Rankings
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st Gen) is an over-ear wireless headphone delivering industry-leading ANC and up to 24 hours of playback. Its bulkier build and lack of water resistance limit active-use scenarios. Ideal for travelers and office workers seeking premium noise cancellation.
Apple AirPods Max are over-ear headphones delivering industry-leading ANC, 20 hours of battery life, and immersive spatial audio. Their premium weight and lack of multi-device pairing limit comfort and flexibility. They cater to dedicated Apple users who value audio fidelity above all.
JLab's JBuds Lux ANC headphones combine hybrid ANC, 70 hours of battery life, and app-driven EQ customization in a comfortable over-ear design. Limited codec support and higher music-mode latency may deter audiophiles and gamers. Perfect for long-haul commuters and budget-conscious users seeking spatial audio features.
The Soundcore Q20i are budget-friendly over-ear headphones featuring hybrid ANC, long battery life and app-driven EQ customization. They are heavier and provide Hi-Res audio only via a wired connection, which may deter users seeking fully wireless high-fidelity sound. Ideal for travelers and commuters who value long runtime and noise cancellation at a lower price point.
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 combines powerful haptic bass, adjustable digital ANC and a long-lasting battery with rapid charging. The trade-off is a heavyweight design and occasional battery shortfalls. Ideal for bass-enthusiasts and commuters who want immersive sound and multi-device pairing.
The KVIDIO WH304A offers an extraordinary 65-hour playback time, memory-foam comfort, and transparency mode with hybrid ANC. It lacks true active ANC and feels cheap due to its plastic chassis, with no app for sound tuning. Perfect for budget-focused listeners who prioritize battery life over premium features.
The Soundcore Q20i are budget over-ear headphones offering hybrid ANC, long battery life and app-driven EQ customization. They are heavier and provide Hi-Res audio only via a wired connection, which may deter users seeking fully wireless high-fidelity sound. Ideal for travelers and commuters who value long runtime and noise cancellation at a lower price point.
The Movssou E7 Basic C are affordable over-ear headphones featuring active noise cancellation, 45 mm drivers and up to 30 hours of battery life. Their low price and long endurance are offset by a bass-heavy sound signature, cheap build and lack of water resistance. Best suited for budget-conscious travelers and commuters who prioritize battery life over high-fidelity audio.
The KVIDIO headphones deliver long battery life, adjustable ANC and a quick-charge feature at an affordable price. Their ANC is basic and sound leakage can be noticeable, making them less suitable for very noisy environments. Ideal for budget-conscious travelers and students who need decent ANC and long playback.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 hours | 40 hours | 40 hours | 24 hours | 50 hoursbest | 30 hours | 40 hours | 40 hours | 24 hours | |
— | 70 hoursbest | 60 hours | 40 hours | 60 hours | — | 70 hoursbest | 70 hoursbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 384.9 g | 235 gbest | 259 g | 260 g | 558 g | 349 g | 272 g | 349 g | 250 g |
| ↓ lower better | 5 minutesbest | 10 minutes | 5 minutesbest | 10 minutes | 10 minutes | — | 5 minutesbest | 5 minutesbest | 15 minutes |
— | 40 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm | 45 mmbest | 40 mm | 40 mm | — | |
— | — | — | — | 20,000 Hzbest | — | — | — | — | |
16 Ω | 16 Ω | 16 Ω | — | 32 Ωbest | — | — | 32 Ωbest | — | |
15 m | 9 m | 10 m | 30 mbest | 30 mbest | — | — | 10 m | 9 m |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(3) | |||||||||
Battery Life (ANC On) (hours) | 20 hours | 40 hours | 40 hours | 24 hours | 50 hours | 30 hours | 40 hours | 40 hours | 24 hours |
Battery Life (ANC Off) (hours) | — | 70 hours | 60 hours | 40 hours | 60 hours | — | 70 hours | 70 hours | — |
Quick Charge Time (minutes) | 5 minutes | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | 10 minutes | 10 minutes | — | 5 minutes | 5 minutes | 15 minutes |
Connectivity(3) | |||||||||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Bluetooth Range (m) | 15 m | 9 m | 10 m | 30 m | 30 m | — | — | 10 m | 9 m |
Multipoint Pairing | false | true | true | — | true | — | true | — | true |
Controls(1) | |||||||||
Touch Controls | false | — | — | false | — | true | — | — | — |
Audio(6) | |||||||||
Noise Cancellation Type | Active Noise Cancelling | Hybrid ANC | Active | Active | Digital | Active | Hybrid Active | Active | Active |
Driver Size (mm) | — | 40 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm | 45 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm | — |
Frequency Response (Hz) | — | 20-20000 Hz | 20-20000 Hz | 20-20000 Hz | 20000 Hz | 20-20000 Hz | — | 20-20000 Hz | — |
Impedance (Ω) | 16 Ω | 16 Ω | 16 Ω | — | 32 Ω | — | — | 32 Ω | — |
Supported Audio Codecs | — | SBC, AAC | — | — | — | — | — | HFP, A2DP, AVRCP, HSP | SBC, AAC |
Microphone Count | 9 | 5 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 1 |
Build & Design(1) | |||||||||
Weight (g) | 384.9 g | 235 g | 259 g | 260 g | 558 g | 349 g | 272 g | 349 g | 250 g |
General(1) | |||||||||
Warranty (years) | 1 years | 2 years | 1.5 years | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | — | 1 years |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the AirPods Max for its industry-leading ANC, long 20-hour battery life even with spatial features active, and the new Adaptive Audio and Bluetooth 5.3 upgrades in the second-generation model, while noting its premium price and Apple-centric design.
