If you’re looking for a pair of affordable wireless headphones that deliver outstanding active noise cancellation (ANC), impressive audio quality, and an excellent battery life, the Edifier W820NB Plus headphones might just be what you’re after. I’ve been testing these headphones for the past three weeks, and in this review, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from design and comfort to performance, sound quality, and features. Let’s dive in!
Unboxing the Edifier W820NB Plus
When you unbox the Edifier W820NB Plus, you’ll find:
- The headphones themselves
- A USB Type-C to Type-A charging cable
- A user manual
Right away, you’ll notice that these headphones have a non-foldable design, which means they come in a larger box compared to many foldable models. Despite the larger design, the Edifier W820NB Plus is incredibly lightweight, which is great for extended listening sessions.
Design & Build Quality
The Edifier W820NB Plus headphones have a modern, minimalist design with a matte finish on the plastic exterior. Available in five colors, they’re designed to suit different tastes, and the small Edifier logo on the headband adds a subtle touch.
- Headband: Made of plastic but reinforced with a soft foam insert underneath, ensuring comfort and reduced pressure on your head.
- Ear Cups: The ear cups can pivot and swivel, making it easy to adjust them for a perfect fit or lay them flat for storage.
- Comfort: The memory foam ear pads mold to the shape of your ears, creating a secure seal that enhances noise isolation. The light clamping force ensures the headphones feel comfortable without being too tight.
Despite being lightweight, the build quality feels premium and durable, with no signs of cheap construction.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) Performance
One of the standout features of the Edifier W820NB Plus headphones is their Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology. When powered on, ANC is enabled by default, and it works exceptionally well—perhaps even better than some more expensive models on the market.
With a noise cancellation depth of up to -43 decibels, the WH-20NB Plus can effectively block out annoying outdoor noises, whether you’re in a bustling city, on public transport, or working in a noisy office.
During indoor testing, I was impressed by how well the headphones eliminated external sounds. Whether gaming, listening to music, or watching videos, the headphones provided a truly immersive experience. The high-quality memory foam ear pads also contribute to the noise isolation, ensuring that you can focus entirely on your media.
Ambient Sound Mode
The Edifier W820NB Plus also features an Ambient Sound Mode, which allows you to hear the sounds around you when necessary. This is especially useful when you need to be aware of your surroundings, such as when walking outside or listening for announcements at an airport.
What’s great is that you can adjust the amount of outside noise allowed in through the Edifier app, ensuring that you can fine-tune how much sound you want to hear.
Bluetooth Connectivity & Battery Life
The Bluetooth 5.2 technology ensures a fast and stable connection with your device. I didn’t experience any signal drops or stuttering during my testing, and the range is excellent, even in environments with some interference.
When it comes to battery life, the Edifier W820NB Plus excels:
- With ANC turned on, you’ll get up to 33 hours of playback.
- With ANC off, you can enjoy up to 49 hours of music on a single charge.
- Plus, there’s a fast-charging function—a quick 10-minute charge gives you up to 7 hours of playback.
For most users, this is more than enough for extended daily use, and the fast-charging feature ensures you won’t be left waiting long for a battery boost.
Microphone Quality
The microphone quality is solid for calls and video conferences. While it’s not on par with the high-end microphones of premium models, it’s clear and loud enough for casual conversations, online meetings, and gaming. In-game communication is clear, but if you’re looking for studio-level mic performance, there may be some room for improvement.
Audio Quality: High-Res Sound Performance
Now let’s talk about what matters most—audio quality. For the price, the Edifier W820NB Plus offers an impressive listening experience.
- Sound Signature: These headphones feature a balanced sound profile, with crisp highs, clear mids, and deep bass that never overpowers the rest of the sound.
- High-Resolution Audio: When listening to high-res audio files, the sound quality stands out. The mid-range clarity is exceptional, with instruments clearly separated, and the treble is sharp without being piercing.
It’s important to note that high-res audio quality is best experienced with lossless audio files. If you’re using a service like Spotify, you won’t get the full benefit of these headphones. For the best sound, consider using services like Amazon Music or Tidal, which support high-resolution audio.
While the audio is generally great, I did find that the volume intensity could be a bit more intense at times. This may be due to the app not sending enough volume to the headphones, but it’s a minor quibble in an otherwise excellent listening experience.
Additional Features: Gaming Mode & App Controls
The Edifier W820NB Plus is also equipped with a gaming mode that reduces latency, ensuring smooth audio during gameplay. This mode minimizes lag, providing a more satisfying and immersive experience while gaming.
The Edifier app also allows you to easily switch between various modes and adjust the ANC settings, making these headphones even more versatile.
Should You Buy the Edifier W820NB Plus?
Yes, absolutely! If you’re looking for a pair of affordable headphones with top-notch ANC, excellent battery life, and superb audio quality, the Edifier W820NB Plus is definitely worth considering. Here’s why:
- Competitive Pricing: These headphones offer premium features at a budget-friendly price.
- Solid Build: Lightweight and durable, with a comfortable fit for long listening sessions.
- Great ANC: One of the best in its price range, blocking out ambient noise effectively.
- Impressive Sound: High-res audio support with a balanced sound profile makes them perfect for audiophiles on a budget.
- Long Battery Life: Up to 49 hours of playback, with a fast-charging feature to keep you going.
If you’re in the market for noise-canceling headphones that don’t break the bank, the Edifier W820NB Plus should definitely be on your radar.
