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  • Best trimmers for men in India 2021

    Best trimmers for men in India 2021

    Due to the corona virus lockdown most of us men have grown a majestic long beard, but the long beard might not seem so-majestic to some eyes. Probably you like a clean trimmed look that can flatter women at first sight or you just want to be perfectly groomed then a beard trimmer is a must have grooming accessory for you! A trimmer allows you to style and shape your beard according to your will. Whether you want a Santa Claus look or a clean shaped executive look a trimmer will aid you to tame those wild beard hair!

    Although trimming your hair might seem an absolute humongous task, it’s pretty easy and fun once you get used to it. Apart from using beard oils and other ointments to keep your beard healthy, a good trimmer is necessary to keep your beard in great shape. However finding a good beard trimmer that fits all your needs is easier said than done! Many new competitors jumped into the market seeing the sudden increase in demand in the past few months, which has overflowed the market. But worry not! We at Techoids have searched the market and curated a list of top trimmers that you can buy in India right now!

     

    Things to look out for before buying a trimmer

     

    • Type of trimmer

    Trimmers usually can be categorized into foil trimmers or rotary trimmers. Foil trimmers are the ones which have a set of moving blades behind a film of foil. These types of trimmers are easy to use and clean. You can use them to create fine line boundaries as they operate in either vertical or horizontal direction. But they can sometimes be noisy to work with.
    The rotary trimmers are the ones where you can find three heads which have the rotating blades. You can use these in any direction to get an even look from all sides. But these are slightly difficult to clean and repair if damaged. 

    • Build quality

    A good build quality is necessary to ensure a long lifetime as well as a firm grip on the trimmer. Go for a trimmer that has a sturdy body(if possible go for a stainless steel body) and a firm grip.

    • Battery

    Most of the trimmers have a rechargeable lithium ion battery that can provide a runtime of 60-90 minutes. Trimmers can take upto 6-9 hours of charging to top up. You can even find models with quick charging features that can give you enough juice to do a quick trim just in 10-15 minutes of charging.

    Some trimmers also come in corded variants where you need to keep the trimmer plugged in order to use it. Go for a model that can be used as both corded and cordless devices if possible. 

    • Trimmer length settings

    Trimmer length setting determines the remaining hair length after the trimming. The length settings can range from 1mm to 20mm depending upon the trimmer. Some trimmer go further beyond this range to ensure proper hair trimming as well as proper facial hair trimming. Make sure to pick a trimmer that gives you a proper control over the lengths. 

    • Blade material

    You can find trimmers with either titanium blades or stainless steel blades. Titanium blades last a little longer than the stainless steel ones because of the coating (they are coated with titanium nitrate). But the inclusion of titanium blades will surely bump up the price of the trimmer.

    • Brand

    Due to the increase in demand, the past few months have seen a surge of new competitors jumping into the trimmer market. Most of these are just cheap knockoffs and should be avoided. Make sure to opt for well recognized brands such as Philips, Syska or Panasonic. 

    • Warranty

    If you go for a branded trimmer it should guarantee a long period of working, but still it is an electronic device and is prone to malfunctioning. So it is always advised to go for a trimmer with a warranty period. These branded manufacturers will offer several years of warranty and as well great after sales assistance.

    • IPX rating

    Ipx rating denotes the device’s resistance against factors like water, dust etc. IP stands for Ingress protection and the X after IP denotes that the product is water resistant. There are various levels of protection from 0 to 8 against the ingress of solid particles. If the number after IP is 7 then it denotes complete protection from water submersion up to 1meter of depth. Greater the IPX rating, greater the resistance.

      IPX0-  Zero/ no protection

      IPX1-  Protects against Dripping water

      IPX2-  Protects against vertically dripping water

      IPX3-  Protects against sprays up to 60°

      IPX4-  Protects against splashing water

      IPX5-  Protects against water jets

      IPX6-  Protects against powerful water jets

      IPX7-  Protects in water up to 3 feet.

      IPX8-  Protects when immersed in water over 3 feet

     

    1. Philips QP2525/10 OneBlade Hybrid Trimmer and Shaver

    A shaver and a trimmer as well!

    Philips is one of the go to names for personal grooming products. Over the years they have built a great reputation and a solid customer base with their products. Philips QP2525 is a two in one device that works great for trimming and shaving as well. It has three length settings 1-4mm with a precision of 1 mm. You have to attach the clips in order to get the length that you desire. The trimmer is waterproof so it can be used in wet or dry situations. The trimmer uses one blade technology that allows for twin heads on a single blade. This ensures extra control and comfort for the user. You have to charge the trimmer for up to 8 hours to get a runtime of up to 45 minutes. It has a compact and well designed body that will last you years even after extensive use.

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 160 g
    • Running time: Up to 45 minutes cordless use 
    • Charge time: 8 hour
    • Trimming Range: 1 – 4 mm
    • Length settings: 3 (1mm precision)
    • Price: ₹1,745.00

    PROS:

    • Waterproof body
    • Compact design
    • Durable dual-sided blades.

    CONS:

    • Blades need to be replaced from time to time
    • Needs 8 hours for full charge.

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 1 x Replacement blade 
    • 3 x trimming combs
    • 1 x AC adaptor,
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card

     

    2. MI Cordless Beard Trimmer 1C

    Best budget pick!

    Xiaomi recently jumped into the trimmer market with their new device called Mi 1c. Mi 1c offers 20 length settings ranging from 0.5mm-10mm. It has a nice control wheel that you can use to set the lengths. The trimmer comes with a 600mAh rechargeable battery which can provide a run time of 60 minutes with a single charge. It has an impressive charging time of just 2 hours to top up the device. The micro USB port at the bottom can be used for charging, it also has three LED lights at the bottom to indicate the remaining charge. The whole trimmer is made out of high quality plastic with a solid body and a matte finish which gives it a premium look. Overall the MI 1c is value for money and well worth buying.

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight : ‎ 160 g
    • Running time: Up to 60 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 2 hour
    • Trimming Range: 0.5 – 10 mm
    • Length setting: 20 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹1,099.00

    PROS:

    • Great battery life and charging time
    • Premium look

    CONS:

    • Not fully waterproof
    • Only works cordless

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 2 x trimming combs
    • 1 x Power cord
    • 1 x travel pouch
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    3. Mi Corded & Cordless Beard Trimmer 

    The best overall!

    This device paved Xiaomi’s way into the trimmer market. Being  a predecessor to the great MI 1c it shares the same design and look. It has 40 length settings with a range of 0.5-20 mm and a precision of 0.5 mm. You can use the wheel on the front to adjust the length settings. The trimmer has a stainless steel blade that ensures a comfortable experience. You can use the trimmer for about 90 minutes with a full charge of 2 hours. There’s a micro USB port at the bottom of the trimmer to plug the power in. The led indicators at the bottom denote the remaining charge in the trimmer.  You can use the device corded as well as cordless. It’s compact and easy to carry making it perfect for travel. 

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: 214 g
    • Running time: Up to 90 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 2 hour
    • Trimming Range: 0.5 – 20 mm
    • Length settings: 40 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹1,499.00

    PROS:

    • IPX7 waterproof design.
    • quick charge option.
    • 40 length settings with 0.5mm precision.

    CONS:

    • The adaptor is not included in the box.

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 2 x trimming combs
    • 1 x Power cord
    • 1 x travel pouch
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    4. Nova NHT 1076 Cordless: 30 Minutes Runtime Trimmer

    A super affordable pick!

    Nova NHT 1076 is a super affordable trimmer specifically designed for Indian consumers. It has 4 length settings ranging from 0.5mm – 9mm with a precision of 0.5mm. You can use the three clip attachments to adjust the trimming length. The trimmer is designed to provide grooming for beard, moustache as well as body hair. It  is rated IPX7 so it is water resistant. The body is made up of fiber and feels extremely durable and great to hold. The blades are made of stainless steel which provide precise cuts and are not easily rusted. The trimmer provides upto 30 minutes of runtime at a full charge of 10 hours which is pretty decent considering the price range. 

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: ‎ 350 g
    • Running time: Up to 30 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 10 hour
    • Trimming Range: 0.5 – 9 mm
    • Length settings: 4 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹ 469.00

    PROS:

    • Has a Safety Lock feature
    • hard blades

    CONS:

    • Long charging time
    • Only works cordless

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 3 x trimming combs (3mm, 6mm, 9mm)
    • 1 x Power cord
    • 1 x oil can
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    5. Syska HT200 PRO BeardPro Trimmer

    An affordable robust trimmer!

    Syska’s HT200 is another budget pick on the list that helps you to get the job done without emphasizing on fancy features. HT200 has 10 length settings ranging from 0.5mm – 10mm with a precision of 0.5mm, which is great considering the price range. It has self sharpening stainless steel blades that give you a precise and accurate experience on every single use. You can use it for 45 minutes with a full charge of about 6 hours. You can charge by using the micro USB port at the bottom. HT200 pro has an ergonomic design that provides a great grip on the trimmer. Overall HT200 is a good pick if you are bound by the budget. 

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: ‎ 210 g
    • Running time: Up to 45 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 6 hour
    • Trimming Range: 0.5 – 10 mm
    • Length settings: 10 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹ 728.00

    PROS:

    • Robust design with a firm grip
    • Travel & Child lock

    CONS:

    • decent battery life
    • A little noisy to work with

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 1 x stubble combs
    • 1 x Power cord
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    6. Realme RMH2017 Beard Trimmer

    A new competitor!

    Realme recently entered the trimmer market with RMH2016. The trimmer has a minimalist premium look with a matte texture. It comes with two combs(10mm and 20mm) and has 40 levels of length settings with a precision of 0.5mm. The trimmer is rated IPX7 and is completely water resistant. It has a stainless steel blade which will last a long time without rusting. The 800mAH battery provides up to 120 minutes of runtime with a full charge of just 2 hours. This quick charging feature is possible due to the USB c charging port at the bottom. It also has a LED to indicate the remaining battery in the trimmer. Even though its Realme first experience in the trimmer market, the RMH2017 gives a tough competition to the other trimmers in the market!

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: ‎ 182 g
    • Running time: Up to 120 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 2 hour
    • Trimming Range: 0.5 – 20 mm
    • Length settings: 40 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹1,299.00

    PROS:

    • Type C charging port
    • Stylish & Premium Look with good build quality
    • Great battery performance
    • IPX7 rated

    CONS:

    • Poor reverse trimming 

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 2 x trimming combs
    • 1 x USB cable
    • 1 x oil bottle
    • 1 x sack
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    7. Syska UltraTrim HT700 Beard Trimmer

    A great trimmer with a stylish body!

    Syska Ultratrim HT700 is a great beard trimmer from the renowned Syska manufacturers. The trimmer has 20 length settings ranging from 1-10mm with a precision of 0.5 mm. You can adjust the built in stubble comb with the wheel in the front to get the desired length setting. The device has a great red and black colored design with a firm grip, it also comes in an all black variant as well. You can use it for around 45 minutes with a full charge of 8 hours. The charging indicator at the bottom turns red when the device is low on power. The trimmer is easy to clean as the stubble comb comes off easily. Overall the trimmer is a really good looking option with a decent battery and a satisfying performance.

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: ‎ 240 g
    • Running time: Up to 45 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 8 hour
    • Trimming Range 1 – 10 mm
    • Length settings: 20 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹1,070.00

    PROS:

    • Colored indicators
    • Stainless steel self sharpening blades

    CONS:

    • Poor battery backup
    • Only work cordless

     

    8. Philips BT1212/15 

     

    An affordable Philips product!

    Philips BT1212/15 is no different than other great Philips products in terms of quality and durability. The trimmer comes with a set of three adjustable stubble combs with lengths of 1 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm. It has a great ergonomic design with a firm grip, which significantly improves handling. It has an all plastic body which is decent when compared to other devices in the same price range. The blades are made of stainless steel and have rounded tips for a smooth skin friendly experience. The BT1212/15 can give up to 30 minutes of use with a full charge of 8 hours. Overall the BT1212/15 is a good affordable choice for daily use. Even though the 4 length settings don’t offer a lot of flexibility, they still get the job done. 

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 160 g
    • Running time : Up to 30 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 8 hour
    • Trimming Range 1 – 7 mm
    • Length settings: 4
    • Price: ₹ 831.00

    PROS:

    • Easy to clean
    • Powerful and sturdy
    • Good plastic body

    CONS:

    • Only 3 length settings
    • Takes 8 hours to charge fully

    INTHE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 3 x trimming combs
    • 1 x usb charging cable
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    9. Lifelong LLPCM05 Cordless Beard Trimmer

    A budget pick with a great run time!

    Lifelong LLPCM05 is another great affordable trimmer available in the market right now. It comes with a detachable adjustable stubble comb that gives you control over 20 length settings ranging from 0.4 mm – 10 mm with a precision of 0.5 mm. It comes with stainless steel blades that give precise cuts and are also detachable, so you can easily clean the head. The trimmer has a great run time of 50 minutes with a full charge of 8 hours, which is unparalleled in this price range! It also has a small indicator at the bottom to show the current battery level. Overall lifelong LLPCM05 is a great looking trimmer with an absolutely unparalleled run time.

