Philips Audio TAA1105BK/00 Sports Headphones With Microphone, In-Ear (Flexible Ear Hook, Bass Beat Vent, IPX2 Sweat Resistant, Secure Fit, In-Line Remote Control) Black

The Philips headphones are a solid pick if you’re looking for a durable, outdoor-friendly pair that stays put even during a run. They feel premium in hand, made from sturdy materials that can take a beating, which is exactly what you’d want for headphones designed for active use. However, the on-ear design comes with a trade-off—while the firm clamp ensures they won’t fall off, it also means they can feel quite tight, especially if you wear them for long periods. If you’re just going for a quick jog, it’s fine, but for extended listening, it might start to get uncomfortable.One standout feature is the solar charging. Unlike some gimmicky implementations, this actually works well. I left them by the window (not even in direct sunlight), and the battery jumped from 65% to 80% in an afternoon. That’s pretty impressive and means you don’t always have to worry about plugging them in—perfect for those who often forget to charge their devices. In fact, I haven't charged these once after a month of ownership with daily use.Sound-wise, the headphones deliver good clarity with a balanced profile. They’re not bass-heavy like Beats but don’t sound thin either. However, they lack active noise cancellation, which is understandable given they’re made for running—ANC would be a safety hazard in outdoor environments. But this also limits their use; I tried wearing them in a noisy office, and without ANC, they struggled to drown out background chatter. If you need headphones for both workouts and work, you might want a separate pair for office use.One area where these truly shine is the microphone. I’ve taken calls with these while my kids were running around, making all sorts of noise, and the person on the other end couldn’t hear a thing besides my voice. That’s a rare quality for wireless headphones and makes them a great choice for taking calls on the go.Overall, the Philips headphones are excellent for outdoor activities, with durable build quality, secure fit, and great mic performance. The solar charging is a huge plus, but the tight fit and lack of ANC mean they may not be the most versatile option if you need an all-rounder.

I bought these specifically for the gel/cooling and washable ear cups, for running in the warmer weather. Standard leather style ear cups can get very sweaty and I hugely prefer overheads, for running, so I didn't want to switch to in-ear for the summer. From that perspective, these are perfect, no sweatiness at all, and even if there was then I can pop the cups in the wash and they'll be dry for my next run. So 5 stars for their intended purpose. Honestly, more headphones should have sport-friendly ear cups. From every other, and any other, perspective though, I wouldn't bother. They're not particularly comfortable so I wouldn't wear them for day-to-day stuff (I really wouldn't wear them for anything but running). The sound is a little too bass-y -though you get used to it, and again, for the purpose of running it's not a big issue. I would like a slightly higher volume, but that's more of a personal preference, it's good enough. They adjust from below, next to the ear cups, which is annoyingly fiddly and is best done before you put them on your head. They are generally not particularly very well made, I don't think I would chuck them in the bottom of my bag. They take way too long to turn on and off -no one needs to be holding a button down that long. Battery life seems pretty good, though I am only wearing them for an hour a day. They're pretty lightweight, the price is fine and I appreciate the jack connection. So 5 stars for the ear cups and summer running suitability. 2? for everything else

The PHILIPS TAA6219BK Solar headphones are a potential game-changer for fitness enthusiasts, those looking for comfortable running headphones or even just those of us who are always forgetting to charge our headphones. These innovative headphones harness the power of the sun (and artificial light) to extend battery life, making them perfect for long workouts and outdoor adventures.Key Features:Solar Charging: The integrated solar cells continuously charge the battery, ensuring extended playtime, especially during outdoor activities. They can even use artificial light, I've been using them for a week (3+ hours a day) and they've not dropped from 100%.Comfortable Fit: Designed for active lifestyles, these headphones offer a comfortable and secure fit, even during intense workouts. Having tried them whilst running I didn't have any issues with them slipping off, even in rain.Powerful Sound: Deliver crisp, clear sound with deep bass for an immersive audio experience. The companion app also lets you balance the sound if you want a different experience.Long Battery Life: With an 80-hour battery reserve, you can enjoy uninterrupted music for days. As mentioned this should be more than enough but the solar charging more or less makes this infinite!Bluetooth Connectivity: Seamlessly connect to your devices via Bluetooth for wireless freedom. Connecting was super easy (note you don't need the app to connect but it's worth getting to get the full experience).Overall:The PHILIPS Solar headphones are a fantastic choice for anyone who loves to stay active or just wants a comfortable and good sounding pair of headphones that don't need charging. The solar charging feature is a brilliant innovation that sets them apart from the competition, there's almost nobody else in the market doing this and nobody near this price! Their comfortable fit and impressive sound quality make them ideal for workouts, running, and other outdoor activities and whilst they don't noise cancel so won't be ideal for very loud environments I tried them on a London rush hour train and they still worked well.Of all the products I've reviewed this year this is probably the most innovative and I'd strongly recommend them to anyone (I even got a second pair for my wife!).