Edifier H9 Review: Are These the Best Budget ANC Headphones?

The Edifier H9 wireless headphones promise a lot on paper—Hi-Res audio, up to 75 hours of battery life, advanced active noise cancellation (ANC), and a sleek design. These features, especially in their price range, make them sound like a dream for anyone looking to upgrade their audio gear. But how do they actually perform in real use? In this detailed review, we’ll take a closer look at everything the H9 has to offer.

Design and Comfort

At first glance, the H9 impresses with its clean, modern design. The matte plastic body has a sleek finish, and the metal reinforcement in the headband adds a touch of durability. The headphones are available in three versatile colors—black, gray, and white. They have a sophisticated yet understated look, and when you hold the headphones, they feel lightweight but sturdy. The materials don’t scream “luxury,” but they’re well-made, with no creaky joints or loose parts.

One of the most convenient features is the foldable design. The ear cups rotate and fold in, making them easy to pack into a bag without taking up too much space.

The ear cups are circular, which might look a bit unconventional compared to the more common oval shapes, but they fit surprisingly well. The ear cushions are a highlight here. Made of soft memory foam, they mold comfortably to your ears, providing a snug fit without putting too much pressure. Even for someone who wears glasses, these headphones sit comfortably without causing discomfort—a big plus for long listening sessions. The padding also does a good job of passively isolating noise, which pairs well with the active noise cancellation.

The headband has adjustable sliders with clear notches, so it’s easy to find the perfect fit. There’s also a decent amount of padding on the headband, though some might find it a bit narrow for extended use.

The H9 features a simple yet effective button layout. You’ll find the usual commands for playback, volume, track skipping, and even voice assistant activation. The buttons are responsive and easy to locate, even when you’re on the move. The addition of voice prompts in English adds to the overall intuitive experience, guiding you through functions like pairing and mode changes.

However, there are some trade-offs. While the headphones are light and comfy overall, the plastic construction of the ear cup hinges raises some concerns about long-term durability. Also, in warmer weather, the ear cups might feel a bit stuffy after prolonged use, which is common with most over-ear designs.

Features and Functionality

The Edifier H9 is packed with features that aim to elevate the wireless headphone experience, blending convenience, sound quality, and user-friendly technology. Starting with its standout active noise cancellation (ANC), these headphones boast up to 43 dB of noise reduction. This makes them capable of muting low-frequency noises like the hum of an airplane engine or office chatter effectively. But what’s even better is the range of modes you get—standard ANC, transparency mode, and even a wind noise reduction option.

The transparency mode deserves a special mention. It lets external sounds in, so you can hold conversations or stay aware of your surroundings without taking the headphones off. This is particularly useful for urban settings where situational awareness is essential. Switching between these modes is a breeze, thanks to the easy-to-use physical buttons on the headphones themselves—no need to fiddle with an app unless you want finer controls.

The Edifier H9 uses Bluetooth 5.4, which ensures stable connections and excellent range. It also supports multipoint pairing, meaning you can connect to two devices simultaneously. Imagine watching a movie on your tablet and seamlessly switching to a phone call without disconnecting anything—this feature is a lifesaver for multitaskers. During testing, the Bluetooth connection remained solid, even through a couple of walls, which speaks volumes about the reliability of the chip.

Another feature worth noting is the Edifier Connect app. While not essential for basic use, it enhances functionality with options like customizing the equalizer, switching between sound modes (Music, Gaming, and Spatial), and tweaking noise cancellation levels. The equalizer is a bit basic, offering only a four-band adjustment, but it’s enough to tailor the sound slightly to your preferences.

The gaming mode is another thoughtful addition, reducing audio latency to just 48ms. This makes a noticeable difference for gaming or even watching videos, where audio and visuals need to stay perfectly in sync. Spatial sound, on the other hand, is great for movies and videos, offering an immersive soundstage. However, it slightly compromises audio clarity, so it’s best reserved for casual viewing rather than critical listening.

Audio Performance

The Edifier H9 delivers a solid audio experience that balances clarity, richness, and versatility, making it a compelling choice for most listeners. At the heart of its sound signature are the 40mm dynamic drivers, which offer a well-rounded performance across different genres and use cases.

Starting with the bass, the H9 leans toward a punchy and slightly emphasized low end. This makes it particularly appealing for fans of EDM, hip-hop, and other bass-driven genres. The bass has a good amount of depth and power, delivering a satisfying thump without becoming overpowering. However, it’s not the tightest or quickest bass you’ll find, and in some tracks, it can slightly overshadow the mids. That said, it still feels controlled enough to keep the listening experience enjoyable, especially for casual listeners.