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 200 g
    • Running time : Up to 50 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 8 hour
    • Trimming Range 0.4 – 10 mm
    • Length settings: 20 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹ 599.00

    PROS:

    • Detachable head 
    • Trimmer is gentle and smooth
    • Lowest level of precision cut (0.4) is provided by a trimmer

    CONS:

    • Only dry cut is possible
    • Only work cordless

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 1 x USB charging cable
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    10. VEGA Men X1 Beard Trimmer For Men 

    A great portable pick!


    Vega X1 is a recent entry in the trimmer market, but still gives a tough competition to the likes of MI and realme. The trimmer has a designer body with a camo imprint. The body is similar to what you would find in a MI trimmer.  It has 40 length settings ranging from 0.5 mm – 20 mm with a precision of 0.5 mm, so you get a lot of control over the trimming range. The trimmer is waterproof with a IPX7 rating, the body is fully washable making it easy to clean after use. You can use the trimmer for over 90 minutes with just a charge of 90 minutes. The quick charging feature allows you to use the trimmer for about 10 minutes with a charge of just 5 minutes when in a hurry. Another great feature of vega X1 is that you can use it cordless as well as when plugged in!

    SPECS:

    • Item Weight: ‎ 270 g
    • Running time : Up to 90 minutes cordless use
    • Charging time: 90 minutes
    • Trimming Range 0.5 – 20 mm
    • Length settings: 40 (0.5 precision)
    • Price: ₹1,075.00

    PROS:

    • Great battery performance
    • The trimmer is waterproof (IPX 7)
    • Corded and cordless use

    CONS:

    • one of adjustable clips quality is not up to the mark

    IN THE BOX!

    • 1 x Beard trimmer
    • 2 x trimming combs
    • 1 x cleaning oil
    • 1 x USB charging
    • 1 x cleaning brush
    • 1 x User manual 
    • 1 x warranty card.

     

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

     

    1. What is the difference between a trimmer and a shaver?

    Trimmers are devices that “trim” your hair. Trimmers consist of 2 or more sliding blades that are used to trim the hair. When your hair is passed through the blades, they get cut but not completely.

    Shavers are devices that shave the face. Unlike trimmers, shavers take 100% hair off the face. Since shavers get you a clean look, the blades have to come in contact with your skin one way or another. Over time, this can lead to skin hardening, and some people also feel skin irritation when they first start using electric shavers.

     

    2. What should i buy, a trimmer or a shaver?

    When you trim you remove a few centimeters/inches or lesser right from the ends. This helps in ensuring that hair/beard etc. are maintained well with no loose or unruly ends. Trimming helps with split ends too.

    When you shave, you cut the hair as close to the skin as possible. In fact, shaved hair will look non-existent for a few days depending on your hair growth speed.

    In either case, the hair is not removed right from the roots. That is called epilation. Shaving and trimming help in maintaining a certain look. Let’s assume you want to keep a small stubble on your face instead of a beard. In that case, you will trim as you shorten the hair length significantly. However, if you want to be clean shaven, you will shave your hair which will expose the skin and remove the hair as well.

     

    3. How much money should we spend on a trimmer?

    If it’s for personal use then not more than Rs.1399. A product from MI or realme should suffice your needs of daily usage and both of them fall under the range of Rs.2000. If you are going to use the trimmer for professional purposes go for brands like wahl which provide premium features but at an expensive rate.

     

    4. Which is better, the Xiaomi Trimmer or the Philips Trimmer?

    As Philips is more trustworthy due to its good build quality, and it is also serving its customers from a long time.

    Xiaomi provides you cordless experience as well as corded trimming, whereas Philips only provides you a cordless experience .

    Xiaomi may be ahead of Philips if budget is your concern. But if you really want something durable and best, Go for Philips.

     

    5. Can a beard trimmer be packed in airplane carry-on luggage?

    Beard trimmers are easy to pack and can be carried on the plane relatively easily. Though it is not on the ban list of custom items, it is a must that you carry the branded trimmers only.

     

    6. What is the risk of HIV transmission through a trimmer cut at a barber shop?

    There is hardly any risk of HIV transmission through razor cut at barber shops. HIV virus, once exposed to air, dies immediately. It can’t survive outside the human body. Otherwise, it requires some protected environment like the barrel of a syringe. For HIV virus to be transmitted, it should directly get into someone’s blood stream. In a barber shop, even if there is some contaminated blood on the razor, by the time it’s used on the next customer, the blood would have dried up and the virus died. Nowadays, I see barbers cleaning their razor with disinfectants before using it on a new customer. So, there’s nothing to worry about.

     

    7. Can a trimmer give a clean shave?

    Not as clean as a razor, a person would be able to notice the difference only if they are standing right in front of you. A slight stubble can be felt when you place your palm on your cheek when you use a trimmer or even an electric shaver in comparison to the razor. But the difference can only be felt if you have thick facial hair. If you’re someone with little facial hair there isn’t really going to be any difference . If you feel you don’t have the technique required for the razor and want to avoid cuts then use the trimmer/shaver.

     

    8. How do I maintain my trimmer?

    You should always clean your trimmer after every use to ensure proper hygiene. Most of the trimmers come with a detachable head, you can just remove the head and clean the blades with water. Make sure to check if the trimmer is fully water resistant or if just the head is water resistant.  After washing make sure to clean the blades with a dry cloth as the blades can rust if the water is just left on them.

     

    9. Should I go for a rotary trimmer or a foil trimmer?

    The decision depends upon your usage. Foil trimmer work exclusively in vertical or horizontal directions, you can use them to create fine boundaries alongside your beard. You can also use these trimmers to trim your moustache properly as it can remove the excess hair growing alongside your lip line giving you a better shape. Whereas the rotary trimmer can work in all direction but they cannot be used to create fine boundaries, you can use these type of trimmers for daily use where you just want to trim your hair without worrying about the boundaries.

     

    10. Can the blades cut your skin?

    The blades are covered by a foil, you hair enters the foil and gets cut so there is not contact between your skin and the trimmers. But if the blades get misaligned due to any damage or a fall there are chances that they might nick your skin. So it is always advisable to check the alignment of the blades prior using the trimmer.

     

    11. How can i stop the blades from corroding?

    Always store your trimmer in low humidity environment. After cleaning the trimmer blades make sure to dry them before putting them away. Make sure to clean the blades after every single use as the dirt particles or moisture if left on the trimmer can reduce its life expectancy. While the stainless steel blades on most of the trimmers won’t get corroded easily, it is still recommended to maintain the blades properly as they are still prone to corrosion. You can also opt for titanium blades that have a longer life expectancy than the stainless steel blades as they are coated with titanium nitrate.

     

    12. What is length setting in trimmer?

    The length setting on your trimmer is indicated by a figure on the comb or the dial. This figure represents the remaining hair length after grooming. This can be the hair length in mm or inches, or a setting. 

     

    13. In a trimmer clip, what does a 3mm or a 9mm mean? Which will cut a beard completely?

    Everyone wants the perfect beard and for that, the prime and most important things that need to keep in mind is to choose the perfect beard clip length before starting off. There are commonly three beard lengths and they are short beard, medium-length beard, long beard. There are different range of men’s beard trimmer clips that we get with beard trimmers. Usually, we will find trimmers from 1mm to 10mm but some trimmers like Panasonic ER207 have the range of 2mm to 18mm which could give as much as an option to the user.

     

    14. How long do electric trimmers last?

    Around 4 years for a residential trimmer having a reliable brand like Philips or Syska which usually come with a warranty of 1-2 years. 15-20 years for a commercial one used in a residential setting.

     

     

    CONCLUSION

    There you have it! We listed top ten trimmers from the market that you can buy right now. If you are still confused on what to buy, here’s a quick rundown of our favourite picks. 

    MI 1c fits all of the needs, whether you want a trimmer to try out different styles for your beard or you just need a trimmer to keep your beard in best shape MI 1c got you covered! also it has a small form factor so it is super easy to carry around.  Being a MI product and that too a recent one, you can expect great customer service and quick response to your queries. The product also has a 1 year warranty.

    If you add a few more bucks to your budget, you can go for the realme trimmer. Compared to the MI trimmer the realme trimmer has a better runtime of 120 minutes with a charge of just 2 hours. You also get more length settings to work with. The realme trimmer is great if you want that extra precision with the 40 length settings.

    If you are bound by budget and want a trimmer to just get the job done, you can go for Lifelong LLPCM05. The runtime of lifelong LLPCM05 is unparalleled if compared to other products in the same range.  You even get a wide array of length settings to work with that too at a budget friendly price.

  • Best dash cams in India for 2021 | Top car cameras to buy right now

    Best dash cams in India for 2021 | Top car cameras to buy right now

    Mounted on your windshield or on the back, a dashcam surveys everything that happens all around while you are behind the wheel. This relatively inexpensive device ensures that you don’t lose all of your life’s savings in an accident caused by a road rage maniac! The footage captured by the cam can prove to be invaluable in the times of unfortunate mishappenings, you can maybe get a peek at the license plate of the dude that cornered you or you can have evidence that the unfortunate accident on the highway wasn’t your fault. They can be your electronic eyewitness!

    Dash cams can provide evidence to tell your side of the story. Whether you are talking to the law or your insurance company, the dash cam footage would prove essential in your defense. These dash cams not only capture the footage from the front of your car but also from the rear! Some of these cams comes in pairs to record the front and the back as well. Some even provide functionality to record the interior as well which is necessary if you are a cab driver. Apart from these basic functionalities, dash cameras also have various features that aid you while driving. Like GPS, motion detection, parking monitoring and much more! 

    Angry young drivers and speedy bike demons come complementary with the hectic roads of India, dashcams can be an absolute boon in these situations. While many drivers rule out a dashcam as an unnecessary device, sometimes that footage of evidence might just save you a truckload of money!

    To help you choose a perfect match, we at Techoids have scoured the market for the best dash cams that you can buy in India right now!

     

    Features that you need to consider:

     

    • Resolution

    Dashcams can have resolutions of 720P to 4k. Resolution will ultimately decide the quality of video that the camera captures. While cameras with 720P resolution will get the job done, going for a higher resolution will capture more details like a better view of the license plate or other minute details of the car.

    • Storage

    Most of the dashcams come with an internal storage, but it is safe to upgrade it to a larger storage with a micro sd card as some of the dashcams wipe the storage once it is full. Some even allow you to directly upload the footage to the cloud. 

    • Mounting medium

    Dash cams usually have either a suction cup mechanism that allows them to stick to a surface like the windshield or they use an adhesive. Make sure that the mounting medium is suitable for your car.

    • Angle of view

    Dash cams with a wide angle lens would be able to capture more of the environment around them. Usually a lens with 140 degrees of field of vision would be enough to capture all of the crazy stuff happening on the Indian roads!

    • Protection while parked

    Many dash cams provide 24 hour parking surveillance features. They use various sensors to detect collisions or disturbances around the car and lock the footage if necessary. Watch out for this feature if you are in need of it. 

    • Driver assist safety aids

    Some dash cams have driver assist features like motion and collision detection that notifies the driver in situations like when the car in front is changing lanes or if some car is way too close to your vehicle. While they are not necessary, they are really useful while driving. 

    • Wifi

    Many dash cams have wifi that allows them to connect to the internet, once connected you can directly download the videos instead of going for the sd card.

     

    LIST

    • DDPAI Mini Car Dash Camera 
    • 70mai Pro Plus A500 Dash Cam
    • 70mai Smart dash cam lite Dash Cam
    • Blueskysea B1w dashcam
    • DDPAI Mola N3 Car Dash Camera 
    • Procus Iris Car Dash Camera
    • ViviLink VX510 2.5K Mirror Dash Cam
    • DDPAI Mini5 4K Car Dash Camera
    • NEXTT DUOS Smart Dash Cam
    • APEMAN Dash Cam c550

     

    1. DDPAI Mini Car Dashcam

    The overall best!

    SPECS:

    • Resolution: 1080p Full HD Loop Recording @30 FPS
    • Weight: 63.5 g
    • Dimensions: ‎8.7 x 3.5 x 3.7 cm
    • Field of vision: 140 degrees
    • Price: Rs. 3599

    DDPAI mini is a sleek screenless dashcam that has full HD resolution which is capable of recording high quality footage. It can record 1080P footage at 30fps with ease. It has a wide angle of 140 degrees which can cover 3-4 lanes simultaneously.

    DDPAI mini replaces the lithium ion battery with a super capacitor that allows for longer lifespan and high temperature resistance. It comes with the latest HiSilicon processor and 2MP CMOS image sensor that allows for features like night vision and emergency recording. The built-in 6 axis G-sensor  auto detects a sudden shake/collision and emergency locks the footage to ‘Event File’ to prevent that video from being overwritten. The ‘Event File’ gets automatically downloaded on your phone when the DDPAI App is connected to the camera via WiFi. 

    It has an extendable sd card slot which can house cards upto 128gb.

    It also offers a parking monitoring system(purchased separately) which records a time lapse when a vehicle is left unattended. The time lapse is recorded at 1FPS to ensure long duration.

