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Finding a good pair of ANC headphones that don't break the bank is an exercise in futility. Anything less than $100 will cut corners, either by using cheap drivers or reducing their noise-canceling abilities. The Monoprice BT-600ANC headphones fall into the former – its sound quality leaves a bit to be desired, but its noise-canceling chops are reminiscent of products hundreds of dollars more expensive.
They're not perfect, but the BT-600ANC are more than worth a listen for anyone seeking an affordable pair of high-quality ANC headphones.
Monoprice BT-600 ANC Headphones Full Specifications
- Driver Size: 40mm
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
- Sensitivity: 100 +/- 3dB
- Bluetooth Version: 5 (Supports multiple device pairing)
- Noise Cancelling: Up to 35dB
- Audio Playback Time: Up to 40 hours
- Weight: 289g
Durable Design, But Over-Sensitive Touch Controls
The Monoprice BT-600ANC headphones feature several design cues typically reserved for more expensive products. It comes with its own carrying case, its earcups rotate inward to snuggly hug your shoulders when not in use, and they incorporate premium, plush material in both the earcups and headband for a surprisingly comfortable wearing experience. For a product that's often on sale for $70, I was thoroughly impressed.
Not everything is perfect with the BT-600ANC, however, as its touch controls on the side of the earcups leave much to be desired. This allows you to control the volume, answer calls, and skip tracks by swiping and tapping the side of your ear𝔉cup. It sounds high-tech on its product page, but in reality, it’s more of a nuisance than anything else.
For example, I'd often find myself skipping tracks when reaching up to adjust the fit, or increasing the volume when taking them off before leaving my desk. I quickly became extra cautious when making any adjustments or reaching up to touch the headphones – if I wasn't careful, I'd set off the ultra-sensitive touch controls.
Finicky touch controls aside, there's a lot to like about the BT-600ANC's design. Soft earcups, a plush headband, and a variety of ways to fold and contort them for transportation or comfort put them in a class above most of the competition.
Elite ANC Performance
What's more impressive than its design, however, is the incredible ANC performance. Multiple settings are available to limit different types of sounds and optimize your experience, and the BT-600ANC can cancel out up to 35dB of noise. It uses "Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation," meaning it features both internal and external microphones to help reduce environmental sound. Even when you turn off ANC, the earcups alone do a solid job of blocking out noise – arguably better than some of the more expensive headphones scattered around my office.
Unlike its ANC chops, its sound quality isn’t anything special. They're by no means the worst in their class, but you'll notice plenty of distortion when cranking up the volume – and treble, in particular, has a "tinny" quality to it. Still, the end result of superior ANC means you'll get a surprisingly robust listening experience with few distractions.
While the headphones aren't perfect, they're easy to recommend – especially if you can get them on sale. They're often sold well below their listed price of $100, and if you need a solid pair of ANC headphones, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
A pair of Monoprice BT-600ANC Headphones were provided to Th🐲eGamer for this review.