that offer great sound, a comfortable fit for all-day listening, and exceptional noise cancellation. At just $165, it’s great value. You’ll have to pay twice as much to beat the noise cancellation offered here.

PRO: Great Quality

• ANC – The noise cancellation is particularly good, and it’s also highly adaptable, making it perfect for busy, noisy environments and travelling.
• Sound quality – Powerful accurate audio for their price point. Great balanced performance across the whole range. Additionally, if you like bass you will sure love the JBL Live Pro 2 Earbuds.

PRO: Great Battery

• Long Battery Life – JBL Live Pro 2 Earbuds offer 7 hours of continues playback with an additional 21 hours from the charging case.
• Fast Charging – With just 10 minutes of charging you can enjoy 1 hour of playback.

CON: Missing Design Features

• Limited Touch Controls – JBL Live Pro 2 Earbuds come with basic controls allowing you to control playback, activate and deactivate the ANC and answer calls. If you are looking for more advanced touch-controls these earbuds don’t have them.
• No wireless charging capabilities. You will have to rely on a USB-C cable to charge your JBL Live Pro 2 Earbuds.

CON: Call Quality

• Mediocre Call Quality – The build in microphone does not provide the best quality and calls can be muffled.

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While the ANC (Active Noise Canceling) market has been dominated by Bose and Sony, the Apple-owned Beats brand has a few good ANC headsets too. But is Beats Studio 3 one of them?

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Beats Studio 3 Headphones: $379 at Amazon.com.au →

The flagship comes in many colours

Beats Studio 3 headphones are the best full-size wireless headphones from Beats and have been the brand’s flagship over-ear headphones since their launch in 2017. 

The Beats Studio 3 Wireless are made from soft, matte plastic and soft ear cups. This makes them extremely comfortable. Additionally, they are not as much of a fingerprint magnets as you might think. 

The Beats Studio 3 come in many colour options and their price ranges between $379 and $499 depending on the colour. They weight 260g and can be easily folded to take less space when you are traveling.

PRO: Technological Advancements and Battery

• Quick and easy Bluetooth pairing – Beats Studio 3 have a smooth pairing process when it comes to Bluetooth connectivity. For the Apple lovers out there they also include Apple’s W1 chip which makes it seamless to connect to your Apple devices.
• Quick charging capabilities – With just a 10 minute charge, you can enjoy approximately three hours of playback.
• Battery – With the ANC enabled you can enjoy 22 hours of sessions whereas battery life extends to 40 hours with ANC disabled.

PRO: Design

• Multiple color options, modern and visually appealing design, and comfortable fit.

CON: Not Competitive Enough

• Alternative options at same price range offer better ANC capabilities.
• Limited EQ customization and sound profile emphasizes bass. If you prefer balanced profiles this headset might not be for you.

CON: Price & Durability

• Many people have been reporting headband cracking or the ear cups deteriorating over time. This raises build quality concerns.
• Relatively high price compared to alternatives. Alternatives in the same price range might have superior qualities and more features.

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With built-in GPS and a few design changes, the Fitbit Versa 3 is a great wearable. However, like previous models, and with a very limited range of productivity apps, it’s more of a fitness tracker than a smartwatch.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

SELECTED FOR YOU: The Best Wireless Earbuds For Runners In Australia 2023 ►

Fitbit Versa 3: $284.50 at Amazon.com.au →

The verdict

Fitbit’s Versa lineup is at least, reliable. Fitbit has finally added integrated GPS that can track – in real time – the pace and distance of your walks, runs, bike rides or hikes if you choose to leave your phone at home. Although Fitbit has upgraded a few things, many features are locked behind the Fitbit Premium subscription plan which is disappointing.

Fitbit Versa 3 is available in 4 colours (Black, Green, Midnight/Soft Gold, Pink Clay/Soft Gold) ranging between 284.50 and $296 at the time of writing this review.

PRO: Health & Fitness Tracking, Smartwatch Features

• Health and fitness tracking – Get valuable information regarding your health throughout the day. Fitbit Versa 3 offers a variety of tracking features such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, built-in GPS, SpO2 (oxygen saturation) monitoring, and activity tracking.
• Smartwatch features – In addition to health & fitness tracking, Fitbit Versa 3 can also function as a smart watch. It accommodates things like receiving text and call notifications, control music and make payments using Fitbit Pay. It also allows for various other alerts though apps.
• Built-in GPS – Versa 3 has integrated GPS that can track – in real time – the pace and distance of your walks, runs, bike rides or hikes if you choose to leave your phone at home. This is a great feature especially if you are an outdoorsy person.