    Considering the price, DDPAI mini is a perfect choice for all needs!

    PROS:

    • Auto detects any sudden shake or collision and prevents the footage stored from overwriting.
    • Auto switches to Parking mode of car is  stationary for 15 minutes
    • Has emergency recording feature
    • 24hrs Parking mode

    CONS:

    • For parking mode, DDPAI Hardware Kit is needed which is sold separately.
    • Night mode video is grainy.
    • Does not have a screen

     

    2. 70mai Pro Plus A500S Dashcam

    Super high video quality at an affordable price!

    SPECS:

    • Resolution: 1944P 2.5K Front & 1080P FHD Rear
    • Weight: 580 Grams
    • Dimensions:‎17.4 x 15.2 x 5.2 cm
    • Field of vision: 140 degrees
    • Price: Rs. 7499

    70mai Pro Plus is a high resolution dashcam by xiaomi that can capture footage at 1944P front and 1080P rear. It has a SONY IMX335 sensor and powerful Hi3556 V200 processor that allows for features like G sensor and GPS.

    You can get the storage extended upto 128GB with the help of a micro sd card. The G-sensor feature automatically detects a sudden shake/collision and locks the footage to prevent the video from being overwritten. It also has a built-in GPS and an Advanced Driver Assistant System. The  ADAS system gives warnings and alerts you about situations like Lane Departure, forward collision or Forward Vehicle Movement.

    The front dashcam has a 2 inch screen that shows the recorded footage, you can modify the settings by using the four buttons on the bottom. You can also opt to buy a hardware kit that can be used for 24-Hour Parking Surveillance. It Records evidence when a vehicle is left unattended. The G-sensors start recording whenever a collision is detected and It will remind you to check the event video when you go back to the car.

    PROS:

    • Excellent video clarity
    • Built-in battery for parking mode
    • Auto detects collisions

    CONS:

    • Doesn’t support parking monitoring without the hardwire kit
    • Night vision isn’t that great

     

    3. 70mai Smart Dashcam lite

    Sticks to the barebone basics!

    SPECS:

    • Resolution: ‎1080p FHD 
    • Weight: 290 grams
    • Dimensions:‎17.4 x 15.2 x 5.2 cm
    • Field of vision: 130 degrees
    • Price: Rs. 4,999.00

    70Mai smart dash is another product in the xiaomi’s dashcam lineup. It’s similar to 70mai pro but cuts the price by taking off certain features. It’s a no nonsense cam that focuses on just recording and strips out all luxury features like voice assistant or advanced driver assistant system.

    The camera shoots in full hd 1080P resolution and has a 2inch screen for viewing the recordings. The device features a STARVIS IMX307 Sensor with WDR that allows for features like night vision and G-sensor. This Dashcam also has a 24 hour parking surveillance feature which uses the G-sensor to detect collisions and turns the recording on.  It has a built in storage of 64 GB’s

    70mai doesn’t have a built-in GPS system like its counterparts, but there is an optional GPS module that you can attach to the base device. 70mai is a basic dashcam that focuses on what its supposed to do!

    PROS:

    • Extremely compact
    • Affordable
    • Great camera quality

    CONS:

    • No built in GPS

     

    4. Blueskysea B1w dashcam

    A minicam with a truckload of features!

    SPECS:

    • Resolution: ‎1080p FHD 
    • Weight: 222 grams
    • Dimensions:‎ 10 x 4 x 4 cm
    • Field of vision: 150 degrees
    • Price: Rs. 4,999.00

    Bluesky b1w is a super small dashcam with a great array of features. The small form factor and all black color allows it to mount sneakily on your windshield or on your rear view mirror! It has a Novatek GM8135S processor and a IMX323 CMOS high sensitivity image sensor, this combination allows for full HD 1080 recording at 30fps. 

    The camera boasts a 6 layer glass lens that records clear footage. It has a 150 degree ultra wide angle lens with a low light sensor that enhances video quality at night.

    The lithium ion battery is replaced by a supercapacitor that allows the camera to work in the temperature range of -25°C to 85°C, which is perfect for the hot Indian climate. This also enhances the camera’s lifespan which allows for its 24 hour parking monitoring feature.

    It supports sd card storage upto 64GB but you have to purchase the sd card separately.

    It has a standard g-sensor that turns the camera on if any disturbance is detected. Camera body supports 360° degree rotation, so you can adjust the camera angle on the run. 

    The B1W can also connect to wifi, once connected you can download the recordings directly from the app without the hassle of removing the sd card. 

    PROS:

    • Great video quality 
    • Miniature size
    • 360° Rotatable camera body
    • Wifi connectivity

    CONS:

    • No screen
    • No Rear Camera
    • Night video quality is average

     

    5. DDPAI Mola N3 Car Dashcam

    The CCTV for your car!

    SPECS:

    • Resolution: 1600P HD Resolution
    • Weight: 320 Grams
    • Dimensions:‎ 17.4 x 11.4 x 5 cm
    • Field of vision: 140 degrees
    • Price: Rs. 6,999

    DDPAI mola N3 is another dashcam in DDPAI’s great lineup. This model is often dubbed as the CCTV for your car as it is loaded with great security features. It has a small form factor and is shaped like a pill, which helps it to perfectly blend in the environment. The camera has a 2k resolution that records in 1600P@30FPS and has a 5MP sensor in the front. It provides a field of view of 140 degrees.

    Mola N3 uses a supercapacitor instead of a lithium ion battery. This greatly increases its temperature resistance and allows for a longer lifespan. The device lacks a screen, but it has a bundled smartphone application that can be used to tweak the settings.

    The dashcam works on a HiSilicon dual-core processor and has a storage capacity of 128 GB’s.
    It has a built-in GPS, which lets you track your vehicle’s active location and movement speed. Along with the GPS it also has an  ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistance System) that uses a voice prompt to make you aware of anomalies on the road, like if there’s a person right in front of your car. The sensors on the camera allow for a 24 hour parking monitoring feature. When your vehicle is parked the camera starts recording a timelapse at 1fps to ensure a long monitoring session. 

    Mola N3 has two variants, one with GPS and another standard version with no GPS. The gps version has an additional feature called SR sci-fi driving. This feature uses a 6 axis gyroscope to sense sharp turns, sudden accelerations or lane changes.

    PROS:

    • Relatively affordable
    • Great image quality
    • GPS functionality
    • Great security and driver assistance features

    CONS:

    • No LCD, making it a little tricky to position
    • GPS takes 3-5 minutes to achieve a lock

     

    6. Procus Iris Car Dashcam

    procus image

    An inexpensive budget pick!

    SPECS:

    • Resolution: 1080FHD(1920*1080) 30fps
    • Weight: 32 Grams
    • Dimensions:‎ ‎11 x 9 x 6 cm
    • Field of vision: 120 degrees
    • Price: Rs. 2,549

    Procus iris is a compact and affordable dashcam that can record footage at 1080p full HD on 30FPS. It has a 2inch LCD screen which is great considering the price point. The lens has a field of vision of around 120-degree which is enough to capture all lanes on Indian roads. 

    The storage is expandable upto 32GB and the storage wipes itself after the sd card is full (cyclic recording). The cam also has a G-sensor that detects collisions and locks the footage in case of such collisions or similar disturbances. The G-sensor also helps with the 24 hour parking monitoring feature. The camera is super compact and lightweight, it snugly fits in a spot with the help of the suction pump mounting system. While Iris doesn’t have any fancy features like the other dashcams in the list, it still is a great choice for people on a budget.

    PROS:

    • buttons are placed very conveniently on the front
    • Easy installation
    • Camera is compact

    CONS:

    • Sound capture quality is not that great
    • Video Quality is not great at night

     

    7. ViviLink VX510 2.5K Mirror Dashcam

     

     

    A rear view mirror or a dashcam? Both!!

    SPECS:

    • Resolution:  2.5K UHD resolution
    • Weight: 1.08 Kilograms
    • Dimensions:‎ ‎25.4 x 9.65 x 3.81 cm
    • Field of vision: 330 degrees
    • Price: Rs.18,999.00

    ViviLink VX510 is a voice controlled rear view mirror cum dashcam. This module provides features to record both front and the rear views. The touchscreen acts both as a controller interface and a rear view mirror, you can clearly see the rear view when the screen is off. You can also control it using the voice controls that adds to the driver’s safety. 

    The camera records in 2.5k UHD resolution, it uses WDR(wide dynamic range) technology to enhance the vision at night and also intelligently reduces the blurriness. 

    No SD card is provided, you have to purchase it separately. It supports storage upto 128GB. The device also has a g-sensor that senses the collisions and locks the footage. It supports a parking monitoring mode as well. While the device is more expensive than most of the other dashcams, the 10”inch touch screen and other convenient features makes it great for a one time investment.

    PROS:

    • Large display
    • One time investment
    • Voice control works amazingly well and is easy to use.

    CONS:

    • expensive
    • overheats during summer days and stops working till it cools off 

     

    8. DDPAI Mini5 4K Car Dashcam

    Capture crystal clear footage at 4K!

    SPECS:

    • Resolution:  2160P, 4K UHD
    • Weight: 150 g
    • Dimensions:‎ ‎14 x 12.2 x 7.4 cm
    • Field of vision: 140 degrees
    • Price: Rs.11,999.00

    DDPAI mini5 is another great dashcam in DDPAI lineup that can capture footage at 4K UHD@30FPS. It boasts its Unique UHD Realcube Image Processing Technology that balances the lights and dark areas. It uses a SONY  IMX415 Image Sensor with a FOV of 140 degrees that helps capture crystal clear videos in day as well as at night. 

    Mini5 has a built-in GPS module, you can interact with it using the DDPAI smartphone app. The whole device is made up of premium ABS material. The lithium ion battery is replaced with a supercapacitor that allows it to withstand extreme temperatures and also extends the lifespan. 

    You can connect the dashcam to wifi which allows you to download the recordings directly from the DDPAI app instead of going for the sd card. It has an internal storage of 64GB.

    The G-sensor and parking monitoring system detect sudden crash or collision and lock the footage. A hardware kit must be purchased separately to use the 24 hour parking monitoring feature. 

    The app also provides a SR feature which allows you to see the sensor data like speed, route or car spacing inside the app.

    PROS:

    • Crisp 4K UHD footage
    • Discrete size
    • Simple install

    CONS:

    • Potential to overheat
    • Separate hardware kit required for parking monitoring

     

    9. NEXTT DUOS Smart Dashcam

    A triple camera setup!

    SPECS:

    • Resolution:  front 1080P and rear 720P HD
    • Weight: 350 Grams
    • Dimensions:‎ ‎‎21 x 12 x 7 cm
    • Field of vision: 170 degrees
    • Price: Rs.3,399

    Duos smart dash is a made in India product by the Gurgaon based startup NEXTT(Vector Technologies). It records three views simultaneously- the front of the car, the rear and inside the car. The rear camera also acts as a reversing assistant with a 120 degree wide angle. 

    The camera quality is decent with 1080P recording in the front and 720P in the rear. The dashcam has a 4 inch screen that you can use to view your recordings, so there is no need to copy them to your phone or laptop. 

    The front camera has a wide range of 170 degrees so you are able to capture multiple lanes at the same time which is great for Indian roads.It has an inbuilt g-sensor that locks the footage when a collision or disturbance is detected. 

    While the duos smart dash is not garnered with fancy features, but is still is a great option considering the price point. And it provides front and rear surveillance which is a rarity in this price range!

    PROS:

    • 4 inch display screen
    • 170 deg. Wide angle front camera

    CONS:

    • No GPS
    • Decent rear parking video (720p)

     

    10. APEMAN Dashcam c550

    Dashcam with a wide FOV!

    SPECS:

    • Resolution:  front 1080P, rear 720P
    • Weight: 350 Grams
    • Dimensions:‎ ‎‎21 x 12 x 7 cm
    • Field of vision: 170 degrees
    • Price: Rs.3,399

    Apeman c550 is a vertically oriented dashcam that can capture footage from the front and rear as well. The front camera records at 1080P and the rear records at 720P resolution. The front camera has a wide FOV of 170 degrees which is able to cover around 3 lanes without any blind spots. The rear camera has a decent 130 degrees field of vision. 

    The dashcam has a GPS module but has to be purchased separately. The optional GPS antenna could be attached to get information such as the car’s location or speed. 

    The maximum storage capacity is 32GB, the sd card is not included it has to be purchased separately.

    The cam has a built-in G-sensor module that locks the footage whenever a collision is detected. It also has additional features like WDR, motion detection and parking monitoring. 

    You can use the parking monitoring system only when paired with the hardware kit.

    PROS:

    • Good day and night video
    • Affordable
    • Easy to use

    CONS:

    • 720p rear camera is primitive compared to dash cam systems
    • GPS antenna needs to be purchased separately
    • Doesn’t record, or record long enough when 12-volt power is removed

     

    FAQ

     

    1. What is a dash cam?

    A dash cam is basically a video camera that can be installed in your car (usually to the windshield) and constantly records video (and sometimes audio) as you drive. It’s also called a dash camera, in-car camera system, car black box or car Digital Video Recorder (DVR).

