As the term suggests, noise cancelling headphones work by eliminating all forms of background sounds, making way for a high quality auditory experience. For starters, you won’t be forced to raise the volume repeatedly in order to hear clearly. As the external noise gets blocked, you can hear distinct sound patterns even at low volumes. The next time you are riding the subway, you can just put on your pair of noise cancelling headphones and appreciate the complicated notes of your favorite music, even in the middle of a thousand people.

Today, we have put together a list of some of the best noise cancelling headphones:

1. Bose Quiet Comfort 15 – When it comes to the world of audio devices, Bose needs no introduction. Since decades, the company has produced some of the most high quality audio devices we have ever used. The Bose Quiet Comfort 15 is no exception. These noise cancelling headphones block off the background noise flawlessly. At the same time, they are extremely comfortable on the ears. They might look huge but once you wear them, they don’t feel that heavy at all.  You can also try the Bose Quiet Comfort 3 for a sleeker design.

2. Sony MDR-NC500 – Just like Bose Quiet Comfort series, the Sony MDR-NC500 have been designed to fit over your ears perfectly. In terms of performance, they are quite impressive as the headphones come with three modes of noise cancelling. With the help of the intelligent noise cancelling feature, the adequate mode is switched on according to the kind and intensity of noise in the backdrop.

3. Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Studio – If you are particular about the appearance and design of your headphones, these ones might be ideal for you. Significantly, the performance is not compromised in the bargain. This pair of noise cancelling headphones offers sharp and distinct sound even among auditory chaos. On the flip side, they run exclusively on batteries which have to be charged regularly.

4. Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9 – While these Audio Technica headphones might not be as comfortable as the others, the sound quality is unmatched. They come with three levels of noise cancelling which means that they work efficiently in the most noisy of places. Once you put them on, you might just get lost in the isolated world of music.

It is no secret that the gadget industry has undergone some very radical changes in the past few years. In earlier days, a gadget was judged primarily by its functional value while little or no attention was paid to its appearance. But things have come a long way from then. Now, both the functional and aesthetic value of a gadget are equally important. All these factors have led to the production of some suave and exciting gadgets, which can make for perfect gifts for women.

In the last blog post, we gave you a list of the best gadget gifts for men. It’s time to shift attention to women now. Here is our list for the best gadget gifts for women:

1. Jaybird Sportsband 2- This pair of headphones is designed like a headband and it comes in a variety of appealing colors. The inside of the headband is lined with rubber which makes them fit perfectly around the head. The Jaybird Sportsband can also double up as a Bluetooth device, which means that you can also take calls in the middle of listening to music. The controls on the headphone can be used to pause, play or stop music at any time. The best part is that they stick to your head even when you are jogging on the treadmill. And finally the sound is pretty great as well. Put all of this together and we have got ourselves a winner.

2. Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer- True to its name, this little wonder can print photographs instantly. It is tiny enough to fit into a pocket and it prints photos in a jiffy. While the photo size (it can only print 2 by 3 sized photographers) and quality might not be spectacular, it is still a cute gift to give to your girlfriend or sister.

3. Digital Photo Frame- In the older days, we used to frame photos and make collages and gift them to our mothers. Well, things have gone digital now. The digital photo frame is a wonderful, modern take on the traditional idea of making photo collages. It’s time to go looking for old photographs in the attic or the basement, scan them and use them with a digital photo frame. They have a smooth and minimalistic design and you can customize the photo patterns. The design, along with the photographs will add a different dimension to your mom’s living room.

4. iPod Touch- As a part of this series of posts, we have been suggesting one gadget as a back-up gift plan when nothing else seems to fit. The iPod Touch is our suggestion for such a scenario. If you can’t seem to zero in on any other gadget, you can always get the iPod Touch. Powered by the critically approved iOS, the iPod Touch can do a lot more besides playing music, it can record HD video, check e-mail, rent movies, take pictures and what not. There is absolutely no reason why a woman would not want to own this beautiful gadget.

