Review: Edifier W820NB Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Introduction

The Edifier W820NB noise-cancelling headphones are a recent addition from audio/hi-fi hardware manufacturer Edifier to the crowded Bluetooth headphones market. This model features noise cancellation, an increasingly popular feature! With competing offerings from well-known brands such as Sony, Bose, Sennheiser and others, will the W820NB live up to its promises? Let's find out.

 

Edifier W820NB Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones Specifications

Key specifications:

• Hi-Res Audio standard
• Active noise cancellation technology
• Ambient sound mode
• Built-in microphone
• DNN (deep neural network) noise cancellation
• Large driver with titanium diaphragm
• Low latency for game mode
• Up to 49 hours continuous playback
• Lightweight headset assures comfortable fit

 

In the Box

The box contains the following:

• USB-C cable
• Quick start manual
• The Edifier W820NB headphones

 

 

First Impressions

Despite costing just 60 euros, the headphones feel solid. Both the headband and ear cups make generous use of memory foam, making them very comfortable to wear, even for several hours at a time. This is helped by the W820NB's low weight: just 220 grams, so nobody could call them heavy. Alongside the memory foam, the adjustable headband (nothing unusual in itself) and tilting ear cups help you find the ideal ‘ear cup configuration’ to fully enclose both ears. This is important for keeping ambient noise out, working in tandem with the active noise cancellation itself. More on that shortly.

All in all, a good first impression!

Everyday Use

In everyday use, the headphones perform admirably. Whether it is overall audio quality or filtering out external noise, they are a pleasure to use. Thanks to the over-ear design, noise cancellation (more on that below) works extremely well with both general ambient noise and specific sounds such as public transport, people talking and so on.
The sound is well balanced across the frequency range: bass and mids have a strong presence without sounding ‘sluggish’, while the treble is kept at a good level.

 

Controls

The external controls are limited to a main on / off button, volume up / down and a button selecting ambient noise / noise-cancelling off / noise-cancelling on. The volume up / down can also be used for next / previous when playing music, while the main power switch can be used to handle phone calls as well.

Audio Quality

As mentioned in the ‘Everyday Use’ section, audio quality is what you would expect from headphones in this price and quality bracket. While not amazing, it is still very good. I compared the W820NB with one of Bose's recent noise-cancelling models (which cost around 5 times as much), and while there was a difference (the Bose headphones were even better balanced), the gap was not huge.

Wearing comfort

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is one of the key features the manufacturer promotes with this product, and it certainly does not disappoint. If you have never used over-ear noise-cancelling headphones before, the initial impression is like a vacuum where background noise used to be. Outdoors, there is always sound from traffic, people, nature, construction work and everything else. This is dampened in a way that feels truly strange at first. Soon, though, the value of noise cancellation becomes clear: blocking out unwanted noise and providing a peaceful environment.

Microphone Performance

With Bluetooth connectivity, the headphones can be used for phone calls and online calls via Teams / Zoom and similar services. Microphone quality is surprisingly good, considering it is built into the headphones rather than being a separate microphone like those found on gaming headsets.

Edifier Connect App

The app is called Edifier Connect, and it is adequate but limited: it offers the same controls as the headphones, such as switching noise cancellation and ambient sound on or off. There is also a battery level indicator.

Conclusion

There is little to complain about with the Edifier W820NB headphones. Their core strengths—audio quality, noise cancellation and battery life—are major selling points. Extras such as the app, HD audio over USB and USB-C charging also work well.
In short, if you want headphones with pleasing sound quality, effective noise cancellation, a comfortable fit and excellent battery life without breaking the bank, look no further: this is the pair for you. At 60 euros, they are a bargain.