PRO: Design Upgrades

• Water proof – Fitbit Versa 3 is a great choice if you love swimming or water sports. It can resist water up to 50 meters so you don’t need to worry about it when taking a bath.
• Battery – The Versa 3 offers very good battery that can last for up to 6 days.

CON: Limited apps and features

• Limited ecosystem – While the Versa 3 offers a variety of app options, its ecosystem is not as extensive as its competitors Apple for example. This means you will find fewer options when looking for apps.
• Limited features – many features are locked behind the Fitbit Premium subscription plan and it doesn’t support Spotify offline-play.

CON: Design Flaws

• Poorly designed side button.
• Integrated only with Alexa.
• Performance lag – Laggy touch screen.

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The ghd Platinum+ hair straightener is unrivaled when it comes to styling hair. These high-end flat irons are famous for their exceptional performance and are the most elegant and safest option available. While they may not possess the same level of innovation as the Dyson Corrale, considering their price, the ghd Platinum+ straighteners are a good choice.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

ghd Platinum+ Hair Straightener: $306.50 at Amazon.com.au →

The Platinum+ model retains the classic ghd design elements while featuring a more refined and streamlined appearance.

The most notable enhancement is the replacement of the previous two-piece hinge found in earlier ghd models with a single curved wishbone hinge. This improvement prevents hair from getting caught, which is a common issue with many competing products.

Moreover, the ghd Platinum+ stands out with its slim and lightweight profile, weighing only 302g. In comparison, the Dyson Corrale’s weights at 563g.

PRO: Advanced Technology

• “Smart straightener” – innovative ultra-zone sensors that can predict your hair’s requirements. This means that the ghd Platinum+ can adapt to your hair type and styling techniques, effectively regulating heat and predicting your specific hair needs. Hence, resulting in exceptional outcomes and promoting stronger, healthier hair.
• Hair protection – ghd Platinum + can regulate heat effectively. This way, it helps protect your hair from heat damage while ensuring you with desired results according to your hair type.
• Enhanced Safety – The single curved wishbone hinge on the Platinum+ replaces the previous two-piece hinge. This reduces the risk of your hair getting caught while using the tool.

PRO: Design

• Although the Platinum + incorporates design features from the classic GHD, it looks sleeker and it is more comfortable than previous models.

CON: Price and Innovation

• The ghd Platinum+ falls into the high-end-products category but it also comes at a higher price tag.
• Its biggest competitor, Dyson Corrale, comes with more features and innovations.

CON: Not Wireless

• The ghd Platinum+ is wired and cannot be used wireless. If you are looking for a more flexible hair styling tool for your travels you may need to consider alternative options.

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The Garmin Fenix ​​6, if not the best multisport smartwatch money can buy, offers performance and adventure tracking, offering GPS-based mapping for just about any outdoor activity imaginable. However, it has its drawbacks. It comes with a hefty price tag that puts most people off.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

SELECTED FOR YOU: The Best Wireless Earbuds For Runners In Australia 2023 ►

Garmin Fenix 6 Pro: $648 at Amazon.com.au →

Train Harder And Race Smarter

Garmin’s Fenix ​​6 series launch made me feel both excited and confused. Excited because of the sports features updates which makes the watches more impressive. On the other hand, confused because there are 19 new watches to choose from, with some of them not even including previous model features.

For simplicity’s sake, it’s best to think of the new Fenix ​​6 series Pro watches as successors to the Fenix ​​5 Plus series.

PRO: Design

• Durability – The Fenix 6 Pro is built with a durable stainless steel bezel. This is a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, and a silicone or nylon strap that can withstand the toughest outdoor conditions.
• GPS and Navigation – With GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems, the Fenix 6 Pro provides accurate location tracking and navigation. It also comes with preloaded topographic maps, ski maps, and golf course maps.

PRO: Features & Battery Life

• Fitness and Health – The Fenix 6 Pro has a wide range of fitness tracking features. Heart rate monitoring, VO2 max, training load, recovery time, and sleep tracking are the main ones. It also has a Pulse Ox sensor for altitude acclimation and a Body Battery feature that tells you when to rest or when to push yourself.
• Battery Life – The Fenix 6 Pro has an impressive battery life of up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, up to 10 hours in GPS mode with music, and up to 36 hours in GPS mode without music.