A good workout is incomplete without the perfect music and you can have the perfect music only when you have the very best headphones. While working out, music can serve both as a distraction and as an energizing force. This post will take you through the criteria for choosing the perfect headphones/earbuds for working out. Based on these very criteria, we have compiled a list of the best headphones for working out available in the market as of now.

While looking for a generic headphone, the audio quality remains the primary criterion and quite rightly so. But when you have a specific purpose in mind i.e. working out, there are some other factors which become equally important. Firstly, you have to look for something which will stay put even as you jog or run on the treadmill. If your headphones keep falling off, it can irritate you immensely, spoiling the entire workout session. Secondly, the external built has to be sturdy and strong to resist any breakdown during physical exercises. Thirdly, the audio range has to be dynamic with a decent bass range so that the audio quality is great for all kinds of music- the loud songs for cardio and the slow ones for yoga etc. And finally, headphones designed specifically for working out come with additional features like sweat-resistance and water-proof external coating. Be sure to look out for these while buying one for yourself.

Considering all of these factors, we have put together a bunch of headphones for working out:

1. Sennheiser PMX80 Sport II Neckband Headphones- These headphones from Sennheiser use the neckband design. Usually, people prefer earbuds to neckband headphones when it comes to workouts and they have substantial reasons for that. But this particular headphone comes with a strong and sturdy neckband which stays on even if you are doing push-ups or other exercises which require extensive body movement. Add to this the excellent audio quality and we have a winner!

2. Sennheiser OMX 680 Sports- This model is the earbud equivalent of the above mentioned neckband design. Everything else remains the same, only the external design changes. The ear clips are completely adjustable, they have been design to align to the contours of the ear and they are extremely light weight. Additionally, they are water and sweat resistant.

3. SoundMAGIC E30 Earphones – These headphones come with the in-ear monitor technology which is usually found in the higher end models. The sound is sharp and clear and the cable design is resilient enough to withstand intensive workout sessions. They come with different sizes of ear clips, so that you can choose conveniently for yourself.

4. H2O Audio Surge 2G- Till now, we have been speaking about work outs which don’t include water sports or swimming. The H2O Audio Surge headphones are designed for under water usage. The ear clips drive the water outwards and the whole earphones are water resistant. So, if you are looking to enjoy a nice, long swim in the pool, you might want to invest in these to make your swimming session more enjoyable.

Circum-aural

Circum-aural headphones are commonly known as “around the ear” headphones. This is because their ear pads encompass the entire ear. This allows for a relatively large speaker – or even an assortment of speakers – in each cup resulting in a high-quality sound.

When comfort is concerned, circum-aural headphones are generally regarded as the most comfortable; however this varies greatly based on the overall quality. Properly designed and well-padded ear pads and headbands are essential for comfort. If you’re looking for comfort, the Sennheiser HD 518 is among the best on the market, as is most of the Sennheiser HD series.

Sound quality is also top par amongst circum-aural headphones. Audiophiles, audio engineers, and musicians often prefer circum-aural headphones because of this fact. The cupping of the entire ear can also allow for isolation from outside noise. Sennheiser’s HD 800 is an excellent example of the unbeatable fidelity circum-aural headphones can produce.

The real downside to a circum-aural design is the weight and size. They really aren’t meant for active use whatsoever.

Supra-aural

Also known as “on the ear” headphones, supra-aural headphones have pads that press against the ears. This allows for some noise isolation as well as a lighter, more minimalist design. The lightness is their real benefit, allowing for moderately active use. Some even come in a headband-less design.

Compared to circum-aural headphones, the sound quality often suffers considerably, though some models do still produce high-quality sound. Advances in earbud and in-ear technology have left supra-aural headphones much less practical; however, they still remain very popular with hip-hop and techno crowds. The Sony MDR-V700DJ is currently one of the trendier models and also performs admirably.

