Category: Australia

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 Forerunner 245 GPS Running Watch is a feature-packed GPS running watch designed for runners. This allows the users to track their performance and improve their training and so much more. We’ll dive into the various aspects of this running watch to help you decide if it’s the right watch for you.

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

Garmin Forerunner 245 GPS Running Watch, Black: $599.85 at Amazon.com.au →

Garmin Forerunner 245 Music, GPS Running Watch: Design and Features

This smartwatch by Gamin has a sleek and stylish design, with a circular watch face and a comfortable silicone strap. The watch is lightweight and doesn’t feel bulky on the wrist, making it ideal for long runs. The display on the watch is easy to read, even in the sun’s brightness, as well as being water-resistant up to 50 meters. The Garmin Forerunner 245 comes with a range of features designed to help runners track and improve their performance. This watch includes built-in GPS, which accurately tracks distance, pace, and location. The watch also comes with a wrist-bassed heart rate monitor. The Garmin Forerunner 245 can store up to 500 songs and connects to Bluetooth headphones while supporting Spotify.

Connectivity and Battery Life:

The Garmin Forerunner 245 offers a range of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+. The connectivity options allow the user to connect to sensors and other devices. While having the watch connected to your smartphone you will be able to receive notifications including texts, emails, and more. The Gamin Forerunner has a battery life of up to 7 days in the smartwatch mode and up to 6 hours in GPS mode with music. While this isn’t the longest battery life on the market, it’s still sufficient for most runners’ needs.

PRO: Features

• Battery Life: Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode.
• Tracking: This watch can accurately track the distance, pace and location.
• Wrist-based Heart Rate Monitor: This monitor provides accurate heart rate data.

PRO: Connectivity

• Notifications: You can get smartphone notifications on the watch.
• Spotify: Spotify is one of the supported music streaming services.
• Storing Music: This smartwatch allows the user to download up to 500 songs.

CON: Price

• Price: The price of the watch is high but it comes with lots of features that other watches don’t have.
• Battery: Only 6 hours with GPS and music running.
• Basic Screen: The screen that is on the watch is just a classic LCD screen.

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Even being a little pricey, the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 still beats the competitors. This soundbar has a sleek and stylish look that delivers an exceptional audio performance with advanced features. As well as compatible with just about any tv, laptop, tablet or smartphone, this soundbar is user-friendly.

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

Bose Smart Soundbar 700: $854.05 at Amazon.com.au →

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Review: Design and Sound Quality

The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 has a sleek design that has a length of 0.97 Meters, making it suitable for most TV setups. The design features a tempered glass top and a metal grill that covers the front and sides of the soundbar, making the soundbar feel sturdy and well-constructed. This soundbar delivers exceptional audio performance, with a clear and balanced sound. The soundbar features a custom eight-microphone array that picks up voice commands accurately in noisy environments. It also supports Dolby Digital and DTS sound formats to ensure the consumer has an immersive audio performance.

Advanced Features and Connectivity

The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 is equipped with advanced smart features making it easy to use and control. Bose had an app called “Bose Music” that allows the user to control the soundbar and access a range of features within the app. The soundbar paired with the app allows the user to have personalized presets and the ability to connect to multiple devices at once. Bose includes a universal remote to control your TV and other devices, eliminating the need for multiple remotes. This sound bar offers a wide range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, optical audio input, and Ethernet. It also supports voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

PRO: User-Friendly

• Easy setup: This is a plug-and-go device
• Wide range of connectivity: Having such a wide range of connectivity the user won’t have a problem connecting to the device
• Includes voice assistants: The device uses Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

PRO: Features

• Eight-microphone array: This allows the device to accurately pick up on voice commands in a noisy environment
• App controlled: Bose has a mobile app that allows users to use this soundbar and create presets and completely controls the soundbar using the app
• Standard warranty: Bose includes a 1-year warranty

CON: Pricey

• Lacking sub-bass
• Heavy: This product weighs in at 4.76 kg
• Relatively pricey

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The Remington Air3D Plus Hair Dryer boasts a unique combination of three crucial elements for efficient and smooth styling: an optimized 3D airflow path for superior performance, Smooth Conditioning Technology to minimize frizz and achieve smooth and finish, and a lightweight and balanced design for maximum comfort and control. Despite its beautiful design and relatively high price point, the Remington Air3D Plus Hair Dryer is noisy, has less powerful airflow and takes a longer time to dry hair.

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

The Remington Air3D Plus Hair Dryer: $149.00 at Amazon.com.au →

3D Airflow but Less Powerful

The Remington Air3D Plus Hair Dryer (1800 watt) may remind us of Dyson, but with much more affordable price and similar function. It features a “unique 3D airflow” specifically designed to optimize styling performance for an even and flawless finish by providing a fast and even distribution of heat to the hair. This helps to dry the hair efficiently while also reducing the risk of heat damage. Nevertheless, the airflow of the the Remington Air3D Plus Hair Dryer is not as strong as others and may not be suitable for those with longer hair as it would take longer to dry the hair. For additional $50, there is GHD Air hair dryer which offers more power at 2100 watt.

