Edifier WH950NB (2026) review: The best over-ear headphones under 150 euros?

Edifier has revised the WH950NB and is launching a new 2026 version, which should score points above all with a drastically increased battery life, a modern Bluetooth standard and improved ANC. This Edifier WH950NB (2026) test shows whether the model delivers what Edifier promises and where the 2026 version has really improved on its predecessor (our test).

Technical data of the Edifier WH950NB (2026)

The product	WH950NB (2026)
Headphone type	Over-ear headphones
Bluetooth version	5.4
Bluetooth codecs	LDAC, SBC
Drivers	40 mm, dynamic drivers
Frequency range	20 – 40,000 Hz
Special features	Active Noise Cancellation with transparency mode, LDAC (Hi-Res Audio Wireless), Multipoint (only without LDAC)
Battery life	without ANC: 80 hours, with ANC: 45 hours
Charging time	1.5 hours, 10 minutes quick charge for 7 hours of playback
Connections	3.5 mm jack, USB-C
Size	193 x 169 x 82 mm (L x W x H)
weight	296 g
Colors	Black, ivory
Scope of delivery	Over-ear headphones, USB-C to USB-A cable, jack cable, airplane adapter, carrying case, user manual
Price	€ 129.99 *

Edifier WH950NB (2026) Review: design and workmanship unchanged

At first glance, the Edifier WH950NB makes a solid, grown-up impression. The matt housing is available in black or ivory/white and bears only a discreet Edifier logo. No high-gloss accents, no eye-catching branding. The WH950NB is hardly noticeable in the office or on the train. If you’re looking for an eye-catcher, you won’t find it here, but this seems like a deliberate design decision for a model that should be inconspicuous in everyday life.
Visually, nothing has changed compared to the first generation.

If you want to recognize the new version in the store, you have to look out for the “80h” print on the packaging. This can be criticized, but at the same time it shows that the original design still works today and does not look outdated. Beneath the simple surface is a lot of engineering work. Steel reinforcements in the hinges and temples ensure durability. Nothing rattles, nothing wobbles. The folding mechanism works smoothly and inspires confidence even after many folds. The ear pads made of protein leather over memory foam can be replaced without tools using the snap-on mechanism, which considerably extends the service life of the headphones. This is not a matter of course for models in this price range.

IP certification is missing. Caution is therefore advised in the rain or during intensive sport. This is acceptable for everyday headphones for commuting, working from home and traveling, but it limits the range of applications for sports use or unsafe weather.

In terms of comfort, the WH950NB is one of the best in the under 150 euro class. The memory foam padding with soft synthetic leather and the padded headband evenly distribute the weight of 296 grams. The contact pressure is just right: tight enough for a good seal, loose enough for hours of wear without pressure points. People who wear glasses will have no problems. The headphones can slip when you move your head quickly, which is why they are only suitable for joggers to a limited extent. And as with all over-ears, it gets warm around the ears in summer.

The scope of delivery is a positive surprise: USB-C cable, 3.5 mm AUX cable, airplane adapter and hard case. The airplane adapter is often not found, even on much more expensive models.

The new features of the Edifier WH950NB (2026)

The 2026 version, also known as Gen 2 or New Version, features Bluetooth 5.4 instead of the older first-generation standard. In practice, this ensures a more stable connection and slightly lower energy consumption, without the difference being dramatic in everyday use.

The most significant improvement is the battery life. Without ANC activated, it is up to 80 hours, with ANC around 45 to 50 hours. This puts the WH950NB well ahead of its predecessor and puts it at the top of its price range. The quick-charging function has also been revised: 10 minutes at the socket should be enough for 7 hours of operation, a full charge takes 1.5 hours.

The ANC has been expanded to up to 49 dB attenuation and, according to Edifier, is one of the most significant improvements over the first generation. In addition, there is a revised transparency mode and a newly integrated wind noise mode, which brings significant advantages when making phone calls outdoors. Spatial Sound is also new in Gen 2. Google Fast Pair considerably simplifies the initial connection on Android devices: hold your smartphone close, confirm the connection suggestion and you’re done. A small feature, but one that saves real time in everyday life.

Features of the Edifier WH950NB (2026)

The ear cups contain 40 mm dynamic drivers with a titanium-coated PET composite membrane. The frequency range extends from 20 Hz to 40 kHz, which forms the basis for Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification.

In terms of codecs, Edifier relies on LDAC for Hi-Res audio with up to 990 kbps and SBC. AAC is missing. You will also search in vain for aptX in all its variants. For iPhone users, this means that without AAC, only the basic SBC codec remains, which is a real shortcoming. Android users with LDAC-capable smartphones, on the other hand, benefit from a noticeable improvement in sound quality.

Multipoint connections to two devices at the same time are possible, but LDAC must be deactivated for this. So if you switch between your laptop and smartphone every day, you have to decide whether sound quality or convenience is more important to you. In everyday home office use, Multipoint with SBC has proven to be a practical compromise for most scenarios. Four ENC microphones capture speech during phone calls, supplemented by a wind noise mode that reduces disruptive noise during outdoor calls.

The Edifier ConneX companion app is clearly structured and self-explanatory. The ANC adjustment now offers eight levels in Gen 2. Three of these are relevant for most users: full ANC, transparency and ANC off. If you want, you can go deeper. The 4-band equalizer offers presets such as Classic and Dynamic as well as a Custom option, although the effect remains limited. Audiophiles who want to tweak every frequency response will want more bands. But it’s enough for everyday use.

Other app functions include modes for music, low-latency gaming and theater, as well as multipoint management, LDAC switching, safe volume function, timer and firmware updates.