Earbuds

Earbuds are the generally cheap headphones that are bundled with items such as iPods and smartphones (replacing the previously bundled supra-aural headphones). They sit up against the ear canal, but not quite in it. Because the speaker unit is enclosed in the same piece that sits in the outer ear, it is extremely limited in size and range, resulting in somewhat poorer audio quality.

Comfort is often an issue with earbuds because of the way they have to wedge themselves into your ear. Extended wear is almost impossible, especially for those with smaller ears. They also have issues staying in place; however, their small design still keeps them viable for active use, such as running and working out. Nonetheless, their low price is really the only reason this headphone style is appealing. They make great replacement headphones for a temporary situation.

In-Ear

As opposed to earbuds, in-ear headphones actually sit inside the ear canal. This results in two major benefits. First, the driver unit can sit outside of the ear, allowing it to be larger and produce better quality sound. Second, inserting them into the ear canal creates a very effective method of noise isolation. Because they are small and lightweight making them typically more comfortable than earbuds, while still producing excellent sound quality, in-ear headphones are by far the most versatile of the four types.

Of course they vary greatly in terms of audio quality (as well as price).  If you’re willing to spend top dollar, the Shure SE535 offer excellent fidelity and rather surprising bass (often a shortcoming of the in-ear genre). Sennheiser makes a slightly cheaper, high-quality earphone known as the CX 880, though intended for use only with the iPhone. If you’re looking for a balance between cost and performance, the Sennheiser CX300 is an excellent choice.

Speaking of cases, we’ll start there.

The Best of the iPhone Cases

Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the past few months has probably heard mention of the whole “Antennagate” scandal. For those who missed it, the iPhone 4 was found to have some glaring antenna problems shortly after its release.

In short, holding the phone in certain orientations (which just so happened to be the exact orientations most users would hold it during use) would cause the two antennas on the outside of the phone to short circuit and drop all cell and Wi-Fi connectivity. After a few months of denial and media spin, Apple finally admitted to their gross oversight and settled on a solution: if you want consistent signal quality, get a case.

Of course, these antenna issues aren’t the only reason to get a fancy case for your iPhone. As it is made almost entirely out of glass (yes, seriously, they made it out of glass) you probably want a case to protect that pricey investment.

The Trident Case Kraken Series

The Trident Kraken series is among the most protective cases you can buy for you iPhone, though it does detract slightly from its stylish charm. The best thing about the Kraken case is the amount of thought put into its design. All of the iPhone’s features and buttons are 100% accessible without removing the case, including the 3.5mm headphone jack, camera with flash, and dock connector.

Zagg Invisible SHIELD

The Zagg Invisible SHIELD gives you some protection, mostly against scratches, without compromising your iPhone’s aesthetic whatsoever. It’s perfect for those who love the look of their iPhone but also want to keep it protected. You’ll still want to be careful though; the Invisible SHIELD doesn’t protect much against impact damage.

Stylish Bluetooth Headsets

Hands-free operation is important, whether you’re working around the house or driving the kids to school, but what good is keeping your iPhone in your pocket if you can’t still look good using it. That’s where a stylish Bluetooth headset comes in, but style isn’t everything. You probably want something that functions well too.

Plantronics M100

Plantronics is very well known for quality Bluetooth headsets with state of the art noise cancelling and sound quality. It’s no surprise that the  Plantronic M100 is the top ranked headset on alaTest. The M100 may not be the pinnacle of Plantronics’ lineup, but they look great and offer excellent sound quality compared to most any other headset in its price range.

Killer Quality Ear Buds

Klipsch Image S4I

The Image S4I headphones have been our highest ranked ear buds, and for good reason. Their sound quality is absolutely astonishing, providing amazing bass levels, perfect balance, and stupendous range, all in a compact package. Designed in coordination with Apple, the Image S4I’s 3-button mic and remote work perfectly with the iPhone. They’re a bit pricey, but worth every penny.