In addition to the above, the Remington Air3D Plus Hair Dryer features “Smooth Conditioning Technology” that utilise ceramic and ionic technology to condition the hair while drying, resulting in reduced frizz and smooth finish. The ceramic elements emit far-infrared heat for fast drying without damage, and the ionic technology neutralizes static for smooth and shiny hair. Furthermore, the Remington Air3D Plus Hair Dryer also comes with 6 switch combinations comprising 3 Heat, 2 Speed & Cool Shot setting for full styling control.

Beautiful Design: Lightweight and Ergonomic

The Remington Air3D Plus Hair Dryer boast a sleek and modern design while remaining very lightweight and easy to handle. It has been ergonomically engineered for maximum comfort and ease of use. The device also comes with different attachments (curling concentrator, wide tooth comb concentrator, extra wide slim concentrator, ultra slim concentrator and diffuser). Moreover, with the “Attachment push-locking system” feature, user can use the different attachments conveniently.

Aside from its attractive appearance, some believe that The Remington Air3D Plus Hair Dryer’s body design is too short. This causes the unit/air suction section to be close to head and potentially leading to painful tangling of hair.

PRO: The Remington Air3D Plus Hair Dryer boasts advanced technology, attractive design and is very lightweight

• Unique 3D airflow technology optimizes styling performance
• Smooth Conditioning Technology – to reduce frizz & achieve smooth finish
• Beautiful and ergonomic design
• Lightweight and easy to handle, making it comfortable to use for extended periods
• Comes with different attachments and a hang loop for easy storage

CON: The Remington Air3D Plus Hair Dryer has less power and takes longer time to dry hair

• Beautiful design but has less powerful airflow
• Take longer time to dry hair
• Relatively noisy for the power offered (1800 Watt)
• Short body design which may cause the suction section catching and tangling hair

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Altough bulky, the Mermade Hair Pro Waver 32mm is an efficient and stylish hair curler in a trendy pink color. Further, it features high-grade ionic ceramic barrels to produce beautiful glam wavy hair with reduced frizz and increased shine. Unlike many other curlers available in the market, the Mermade hair curler comes with three XL sizes barrels which creates a lasting big bouncy waves in shorter amount of time.

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

The Mermade Hair Curler: $109.00 at Amazon.com.au →

Effortless and Lasting Waves with User-Friendly Tools

The Mermade hair curler boasts an ergonomic design and features three 32mm barrels for fast, bouncy waves creation. The strong clamps of the Mermade hair curler ensure hair is held firmly in place. Although heavy and can be awkward to use, the Mermade hair curler’s multiple barrels allow for the creation of voluminous, bouncy waves in a quicker time frame.

Effortless and Lasting Boho Waves at Home

If you don’t mind its bulkiness, the Mermade hair curler is an excellent tool that is worth buying. It offers salon-quality results and allows you to achieve boho glam perfect waves every day, right from the comfort of your own home. Furthermore, the Mermade hair curler is simple and straightforward to use and can create beachy waves quickly, with adjustable temperature settings to protect your hair from damage. Although not cheap, you won’t have to worry about burning your fingers either, as it comes with gloves for protection as well as heat-resistant handle.

PRO: Lasting and Quick Waves with Quality Styling Tool

• The Mermade hair curler is easy and fast to use, creating big and beautiful boho waves at home
• Features three high-grade jumbo ionic ceramics barrels
• Comes with 2 years warranty
• Features ergonomic design and swivel cords

CON: Heavy and Bulky to Use

• Bulky and relatively heavier than other curlers available in the market
• Need practicing to master its use
• Not suitable for travel due to its size and weight
• Relatively more expensive than other curlers in the market

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The GHD Creative Curl Wand is a professional styling tool that allows you to achieve a variety of curl styles quickly and easily. It boasts ceramic technology that tames frizz and enhances hair shine. The GHD hair curler warms up quickly with the Ultra-Zone Technology, has a safety feature that turns it off after 30 minutes to prevent overheating, and comes with heat-resistant glove. Nevertheless, The GHD Creative Curl Wand is relatively more expensive than some other curling irons and may not be suitable for all hair types such as extremely fine or coarse hair.

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

GHD Hair Curler: $212.00 at Amazon.com.au →

Heats Up Quick for Lasting Curls

The GHD hair curler is a high-end styling tool that has a sleek and lightweight design that produces unique and beautiful waves, unlike traditional curling irons. It warms up quickly and create curls that last all day. Moreover, the GHD hair curler features the Ultra-Zone Technology which offers a fixed 185-degree heat, thus protecting the hair. The device is constructed with high-quality materials and built to last, ensuring that you can enjoy beautiful curls for an extended period.