Battery life and operation

Edifier consistently relies on physical controls. Volume and track buttons are located on the right ear cup: a short press adjusts the volume, a long press changes the track. The central multifunction button handles play/pause, power, pairing and calling up the voice assistant. There is a separate ANC button on the left-hand side for quickly switching between modes.

The concept works reliably and without operating errors. The buttons can be felt blindly. No accidental pauses, no unintentional jumping between songs, which is a clear advantage over the often frustrating touch surfaces of some competitors. Those who like gesture control will not like it. Those who prioritize reliable operation will appreciate it.

The promised 80 hours of battery life without ANC can hardly be fully utilized in everyday use because ANC is almost always at least partially active. With ANC permanently activated, the actual runtimes were around 45 to 50 hours, which means that the headphones hardly need to be plugged into the charging cable for an entire working week. This is a real argument for frequent travelers. The Bluetooth range is up to ten meters, which is sufficient for all common everyday situations. In rooms with walls between the headphones and the source, experience has shown that one to two meters are lost, which is not a specific feature of the WH950NB.

Sound quality, ANC and microphones

The 40 mm drivers with titanium-coated PET composite diaphragm deliver a balanced signature that has proven to be consistently pleasant after several weeks of intensive use. The bass is clean and controlled without pushing itself to the fore. Many mid-range headphones inflate the bass range excessively, but the WH950NB does not. The bass lines in electronic music come across with real substance, without drowning out the mids and highs. If you’re looking for a bass monster, you won’t find it here, and that is expressly meant as praise.

The mids remain clear and present, voices sound natural and well defined. Podcasts and audio books benefit from this, as does vocal music. The treble sounds detailed without being piercing, which is important for longer sessions: the WH950NB does not tire. The sound stage is surprisingly wide for a closed over-ear and individual instruments can be easily located in the room.

The headphones unfold their full potential via LDAC on Android devices. The Hi-Res transmission with up to 990 kbps and a frequency response of up to 40 kHz provides audibly more fine detail than the basic SBC codec, especially in the treble and transients. If you use Tidal, Amazon Music HD or Qobuz and have an LDAC-capable Android device, you will really notice the difference with good recordings. The WH950NB doesn’t come close to the detailed resolution and airiness of a Sony WH-1000XM6, which would simply be unfair to expect with a price difference of well over 300 euros. For its price range, the Edifier sounds broader and more natural than many of its direct competitors.

However, iPhone users will have to make do with SBC, as neither AAC nor aptX are supported. This is a real shortcoming that Apple users should be aware of before making a purchase. The difference in sound between SBC and LDAC is audible, even if the WH950NB still sounds good even with SBC. Those who prefer to tweak the sound can access the 4-band equalizer via the ConneX app and call up presets such as Classic, Dynamic or Bass. The effect is there, but limited. Audiophiles will want more bands, but the range is sufficient for the average user.

Powerful active noise suppression

The 2026 generation delivers the most noticeable leap in ANC compared to its predecessor. Edifier claims an attenuation of up to 49 dB, and this is noticeable in everyday use. Low-frequency continuous noise sources such as train engines, air conditioning systems, aircraft cabins and road traffic are effectively reduced to a pleasant minimum. Anyone who commutes daily or works a lot in open-plan offices will quickly come to appreciate the ANC. The noise of the fan in the home office disappears almost completely, the whirring of the subway becomes a distant backdrop.

As expected, ANC reaches its limits with medium frequencies, i.e. human voices or ringing telephones nearby. Voices become quieter, but not muted. This is not a failure of the WH950NB, but is due to physical reasons and also applies to competitors above the 300 euro mark. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 (our test) or Sony WH-1000XM6 filter ambient noise even more effectively, especially in the mid-range frequencies. The Sony WH-1000XM6 also works more precisely. If you work in an open-plan office with lots of conversations and expect complete acoustic isolation, you should consider the price range above. Anyone looking for occasional quiet on the train or in the home office will get a great tool for the money here.

The eight ANC levels in the app sound like they can be finely adjusted, but in practice three modes are sufficient: full ANC, transparency and ANC off. Ambient mode passes through ambient noise naturally and without any noticeable coloration, which is practical for having short conversations or understanding announcements without having to take off the headphones. The wind noise mode noticeably reduces high-frequency wind noise during phone calls outdoors.

The four ENC microphones leave a positive impression in everyday phone use. Interlocutors hear your voice clearly and naturally as long as you are in a quiet to moderately loud environment. In very loud scenarios, such as on a busy train platform or in a restaurant, the quality decreases. This is not a unique selling point of the WH950NB, but applies to almost all headphones in this price range. If you make long phone calls every day, the WH950NB is a much better choice than many cheaper competitors that skimp on microphone quality.

Edifier WH950NB (2026) Review: Conclusion

The Edifier WH950NB (2026) is a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. Behind the inconspicuous, visually unchanged exterior is a much more mature product than its predecessor. The almost doubled battery life is the flagship: up to 50 hours with active ANC means that the headphones practically never need to be connected to the charging cable during the week. Anyone who commutes, works from home or travels a lot will feel this benefit every day.

The ANC has improved significantly compared to the first generation and reliably filters everyday noise at a level that is impressive for the price. The competition from Sony and Bose works more precisely, but also costs three to four times as much. The sound is pleasing with balanced tuning that is not trimmed for fake effects, and with LDAC on Android devices, there is a real Hi-Res claim behind it. The wearing comfort is among the best in the class.

However, there are weaknesses: the lack of an AAC codec makes the WH950NB less attractive for iPhone users in terms of sound. The 4-band equalizer remains limited. Visually, nothing has changed compared to its predecessor. IP certification is also missing. If you can live with that, you get one of the most balanced deals in the entire over-ear segment.