Everyday owners praise the immersive Spatial Audio and the battery endurance that covers long trips, but many complain about the noticeable weight and the lack of multi-device Bluetooth pairing, describing the headphones as best suited for dedicated Apple users.
“good for the price”
“very clear”
“won't "drag ears down" even after hours”
Select AirPods Max for Apple-centric features and immersive Spatial Audio; select Bose QuietComfort Ultra for slightly longer battery and a lighter package.
Select Crusher ANC 2 for battery longevity and bass immersion; choose Beats Studio Pro for Apple-centric users and better call performance.
Pick Bose for lighter weight, stronger ANC, and spatial audio; pick AirPods Max if you prioritize Apple ecosystem and premium build.
Everyday users consistently commend the headphones for their marathon battery life, comfortable Cloud Foam design, and the flexibility of the JLab app's EQ customization. The adjustable headband and multipoint Bluetooth are also highlighted as convenient features, while the lack of a 3.5 mm jack and modest codec selection are common points of disappointment.
Professional reviewers highlight the Q20i's strong hybrid ANC, long battery life, and the inclusion of Hi-Res audio support via the AUX cable as standout features for a budget model. They also commend the app's EQ customization and multipoint Bluetooth, while noting that comfort assessments rely on user feedback and spec inconsistencies may cause buyer uncertainty.
Everyday users consistently praise the headphones for their marathon battery life, comfortable ear pads, and punchy bass, while common frustrations revolve around the single call mic, the relatively heavy weight, limited Bluetooth range, and the need to use a wired connection for true Hi-Res audio.
Professional reviewers highlight the Q20i's strong hybrid ANC, long battery life, and the inclusion of Hi-Res audio support via the AUX cable as standout features for a budget model. They also commend the app's EQ customization and multipoint Bluetooth, while noting that comfort assessments rely on user feedback and spec inconsistencies may cause buyer uncertainty.
Everyday users consistently praise the headphones for their marathon battery life, comfortable ear pads, and punchy bass, while common frustrations revolve around the single call mic, the relatively heavy weight, limited Bluetooth range, and the need to use a wired connection for true Hi-Res audio.
Professional reviewers commend the Crusher ANC 2 for its visceral haptic bass, solid ANC that can be tuned with Stay-Aware mode, and impressive battery life with rapid charging. They also note the added value of the Skull-iQ Personal Sound feature, but criticize the heavier chassis, occasional shortfall in advertised battery endurance, and the reliance on a companion app for full functionality.
Everyday users rave about the powerful bass that can be felt, the comfort of the padded earcups, and the long battery life that lasts through a full day. Recurring complaints focus on the headphone's weight, inconsistent ANC in noisy or windy settings, and occasional app or Bluetooth connectivity glitches.
Professional reviewers commend the Movssou E7 for delivering solid ANC, clear call performance and a long 30-hour battery at a budget price. They acknowledge the 45 mm drivers provide satisfying bass and overall clean sound, but note the audio is unbalanced with muddy mids and the controls feel awkward. The build is described as basic, and the inconsistent Bluetooth version listings prevent it from being positioned as a premium offering.
Everyday users repeatedly praise the headphones for their comfort, long battery life and effective ANC that tames airplane or traffic noise. Call quality is frequently highlighted as clear, and the deep bass is enjoyed for casual listening. Common complaints revolve around a bass-heavy, muddy sound signature, awkward button placement, cheap-feel construction and occasional Bluetooth or static issues.
Professional reviewers consistently commend the KVIDIO headphones for their remarkable 65-hour battery life, comfortable memory-foam padding, and balanced sound signature that outperforms many budget rivals. The stable Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint pairing and foldable plastic build are highlighted as practical strengths for travel. Criticisms focus on the absence of active noise cancellation, a basic feature set lacking an EQ app, and a cheap-looking plastic chassis, though durability is praised in road-trip testing.
Everyday users love the ultra-long battery life and the comfort of the memory-foam ear cups, often noting that they can go weeks without charging. The sound is praised for being clear and distortion-free even at high volumes, and the passive isolation is appreciated in quiet settings. Recurring complaints revolve around the cheap plastic feel, missing ANC for noisy environments, limited microphone functionality, and the lack of any sound-customisation app.
Professional reviewers praise the KVIDIO headphones for their outstanding battery longevity, affordable price, and noticeably improved sound quality over previous models. They highlight the adjustable ANC and convenient quick-charge feature as solid value adds, but note that the ANC is basic and does not rival hybrid or adaptive solutions.
Professional reviewers praise the KVIDIO headphones for their outstanding battery longevity, affordable price, and noticeably improved sound quality over previous models. They highlight the adjustable ANC and convenient quick-charge feature as solid value adds, but note that the ANC is basic and does not rival hybrid or adaptive solutions.
Professional reviewers commend the QuietComfort Ultra for its best-in-class ANC, comfortable lightweight build, and innovative CustomTune calibration that keeps sound consistent across different fits. They also note the strong battery performance and robust Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint connectivity, while flagging the bulkier form factor, lack of water resistance, and the fact that a newer generation has already been released.
Users consistently praise the headphones for their comfort, long battery life, and effective noise cancellation that makes commuting and travel pleasant. Common complaints revolve around the bulkiness for active use, occasional bass variability depending on head shape or glasses, and the missing IP rating for sweat-prone activities.