CON: Size & Price

• Size and Weight: The Fenix 6 Pro is a bulky and heavy watch.
• Price: The Fenix 6 Pro is one of the most expensive GPS smartwatches on the market.

CON: UI & Ecosystem

• User Interface: The Fenix 6 Pro has a complex and overwhelming user interface.
• Limited App Ecosystem: The Fenix 6 Pro runs on Garmin’s proprietary operating system, which has a limited number of third-party apps compared to other smartwatches.

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AirPods Max are great noise-cancelling headphones with a gorgeous design, sophisticated soundstage, and smart features. But it’s hard to ignore the $899 price tag and unconventional case.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Apple AirPods Max: $899 at Amazon.com.au →

Apple AirPods Max and the rumors for the future updates

The Apple AirPods Max launched in late 2020, but have been the subject of rumors and speculation for years. With the huge success of the Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro, expectations for Apple’s first over-ear headphones have grown.

Did they live up to the hype? yes and no. Rumor has it that the AirPods Max will be the most advanced wireless headphones ever, with futuristic features like air gestures. If the Apple AirPods Max came with these groundbreaking specs, the $899 price tag might have been easily justified. But that’s not the case yet.

That said, for those already committed to the Apple ecosystem, it has features with excellent audio quality and a great quality of life.

PRO: Audio performance

• AirPods Max sound starts with custom-built 40mm dynamic drivers in each shell, designed to deliver deep bass, crisp mids and clean highs. Moreover, the dual neodymium ring magnet motor helps reduce harmonic distortion to less than 1% at maximum volume.
• H1 chip in each ear – Each chip has 10 audio cores capable of 9 billion operations per second and supports Adaptive EQ for tailored listening and on-the-fly sound adjustments.
• Spatial audio – Essentially surround sound, but for headsets. It supports 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos video content and uses built-in head tracking means to generate sounds related to what you see on the screen when watching videos on your iPhone or iPad.

PRO: ANC and Transparency mode

• AirPods Max features best-in-class noise cancellation and Transparent Mode, so you can hear your surroundings with just a click.

CON: Smart case

• Smart case provides no protection.

CON: Price and switch

• No on/off switch
• Expensive

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The Jabra Elite 7 Pro offers many premium features (such as wireless charging and IP57 waterproofing) at a lower price than many of its rivals. While this makes the earbuds worth buying, their audio or noise cancellation isn’t the best.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Jabra Elite 7 Pro: $198 at Amazon.com.au →

Price and release date

At a retail price of £198, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro are available in Titanium Black, or Gold Beige colour options.

That’s a pretty competitive price for true wireless in-ears with noise canceling settings and solid battery life. In comparison, Sony’s industry-leading WF-1000XM4 started at $450. Sony’s earbuds have already seen significant price cuts since their launch, and they may be getting close to Jabra’s new earbuds.

PRO: Design

• IP57 dust/water resistance – When it comes to waterproofing, the Elite 7 Pro outperforms its more expensive competitors. Buds are rated IP57. This means it is well protected against dust ingress and can be submerged in water for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter.
• Lightweight, comfortable and secure.
• USB-C wireless fast charging.

PRO: Controls and the companion app

• Excellent controls and customizability – Jabra’s companion app, Sound+, is highly intuitive and offers advanced control and customization for your Elite 7 Pro. The app can run tests to make sure the buds are properly attached to your ear, and you can personalize the level of noise cancellation for your comfort.

CON: Audio performance

• Bass and tremble are too strong which makes the sound heavily scooped. Additionally, it is overpowering and sometimes boomy in the lows, but boosted and sometimes brittle in the highs: All of this reduces midrange clarity.

CON: Not the greatest ANC

• The noise canceling performance is in line with the overall audio performance. It’s good, and very useful, but it’s not the best. While they can handle static noise, but more sporadic noise isn’t filtered as much, and in the end, unwanted interference is greatly reduced but not completely removed.

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The Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet is a lightweight cordless vacuum that’s perfect for cleaning floors. But without additional tools, it lacks versatility.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet Cordless Vacuum: $499 at Amazon.com.au →

Reliable and inexpensive but missing tools and features

Hoover is synonymous for vacuum cleaners. The Hoover Evolve ONEPWR Pet is one of three Hoover’s cordless vacuums currently available. At just under $500, it’s a budget option compared to many of the best vacuums from Dyson and Shark. But there are pitfalls: This vacuum comes with no tools and can only be used on floors that are not suitable for everyone.