    2. Why use a dash cam?

    Dash cameras are rising in popularity and you can use it to keep a record of your drive. Dash cameras provide the driver with safety and accountability by serving as an eyewitness in case of accidents or incidents. The recorded footage gives  evidence of what occurred before, during, and after an incident, should one occur. This footage will help save massive headaches and troubles when proving innocence in a car accident, or protecting yourself against false claims and insurance fraud. Dash cams can also record randomly occurring and interesting events that happen in everyday life. They are also a popular choice for parents of new drivers, to help monitor the driving habits of their teenage drivers.

    3. Are there various types of dash cams?

    Dash cams can be categorized into single-lens dash cams (also known as 1-channel dash cams) and dual-lens dash cams (also known as 2-channel dash cams).

    Single-lens dash cams (1-channel dash cams) record from one camera lens, you can mount them on the windshield to record what’s happening in front of the vehicle.

    Dual-lens dash cams (2-channel dash cams) come with two cameras – a forward-facing camera that is used to record what’s happening in front of the car and second camera that is usually used to record the rear external of the vehicle. Some can even record the insides of the vehicle. These are usually popular with cab drivers.

    4. Which dash camera should you choose?

    The best dash camera for you is the one that best suits your needs and budget. The first step to finding the right dash cam for your needs is to decide between a 1-channel or 2-channel dash cam. Each type has dash cameras that range from entry level options, to more powerful cameras that offer WiFi and GPS capabilities. Some dash cameras also provide screen capability to easily view footage.

    5. Is it legal to use a dashcam in India?

    In India using a dashboard camera to record video on public roads is legal in almost all cases. The law allows one to record video as long as you are not infringing on another’s privacy.  If you are a cab driver it is always recommended  to notify your passengers that you are using a cam.

    6. How do you install a dash cam?

    First you need to make your that your dash cam has a sd card installed as most of the dash cams come without one. Then you can just mount your dash cam on your cars windshield or on the rear view mirror depending upon the orientation of the camera. Dashcams use suction cups or some adhesive that allow you to fix the camera. Once fixed plug in the dashcam to your car’s power outlet. The recoding is automatic as it starts when you turn on the car’s power.

    7. Where does a dash cam get its power?

    A dash cam comes with a power cord which you can plug in the power outlet of the car. Most dash cameras also come with a built-in battery. Dash cams use this inbuilt battery in case of emergencies. Some dashcams solely work on car’s power and won’t record if the power dies out. Make sure to choose the model that fits your need.

    8. How do dash cams work?

    Dash cameras automatically begin recording when the car’s powered on and store recorded video in a removable memory card in the camera. When the memory card is full, the dash cam simply starts recording again from the beginning of the memory card (known as loop recording). This allows the dash cam to run without any maintenance from the user.

    In times of a crash or a collision dashcam’s sensors lock the footage during that period which saves it from getting overwritten.

    9. What is an IR dashcam?

    IR dashcam is an infrared dashcam that can record in poorly lit conditions and as well as in dark environments. Usually 3 channel systems(front, rear and interior) that are mostly used by cab drivers have IR functionality.

    10. What is parking mode?

    Some dashcams provide a 24 hour parking monitoring mode. In this mode the camera starts recording a time lapse at 1 FPS to ensure a long surveillance period. If the sensors on the car notice any disturbance or detect collision, the camera locks that footage so that you can view it later. While most of the dashcams have a parking monitoring mode inbuilt, some might require a purchase of a separate hardware kit to get it working.

    11. What is the use of WiFi in dashcams?

    if your dashcam has an inbuilt wifi system, you can connect it to the internet. Once connected you can directly view or download the recordings from the supported app instead of going for the sd card. Some dashcams with wifi functionality upload the recordings to the cloud which saves a lot of space in the local memory.

     

    Conslusion

     

    The dash cam market is huge right now and their popularity grows steadily everyday in India considering their usefulness. With growing popularity comes the cheap knock offs. While their price may seem really attractive, but under the hood it just might be a messed up affair. So make sure to do the research on your part to find the perfect device for your needs! Here’s a quick rundown of the best picks from the list.

    Go for  DDPAI Mini Car Dashcam  as it is the best in budget and functionality. It has a small form factor as it has no screen and will get easily mounted on the rear view mirror. And the DDPAI application is a cherry on the top!

    If you want a dual channel system go for ViviLink VX510 2.5K Mirror Dashcam. It falls on the expensive side but still is a great one time investment.

    And that’s a wrap! Hope this article helped you to find a perfect device for your needs! 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • The best Android, IOS mobile gimbals for 2021

    The best Android, IOS mobile gimbals for 2021

    Mobile phones have come a long way from those janky 2MP nokia cameras. Now we have smartphones that can shoot at resolutions as high as 4K. Who needs a big film camera when you can just whip out your smartphone and nail that perfect cinematic shot? And every year the smartphone camera quality steadily increases with a new device introducing new features. Using these smartphones is a great way to get started in the content creation business without investing in expensive gear.

    Even though the smartphones are loaded with features needed to capture high quality footage, the unstable human hands are what’s holding them back. Oftentimes when you try to capture some awesome footage on your phone, only to have it ruined by shaky unstable hands. Not everyone is a sage with a calm mind and even calmer hands! This is where gimbals come in! Gimbals are image stabilization devices that can be used to capture footage while moving or of moving subjects. They can eliminate shaky blurry effects to help your footage look better than ever before! We at techoids have curated a list of best smartphone gimbals out right now to help you find a perfect match!

     

    GIMBALS OFFER BETTER STABILIZATION

     

    Gimbals keep the cameras steady despite the shakes and trembles that it might be subjected to! It can achieve a smooth tilt, pan or roll shot which is a rarity if done by hand, this is what’s referred to as tilt, pan and roll stabilization. Gimbals usually have 3 or 2 motors mounted on all the axes that get the job done.

    Doesn’t matter if you tilt left or right or pan these brushless motors minimizes the unwanted motions and levels the camera. So the sudden jolts and shakiness easily get ignored while using a gimbal. As the camera quality of smartphones is ramping up frequently so does the quality of gimbals. Smartphone gimbals these days have quality features such as joysticks for panning, subject tracking and different capture modes. These are even affordable and pretty compact! So if you own a decent camera gimbals are a perfect device to add to your smartphone videography arsenal.

     

    Table of contents:

     

    CHOOSING THE RIGHT GIMBAL ACCORDING TO YOUR NEED

     

    Stabilization

    The stabilization quality of the gimbal depends upon the number of motors attached to it. Gimbals usually come in two varieties- two axis gimbals and three axis gimbals. The two axis gimbals stabilize the footage while titling and rolling while the three axis gimbals are able to stabilize the footage while panning as well. The three axis variant is expensive as compared to the two axis one.

     

    Battery

    Smartphone gimbals usually come with rechargeable lithium ion batteries. These batteries can range between 1000mAH to 3000mAH which can last upto 10-12 hours. Some of the inexpensive variants have replaceable alkaline batteries that have to be replaced from time to time as they have a short run time.

     

    Weight

    Smartphone gimbals can weigh upto 250-500 grams with their all plastic bodies. The lighter the gimbal the better, but it all comes down to your personal preference as the handling will be directly affected by the weight. Make sure that your smartphone’s weight comes under the gimbal’s specified weight or else the gimbal’ motors will struggle to keep balance.

     

    Buttons

    Many gimbals have a dedicated array of buttons on them for performing certain functions like starting, stopping recording or switching to panoramic mode. Some might even have a joystick for controlling the movement of the motors.

     

    Bundled software

    Usually the gimbal will come with a bundled application that can be used to configure the gimbal behaviour. Make sure that the application is compatible with the device that you will be using.

     

    Compatibility

    Make sure the gimbal works with the kind of smartphone you will be using as some of the gimbals just work with just some specific type of smartphone. Also check if the smartphone fits with the dimensions of the gimbal as it should fit snugly to ensure proper functioning.

     

    Additional accessories

    Gimbals can also have additional slots to attach accessories like tripod or counterweight to perform certain functionalities. A tripod would be necessary to take time lapse videos and a counterweight can help you to pan or tilt properly. Many of such accessories can be used to improve the overall experience.

     

    BEST SMARPHONE GIMBALS:

    1. DJI OSMO 4

    Best overall for all needs!

    DJI OM 4 LOOK

    Features:

    Stabilization: 3 axis

    Weight: 390 grams

    Battery life: upto 15 hours

    Dimensions: unfolded: 276 119.6 x 103.6mm

    Compatibility: 67-84mm width, android/IOS

    Price: Rs. 11499

    DJI is no stranger to the world of cameras. Their name is synonymous to great quality even when it comes to camera accessories. Osmo 4 is the latest addition to DJI’s gimbal lineup. 

    Osmo 4 is a three axis gimbal that stays true to the design of its previous generation models while adding sweet new features such as a magnetic mount. Weighing at just 390 grams it’s super lightweight and can support phones up to 290 grams with thickness ranging between 6.9 to 10mm and width ranging between 67 to 84mm.

    The front handgrip includes a joystick for panning and tilting and buttons for recording and switching between shooting modes. There’s also a zoom slider on the left and a USB type c port on the right for charging. It packs a 2,450mAh battery that can last upto 15 hours on a full charge.  Connectivity is hassle free with the addition of Bluetooth v5.0.

    Osmo 4 has a great magnetic phone clamp and a magnetic ring holder, all you have to do is mount your phone on the magnetic clamp and you are set up to shoot just in a few seconds!

    All of DJI’s gimbals come bundled with the mimo app that can be used to tweak the behaviour of the device. Mimo lets you choose from various different shooting modes like timelapse, hyperlapse or panorama. It also features an object tracker called Active Track 3.0, you can select the object from the app and the gimbal will automatically ensure that it stays in the center of the frame. 

    Overall you can’t go wrong with the Osmo 4, it definitely ranks up high on our personal lists. But if you are cut short on budget but still are looking for some DJI goodness then DJI osmo 3 is worth checking out. 

    PROS
    ✔️Affordable
    ✔️Excellent battery life
    ✔️Magnetic clamp makes it easy to switch between phones

    CONS
    ❌ Clamp doesn’t play well with volume rockers on some phones
    ❌ Battery can’t be removed or replaced

     

    2. DJI Osmo 3

    Best Budget gimbal with a truck load of features!

    DJI OSMO 3 LOOK

    Features:

    Stabilization: 3 axis

    Weight: 405 grams

    Battery life: upto 10 hours

    Dimensions: ‎16.2 x 6.2 x 17.9 cm unfolded

    Compatibility: 67-84mm width, android/IOS

    Price: Rs. 6900

    DJI osmo 3 is the predecessor to the great osmo 4 and comes with all the DJI goodness that you’d expect! It’s a three axis gimbal that lets you tilt, pan or roll with ease. It’s a great budget option for all needs.

    It weighs just around 405 grams with its all plastic body. Even with a lightweight frame it can withstand some heavy smartphones with ease because of the rock solid design. It has a comfortable rubber handgrip that ensures a firm hold.  The buttons on the front include a joystick for tilting/panning and two hot keys for recording and mode switch. 

    It has a great battery life of about 10 hours and supports quick charging with a USB type C cable. 

    It comes bundled with the amazing mimo app that lets you customize the gimbal behaviour. Here you can switch between different modes such as timelapse, hyperlapse, panorama. Another great feature that the mimo has are the gesture controls. You can quickly get hold of the functionality even without reaching out for your phone. A quick double tap on mode button changes orientation, a triple tap changes from front to rear camera and much more!

    Osmo 3 is a great budget choice that comes with a truck load of great features. You can even go for the combo bundle which includes a case and tripod. But if you are not bound by budget, osmo 3’s successor osmo 4 would definitely prove to be a better choice. 

    PROS
    ✔️ Folding design makes it more portable
    ✔️Easy to flip between portrait and landscape modes
    ✔️Excellent value

    CONS
    ❌ Needs re-balancing every time you remove your phone
    ❌ No livestreaming option in the Mimo app

     

    3. Zhiyun Smooth 4

    Best for apple devices!

    SMOOTH 4 LOOK

    Features:

    Stabilization: 3 axis

    Weight: 600 Grams

    Battery life: upto 10 hours

    Dimensions: ‎‎12.3 x 10.5 x 32.8 cm unfolded

    Compatibility: 67-85mm width, android/IOS

    Price: Rs. 6600

    Zhiyun smooth 4 is one of the best smartphone gimbals out there if you have an Apple device. The gimbal works with android too but to harness its true potential its best paired with an iphone.

    Smooth 4 is a 3 axis stabilizer gimbal that can keep your device stable while rolling, panning or tilting. It is one of the best gimbals out there when it comes to build quality. It’s all plastic body is pretty robust and will last for a long period. It’s considerably light and can withstand devices upto 210 grams of weight.

    It comes with a 2000mAH battery that can last upto 10 hours. Topping up the device requires 3.5 hours and can be done using the USB type C port. The array of buttons on the handle makes using features easier. They work perfectly with the bundled app to help you use features without even reaching for your phone. The partnership between Zhiyun and FiLMic allows iPhone users to use the FiLMic Pro app with the gimbal. 

