With 2019 right around the corner I thought I would make a list of some of my favorite
tech products that I’ve reviewed in 2018.
These are the products that I feel you cant go wrong with in their respective categories
and products I have no problem recommending on a regular basis.
Now just a heads up, theres going to be a lot of headphones on this list cause the headphone
market is really heating up and I’m really excited to see where it goes in 2019.
But don’t worry… a few speakers, drones, and other accessories made it on to this list
too.
So first up, I think its pretty obvious if you watch my videos on a regular basis…
but my number one most favorite product of 2018 period are the Sony 1000XM3’s.
Even though I didn’t expect to get them so soon, Im really glad we did.
I feel the 1000XM3’s are currently the best ANC headphones on the market right now.
They manage to block out the most amount of noise and they do so with very little cabin
pressure.
Their build quality and fit has also be vastly improved from their predecessors thanks to
their much larger and spacious ear cups and new more low profile design.
They also bring a lot of features like Google Assistant integration, they have an ambient
aware mode which is very useful when you’re walking around in the city or working in an
office, and they also have quick attention which is very useful for short conversations.
These headphones also have a very long battery life even with ANC turned on, and their fast
charging is great for commuters as well.
But most importantly… these headphones sound very good.
Their bass is deep and punchy, they have well defined mids, and the highs never crash.
Right now, these are the headphones to beat in 2019.
But I know dropping $350 on a pair of headphones isn’t an option for everyone… which brings
us to the Sony WH-CH700N.
Even though they have a retail price of $200 they typically go on sale for about $150 and
on occasion they go on sale for even 50% off.
And even though their build quality isn’t amazing… they are perhaps the most featured
packed sub $200 headphones out there.
Just like the 1000XM3’s… they also have google assistant integration, they have an
adjustable EQ, and they also have an extremely long battery life of 35 hours.
Now even though these headphones have Active Noise Cancelation… don’t expect them to
block out as much noise as the 1000XM3’s.
But thanks to their very comfortable and spacious ear cups and ANC, I think the WH-CH700N are
a great pair of headphones for high school and college students on a tighter budget looking
for headphones to wear while they study.
But for those of you looking for a pair of headphones to have lots of fun with… theres
the Skullcandy Crusher 360’s.
Just like how the Sony 1000XM3’s are currently the best ANC headphones out there… these
are the best Bass Head Headphones on the market right now.
The bass on these headphones is honestly like nothing I’ve ever heard before and they
make the bass on the Sony XB950N1 look like a joke.
But I’m telling you, anytime I wear these headphones I cant but help crack a smile.
Now yeah I know 300 does seem like a lot for a pair of Bass Head Headphones… but Skullcandy
makes up for it with their build quality.
Theres a lot of metal on these headphones, what ever isn’t metal is soft touch material
and the faux leather feels pretty good as well.
And even if you use these headphones with their bass featured turned off, they’re
a good looking pair of headphones period with a decent battery life of 29 hours.
And the last headphones on this list are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT…
Just like how the Sony’s are great for commuters and how the Skullcandy’s are great for people
looking to have fun… these are great for creators looking for headphones they can use
after they’re done editing their videos or for people who prefer a neutral sound signature.
These headphones have all of the great characteristics found on their predecessors which have a cult
following, and even when you go wireless they still preform well.
But before we wrap up with headphones on this list…
I do want to give an honorable mention to the Windows Surface Headphones.
Even though they have great styling and build quality, I really like their dials, and they
also have lots of features like ANC, an Ambient mode, and Voice assistant integration…
I still think they have lots of improving to do if they want to catch up to the Sony
1000XM3’s.
But I really hope we see a follow up to these later in 2019.
But now lets get into my favorite speakers of 2018.
Im going to be honest… the only reason I first reviewed the JBL Clip 3 was because
my Pre Order for my JBL Xtreme 2 was delayed and I really needed to put out content.
But after using the Clip 3 I just really liked it a lot.
Now, no I doesn’t sound as good as the Bose Soundlink Micro… but for a $60 speaker the
Clip 3 performs very well.
Besides, I don’t use the clip 3 to listen to music I use it as my dedicated podcast
machine for when ever I’m working around the house or for when I’m in the shower.
And since it has a much longer real world battery life than Soundlink Micro, I don’t
have to charge it nearly as frequent.
But if you’re looking for a large portable speaker then you cant go wrong with the JBL
Xtreme 2.
What really impresses me about this speaker compared to all of the other speakers I’ve
compared this speaker with is the amount of hardware this speaker packs in such a small
package.
Not a lot of other speaker out there have a Dual Transducer, Dual Tweeter, and Dual
Passive radiator set up.
And even though the LG PK7 does have a similar set up to the Xtreme 2 it doesn’t sound
or perform nearly as good.
So thats why the Xtreme 2 is one of my most recommended Portable speakers of 2018.
It sounds great, JBL connect plus makes it super easy to pair with other JBL speaker
if you plan on getting more in the future, and the new bottle opener built into the carrying
strap has proven to be more useful than I thought if you routinely take this speaker
to your friend’s house whenever theres a get together.
But if you’re looking for a great at home speaker then that’s where the new Marshall
Stanmore II comes in.
The Stanmore II gives you JBL Boombox levels of wall shacking bass at a lower cost and
in a much smaller package.
Its just a little bigger than the Xtreme 2 I just mentioned.
And I also feel this is a great at home speaker cause I’m a really big fan of that Marshall
classic design, so I think this speaker will look great in almost any living room.
Now when it comes to drones, DJI in particular has had a very busy year.
With the release of their new Mavic Air, Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom, Ronin-s, Osmo Pocket, and
Osmo Mobile 2… theres a lot to choose from.
But I do think the DJI Mavic Air is the most impressive and important product DJI announced
this year.
The mavic air not only is a great foldable drone period, it brings uncompromised areal
cinematography to the masses at a not so scary price compared to the Mavic Pro.
And finally the last thing I want to talk about on this list is Apple’s new 18 Watt
charger.
Even though I think apple should’ve included this charger with their new iPhones… and
I really do think it would really help with their sales.
If you do get a new iPhone or have an iPhone that supports fast charging, you gotta do
something about Apple’s out dated and slow 5w watt charger.
And there you have it, theres are some of my favorite products I’ve had the pleasure
of using this 2018.
And I feel you cant go wrong with them if you choose to pick them up.
But I’m really excited to see what 2019 brings and I cant wait to see how headphones
evolve this coming year.