Edifier WH700NB Headphones Review
At first glance the Edifier WH700NB headphones are immediately suspiciously good value at just £49.99. Bragging of being the full package and vying for the ears of those whose top feature priority on their next pair of headphones is really great active noise cancellation. We’ve been wearing this set for the last few weeks and we’ve been left surprised.
Design
The Edifier WH700NB headphones exude an understated presentation and are available in black, navy blue, ivory, creamy white and grey. Build quality is commendable in this budget, featuring a sleek, matte finish with soft ear cushions for extended comfort across many hours of listening. Just as well, as they have a 68 hour rated battery which has given us two weeks of daily use without needing to charge via USB-C yet. The foldable design makes them convenient for travel, while the adjustable headband ensures a snug fit without feeling too tight. These headphones strike a balance between durability and portability, making them suitable for daily use.
Controls
The inclusion of physical buttons for the controls is the weakest point. Although the placement on the bottom right ear cup should be easy to interact with at haste, it is fiddly to distinguish which button is which. You see, pausing/playing tracks and managing calls is done by pressing a button that is surrounded by what feels like identical volume controls either side. Easier to find, thanks to it being separated, is the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) control, that can be toggled to off or to an ambient sound mode which is supposed to amplify the exterior world of sound around you, such as voices. We had no ability to hear much better when playing music, so this function is really only beneficial when not playing music.
That ANC button also doubles as the Bluetooth pairing control when held down. Now what’s interesting about the Edifier WH700NB headphones, is that the Bluetooth 5.3 version allows for connectivity to two devices simultaneously.
Sound Performance
The Edifier WH700NB headphones made a surprising listen from the very first occasion. At such a low price point we were not expecting to hear such a rich and immersive sound signature, suitable for the most diverse listener. Pressing play on ‘Doing Really Well Thanks’ by Ellie Bleach, we didn’t hear a tinny flat sound, but instead heard the depth of the echoey intro and then its transitioning to a foreground of energetic vocals with only a piano and snare drum to accompany. It was a full sound that had separation of layering between all audio elements, which were actually so convincing that we thought audio was playing from the device on hearing that initial transition into ‘Worth It’ by RAYE.
Furthermore, these 40mm drivers produce a crisp high end, detailed midrange, and a satisfying low-end response without overwhelming bass. If you’re someone that really enjoys spoken word content such as podcasts, we don’t think we’ve heard anything in this price range which can beat them.
What aids all of the above, and why the sound is so convincing, is the real star of the show which is the active noise cancellation. It effectively minimises ambient noise, creating a cocoon of sound isolation ideal for commuting or focussing in noisy environments. The headphone ear cups also create a good seal for isolating the sound emitted from the headphones, so others cannot hear, and are not disturbed, by what you’re listening to.
Verdict
Whether you're a frequent traveller, remote worker, or audiophile on a budget, the Edifier WH700NB headphones deliver where it matters most—performance and sleek foldable comfort. While Edifier hasn’t cracked the controls on this pair, basically everything else is spot on and they’ve crafted a solid product that competes favourably with higher-priced models. Not to neglect the exceptionally reliable ANC that enhances the sound quality, which makes these headphones such a standout in their price range.