    Zhiyun smooth 4 offers great features that you won’t find elsewhere that too at an affordable price. It’s a great choice if you are an iphone user and are cut short on budget.

    PROS
    ✔️Resistant to wind and bad weather conditions
    ✔️Smooth 4 can run for 10 hours.

    CONS
    ❌ The ZY Play app isn’t suitable for Windows phones.
    ❌ A very important feature missing from the Zhiyun Smooth 4 is object tracking.
    ❌ the zoom isn’t smooth: it’s jerky. 
    ❌ Instead of a cylindrical design, Zhiyun has gone for a rectangle which isn’t comfortable to hold

     

    4. Zhiyun M2

    A gimbal for all smartphones and cameras too!

     

    Features:

    Stabilization: 3 axis

    Weight: 490 Grams

    Battery life: upto 7 hours

    Dimensions: ‎‎6.2 x 13.71 x 25.67 cm unfolded

    Compatibility: 67-84mm width, android/IOS

    Price: Rs.17200

    Zhiyun m2 is a super lightweight gimbal from zhiyun tech that is designed for smartphones and compact cameras alike. It allows you to mount across multiple types of devices like gopros, mirrorless cameras or smartphones as the situation demands.

    Zhiyun m2 has a 3 axis design that allows you to pan, roll and tilt with ease. It has a sleek and compact body that will fit perfectly in anyone’s hand offering a precise control over movements. The gimbal has a decent 7 hour runtime and runs on a built in lithium ion battery.

    The front of the handle has a joystick and two buttons for mode switch and recording. It even has a small OLED display that shows the mode, wifi, bluetooth and battery status. The mode and gimbal behaviour can be controlled with the ZY play app.

    Zhiyun m2 is not the cheapest option out there but its versatility and compatibility with multiple devices makes it a good choice for professional videographers.

    PROS
    ✔️Well made
    ✔️Stabilizes cameras up to 720g
    ✔️Lots of shooting modes

    CONS
    ❌ Fiddly to setup
    ❌ App is unintuitive
    ❌ Expensive

     

    5. Zhiyun-Tech Smooth-Q2

    The ultimate smartphone gimbal redefining the concept of compactness!

    SMOOTH Q2 LOOK

    Features:

    Stabilization: 3 axis

    Weight: 299 Grams

    Battery life: upto 16 hours

    Dimensions: 7 x 8 x 19 cm 

    Compatibility: Width: 2.17 to 3.39″ / 5.5 to 8.6 cm, android/IOS/compact cameras

    Price: Rs. 10519

    Zhiyun tech smooth q 2 is the ultimate compact gimbal for your smartphones that you can carry in your pocket! It is a three axis gimbal that weighs just over 300 grams making it powerful and super light at the same time.  Smooth q2 boasts its powerful motors that can withstand heavy devices like iphone 11 pro max with ease. 

    This small device packs a massive 4500mAH battery that can give upto 16 hours of battery life with just a 3 hour top up charge. You can use bluetooth to connect your smartphone to the gimbal. It also has a great clamping mechanism that can be used to easily attach or detach your phone. 

    Like all other zhiyun gimbals smooth q2’s modes and behaviour can be modified by using the ZY play app. Q2 also has a vortex mode and a full range POV mode that allows you to create 360 barrel shots in all dimensions. Along with these it also has the traditional time lapse, object tracking and motion lapse modes as well. The front of the handle includes a joystick and two buttons for mode switch and recording. On the right there’s a USB type C port for charging.

    Zhiyun tech smooth q2 is the truly compact option for casual videographers.

    PROS
    ✔️Very portable
    ✔️Easy to use
    ✔️Build quality
    ✔️USB Type-C

    CONS
    ❌Limited range of motion
    ❌No speed controls

     

    6. Freefly Movi Cinema Robot Gimbal

    Designed by filmmakers for filmmakers!

    FREEFLY MOVI

    Features:

    Stabilization: 3 axis

    Weight: 671.32 Grams

    Battery life: upto 8 hours

    Dimensions:  9.1 x 7.3 x 3.6 inches

    Compatibility: 3.5″ / 90 mm Width, android/IOS

    Price: Rs. 60000

    Freefly movi cinema robot has a different form factor from the other novel gimbal devices in the market but for a good reason. The flat base acts as a stand so you can place the gimbal upright on any flat surface, that’s a neat little feature that other gimbals fail to nail. It has a three axis design so you can tilt, pan or roll till your heart’s content!

    One of the best features of freefly movi are its programmable shots. You can use the free Movi app to customize or select programmable shots. This adds a whole different level of personalization to your shots. Apart from this movi app also has various different modes such as majestic, echo, time-lapse, movilapse, smartpod, and orbit modes.

    It works on two 18650 lithium ion batteries that can churn upto 8 hours of runtime with a full charge of 3 hours. While there is no competition when it comes to functionality, design and build quality of freefly movi it lacks when it comes to compactness and affordability. It falls on the expensive side if compared to other gimbals and would be a good choice only for a professional.

    PROS
    ✔️Great Stabilization Performance
    ✔️Movi App is very well-designed
    ✔️Can stand upright on flat surfaces by itself
    ✔️Can hold with two hands

    CONS
    ❌Significantly more expensive than other smartphone gimbals
    ❌Bulky

     

    7. Zhiyun Smooth X Mobile

    A selfie stick or a gimbal? BOTH!

    SMOOTH X LOOK

    Features:

    Stabilization: 2 axis

    Weight: 400 Grams

    Battery life: upto 5 hours

    Dimensions:  20 x 10 x 5 cm

    Compatibility: Width: 1.97 to 3.54″ / 50 to 90 mm, android/IOS

    Price: Rs. 5799

    Zhiyun smooth X is another gimbal in Zhiyun’s smooth range that merges the ergonomics of a selfie stick and a gimbal into one! It acts as a normal 2 axis gimbal but also has a built in aluminium selfie stick extension. The panning and rolling abilities of the two motors and the extended reach can be used to capture stunning footage.

    The gimbal is lightweight weighing at just 400 grams with the extension and has a decent build quality with its all plastic body and aluminum extension. It is loaded with a 1000mAH battery with a runtime of about 5 hours.

    The gimbal’s accompanying software is called ZY cami. You can customize the gimbals behaviour and change modes inside ZY cami. Zy cami also has a built-in editor to edit your videos on the go. While this editor is far from perfect it does a decent job of providing basic editing functionalities like cropping and adding special effects.

    One of the major things that holds back smooth x is the 2 axis stabilization. You might experience jitters in the video, but that’s a compromise you have to make while using a 2 axis gimbal.

    Overall Zhiyun smooth 4 is a compact and affordable gimbal that can be picked up by anyone who just wants to experience that gimbal goodness without cutting their pockets.

    PROS
    ✔️Price
    ✔️Portability
    ✔️Monopod can be helpful at times

    CONS
    ❌2-axes stabilization
    ❌Mediocre battery life
    ❌Small handgrip

     

    8. Hohem iSteady Mobile+

    Perfect balance between price and performance!

    ISTEADY LOOK

    Features:

    Stabilization: 3 axis

    Weight: 730 Grams

    Battery life: upto 12 hours

    Dimensions: ‎11.3 x 30.7 x 10.8 cm

    Compatibility: 58-89mm width, android/IOS

    Price: Rs. 6990

    Hohem isteady mobile+ is one of the best budget gimbals in the market. It doesn’t have fancy features like DJI or zhiyun nor is it as expensive as these but it nails the balance between price and performance. It is a 3 axis gimbal so it can smooth out tilt, pan or roll shots. 

    The body is all plastic which is quite decent. It has a rubber grip on the handle but it might be too short of some hands. The handle has a straightforward array of buttons, a joystick allows you to move the gimbal, there’s a zoom/focus dial on the left and two buttons to let you switch modes or start/stop recording.

    The gimbal has a weight of just 490 grams and can withstand devices upto 280 grams. It has a good 4000mAH battery that can keep the device up for around 12 hours with a full charge of 3.5 hours. You can use the hohem gimbal app to change the modes and behaviour of the gimbal. It includes modes like panorama, time-lapse, motion time-lapse, hyper-lapse, slow-motion, and more.

    While hohem isteady mobile+ may look like a cheap knock off at times, but it performs just as well as the expensive DJI or Zhiyun lineups. It’s a great choice if you are on a budget. 

    PROS
    ✔️Solid image stabilization
    ✔️Long Battery Life
    ✔️Price

    CONS
    ❌Basic software

     

    9. The Moza Mini S Essential

    A mid-range banger!

    MINI S LOOK

    Features:

    Stabilization: 3 axis

    Weight: 500 Grams

    Battery life: upto 8 hours

    Dimensions: ‎30 x 10 x 5 cm

    Compatibility: 58-88mm width., android/IOS

    Price: Rs. 5116

    Moza mini S is another mid end smartphone gimbal that gives a strong competition to its expensive counterparts. It is a 3 axis gimbal unlike other gimbals in this range that settle for 2 axis.

    It has an all plastic body which feels a little cheap but can be overlooked considering the price range. The gimbal weighs 500 grams and can withstand devices upto 260 grams. It has a great 2200mAH battery that can provide upto 8 hours of battery life just in a full charge of 1.5 hours.

    You can use the MOZA genie app to customize the behaviour of the gimbal or to change modes. It has various different modes such as Hyperlapse, Slow Motion, Sport Gear, Vertigo, Inception. There are also various camera presets and effects within the application. You can even use gestures to perform certain functionalities. 

    Considering the price point it is easy to ignore some downsides about MOZA mini S like the lack of freedom of movement and a slightly cheap build. Other than that MOZA mini S covers all the basic functionalities of a gimbal.

    PROS
    ✔️Folding design
    ✔️Good stabilization performance
    ✔️Price

    CONS
    ❌Cheap build quality
    ❌Buggy Android app
    ❌Short battery life

     

    10. The Vimble 2S

    A gimbal with an extendable arm!

    VIMBLE 2S LOOK

    Features:

    Stabilization: 3 axis

    Weight: 771 grams 

    Battery life: upto 12 hours

    Dimensions: ‎35.31 x 17.27 x 5.84 cm

    Compatibility: Width: 2.24 to 3.31″ / 5.7 to 8.4 cm, android/IOS

    Price: Rs. 5,936

    The vimble 2s is an extensible 3 axis gimbal for smartphones that can act as a selfie stick too. The gimbal comes with a 18 cm long extension pole which gives the camera a wider frame to capture. The 3 axis motors and the ultimate pov mode allows the gimbal to move 360 degrees in any direction which allows for some really complicated movements. It even has a physical motor axis locking system which can be used for balancing or installation.

    It has a 1300mAH battery that can provide a battery life of up to 12 hours with ease. The product weighs around 771 grams with the tripod attached. 

    The handle features a range of buttons like a joystick, a shutter button and a function button on the front. The front has a led status indicator similarly the back also has a trigger button that is conveniently placed within the reach.

    You can use the Feiyu ON app to customize the behavior and modes of the gimbal. You have to connect your smartphone to the app using Bluetooth. The app boasts a range of features such as face/ object tracking, Hitchcock dolly zooming, Motion-time-lapse setting, Overlapping image, light-tracking and panorama mode.

    PROS
    ✔️Decent stabilization performance
    ✔️Simple and intuitive control system
    ✔️18cm extendable arm is actually useful

    CONS
    ❌Disappointing battery life (around 5 hours)
    ❌Feiyu camera app is no good

     

     

    OUR PERSONAL PICK! : DJI OSMO 4

     

    With so many options in the market it can be overwhelming to pick a device. For our personal pick we would recommend DJI osmo 4!

    Why go for Osmo 4?

    DJI Osmo 4 is one of the latest smartphone gimbals in the market. Being the latest means that it is pack loaded with features and has improved upon its predecessor. The name DJI is no stranger to quality and they stand their position with Osmo 4. 

    Another solid reason to opt for Osmo 4 is because of  its accompanying software. Osmo 4 needs to be connected to Mimo app for functioning this app has various features and modes to customize Osmo 4’s behaviour like

    Timelapse where you can set the path the gimbal will follow for the duration of the timelapse. Hyperlapses are also possible, even with phones with decent cameras. There’s even a story mode that lets you create short stories easily. All you have to do is to pick a template and follow the guide to capture short clips, which are then automatically stitched together with transitions, on-screen text, and music. There’s panoramas that let you take 180-degree or wider shots. Active Track 3.0  is a mode where you can select the object you want to follow through the viewfinder, and then the gimbal will automatically track it to ensure it’s always in the centre of the frame. Sport Mode allows for active tracking on the object in the centre of the frame and increases the speed of the motors, so the gimbal can pan and tilt more rapidly.

    At this price range Osmo 4 is a bang for your buck. It’s affordable, well-made, portable, and easy to set up and use. Doesn’t matter if you are a professional or just a hobbyist you can’t really go wrong with Osmo 4.

     

    Frequently asked questions

     

    Who Is DJI OM 4 For?

    The newest DJI phone gimbal is designed for couples, families, vloggers, and anyone that wants to shoot the best content from their phone. The new magnetic design is a significant upgrade, which allows you to snap your phone in place and shoot instantly. DJI OM 4 also supports heavier phones and requires minimal levelling. Simply put, DJI OM 4 makes shooting smart and easy.

