Edifier WH700NB Pro Review: Killer Sound + Noise Cancellation Under $50?

Let’s be real— for a headphone, most of the time, quality comes with a hefty price tag. That’s why I was pretty excited to stumble upon the Edifier WH700NB Pro, especially when I saw it priced at just $49.99 on Amazon. Yeah, you read that right. For less than fifty bucks, this headphone promises features like active noise cancellation (ANC), long battery life, and decent sound quality. It almost feels too good to be true, doesn’t it?

The Edifier WH700NB Pro isn’t trying to compete with those high-end luxury headphones out there, but it’s definitely making waves in the budget-friendly zone. From its sleek design to its hybrid ANC tech, this headphone seems like it’s packing way more punch than its price suggests. And honestly, for someone who just wants something reliable without breaking the bank, it sounds like a dream come true.

But here’s the thing: before jumping on any hyped-up gadget, I always prefer digging deeper. Sure, the specs look great on paper, but how does it actually perform in real life? Does it feel cheap or flimsy? Is the sound quality as good as they claim? And most importantly, is it worth your hard-earned cash?

Design and Build Quality

The Edifier WH700NB Pro doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel in design, but it brings a fresh vibe to the table. The first thing you’ll notice is its clean, minimalist aesthetic. It’s not flashy or over-the-top, but it has this subtle charm that makes it stand out without screaming for attention. The version I got my hands on was this black color, but you can choose a grey or ivory, which honestly feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the usual sea of black headphones out there. There’s also a sleek gold logo on the earcups that adds just the right amount of sophistication. If you’re into understated elegance, this one’s going to catch your eye.

Now, let’s talk about how it’s built. The frame is mostly plastic, but it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy at all. In fact, it’s surprisingly sturdy. The plastic used here seems like the good kind—smooth, durable, and with a polished finish that gives it a premium look without costing an arm and a leg. On top of that, the headband has a metal reinforcement hidden inside, which adds some extra strength where it matters most.

Speaking of bending, this headphone is super flexible. You can fold it up neatly, making it compact enough to toss into your bag without taking up too much space. And when you do fold it, there’s no annoying creaking or cracking sounds either. Just a smooth, satisfying motion that tells you the hinges are well-made. Some people might wish it came with a carrying case, though. A soft pouch or even a hardshell case would’ve been a nice bonus, especially for those who travel often. Still, the fact that it folds down small means you won’t have trouble fitting it into pretty much any backpack or tote.

The earcups themselves deserve a shoutout. They’re generously padded with memory foam and covered in what feels like artificial leather. These cushions are ridiculously soft—not the kind that feels plasticky or sticky after a few minutes of use. Instead, they mold gently around your ears, creating a snug fit that blocks out some external noise even before you turn on the active noise cancellation (ANC). For folks who wear glasses, these earpads are a win too. They don’t dig into the sides of your head or press uncomfortably against the frames, so you can keep them on for hours without feeling like you need a break.

On the underside of the headband, there’s another layer of cushioning, which is thicker than expected. It’s covered in the same soft material as the earcups, so it rests comfortably on your head without causing any hotspots or irritation. Even after wearing it for long stretches, I didn’t feel like my skull was being squeezed by a vice grip. The clamping force is just right—not too tight, not too loose. It stays put during movement but doesn’t leave you with a headache afterward.

One cool feature is how adjustable everything is. The headband slides smoothly, letting you customize the fit based on the size of your head. Plus, the earcups swivel and rotate slightly, which helps them sit flush against your ears no matter how you position them.

Another standout aspect is the weight—or lack thereof. At just 271 grams, the Edifier WH700NB Pro feels incredibly light on your head. You almost forget you’re wearing it, which is exactly what you want from a pair of headphones meant for extended use.

The buttons and controls are placed thoughtfully too. Everything you need—volume controls, power button, Bluetooth pairing, and ANC switch—is located on the right earcup. Each button is raised slightly, so you can easily find them by touch alone without having to take the headphones off. No fumbling around or accidentally pressing the wrong thing here. There’s even an LED indicator light tucked away discreetly, giving you visual feedback without being distracting.

Connectivity and Software

The Edifier WH700NB Pro uses Bluetooth 5.3, which is one of the latest versions out there. This means the connection is stable, fast, and has minimal lag. Pairing the headphones is super straightforward. There’s no complicated setup process or weird button combos to remember. Just press and hold the Bluetooth button on the right earcup for a few seconds until the LED light starts blinking. Your phone, tablet, or laptop should pick it up almost instantly.

There’s no support for advanced codecs like LDAC or aptX, which might disappoint audiophiles hoping for top-tier wireless sound quality. Instead, it sticks to SBC and AAC, which are standard options. Don’t get me wrong—they work fine for streaming platforms like Apple Music or Spotify Premium. But if you’re looking to squeeze every ounce of detail out of lossless audio files, you might want to use the wired connection instead.

