JLab Studio Pro ANC

$99 (about £90) FROM intl.jlab.com

By far the most affordable pair on test, JLab’s Studio Pro ANC headphones have a battery life of 45 hours, dropping to 43 hours with noise cancelling on. Not bad considering they weigh just 221g.

AAC and SBC codecs are supported as well as wired operation, and they’re comfortable, though have a more lightweight build than some. Three EQ modes are available, changed on-body not via an app. There’s a ‘burn-in’ app, curiously, that plays tones to ‘break them in’.

Four microphones power the active noise cancellation

which has four modes – high, low, off, and passthrough. It’s pretty decent, though can’t compete with the costlier contenders. The microphone quality is acceptable and audio playback is solid though a little flat and mid-heavy. These are decent headphones for the price, which is much more accessible, though you also have to accept some of the evident compromises.

VERDICT

Very affordable Great battery life Middling performance No aptX or HD