    What Is a Phone Gimbal & How Does it Work?

    A phone gimbal or video stabilizer are essential tools that stabilize video for phone users by maintaining the stability of a phone on a single axis. Phone gimbals use a small gyroscope called an inertial measuring unit (IMU) to detect even the slightest movement. Brushless motors at each of the pivot points make split-second corrections that keep the phone in a stable position even as you walk, jump, and move around.

    Should You Get a Phone Gimbal?

    There are many reasons why most people will benefit from using a phone gimbal. Smartphone stabilizers are inexpensive, perfect for people on the go, and deliver cinematic video, which makes your audience feel as if they are a part of your story.

    How to Choose a Phone Gimbal?

    When choosing a phone gimbal you should look at all the aspects of a particular model. Key factors include design, stabilization, ease of use, and the included software capabilities, and more. 

    Is it worth getting a phone gimbal?

    Anyone interested in taking stabilized video with their phone needs a smartphone gimbal. Video stabilizers and phone gimbals are a great idea if you want to avoid shaky videos.

    What is the difference between a 2-axis and 3-axis gimbal?

    A 2-axis gimbal adjusts movement only in two axes, however 3-axis gimbal will adjust movement in three axes (forwards-backwards, side-to-side, and left-right movements) moreover 3-axis gimbals produce smoother gimbal video and allow you to take footage while panning, tilting or while rolling without any shakiness.

     

    VERDICT

    If you want to take your filmmaking or videography gig to the next level, gimbals are the way to go! Now it is really easy to pick one of these devices and create stunning looking footage on the go. Hope this guide helped you to find a perfect match for your needs!

  • Best mechanical keyboards in india 2021

    Best mechanical keyboards in india 2021

    When a casual computer user hears the words mechanical keyboards all they can imagine is CLICK! CLAK! CLICK CLICK! But they are more than just those satisfying mechanical sounds! Mechanical keyboards are high performance keyboards which have switches under the keys, this allows for tactile and accurate audio feedback. The high quality of these keyboards also stems from their durability and construction. 

    If you spend most of your time coding, gaming or typing, a mechanical keyboard will be a heaven sent item for you. These keyboards offer a high level of personalization, customizable RGB lights, custom keymapping, you can even swap individual keys!

    Doesn’t matter if you are finding a partner for those tense gaming sessions or your ultimate coding buddy, this guide will surely be useful in your pursuit! So dive in!

     

    Membrane vs mechanical keyboards

     

    Membrane keyboards are the most common and affordable keyboards in the market. The reason behind their popularity is their cheap price range. These are mainly bundled with pc builds and cheap laptops.

    It has a 3 layer design. The first layer is called the top membrane layer; it has a conductive trace underneath it. Once the key is pressed it moves through the second layer which is made up of holes(holes layer) and makes contact with the bottom membrane layer which completes the circuit and a signal specifying the key pressed is sent out. 

     

     

    Pros:

    1. Quiet as compared to the mechanical keyboards
    2. Is portable
    3. Is affordable for most of the people

    Cons:

    1. There is no feedback
    2. Pressing the keys partially will not register the keys
    3. It has a shorter lifespan as compared to the mechanical keyboards
    4. It is difficult to clean

     

    Mechanical keyboards unlike membrane keyboards have actual switches underneath the keys. There are a plethora of different switches available for mechanical keyboards each of which has a different travel and response time. The most common of these switches are the Cherry MX.

    The keys on mechanical keyboards have a more of a tactile feel and provide audio feedback. The accompanying switches are made to last upto 50 million keystrokes whereas the membrane switches typically last up-to 5-10 million keystrokes.

     

    Pros:

    1. Highly customizable design
    2. durable
    3. gives tactile feedback
    4. Easy to clean

    Cons:

    1. More expensive than membrane keyboards.
    2. The audio feedback may annoy some people
    3. Heavy

     

    Under the hood it’s all about switches

     

    Mechanical keyboards have actual switches underneath every key which handle the activation of keystrokes. Each of these keys and switches are customizable and can be replaced with a personalized choice.

    Every key switch is made up of multiple components, let’s take a quick look at these components:

    1.Upper housing

    Upper housing or keycap is the top most component that you will be making contact with. It is not a part of the switch but it still helps in generating the audio feedback when the key is bottomed out.

    2.Switching stem

    The actuation and travel distance of the switch depends upon the type of stem. It is the component that determines the switch type and gives it the tactile, clicky or linear feel.

    3.Gold cross point contact

    Gold cross point is a metal contact that registers the actual keystroke. When the key is pressed the contact mechanism closes the circuit and registers a keystroke. It is sometimes made up of gold to provide better conductivity.

    4.Precision coil spring

    The coil spring determines the amount of force required to actuate the key. Depending upon the key the resistance provided by the spring will be different. It also pushes the key back to its original position after the key is pressed.

    5.Base housing

    This is where the switch is mounted. It is attached to the PCB.

     

    Due to copyright and patent issues Cherry was the only brand making switches for mechanical keyboards. Now that their patent has expired a number of manufacturers have popped up offering comparable switches.

    Key switches like Cherry MX are mostly labelled by color like ‘blue’, ‘brown’ or ‘red’. Each color signifies a different type of switch which are either linear, tactile or clicky.

     

    Brown switches: Light tactile switches

     

     

    Brown switches offer a tactile bump halfway through the keypress. It sort of turns into a linear action after the bump at the top. This little bump at the top is what earns the title ‘tactile’. Even though these switches have that tactile feel they often lack proper audio feedback. 

    They have a softer click and require less power to press down. These are mostly preferred by gamers and typists who like to have good tactical feedback.

    Eg. Cherry MX brown switches

     

    Blue switches: Clicky switches 

     

    The blue switches are similar to tactile brown switches but offer a loud sound after the initial bump. These are suitable for the people who need reassuring feedback from the key after the key is registered. They bump around with audio feedback which is pretty satisfying. The sound can be annoying to people around you though!

    Eg. Cherry MX blue switches

     

    Red switches: linear switches

     

    The linear switch has the simplest mechanism among all the others, the stem moves up and down registering every stroke without bumping anywhere. These switches allow for fast and unambiguous control over the strokes.

    Eg. Cherry MX Red switches

     

    Nowadays due to the popularity of mechanical keyboards the market has seen the genesis of a bunch of new switch manufacturers, but still Cherry MX switches guard their position on top being the most popular one.

    Some of the other fine switches include topre, razer and kailh, each one of them has a different feel and personality.

     

    Keycaps

     

    With mechanical keyboards you can customize every key on the keyboard including their keycaps! You can easily swap out one keyset with another and give your keyboard a whole different look. 

    While choosing a keyset you should check the keycap material, thickness, profile and the design and choose what best fits your needs.

     

    Keycap material

     

    Keycaps mainly come in two different types of materials, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate). Both of which are just fancy names for plastic! But both of them have a different feel, sound and look.

    ABS caps are the most common one as they are the cheaper ones between the two. They develop a greasy or glossy look after some time and are smooth to work with.

    Whereas the PBT caps are higher quality than ABS caps and have a long lasting textured feel to them. These are used in keyboards where audio feedback is the priority as they produce a better sound than ABS due to their thick nature.

    But in the end it comes down to priority, some people like the glossy look and feel while some prefer the textured one, choose away!

    Keep in mind that if you have a backlit keyboard you might need something called Doubleshot keycaps or pudding keycaps. The normal keycaps might block the light coming from the keyboard, for this special type of keycaps are used. 

    Doubleshot keycaps are formed by injection moulding using two separate plastics. This allows the light to shine through the markings on the keycaps. This makes the keycaps nicer and easier to read

    Pudding keycaps are similar to doubleshot keycaps but they also allow light to shine through the sides. This allows for a really cool looking setup.

     

    Keycap profile

     

    Once you are done with choosing the material next up is choosing the profile, which is a little complicated.

    The keycap profile is the overall shape and design of the keycap. Some are flat, some are rounded, there are many options to choose from.

    Every profile has a distinct design where different rows of keys are given a different height to provide maximum convenience. Having different heights and design also helps the keyboard to become more portable and compact.

    Here are some of the most common keycap profiles

    Finding the best keycap profile is just a matter of preference. The sculpted variants like Cherry and SA are easier to work with while typing because they are designed to be in perfect reach of your fingers. But at the end of the day typing with sculpted keycaps might feel weird and may hinder your typing speed. So use what you are already familiar with, what your muscle memory is comfortable with.

     

    The mechanical keyboard lingo!

     

    Clicky

    Clicky is the term used to refer to the sound that the mechanical keys make when they are pressed to the actuation point.

    Debounce

    Debounce is basically a technique used to ensure that a key doesn’t register an input twice when pressed. So if a switch is debounced it is registering multiple inputs with a single click.

    Housing

    Housing refers to the component that actually holds all of the other components of a switch inside a key.

    Actuation point

    Actuation point is the point in a switch till where a switch needs to be pressed in order to send out an input signal.

    Hysteresis

    Hysteresis refers to a situation where the release point of the key switch is higher than the actuation point. This makes it difficult to hit the same key in succession.

    Linear

    Linear refers to the switches that provide no tactile or audible feedback. Their stem moves between the actuation point and its original position without any obtrusion.

    Stem

    Stem is the component of the switch on which the keycap is mounted on.

    Switch

    Switch is the component in the mechanical keyboards lying underneath every keycap that handles the actuation of the keys.

    Tactile

    Tactile refers to the switches that provide bump or tactile feedback on the actuation of the key.

    Tenkeyless

    Tenkeyless refers to a full sized keyboard layout without a number pad. 

    Tenkey

    TenKey refers to a full sized keyboard layout with a number pad. 

    60% keys

    60% keys refer to a keyboard layout with 60-61 keys with no function row.

    65%/70% keys

    65%/70% keys refer to a miniature keyboard layout with arrow keys and a total of 66keys.

    75% keys

    75% keys refer to a miniature keyboard layout with function keys.

     

    Here’s the list of some of the best mechanical keyboards in India. jump in!

    1. Corsair k95

    Switch: Cherry MX speed, Cherry MX brown

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.32 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: Detachable magnetic

    Price: ₹ 17,099

    Corsair k95 is an amazing mechanical keyboard that performs well both as a general purpose keyboard and a gaming keyboard. It comes in two variants one with the Cherry MX speed switches which are linear switches and another one with Cherry MX brown switches which are the tactile variant. Depending upon your taste and feel you can go with either of them. 

    A great feature that Corsair k95 has are its macro keys. It has 6 programmable macro keys lined along the left side of the board. They are in easy reach of the left hand, they can be programmed by using the iCUE app. It also has media control keys on top right of the keyboard for quick access to start, pause, forward/backward and stop commands. Not only that it even has a volume control wheel!

    The build quality is great, having a top aluminium plate with a good plastic base. The only region that it lacks in are the keycaps. The keycaps are made with ABS that might feel a little cheap.

    The keyboards backlighting is amazing, each key is lit separately. You can control the brightness of the lights directly on the board.

    ✔️ dedicated macro keys and media keys

    ✔️ Great build quality

    ❌ Not a lot of switch options

     

    2. SteelSeries Apex 7 Tkl Compac

    Switch: SteelSeries Red, SteelSeries Brown, SteelSeries Blue

    Size: TenKeyLess

    Weight: 771.11 Grams

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: Detachable magnetic

    Price: ₹ 21,939

    SteelSeries Apex 7 is a great TenKeyLess Keyboard with exceptional features and great companion software. It even has a small oled screen that can be used to tweak settings without closing the opened software. It comes in three variants having different switches, linear SteelSeries Red, tactile SteelSeries Brown, clicky SteelSeries Blue.

    Most of the keyboard is made up of plastic but has an aluminum top that gives it some rigidity. Being a TenKeyLess keyboard it is pretty compact, but can get pretty hefty when attached with a wrist rest. The keycaps are doubleshot made with abs.

    It has full RGB lighting that can be customised by using the SteelSeries’ engine software. They work great in dark rooms as the backlighting is really good.

    SteelSeries Apex 7 has dedicated media controls and are programmable through the SteelSeries’ engine software. The oled screen on the keyboard can be used to tweak settings while in-game and can also be used to display custom messages. The volume wheel can be used for navigation in the oled screen.

    ✔️ Great companion software

    ✔️ Great build quality

    ✔️ Handy oled screen

     

    3. Corsair k70 MK.2

    Switch: Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Silent Red, Cherry MX Speed

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.2 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: Detachable wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 10,899

    Corsair k70 MK.2 is a versatile keyboard great for both gaming  and typing. The reason behind this versatility is the range of switches that it is available with. It is compatible with Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Silent Red, Cherry MX Speed, this encompasses all the styles and feels.

    Corsair k70 MK.2 is a full sized keyboard with TenKey. The addition of the wrist rest makes it larger than normal full sized keyboard. It is mainly made out of plastic with an aluminum top plate. The keycaps are made out of ABS which feel pretty good while typing. Overall the build quality is pretty decent for the price range.

