As South Africans, we’re always looking for ways to optimise and improve our homes in order to be as self-sufficient as possible. Being less reliant on the electricity grid is one such challenge, but thankfully, with a number of great rechargeable and battery-powered devices, we can still enjoy the little joys without being bummed out by a massive electricity bill.
Ear-candy
On the days when you’re looking to dive into a luxury listening experience, the 1000X The Collection headphones (find the best price here) bring Sony’s most refined noise-cancelling design to the line-up. Premium materials and considered craftsmanship extend to a generously proportioned earcup design, letting them rest over the ears without pressure, so longer listening sessions stay comfortable.
A bespoke driver unit, developed with input from mastering engineers, delivers balanced lows, natural vocals, and clear highs, while 360 Upmix modes expand music, film, and games into a fuller, more immersive sound, without extra speakers plugged in. At the centre of it all is the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3, processing seven times faster than its QN1 predecessor and coordinating twelve microphones in real time for a marked improvement in noise cancelling, sound quality, and call clarity.
They’re designed for convenience as much as sound: pair two Bluetooth devices at once, with automatic switching when a call or track starts on either, and keep listening even while the headphones are connected to a charger. A 24-hour battery life covers most winter evenings outright, and a five-minute charge buys another 1.5 hours of playback. The headphones will be available in Platinum and Black in South Africa from August.
Block out the world and save the grid:
When you need to tune out, whether it’s noisy housemates, a looming deadline, or the wind howling outside, the Sony WF-1000XM6 (find the best price here) earbuds offer a more efficient alternative to running a power-hungry soundbar all evening. They’re just as useful for the commute or a load-shedding-lit evening in, when a bit of quiet goes a long way.
These earbuds deliver the world’s best noise-cancelling performance, with a 25% improvement over their WF-1000XM5 predecessor. The HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3e and four microphones per earbud tune out ambient chaos with precision, while Hi-Res Audio Wireless, DSEE Extreme, 360 Reality Audio, and a 10-band EQ round out the audiophile side of things.
Two features matter most when you’re watching your power bill:
- Battery Care. Switch it on in the Sony | Headphones Connect app to stop charging just before 100%, extending the battery’s long-term health.
- Ultra-fast top-ups. Three minutes on a USB-PD compatible AC adapter buys three hours of playback: maximum music, minimal time on the grid.
Big Sound, Small Power Draw
Hosting friends, or simply determined not to let a cold evening dampen the atmosphere? Indoor sundowners and braai season don’t have to pause for winter, and the ULT Field 5 portable speaker (find the best price here) delivers atmosphere without a cable running to the wall.
Driven by an X-Balanced Speaker Unit and ULT POWER SOUND, it produces deep, punchy bass and clear vocals, with a dedicated ULT button that toggles between ULT1 (deep, low-end rumble) and ULT2 (sharper, heavier bass). Its built-in 360° Party Lighting casts a warm ambient glow, so the overhead lights can stay off while the mood stays warm.
- All-night endurance. Up to 25 hours of playback on a single charge.
- Panic charge. Ten minutes on the charger buys 100 minutes of playtime, enough to top up off-peak and keep the evening going.
The ULT Field 5 is available in Black and Off White.
The smart way through winter
Getting through the colder months without watching your bank balance drop due to pricey electricity bills is about being deliberate with the tech you run and when you run it. Switch to devices that charge fast and run efficiently off battery power, and your winter stays entertaining, well-lit, and comfortably loud, all while keeping the tariff hikes at arm’s length.
