Cheap headphones are getting good. This $55 pair with all-day battery proves it

ZDNET’s key takeaways 

• The 1More’s SonoFlow SE headphones provide a no-frills listening expertise, specializing in nice sound, consolation, and battery life.
• At $55, the SonoFlow SE headphones have a 70-hour marathon battery, delivering all-day listening for a small worth.
• You will not get any high quality noise-canceling tech, and the bodily button controls will not be splendid for some.

A good pair of headphones can price you tons of of {dollars} in order for you deluxe options, comparable to supreme noise cancellation, fancy audio modes, long-lasting battery life, and extra. And let’s be trustworthy — many individuals aren’t keen to spend that a lot cash on one piece of tech that they solely use a number of hours a day.

Additionally: Neglect Sony and Bose: These JBL headphones are my sleeper choose for better of 2023

1More’s newest launch provides to its over-ear headphones line with the 1More SonoFlow SE headphones. The SonoFlow SE differs from its predecessor, the 1More SonoFlow, in a number of methods, chopping again on audio high quality, noise-canceling, and different stylistic options in lieu of affordability.

So, are you able to discover a good pair of headphones for lower than $60? I believe you’ll be able to, however you must mood your expectations. This is how the Sonoflow SE fared throughout two weeks of testing. 

The Sonoflow SE’s sound high quality is nice, however its energy depends upon your listening quantity. For instance, once I listened to Sampha’s Suspended at a low quantity whereas using on the subway, the sound got here out tinny and hole.

The extra refined notes of the track did not totally ship on low-to-medium quantity, because the decrease frequencies of the track failed to face out. Nevertheless, you do get stunning and sturdy sound at greater quantity ranges, because of the 40mm dynamic driver contained in the ear cups. Whereas listening to Sampha’s Solely at the next quantity, the complexities of the artist’s voice got here via stronger, the bass grew to become extra profound, and the background vocals and instrumentals shimmered. 

I attempted out the headphones in varied environments, from quiet workplace areas and break rooms to loud subway vehicles, and I discovered the lively noise cancellation (ANC) not as efficient in noisy environments. 

On the subway, the place you’d ideally need the clanging noise of equipment to be muffled, I might hear practically each sound outdoors of my headphones with noise cancellation on, and twiddling with the ANC button produced negligible outcomes. 

Additionally: These $99 headphones are virtually nearly as good because the XM5 for lower than half the value

The Sonoflow SE headphones are light-weight and really comfy, however their construct high quality is much less sturdy than your dearer choices. I wore these headphones for a complete workday, freed from any head, neck, or ear pressure.

At over 70 hours of playback, the battery life is long-lasting, and if it’s worthwhile to replenish your depleted battery, 5 minutes of charging provides 5 hours of playback. If you flip the headphones on, a voice will announce the headphones’ battery standing, which is useful in the event you do not need to entry the app for battery life stats. I wore these headphones on the workplace, and it took a number of lengthy workdays earlier than I received the battery right down to 50%. 

The button controls to show the headphones on or off are finicky, as they’re all located proper subsequent to one another. As an alternative of a button for pausing and taking part in audio, it’s a must to press the ability button, which took me a while to get used to.

I discovered it’s a must to press the ability button for 3 seconds to show the headphones on and as much as six seconds to show them off. I’ve typically by accident saved the headphones powered on longer than I needed due to this counterintuitive characteristic, successfully draining the battery. 

Additionally: The very best headphones: Knowledgeable-tested and reviewed

I voice-recorded myself to check out the microphone capabilities. After I performed the recording again, I sounded a smidge muffled and metallic. I would not advocate these headphones in the event you’re planning to participate in lots of voice calls or Zoom conferences. However for pure consolation and music-listening functions at an ideal worth, the SonoFlow SE headphones work effectively. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The 1More Sonoflow SE headphones are the reply for anybody on the lookout for a good pair of reasonably priced headphones. For those who’re on the lookout for a pair of uber-budget-friendly headphones that promise nice sound and lengthy battery life, the 1More Sonoflow SE headphones are for you. However keep in mind, for $55, you are getting what you pay for, plus somewhat extra in some classes. 

In order for you sturdy noise-canceling options for an reasonably priced worth, these will not reduce it. The noise cancellation does not ship, and so they’ll go away you prone to interruptions in noisy environments. I can see these headphones being an ideal workplace companion if you do not need your costly headphones to go away the home.

However in order for you a pair of comfy headphones that may final you a few days earlier than even considering of recharging, the SonoFlow SE headphones are worthy of your consideration.