    The keyboard has full RGB backlighting with individually lit keys. You can customize every key by using the dedicated software.

    The device supports USB passthrough so you can attach a device like a mouse to the keyboard rather than attaching it directly to the PC. Every key on the keyboard is macro programmable which can be done by using the iCUE software. There are also dedicated media keys and  a volume wheel at the top as well. 

    ✔️All keys are macro programmable.

    ✔️ USB passthrough

     

    4. hyperx alloy origins

    Switch: HyperX Red(linear), HyperX Aqua(tactile), HyperX Blue(clicky)

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.07 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: no wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 9,990

    HyperX alloy origins is a well designed full sized keyboard that skips all the fuzz and gets down to business. It doesn’t have any fancy features but is very well equipped with the necessary stuff. It excels both in gaming and typing because of its large array of switches. These are hyperX switches which are not so different from standard Cherry MX switches.

    The keyboard has a full aluminum body with a soft finish. The keycaps are made of ABS and are doubleshot. The keyboard has full RGB backlight and each of the keys is individually lit.  The lighting can be customized by using HyperX’s  NGENUITY software.

    The keyboard has no dedicated media keys but every key is programmable. So you can map a function  to any key of your liking.

    ✔️ Every key is programmable.

    ❌ Customization software only available on Windows.

     

    5. logitech g512

    Switch: Romer-G Tactile, Romer-G Linear, and GX Blue Clicky, GX Red linear, GX Brown tactile

    Size: full size

    Weight: 0.8 kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: no wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 8,920

    Logitech g512 is a full sized keyboard with a sleek aluminum design that too at a decent price point. 

    The aluminum top has a greyish finish to it which looks really great with the matte black keys at the top. The board feels sturdy and well made because of the aluminum top. Other than that the board is quite minimalist without any dedicated media control keys and no other fancy features.

    The board has full RGB lighting and each key is individually lit. The lighting can be controlled by using the G hub suite. You can also sync to other logitech devices by using their light sync software.

    The keycaps are doubleshot ABS. Even though they are made up of ABS they do not feel cheap. The keyboard is available in a variety of switches, namely Romer-G Tactile, Romer-G Linear, and GX Blue Clicky, GX Red linear, GX Brown tactile. These switches are similar to Cherry MX switches as they use the same stem.

    The keyboard supports USB passthrough and has a well braided giving it a sturdy feel.

    Overall the board is simple, sleek and stylish.

    ✔️ Well designed

    ✔️ Great build quality 

    ✔️ Great variety of switches

     

    6. cosmic byte cb gk 11

    Switch: JIXIAN Blue switch,  JIXIAN Brown switch

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.12 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: with wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 3,749

    Cosmic byte cb gk11 is an inexpensive outperformer! Cb gk11 is a full sized keyboard with full rgb lighting. It’s a budget mechanical keyboard which offers a pretty decent build quality and features.

    The top is made of aluminium which feels pretty decent. The top has a greyish finish with all black keys on top. The keys are doubleshot and are made with ABS. It also includes a decent detachable wrist rest.

    It comes in either  JIXIAN Blue clicky switches or JIXIAN Brown tactile switches which perform great despite the price point. The keyboard has full RGB lighting, it comes with 13 RGB Back-light Effects and 4 levels of brightness. You can change the lighting profiles right from the keyboard which gets stored on the keyboard memory.

    The keyboard also has dedicated multimedia keys which can be used to control volume, brightness etc.

    ✔️ Inexpensive

    ✔️ Decent build quality

    ❌ No customization software

     

    7. ASUS Rog Strix Scope

    Switch:  Cherry MX brown,Red, Blue, Silver Speed, and Silent Red

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.63 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: no wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 7,899

    Asus Rog strix scope is a solid mechanical keyboard that focuses on the essentials. It is reliable, responsive and great for gaming as well as typing.

    It is a full sized keyboard with ten keys and a lot of space between the keys, the ROG logo is as well spaciously placed. The keyboard lacks a wrist rest, but it can be purchased separately.

    The keyboard comes with Cherry MX brown,Red, Blue, Silver Speed, and Silent Red switches, so there are a lot that you can choose from. Being the standard Cherry MX switches their quality is always going to be top notch.

    It has full RGB lighting which can be customized using the ROG armoury software. The lighting can also be synchronized with other compatible devices by using the Aura Sync software.  The keyboard lacks dedicated media keys but allows programmable macros which can be again customized in ROG armoury software.

    In the end it’s a no nonsense keyboard that is a great choice for both gaming and typing.

    ✔️ Great variety of switches

    ✔️ Great build quality

    ❌ No wrist rest

     

    8. Xpg summoner

    Switch: Cherry MX silver, red, blue

    Size: full size

    Weight: 951g

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: detachable wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 9,749

    Adata’s XPG summoner is a full sized mechanical keyboard which offers a very comfortable wrist rest and a handy volume knob. 

    The top is made up of sandblasted aluminum that gives it a sturdy feel and a great look. It has a great metal volume wheel on the top right. Even with all that metal the keyboard feels light and easy to handle.

    The XPG summoner comes with Cherry MX silver, red, blue so there’s a lot to choose from. It’s great for gaming as well as for typing because you can just choose between the clicky or linear switches.

    One of the best features of XPG summoner is the faux-leather wrist rest. It looks and feels really great and can be attached or detached easily because of the magnets.

    The board features full RGB lighting and doubleshot keycaps. The lighting can be adjusted directly from the board as there is no companion software provided. The macros can be  set in this way as well. But setting them this way can be confusing to some.

    ✔️ Great variety of switches

    ✔️ comfortable wrist rest

    ❌ No companion software

     

    9. Corsair K68

    Switch:  Cherry MX red, Cherry MX blue

    Size: full size

    Weight: 1.41 Kilograms

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: detachable wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 12,199

    Corsair k68 is a great mechanical keyboard that can work as both a gaming keyboard as well as a productivity tool. It is well built and comes with full RGB lighting and there’s also a more affordable red led variant. It is versatile as it comes in both Cherry MX blue and red switches, so you can have the clicky blue switches or the quieter red ones.

    The body is completely made out of plastic, which feels decent and robust as it doesn’t have any flex to it. The keycaps are made of ABS and are doubleshot. The keyboard is also rated IP32 for dust and water resistance.

    The board has full RGB lighting, the lighting can be customized in the iCUE software. If the RGB variant is too expensive you can always opt for the affordable red led variant.

    The keyboard offers dedicated media keys to play/pause, skip tracks or you can even control the volume. There’s a windows lock key which is a boon for gamers. All of the keys can be reconfigured by using the iCUE software.

    ✔️ Dedicated media keys

    ✔️ Great typing experience

     

    10. HP Omen Sequencer 2VN99AA

    Switch:  LK optical-mechanical blue switches

    Size: full size

    Weight: 830 Grams

    Connectivity: Wired USB

    Backlights: 16.8 million color RGB

    Keycap: doubleshot ABS

    Wrist rest: no wrist rest

    Price: ₹ 10,999

    Hp omen sequencer is a full sized mechanical keyboard that boasts its experimental optical switches. At first glance it makes a great impression with its metallic black design and a ton of features.

    It has an anodized aluminium frame giving it a sturdy and reliable feel. On top of this aluminium frame are the black keys and a large metal volume roller. It has a sort of asymmetric design with those angled edges.

    The omen sequencer has  LK optical blue switches which are similar to Cherry MX blue switches but have less travel distance because of their optical nature. While the cherry switches operate purely on mechanical means these opt for optical means for actuation. Omen sequencer claims that this method reduces the response time drastically.

    It has full RGB lighting which can be customized by using the HP Omen software. There are five programmable macro keys placed on the left. But you cannot assign macros to any of the other keys.

    ✔️responsive optical keys

    ✔️ cool volume controller

    ❌ simplistic companion software

     

    Frequently asked questions

     

    1. What are Keyboard sizes (40%, 60%, TKL etc.)?

    The keyboard size generally refers to the number of keys on the keyboard.A standard (or 100%) keyboard has 104 keys, a TenKeyLess removes the Number Pad Cluster and a 60% Removes the Nav Cluster and arrow keys. A 40% board also removes the number row. There are more sizes, such as 30% or 50%, although they’re less defined. 

    2. I want to build a keyboard but know absolutely nothing about the process, where do I start?

    Check out this reddit field, pretty good stuff to get started with.

    3. Are there other switches besides Cherry? 

    Yes. There are several types of mechanical switches but the Cherry brand is the most prevalent. Some other good switches include topre and kailh.

    4. How can I replace the keycaps?

    You can use a tool called keycap puller to pull out the keys. These keycap pullers are often bundled with the keyboards.

    5. What switches are the best for gaming?

    For gaming you would need something with tactical feedback, your best bet would be Cherry MX brown, Cherry MX blue or topre switches.

    6. What kind of keycaps do I need for backlit keyboards?

    For backlit keyboards doubleshot keycaps and pudding keycaps are recommended as they propagate light properly.

     

    So which mechanical keyboard should you opt for?

     

    Believe it or not mechanical keyboards are here to stay as they appeal to everyone, from hardcore gamers to grealty focused typists. And they are getting affordable every passing day! We are seeing some great feature packed boards at an affordable price.

    Before buying a mechanical keyboard decide for what purpose you will be using it. Go for tactile blue switch keyboards if you chose gaming as that tactile feedback from the keyboard could make a great difference in the experience. Go for linear red switch or speed silver switch keyboards if you will be using your keyboard for just typing or programming, these are fast, responsive and quiet  offering a great productive experience.

    And that’s it we’ve gone through some of the best mechanical keyboard fitting in all budgets, now time to flex those RGB lights!

     

     

  • Best over the ear headphones in India 2021

    Best over the ear headphones in India 2021

    When you are looking to buy some good headphones, it’s difficult to get a straight answer. Few product categories are as diverse as the headphones market. That just makes searching for the best headphones a daunting task! In-ears, on-ears, over-ears—there’s just so much to choose from.

    Over the ear headphones are a great choice for people that are looking for a great immersive experience as these varieties often come with great active noise cancellation. Great over the ear headphones takes the traditional headphone design and stuffs all the modern feature rich goodness. They come in wired and wireless varieties and often are overloaded with convenient features! Over-ear headphones have an easier job reproducing accurate audio across the frequency spectrum, from sub-bass to treble notes thanks to their large drivers.

    We at techoids have curated a list of best over the ear headphones to help you choose! Whether you are looking for a budget friendly casual option or a studio grade audiophile’s dream, this list is sure to have a perfect pair for you!

     

    Why opt for over the ear headphones?

    Over the ear headphones rest around the entirety of the ear, so the sound waves hit your ears at proper spots. Due to this the anatomy of the ear is efficiently used to funnel the sounds down your ears. That is why they do a better job of recreating auditory spaces than other types of headphones.

    These headphones usually include large drivers which contribute to loud bass notes and overall accurate audio that small headsets and earphones struggle to achieve.

    Another advantage is that these headphones sit more comfortably around your ears as compared to other varieties. They also have better battery life than smaller headphone options.

     

    Why over the ear headphones might not be for you?

    The biggest con of these headphones stem from their size. They include large drivers that give exceptional performance but lack portability. These lack compactness as wired earphones or earbuds do. They can take up a lot of room in your bag or other carrying environment.

    Some of these headphones lack breathability as the ears are completely covered to block ambient noises, they are often not comfortable for long listening sessions.

     

    Open back vs closed back headphones: which ones are right for you?

     

     

    open back headphones

    Open back headphones allow air to pass through their ear cups towards the speaker. The outer part of the ear cups have gaps that allow air and sound to freely pass through the ear cup. Open back headphones can’t block the ambient noises, they also can leak audio so they are not the choice if you will be using them at work or outside.

    Many high end headphones have an open back because a perforated housing eliminates pressure buildup and encourages a more natural sound that’s ideal for critical listening and on top of that they are extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods.

     

    closed back headphones

    Closed back headphones have completely blocked out ear cups, even though this makes the music less natural-sounding, it does a great job at blocking ambient noises. These are the best choices when you will be commuting or travelling a lot.

    Due to their closed nature they lack breathability and might be uncomfortable for some people. The music studios often prefer closed back headphones for recording or mixing sessions. They let you track quiet instruments or voices without worrying that the sound from the headphones will get picked up by your mic.

     

    Features you need to look out for:

     

    Noise cancelling

    Noise cancelling is a feature that utilizes small microphones around the device to sense the ambient noise around you and then tries to virtually eliminate it.

    It provides better immersion and is ideal for anyone who travels around noisy environments. Being the most sought out feature in a headphone, it usually  bumps up the price of the device.

     

    Noise isolating

    Noise isolation, much like noise cancellation tries to eliminate the ambient noises. It does so by creating seals around the ear canals or the ear cavity, which prevents the environmental noises from entering the ear canal.

    Over the ear headphones usually achieve this by having thick foam covering on the ear pad that blocks the noise.

     

    In line volume controls

    In line volume controls are usually found on top of the cable wire that lets you skip tracks, change volume or stop the music. In case of wireless headphones you can find them on the back of the ear cups.

    Some headphones also include an integrated microphone, which you can use to command a virtual assistant or to attend calls.