One cool thing about the WH700NB Pro is that it supports multi-device pairing. This means you can connect it to two devices at the same time. For example, you could pair it with both your laptop and your phone. If you’re jamming to some tunes on Spotify and suddenly get a call, the headphones will switch over to your phone seamlessly. Once the call ends, they’ll go right back to playing your music.

Edifier Connect App

Now let’s talk about the app because it adds a nice layer of customization. The Edifier Connect app is available for both Android and iOS, and downloading it gives you access to a bunch of extra features. Setting it up is easy—just open the app, and it recognizes the headphones as soon as they’re turned on. From there, you can tweak settings to suit your preferences. One of the handiest things is being able to adjust the ANC levels directly from the app. You get three options: High, Medium, and Off. There’s also a Transparency Mode toggle, which lets you hear what’s going on around you without taking the headphones off.

Battery status is shown clearly within the app, which is a small but helpful detail. Instead of guessing how much juice is left based on an LED light, you get an exact percentage.

The app also includes preset equalizer profiles. These are pretty basic—you won’t find anything too fancy here—but they do the job. Options like Classic, Rock, Pop, and Game mode let you tailor the sound depending on what you’re doing. If you’re gaming, the Game mode reduces latency slightly, making everything feel more responsive. While these presets aren’t customizable (you can’t drag sliders around to fine-tune the EQ), they still offer enough variety for casual users. Honestly, most people probably won’t feel the need to dive deep into custom settings anyway.

Another neat feature in the app is the Find My Headphones function. Misplacing your headphones happens to everyone, but with this tool, you can locate them easily. Just tap the option in the app, and the headphones emit a beeping sound. It’s loud enough that you’ll hear it even if they’re buried under a pile of clothes or hiding somewhere in your room. Sure, it’s not groundbreaking, but it’s practical and saves you from unnecessary stress.

Latency is worth mentioning too. Thanks to the Bluetooth 5.3 tech, the WH700NB Pro performs decently well in terms of delay. Watching videos or YouTube streams? The audio syncs nicely with the visuals. For gaming, though, results may vary. Casual mobile gamers likely won’t notice much of an issue, especially if you use the Game mode in the app. But if you’re into competitive online games where every millisecond counts, wired headphones might still be the better choice. Still, for everyday use, the wireless performance is reliable and satisfying.

While the software side of things isn’t overly flashy, it gets the job done without unnecessary clutter. Everything feels intuitive, and the app enhances the experience rather than complicating it. Some high-end headphones come with apps that overwhelm you with endless options, but Edifier keeps it simple and functional.

Sound Quality

The Edifier WH700NB Pro might not be the fanciest headphone out there, but when it comes to sound quality, it punches well above its weight for the price. It’s got 40mm dynamic drivers under the hood, which is a solid size for headphones in this range. These drivers deliver a sound that feels balanced and clear without being overly complicated or trying too hard to impress audiophiles.

Let’s start with the bass because everyone loves a little thump, right? The WH700NB Pro doesn’t go overboard with the bass—it keeps things tight and controlled. You won’t get that overwhelming boom that makes everything sound muddy. Instead, the bass has some real punch to it, especially in tracks where the low end matters, like electronic or hip-hop songs. It’s not the deepest bass you’ll ever hear, but it’s satisfying enough to make your favorite beats pop without drowning out the rest of the mix. For example, if you’re listening to something with a heavy kick drum or bassline, you’ll feel it, but it won’t hog all the attention.

Moving up to the mids, this is where vocals and instruments usually shine, and the WH700NB Pro does a decent job here. Vocals come through fairly clearly, though sometimes they can feel just a tiny bit recessed compared to other parts of the track. That means if you’re really focused on how crisp someone’s voice sounds, you might notice it’s not as forward as some pricier headphones. Still, it’s nothing deal-breaking. Most people will find the mids warm and inviting, perfect for genres like pop, rock, or acoustic stuff. If you’re jamming to Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran, their voices sit nicely in the mix without feeling lost.

Now, let’s talk about the highs—the part of the sound that adds sparkle and detail. The WH700NB Pro handles treble pretty well, keeping it bright but not harsh. Cymbals, hi-hats, and even the subtle plucking of guitar strings are easy to pick out. There’s no annoying sizzle or sharpness that makes your ears hurt after long sessions. Instead, the highs feel open and airy, almost like they give the music room to breathe. This openness is great for genres like jazz or classical, where you want to hear every little nuance in the performance.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

The Edifier WH700NB Pro brings hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with up to -43dB noise reduction to the table, which is a big deal for a headphone in its price range, and gives you options when it comes to ANC levels. There are three settings: High, Medium, and Off. The High mode is perfect for places with loud, consistent noise—think trains, buses, or planes. Medium is great for quieter environments, like libraries or coffee shops, where you want some peace but don’t need maximum isolation. And if you’re hanging out at home or somewhere already quiet, you can switch it off entirely. Some headphones only give you one ANC setting, so having this flexibility is a nice touch.