The mids on the H9 are where the sound starts to shine for vocals and instruments. Male and female vocals come through with a pleasing level of warmth and detail. Guitars, pianos, and other midrange instruments sound natural and well-defined, making the headphones suitable for acoustic or vocal-heavy tracks. However, due to the bass emphasis, certain midrange details can occasionally feel recessed, particularly in very complex tracks. This isn’t a dealbreaker but something audiophiles might notice.

When it comes to highs, the H9 strikes a good balance between clarity and smoothness. The treble is clean and crisp but avoids being harsh or fatiguing, even during long listening sessions. High hats, cymbals, and other high-frequency details are present but not overly bright, which is great for listeners who prefer a relaxed treble presentation. Overall, the high frequencies are well-tuned for an enjoyable, all-day listening experience.

One standout feature is the spatial sound mode. While it expands the soundstage and adds a sense of depth, making movies and videos more immersive, it does so at the expense of some audio clarity. For critical music listening, this mode might not be ideal, but for casual watching, it’s a fun addition. On the other hand, the gaming mode, with its ultra-low latency, delivers a much tighter synchronization between audio and visuals, significantly enhancing the gaming experience.

For those who prefer a wired connection, the USB-C cable transforms the audio performance of the H9. When connected via cable, the sound becomes more refined, with better separation and a wider soundstage. The bass feels tighter, and the mids and highs gain a level of detail that’s harder to achieve in wireless mode. This feature is especially useful for audiophiles who occasionally want a purer audio experience.

In terms of codec support, the H9 includes SBC and AAC, which work well for most devices and ensure good sound quality. However, the lack of higher-quality codecs like aptX or LDAC might be a drawback for users looking for Hi-Res audio in wireless mode. Despite this, the overall sound quality is still excellent for its price range, providing a lively and enjoyable listening experience.

The noise-canceling feature also influences the audio quality. With ANC on, the bass gets a slight boost, adding a richer feel to the sound. However, the overall balance of the audio shifts slightly, and some finer details in the mids and highs are reduced. This is common in ANC headphones, and the trade-off is acceptable, especially considering how effectively the H9 reduces ambient noise.

Microphone and Call Quality

The Edifier H9 doesn’t just focus on music and gaming—it also delivers a decent experience for calls and voice communication. Equipped with microphones enhanced by AI noise reduction, these headphones aim to minimize background noise and ensure clear voice transmission during calls. While they aren’t top-tier in this department, the performance is solid enough for most users, especially in quiet or moderately noisy environments.

During test calls in a quiet room, the microphone captured voices clearly and with good volume. The AI noise reduction does a commendable job of filtering out low-level background hums, like air conditioning or distant chatter. However, things get trickier in noisier settings. While the AI noise reduction can tone down constant background sounds, such as wind or traffic, it struggles with irregular noises like sudden honks or loud conversations nearby. In these cases, the voice clarity takes a slight hit, though it remains understandable.

Battery Life

Battery life is one of the standout features of the Edifier H9, making it a strong contender for those who prioritize long-lasting headphones. With up to 75 hours of playback on a single charge (without ANC), these headphones easily outlast many competitors in their price range. If you are from those who rely on ANC, the battery life is still impressive, clocking in at around 45 hours of continuous use.

During real testing, the battery performance held up close to the advertised numbers. At moderate volume levels (around 80%), the headphones comfortably delivered over 70 hours of use without ANC. Even with ANC on and volume set to 100%, the battery managed to last about 40–45 hours, aligning with Edifier’s claims.

The fast-charging capability adds another layer of convenience. Plugging the H9 in for just 15 minutes gives you approximately 10 hours of playback time. A full charge takes around 2 hours, which is relatively quick considering the massive battery capacity. While the H9 does not support wireless charging—a feature often reserved for true wireless earbuds—its robust battery life more than makes up for it.

One feature worth mentioning is the automatic power-off function, which can be adjusted via the Edifier Connect app. This ensures the headphones don’t drain the battery unnecessarily when not in use. It’s a small but thoughtful addition that adds to the overall efficiency of the device.

Pros and Cons

Verdict

The Edifier H9 wireless headphones are a fantastic choice for anyone looking for feature-packed headphones at a budget-friendly price. Their impressive battery life, versatile ANC, and sound performance make them a well-rounded option that punches above their weight.

The sound profile is tuned for enjoyment, especially with bass-heavy tracks, while the mids and highs provide enough clarity for other genres. While the lack of advanced wireless codecs might deter audiophiles, most of us will find the sound quality more than satisfactory for everyday use.

Comfort and design are solid, though the lightweight build comes with some compromises in durability. The addition of features like multipoint pairing, low-latency gaming mode, and USB-C connectivity add to its value, making the H9 stand out in its price range. However, if you’re an audiophile seeking the highest level of audio detail or someone who needs professional-grade microphone performance, you might want to explore higher-end models.

For the price, though, the Edifier H9 delivers an impressive package that balances features, comfort, and sound quality, making it a strong competitor in the mid-range headphones market.