     

    Microphone

    While most of the over the ear headphones might not include a dedicated microphone, they can have one integrated on the cable or the device itself.

    A microphone makes things really convenient as you will be able to answer calls and access a virtual assistant directly from your headphones.

     

    Battery life

    Wireless headphones run on lithium based batteries that need recharging from time to time. Over the ear headphones usually have enough room for a hefty battery, you can expect up to 15 hr – 20 hr of runtime from a decent headphone.

     

    Design

    Many over the ear headphones feature folding headbands that add to the portability of the device. If you are looking for a portable option to use for travels make sure to check for the design of the device.

     

    Bluetooth

    Bluetooth is the most common wireless connection solution for wireless headphones. It will allow you to connect devices ranging from smartphones to laptops.

    Bluetooth 5 is the latest running bluetooth version in the market. But most of the headphones might be running on bluetooth 3 or 4.2 as bluetooth 5 is fairly new.

     

    Best wired over the ear headphones:

     

    Sony MDR-ZX110AP Wired Headphones

    Entry level, most affordable headphones from sony!

    Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 120 g | 

    Noise Control: Sound Isolation | 

    Drivers: 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers |

    Microphone Form Factor: With Microphone |

    Current price: ₹ 1,299.00 |

    Sony MDR-ZX110AP are a part of the Sony’s ZX series. They come with 30mm neodymium dynamic drivers which provide great results with many music genres that do not require deep bass notes.

    ZX110AP provides sound isolation features, though it can be a little underwhelming when compared to other headphones in the range.

    The cushions on the ear pads provide a comfortable wearing experience. However the headband provides no additional padding which reduces the comfort level. But still it scores points in weight with its plastic headband construction which do not put any unnecessary pressure on the head.

    The cups are fully foldable and can transform into a swivel design. This makes them easy to travel with.

    The closed back design wraps around the ears and does a decent job at containing sounds. This helps in improving the bass notes as well.

    They have a wide frequency range of 12Hz to 22KHz which brings out detailed notes in music and just overall provides a great experience.

    ✔️ 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers 

    ✔️ Foldable swivel design

    ✔️ In-line microphone and controls

    ❌ No active noise cancellation

     

    Sennheiser HD 300

    Extremely durable and well balanced

    Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 182 Grams  | 

    Noise Control: Noise cancelling  | 

    Drivers: dynamic drivers |

    Microphone Form Factor: No Microphone |

    Current price: ₹3,490 |

    Sennheiser is a renowned brand that is no stranger to great sound quality giving a unique listening experience. Sennheiser’s HD 300 are extremely durable and portable headphones that feature Sennheisers own transducers for a well-balanced sound and powerful, dynamic bass.

    It features big closed ear cups that totally encapsulate your ears. The frame of the headphones is really light and you can use these headphones for hours without any irritation.

    The headphones are foldable so you can just store them easily and use them while travelling. The only downfall is that the headphones do not feature any inline controls or microphone.

    So if you will be using your headphones just for listening to music and need a portable option to use while travelling, Sennheiser’s HD 300 are the option to go for!

    ✔️ Extremely durable and portable

    ✔️ Light frame

    ❌ No inline controls or microphone

     

    Skullcandy S6HSDZ

    A stylish and affordable option from Skullcandy!

    Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 340.19 Grams  | 

    Noise Control: Sound isolation | 

    Drivers: 50 mm Mylar drivers  |

    Microphone Form Factor: No Microphone |

    Current price: ₹4,699 |

    Skullcandy S6HSDZ or hesh 2.0’s most appalling feature is its funky modern design! They feature 50mm large speaker drivers that provide top notch audio quality.

    The leather touch ear pillows offer an irritation free experience while keeping the ears closed from all sides, preventing any sound leaks. This makes it an ideal choice for gamers who demand precision and great sound quality.

    The connecting wire is detachable and has a length of 1.2 metres providing a hassle free experience. It offers a 20-20000 Hz frequency response and has a gold plated 3.5 mm plug.

    The product also comes with a pouch made up of silky soft material.

    ✔️ Great design.

    ✔️ Detachable wire.

     

    Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

    A professional looking studio grade option!

    Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 189.94 Grams  | 

    Noise Control: No noise cancelling | 

    Drivers: 40 mm drivers  |

    Microphone Form Factor: No Microphone |

    Current price: ₹ 4,599.00 |

    Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are no nonsense studio grade professional headphones. They are not good to carry while travelling but are specifically engineered to be used by audiophiles with desktops or in studios.

    ATH-M20x have a simple studio suitable look that might not be appealing to some. They are mostly made out of plastic which makes it light on your head. The oval shaped ear cups have rexine cushions that are comfortable and cover the ears completely.

    The drivers are 40mm in diameter and operate in the frequency response range of 15-20,000Hz. These headphones do not offer any noise cancellation and the noise isolation provided by the closed ear cups is fairly moderate.

    The cable is not detachable and has a length of 3m. The cable has an outer covering of thick aluminium wire making it sturdy and durable. The 3.5mm jack is gold plated providing better efficiency.

    ✔️ Comfortable earcups

    ✔️ Great for studio use

    ❌ No inline controls or microphone

     

    Sennheiser HD 280 PRO

    Great for recording/mastering sessions!

    Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 550 grams   | 

    Noise Control: No noise cancelling | 

    Drivers: 40 mm dynamic drivers  |

    Microphone Form Factor: No Microphone |

    Current price: ₹ 7,544.00 |

    Sennheiser HD 280 PRO are Sennheiser’s most significant closed headphones. These were originally released back in 2003 but still prove to be the best choice when it comes to professional studio headphones.

    HD 280 PRO have 40mm dynamic drivers that are great for recording and mixing sessions.

    The large ear cups do a great job of blocking ambient noise and the sound leakage is close to none. Even though the weight spans over 500 grams they feel comfortable to wear and are ideal for long recording sessions. They even have cushioning on the headband which makes it even more comfortable.

    They feature a non removable wire which has a thick coil wrapping it protecting it from any damage.

    Sennheiser HD 280 PRO has a very professional studio look that might not be the prettiest when it comes to these types of headphones, but this downside gets easily neglected because of its great comfort and performance.

    ✔️ clean audio performance

    ✔️ Comfortable and great fit for long listening sessions.

    ❌ No inline controls

     

    Best wireless over the ear headphones:

     

    Sony WH-XB900N Wireless Headphones

    With exceptional bass and advanced noise cancellation!

    Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 254 grams | 

    Noise Control: Noise cancellation | 

    Drivers: 40 mm drivers  |

    Microphone Form Factor: built in microphone |

    Connectivity: bluetooth and NFC connection |

    Battery life: 28 hours on full charge |

    Current price: ₹ 16,990.00 |

    Sony WH-XB900N falls under Sony’s ‘Extra Bass’ lineup. They feature exceptional bass and great noise cancellation making them the most advanced and expensive product in the extra bass range.

    The body is mostly made up of plastic and has a textured finish to it. The headband features foam padding on the underside and the ear pad cushioning is super soft making it comfortable to wear for long periods. The padding provides satisfactory noise isolation even when noise cancelling is turned off.

    The right ear cup houses the microphone and the touch sensitive control pad while the left one houses all the buttons and ports along with a second microphone.

    They include USB type C cable for charging the headphones. Topping them up will give you enough charge for around 28 hours.

    These headphones are powered by 40mm drivers with a frequency response range of 20-40,000Hz. The connectivity is mainly through bluetooth but you can also use NFC(Near field connection) for quick pairing. It even supports Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri when connected to compatible devices.

    The sound quality is great thanks to the extra bass features and active noise cancellation.

    ✔️ refined bass

    ✔️ Very good battery life

    ❌ Bluetooth 4.2 instead of Bluetooth 5.0

     

    Sennheiser HD 4.50 BT NC

    Elegant minimalist design!

    Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 222 grams | 

    Noise Control: Active noise cancellation | 

    Drivers: 40 mm dynamic drivers  |

    Microphone Form Factor: built in microphone |

    Connectivity: bluetooth and NFC connection |

    Battery life: 19 hours on full charge |

    Current price: ₹ 15,990.00 |

    Sennheiser HD 4.50 BT NC are specifically designed for travellers as it has the best active noise cancellation (labelled by Sennheiser as the NoiseGard) which delivers the renowned Sennheiser sound.

    The headband as well as the ear cups feature soft cushioning that is super comfortable. They score points in portability as the headband is foldable and can snugly fit in the included protective case.

    The NoiseGard does a great job of providing active noise cancellation delivering a rich and vivid experience. The battery life with NoiseGard turned on is a decent 19 hours but can be bumped up to 25 hours if NoiseGard is turned off.

    The controls are conveniently mounted on the earcups. Both the  ear cups also feature microphones that can be used to receive or make calls.

    Sennheiser HD 4.50 BT NC has a sleek minimalist design and is made up of high quality plastic.

    ✔️ Great noise cancelling

    ✔️ Travel-friendly design

     

    JBL E50BT Wireless Headphones

    Versatile headphones for casual use!

    Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 543 grams | 

    Noise Control: No noise cancellation | 

    Drivers: 40 mm drivers  |

    Microphone Form Factor: built in microphone |

    Connectivity: bluetooth |

    Battery life: 20.5 hrs on full charge |

    Current price: ₹ 1,273 |

    JBL E50BT are versatile headphones made for everyday casual use. They provide decent balanced sound and have a robust reliable design.

    The flat and circular ear cups give the headphones a premium look, the headframe is quite sturdy as well and will fit snugly on your head. The ear cups are slightly smaller than expected and might have problems covering large ears. The ear cups lay flat due to the hinges and you can fold these headphones into a compact form.

    These headphones are made for casual use so noise cancellation is not included but the ear cups do a decent job of noise isolation.

    JBL E50BT  headphones have a decent battery life of around 20 hours which makes them decent for long flights or road journeys.

    The headphones can only be connected to other devices wirelessly by using bluetooth but you can also hook them up to a device using the included 3.5mm detachable wire.

    ✔️ Great for casual use

    ✔️ Sturdy and durable build.

    ❌ Poor noise isolation.

     

    Skullcandy Hesh 3

    Headphones with rapid charging feature!

    Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 226 grams | 

    Noise Control: sound isolation | 

    Drivers: 40 mm drivers  |

    Microphone Form Factor: built in microphone |

    Connectivity: bluetooth |

    Battery life: 22 hrs on full charge |

    Current price: ₹ 5,299.00 |

    Hesh 3 features a premium yet subtle look retaining the durability and powerful audio that skullcandy is known for.

    The body is mostly made up of plastic but has a metal headband. The headband and the ear cups have a leather finish and are comfortable to wear for long periods. The ear cups have a swivel design. They fold around the X axis and you can then store them easily.

    Hesh 3 headphones have a V-shaped sound profile that might not be for everyone. They have a well controlled bass level and the treble performance is the most impressive.

    They have an impressive battery life of about 22 hours. Hesh 3 also supports rapid charge which can give you 4 hours of playtime with just only 10 minutes of charge. They come with a USB C port for charging.

    You can use bluetooth to connect Hesh 3 with your devices but a 3.5 mm port is also provided if you want to go the wired way.

    Overall the headphones are for mixed usage.

    ✔️ Long lasting battery life and fast charging.

    ✔️ Decently comfortable and lightweight.

     

    Bose QuietComfort 35 II

    Smart noise cancelling headphones with assistant features!

    Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 235.87 Grams  | 

    Noise Control: Noise cancellation| 

    Drivers: 40 mm drivers  |

    Microphone Form Factor: built in microphone |

    Connectivity: bluetooth |

    Battery life: 20 hrs on full charge |

    Current price: ₹ 29,363.00 |

    Bose QuietComfort 35 II wireless are versatile over the ear headphones from the renowned Bose’s product range. They feature an exceptional noise cancellation performance that can block out most of the background noises in areas of commute.

    Bose QuietComfort 35 II have a great build quality. The ear cups are bulky and the plastic is used densely while building, they are easily able to handle a few drops without sustaining any damage. The headband has a metal frame and is decently flexible. They can churn out long listening sessions without fatigue as the ear cups are well padded.

    These headphones have a neutral, well-balanced sound profile that’s suitable for lots of different types of audio content.

    The Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II have great battery performance, they can run for 20 hours on a single charge.

    The connectivity is through bluetooth. They use bluetooth 4.1 instead of the latest bluetooth 5. They also support wired connectivity.

    ✔️ Outstanding noise isolation and noise cancellation.

    ✔️ Comfortable fit.

     

    Wrapping Up

    When it comes down to it, every person has their preference. Your listening environment and purpose ultimately shapes your choice. These were our top picks for over the ear headphones! We hope that the list helped you choose and narrowed down your search to the perfect pair!

    TL;DR

    Sony MDR-ZX110AP Wired Headphones are overall the best whether you want to use your headphones while commuting or at home.

    But if you want a more portable wireless option go for Sony WH-XB900N Wireless Headphones however these tend to be more expensive.

    Skullcandy Hesh 3  are a great option as well in the wireless category because of their great battery life and rapid charging feature.

    Go for Sennheiser HD 280 PRO if you are an audiophile that craves detailed analysis of every note!