Switched on | Monocle
/

thumbnail text

Sonicare 9900 Prestige toothbrush

Philips

 

165il_01_0601.jpg

As you would hope, Sonicare electric toothbrushes are exemplary at cleaning teeth and massaging gums. This one even has a smartphone app that can tell whether you’re brushing too hard. A USB-C connector on the case means that it’s easy to recharge – the brush lasts a good week between charges. A breath of fresh air.

philips.com

Beosound A5 Bluetooth speaker

Bang & Olufsen

 

165il_02_retouch.jpg

This slick portable speaker has a timeless quality with an aluminium build, wooden handle and a modular design that allows parts to be replaced if they wear out. The top includes a wireless charging panel so you can juice your phone while you stream music from it. It’s also dust- and water-resistant so you can listen poolside – assuming your neighbours approve.

bang-olufsen.com

AirFly SE Bluetooth adapter

Twelve South

 

165il_03_0601.jpg

In-flight entertainment is usually a no-go zone for true wireless headphones as you need a wired connection, so the AirFly is here to help. Connect it wirelessly to your AirPods (or any other Bluetooth headphones). Then plug the AirFly into the headphone socket on the plane and you’re set. Works well for fitness equipment in the gym too, if you’re active during your trip.

twelvesouth.com

Studio Buds+ earbuds

Beats

 

165il_04_0601.jpg

The latest earbuds from the Apple-owned headphone brand have noise-cancelling, so you can hear your music whether you’re on a plane or by a busy hotel pool. They come in several colours but the most striking is a transparent version. Where AirPods are best suited to those with Apple products, Beats has greater compatibility with both iPhone and Android users.

beatsbydre.com

65-watt power adapter

Nomad

 

165il_05_retouch.jpg

Nomad’s products are well-made and thoughtfully designed. This plug is useful thanks to two USB-C sockets and plenty of power (65 watts), delivering up to 45 watts from the top socket and 20 watts from the lower. This means that you can charge a laptop and tablet at the same time. If you don’t need twin sockets, there are 20-watt and 30-watt options.

nomadgoods.com

Xperia 1 V smartphone

Sony

 

165il_07_0601.jpg

Sony’s smartphones are distinctive, with a 21:9 aspect ratio to the OLED display. Unusually for a flagship phone, there’s a headphone jack. The 6.5in display has 4K resolution and it has a physical shutter button for speedy access to the trio of cameras, which include an impressive 52-megapixel sensor. Photo and video capabilities are strong, even in low light. 

sony.com

AirTag

Apple
165il_09_0601.jpg

Keep track of your luggage, keys or anything else with Apple’s tiny tracker. If you lose your belongings, you can locate the attached tag through an app. In Lost Mode, the AirTag silently sends an alert to any passing Apple device and the encrypted message is relayed to you, showing the location on a map. The tag is battery-powered and lasts a year or more.

apple.com

Series 9 Pro electric shaver with PowerCase

Braun
165il_06_0601.jpg

The Series 9 Pro electric shaver sounds complicated but is satisfyingly simple, managing short stubble and stray hairs. And it’s perfect to travel with, thanks to the PowerCase, which has a battery inside. If the shaver runs out, tap the power button in the case to recharge it. There’s another charging cable you can leave at home.

braun.com

Belt Cable Duo

Native Union
165il_08_0601.jpg

Cables when travelling are tedious; you almost always forget the one you need. Native Union has designed a two-in-one cable which comes to the rescue. One end is USB-C, so make sure you bring the right power adapter for that. But the other has two connectors for either USB-C (laptops, tablets and Android phones) or Lightning (iPhone, some iPads and AirPods). Neat.

nativeunion.com

QuietComfort 45 headphones

Bose
165il_10_0601.jpg

Bose over-ear headphones are ideal for travel. Lightweight, they offer more powerful sound than in-ear headphones. Noise-cancelling from Bose is second-to-none, so even the harshest background noise shouldn’t interfere with what you’re listening to. You can turn noise-cancelling off and the audio is still immersive, balancing clarity with strong bass.

bose.com

 

Share on:

X

Facebook

LinkedIn

LINE

Email

Go back: Contents

/

sign in to monocle

new to monocle?

Subscriptions start from £120.

Subscribe now

Loading...

/

15

15

Live
Monocle Radio

00:0001:00

  • The Urbanist