PRO: Design

• Large dustbin – Unlike most available cordless vacuums, the Hoover ONEPWR Evolve features a large 0.26 gallon/1.2 liter bin, so you don’t have to empty it as often as many of its competitors.
• Lightweight – Not only is it a lightweight choice at 4 KG, it is constructed so that all the weight is distributed across the floorhead instead of being carried by hand.
• Battery – The removable battery is a nice touch as you don’t have to store the vacuum next to an outlet so you can store it anywhere. In addition, all Hoover vacuums from the ONEPWR range use the same battery which means you could use the batteries interchangeably.
• Clever design feature helps you clean the most awkward spots like under the furniture – The body of the vacuum cleaner can be laid completely flat on the floor while vacuuming.

PRO: Performance

• Powerful suction.
• Excellent pet hair cleaning performance.

CON: Not ideal

• Can only clean floors.
• Bulky plastic construction.

CON: Missing features

• No adjustable suction level.
• You can’t use it as a handheld vacuum.
• Poor air filtration performance.

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The Dyson V15 Detect is Dyson’s most powerful vacuum ever, with such suction power that can pick up dust and dirt with ease. Laser technology highlights dust on hard floors that the human eye cannot see. Furthermore, it counts dust particles, and displays information on a screen if you want to prove your house is spotless. On the other hand, it’s expensive and a slightly heavier than other cordless vacuums.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Dyson V15 detect Vacuum: $1,399.99 at Amazon.com.au →

A notch above the rest

You sure are an adult when you’re obsessed with vacuum cleaners. But no matter how old you are, Dyson’s latest cordless stick vacuum cleaner, V15 Detect, could turn heads.

Possibly the most powerful, with stronger suction than any of its predecessors. Additionally, it features an LCD display that shows real-time particle counts. Moreover, Dyson’s V15 Detect features a new cleaning head attachment that shines a green laser on hard floors to detect dirt that’s invisible to the naked eye. It is probably the most intelligent high performance cordless vacuum cleaner on the market. It also comes with a range of accessories to help you switch quickly, from vacuuming your floors, to vacuuming junk in your car, to dusting different surfaces in your home. Also, the new anti-tangle attachment keeps hair from getting tangled in the brush roll for less maintenance.

PRO: Attachments and mounting kit

• The V15 Detect comes with various attachments. Box includes Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaning Head (for hard floors), Anti-tangle high torque cleaning head (for all floors), Anti-tangle hair screw tool (for long hair and pet hair). Additionally, you can switch between crevice tool (for edges and tight crevices), stubborn dirt brush (for floors and furniture), mini soft dusting brush (for delicate surfaces and fabrics), combination tool (with brush and wide nozzle). Moreover, a 25.75″ wand (wand part) that attaches to your vacuum and all accessories so you don’t have to bend over. Also included is a wand clip to hold the combination and crevice nozzles to the vacuum for easy access, a docking station that can be mounted on the wall, and a charger.
• Laser – New to the V15 series, the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head features a green laser diode positioned approximately 0.75 cm from the floor and at a 1.5 degree angle to illuminate hard floors and remove dust particles that is normally invisible.
• Anti-tangle head – The new anti-tangle high-tangle cleaning head features 56 polycarbonate teeth to keep hair from getting tangled around the bristles.

PRO: Performance

• Suction power – The V15 Detect features a Dyson Hyperdymium motor, which the Dyson claims produces up to 230 airwatts of suction power, and a five-stage filtration system that promises to capture 99.99% of dust particles down to 0.3 microns. It offers more suction power than the V10 and V11, which offer 151 and 185 airwatts respectively in boost mode.

CON: Press and hold button, smaller dust canister

• No continuous on button – you have to keep pressing the button for the vacuum to continually work.
• Average-sized dust canister – The capacity is 0.75 liters. If you have a large house, you might need stop cleaning and empty the trash. Instead, consider one of Dyson’s bigger vacuums, like the Dyson V11 Outsize.

CON: Expensive

• This is one of Dyson’s most expensive vacuum cleaners. So if you’re on a tight budget, we recommend opting for an older Dyson model like the V8. It’s still great at picking up dust and dirt, but it’s not packed with the latest technology.

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