Another cool feature is the Transparency Mode, which basically flips the script on ANC. Instead of blocking out the world, it lets you hear what’s happening around you without taking the headphones off. This is super handy if you’re walking through a crowded area or waiting for an announcement at the airport. The Transparency Mode feels natural—it doesn’t distort voices or make everything sound robotic like some other headphones do. Switching between ANC and Transparency Mode is easy, either through the app or a dedicated button on the earcup.

Now, let’s address something important: comfort while using ANC. Sometimes, aggressive noise cancellation can create a weird sensation called “ear pressure” or “cabin effect,” where it feels like your ears are being squeezed slightly. Thankfully, the WH700NB Pro avoids this issue for the most part. The ANC here is smooth and doesn’t overwhelm your ears, even during long listening sessions. That said, because these aren’t the tightest-sealing over-ear headphones, you might notice a tiny gap between the earcups and your head, especially if you wear glasses. This can slightly reduce the effectiveness of the ANC compared to pricier models with better seals. But honestly, unless you’re comparing it side-by-side with a $300 headphone, you probably won’t mind.

Microphone and Call Quality

The Edifier WH700NB Pro has built-in microphones that handle voice pickup for calls and virtual meetings. These mics are positioned both inside and outside the earcups, which is part of the hybrid design used for active noise cancellation (ANC). While the mic setup isn’t going to blow anyone away, it gets the job done in most everyday scenarios.

First off, the microphones do a decent job of capturing your voice during calls. The sound quality isn’t super crisp or studio-grade, but it’s clear enough for casual conversations. The headphones use AI algorithms to reduce background noise, which helps clean up your audio so it doesn’t sound like you’re shouting from inside a wind tunnel. That said, if you’re in a really noisy environment—like next to construction work or loud traffic—you might still hear some interference bleeding through. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough for quieter settings.

One thing to note is that the microphones can make your voice sound slightly muffled or distant at times. This happens more often in louder environments where the noise-canceling algorithm struggles to balance clarity and background suppression.

Battery Life and Charging

The Edifier WH700NB Pro brings some serious battery life to the table, and it’s one of those features that makes you go, “Wow, they really thought about this.” With ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) turned off, you’re looking at a whopping 56 hours of playback time. That’s like binge-watching your favorite TV show for two days without recharging. Even with ANC switched on, which naturally eats up more juice, you still get around 30 hours of use.

Now, let’s talk about real-world usage because specs are one thing, but how it performs in everyday life is what matters. During testing, the numbers held up pretty well. Listening to music at moderate volumes with ANC enabled, the headphones easily lasted over 25 hours before showing signs of running low. If you crank the volume way up or keep Transparency Mode on for extended periods, you might see that number dip slightly. But honestly, unless you’re blasting tunes at max volume all day, you probably won’t notice much of a difference.

One standout feature is the fast charging. This is where the WH700NB Pro truly shines. Just 10 minutes plugged into a charger gives you roughly 10 hours of playback. Imagine waking up late, realizing your headphones are dead, and then tossing them on the charger while you grab breakfast. By the time you’re done, you’ve got enough power to get you through the day.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

The Edifier WH700NB Pro is one of those products that makes you rethink what’s possible at its price point. Priced at just $49.99 on Amazon, it offers a combination of features and performance that punches way above its weight class. For anyone who needs a reliable pair of headphones for commuting, working from home, or casual listening, this headphone feels like a steal. It doesn’t try to be something it’s not—it’s not aimed at audiophiles chasing the absolute best sound quality or gamers hunting for ultra-low latency. Instead, it focuses on delivering solid everyday value.

It’s hard to find another headphone that matches its mix of ANC, comfort, battery life, and sound quality. Most competitors in this range skimp on key features or deliver subpar build quality. Edifier manages to strike a balance between functionality and cost, making it an excellent pick for budget-conscious buyers.

Now, let’s address some of the downsides because no product is perfect. The microphone quality isn’t stellar—it’s fine for casual calls but might struggle in loud environments. There’s no IP rating for water resistance, so heavy exercisers should think twice before wearing these during intense workouts. And while the app is functional, it lacks advanced customization options like manual EQ adjustments. But honestly, these drawbacks feel minor compared to everything else the WH700NB Pro brings to the table.