The GHD Creative Curl Wand comes with a unique tapered wand barrel. The largest end measuring 28mm and the smallest end measuring 23mm. This allows for greater flexibility and creativity in shaping hair of various sizes and shapes, resulting in a more visually appealing curls than regular irons. For its price, I do wish the device offers a different level of heat as opposed to the fixed 185-degree. It is important to mention that it may take some practice to master the use of the curler to avoid any kind of burns and achieve the desired curls.

PRO: Professional styling tool that delivers

• Quick heating: The wand heats up quickly, allowing you to begin styling your hair without delay
• Steady temperature: The GHD hair curler maintains a consistent temperature throughout use, helping to protect hair from damage
• The tapered barrel of the GHD hair curler allows for the creation of different curl sizes and shapes. Thus, giving you the freedom to achieve your desired look
• Boasts ceramic technology which helps to reduce frizz and enhance shine, resulting in smooth and healthy-looking curls
• The GHD hair curler features a cool tip, a safety feature that allows you to hold the wand without the risk of burns
• Comes with protective glove, the GHD hair curler is user-friendly and designed with a comfortable handle 

CON: Expensive and take some practice to master

• The GHD hair curler is pricey compared to other devices in the market
• The wand of the GHD hair curler is relatively large. Therefore, it may pose as a challenge for individuals with smaller hands or limited storage space
• Although expensive, the GHD hair curler does not have the function to adjust the temperature setting. Thus, it must be used properly to avoid any kind of burns

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The AirPods Pro, developed by Apple, has received an upgrade with new features such as enhanced design, improved audio and noise cancelling, as well as touch controls for volume. Although the Airpods Pro 2nd generation comes with an expensive price tag and lacks multipoint feature, Apple has certainly raised the bar with the quality of its improved product.

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

Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation: $368.00 at Amazon.com.au →

AirPods Pro 2nd Generation: Noticeable Sound Quality Improvement

Apple has released the second generation of AirPods Pro, which has caught the attention of fans and technology enthusiasts. Although the overall design of the AirPods Pro 2nd generation is similar to the first generation, the AirPods Pro 2nd generation features dual vents on the earbuds as its distinguishing feature. 

Moreover, the AirPods Pro 2nd generation boats a new H2 chip, which is responsible for audio processing, noise cancellation, transparency mode, and high bandwidth connectivity. Compared to the first generation, the active noise cancellation of The AirPods Pro 2nd generation has noticeably improved. The new chip also allows for immediate noise cancellation of white noise, such as air conditioners or transportation noise. Further, the improved Adaptive Transparency mode also minimizes intense and unpredictable loud noises to protect your ears.

Improved and Better Design

The AirPods Pro 2nd generation now includes a feature that was highly requested since the release of the first generation. Apple has responded to customer feedback and included volume control feature in the AirPods Pro 2nd generation. To adjust the volume, simply hold your finger on one side of the earbud and slide with the other on the flat spot. This allows for more convenient volume adjustment without the need to reach for your phone.

Moreover, the AirPods Pro 2nd generation also boasts a new in-ear design which creates a better seal, improving sound quality and reducing outside noise. Users have the option of different ear tip sizes (small, medium, and large) to ensure a comfortable fit. The medium size is set as the default option. Additionally, another update to the design is the lanyard loop on the case, which allows for easy attachment to bags, keys, etc. The case also includes a speaker that notifies the user of important information such as mismatched earbuds, lost earbuds, and charging status. The AirPods Pro 2nd generation can also be connected to the Find My app, which allows for precise location tracking.

Battery Life and Durability

The AirPods Pro 2nd generation has a battery life of almost 6 hours with ANC on and an additional 24 hours of listening time or 19 hours of talk time with the charging case. This battery life is sufficient for most users. Although the AirPods Pro 2nd generation are IPX4 water resistant, suitable for use in light rain or while jogging, it should not be used under heavy rain.

PRO: Noticeable Quality Improvement

• Improved design, including dual vents on the earbuds and a lanyard loop on the case
• Enhanced audio quality and noise cancellation, with the ability to adjust low and mid bass
• Increased functionality, such as volume control on the earbuds and the ability to connect to the Find My app
• Variety of ear tip sizes for comfort (S, M, L)
• Advanced features like Spatial Audio and Adaptive Transparency mode

CON: Premium Price Tag

• More expensive compared to many other wireless earbuds on the market
• Some users may find the in-ear design uncomfortable
• The added features and improvements may not be significant enough to justify the premium cost
• Battery life while using noise cancellation is not as long as other earbuds on the market

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