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We’re constantly bombarded with background noise, from people chattering in the office to train announcements and traffic horns.
So I was excited to try out my first pair of noise cancelling headphones that promised to provide a buffer against everyday sounds.
While the most common brands like Samsung. Apple and Sony can rack up hundreds of pounds, I was offered a much more affordable version in the form of AO’s noise cancelling earbuds.
Its noise cancelling earbuds look relatively similar to Apple‘s Airpods, boast a 32–hour battery life and come in a neat little case.
They ‘help you stay locked into your playlist, podcast or audiobook’ by blocking out background noise by up to 35 decibels.
I was surprised by how immediately effective they are – as soon as you pop them in it feels like there’s a layer of cotton wool between yourself and the outside world.
They’ve been fantastic in certain situations, like on a long–haul flight and a noisy train. But they did struggle a handful of times – showing that you do have to sacrifice a bit of quality for the low price.
Read my full verdict and review below to find out how I got on.
Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Product Specs
- Corded option?No
- Transparency mode?Yes
- Battery life32 hours
- Touch controls?Yes
- Active noise cancellation?Yes
What we love
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PriceAt just £29, they’re incredibly cheap
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Noise cancellationThis works well the majority of the time, blocking out background noise
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Sound qualityImpressive
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Battery life32 hours
What could be better
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FunctionalityThey don’t cope well in certain situations and the ‘transparent’ mode lets in unwanted noise
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Ease of useIt can be hard to readjust them in your ears without accidentally pausing your music or turning Siri on
Our verdict
As someone who loves listening to music, these have been great for commuting to and from the office.
They are operated by touch sensors, allowing you to switch between different ‘modes’. The main one, noise cancelling, works really well in the majority of environments but struggles in the wind or on bumpy transport.
The other, ‘transparent’ mode, should allow certain noises like alarms or announcements to come through. However, I didn’t enjoy this feature as the earbuds amplified unnecessary noises like the office aircon or the heating system on the train.
They look great, the battery life is decent and they’re an amazing price – but don’t expect the same quality as you’d get from more expensive options.
How we test
When testing tech products like earphones, we try them across multiple real–world settings, including the office, our homes, and out and about.
We evaluate the devices across a range of measures, including design, comfort, price and sound quality. Each pair of earphones goes through several days of hands–on testing. This allows us to provide an in–depth review to help consumers make informed decisions.
The noise–cancelling technology is brilliant and was a lifesaver on my long–haul flight when there was lots of background noise from the plane
Size and comfort
The earbuds come with three tip sizes – small, medium and large, so you can find the most comfortable option for your ears.
They look really sleek and I think the box they come in looks premium for the price. The earbuds are slightly longer than the Apple version, but I think that can be helpful for people to realise you have headphones in.
The charging case only measures 2.1cm x 4.5cm x 5.9cm, meaning you can easily fit them in your handbag or pocket.
Sound quality & Noise–cancelling
Once you’ve linked these to your phone via Bluetooth they automatically connect when you pop them on.
The sound quality of these is really, really good and what you’d expect from a much more expensive product.
The noise–cancelling technology is brilliant and was a lifesaver on my long–haul flight when there was lots of background noise from the plane.
I didn’t enjoy using the ‘transparent mode’ on the headphones, as I found it amplified unwanted noises in the office and on the train
However, there have been a few instances where it has struggled. If you’re out walking in the wind, the noise–cancelling technology seems to amplify the buffering noise, so it feels a little like your ears are being assaulted.
They also didn’t work very well on a bumpy tram – again, because they amplified the sound of each bump.
I don’t usually go for long walks in the wind and on rarely get on bumpy trams, so I’m more than happy to continue to use these on trains and planes. They’re so good, it almost feels weird when you take them out and rejoin the noisy real world.
AO provide a handy leaflet in the box, which explains how to toggle between modes and to adjust the volume by simply tapping your earbuds.
I really like how they automatically pause what you’re listening to when you take one earbud out, and then restart when you put it back in.
Battery
The maximum battery life of these earbuds is 32 hours, which is more than enough for someone who only uses them for an hour or two per day.
A USB Type–C cable comes with the box, and the earbuds let you know when they’re running low on battery and need plugging in.
They look really sleek and I think the box they come in looks premium for the price. The charging case only measures 2.1cm x 4.5cm x 5.9cm, meaning you can easily fit them in your handbag or pocket
Price
At just £29, they are much cheaper than many other products on the market and also come with a three–year warranty.
Yes, you have to compromise on some aspects of quality, but they’re so cheap it’s forgivable. At this price, they don’t need to be a significant investment or something you need to save up for.
Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds
How does it compare to similar products
When it comes to price, these are among the cheapest noise–cancelling earbuds out there.
Other brands, such as Apple, Bose and Sony, also sell similar products, which are more expensive – but have received rave reviews. This includes the Apple AirPods 4 (£119) and the Sony Wireless Earbuds (£39).
The AO version is perfect for someone looking for a budget option that won’t break the bank.
However, if you really want quality across the board then it’s probably best to invest more money in a purchase.
At the moment the headphones are available in black and white. They come with three different earbuds for a comfortable fit
How does it rate online
On its website, the AO wireless noise cancelling earbuds have received an average of 4.6* from a total of 65 reviews.
Users praise the sound quality and the charge, saying it is an ‘excellent product for the money’.
One wrote that the control of the earbuds is ‘a bit complicated but soon learnt’, adding: ‘All in all I’m very pleased with the purchase’.
Another added: ‘Love them! Leading brand are out of my price range so these are a great compromise. Perfect for me and do what they need to.’
The earbuds are slightly longer than the Apple version, but I think that can be helpful for people to realise you have headphones in. Pictured: What you receive in the box
However, one person complained that the controls are activated by touch, so you can ‘easily accidentally pause or activate Siri when adjusting them in your ear’.
Another said they ‘cannot hear anything over the noise of a tube train’ while another said they had issues using it for phone calls.
Why trust us
Xantha Leatham is the Executive Science Editor at the Daily Mail and has worked at the newspaper for nine years. She completed a Master’s degree in Print Journalism at the University of Sheffield in 2014 and previously worked at Deadline News in Edinburgh.
She has carried out several technology reviews including for headphones, power banks and vacuums.
FAQs
What is noise cancellation?
Noise–cancelling headphones and earbuds use tiny microphones that listen to your environment and create a new sound that’s the opposite of the background noise coming in.
When the two sounds meet, they cancel each other out. The result? You hear nothing.
What colours do the earbuds come in?
At the moment they are available in black and white.
AO provide a handy leaflet in the box which explains how to toggle between modes and to adjust the volume by simply tapping your earbuds
What is the battery life?
On a full charge the earbuds boast a 32–hour battery life.
Do they come in different sizes?
The earbuds come in three sizes for a comfortable fit.
