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Edifier WH950NB Gen 2
Over-Ear Wireless ANC

Edifier

WH950NB Gen 2

Class-leading comfort and battery life meet frustrating software and build inconsistencies.

2025Updated Jul 2026

At a Glance

The Edifier WH950NB Gen 2 is a high-value choice for travelers and office workers who prioritize plush ergonomics and 50-hour battery endurance over surgical audio precision. It successfully undercuts premium rivals on price while offering competitive low-frequency noise cancellation.

Audiophiles and iPhone users should remain cautious. The lack of AAC support and the forced trade-off between LDAC and multipoint connectivity create a fragmented user experience that tech-savvy buyers may find unacceptable.

Pros
  • Plush, high-give ear pads for long-term comfort
  • Exceptional 50-hour battery life with ANC enabled
  • Effective low-frequency noise cancellation for the price
  • Stable LDAC performance for high-resolution audio
Cons
  • No AAC codec support for Apple device users
  • Multipoint connectivity cannot be used simultaneously with LDAC
  • Inconsistent build quality with reports of creaking plastic
  • Intrusive and limited companion app functionality

Source Breakdown

Compare scores and insights across source types

Reddit Sentiment

Analyzed 3 threads & 9 comments

ANC PerformanceWeight: 25%
65
Best Quote

"all I can say it's better than of my w820nb, and maybe even slightly better than my q30's at removing more low frequency sounds."

Users found the ANC to be an improvement over older models and slightly better than some competitors, but not on par with flagship devices.

Sound QualityWeight: 20%
70
Best Quote

"With the rock profile, the Bass and treble area are boosted a lot, but the highs get a bit too much for me to the point that it kind of hurts to listen to it"

The sound quality is generally considered decent with a customizable V-shape profile, though some presets like 'rock' can be too harsh.

Comfort/FitWeight: 15%
80
Best Quote

"I own these Edifiers and I adore them. They are super comfy, their ear pads have a lot more give in them than most bluetooth headphones in their price range."

Multiple users found the headphones to be comfortable, with good ear pads, and better than some other models they've owned.

Battery LifeWeight: 10%
85
Best Quote

"They have very good battery life, decent sound and very good sound cancellation"

Battery life is mentioned positively, with one user noting it's better than previous models and sufficient for their needs.

Build QualityWeight: 10%
45
Best Quote

"It's mostly plastic, except for the hinge and headband, the plastic feels decent for the price, but I did notice some audible and felt creaking in the clamps that held the right and left ear unit."

The build quality is criticized for being mostly plastic with noticeable creaking, suggesting a less premium feel.

Call Quality / MicWeight: 10%
50
Best Quote

"I don't know about the microphone though."

Call quality and microphone performance were not discussed by any users in the provided text.

Features & ConnectivityWeight: 10%
75
Best Quote

"As a person who only uses spotify on my phone, the headphone does it's job at connecting via bluetooth. And it does have passive play back using the included 3.5m wire."

Connectivity is generally stable via Bluetooth, and the inclusion of a 3.5mm jack for wired playback is seen as a positive feature.

Editorial News

Analyzed 7 major publications

ANC PerformanceWeight: 25%
75
Best Quote

"The noise-canceling performance of the WH950NB rivals the best headphones on the market."

The ANC is generally effective at reducing low-frequency noise and is considered good for the price point, though it struggles with mid-range frequencies and doesn't match premium competitors.

Sound QualityWeight: 20%
65
Best Quote

"The WH950NB are NOT Edifier’s audiophile headphones. So there’s no point comparing these to their more restrained and detailed Stax Spirit S3."

The sound is generally balanced and pleasant for casual listening, with good bass and clear mids/highs, but it lacks the refinement and detail of higher-end models, and the EQ is limited.

Comfort/FitWeight: 15%
85
Best Quote

"The Edifier WH950NB don’t arrive shouting for attention. Instead, they offer a quiet nod and a raised eyebrow, the sort of understated confidence you usually associate with headphones that cost quite a bit more than these do."

Users consistently praise the comfort, noting the lightweight design, soft padding, and good weight distribution, making them suitable for long listening sessions, even for glasses wearers.

Battery LifeWeight: 10%
95
Best Quote

"The almost doubled battery life is the flagship: up to 50 hours with active ANC means that the headphones practically never need to be connected to the charging cable during the week."

The battery life is a standout feature, with users reporting extremely long playback times, especially with ANC off, far exceeding most competitors and making them ideal for travel.

Build QualityWeight: 10%
80
Best Quote

"Beneath the simple surface is a lot of engineering work. Steel reinforcements in the hinges and temples ensure durability. Nothing rattles, nothing wobbles."

The build quality is generally considered solid and well-made for the price, with durable materials and a good folding mechanism, though some minor complaints exist about sharp headband edges.

Call Quality / MicWeight: 10%
70
Best Quote

"The four ENC microphones leave a positive impression in everyday phone use. Interlocutors hear your voice clearly and naturally as long as you are in a quiet to moderately loud environment."

Call quality is decent in quiet environments, with clear voice transmission, but it struggles in noisy conditions and is not as refined as some premium competitors.

Features & ConnectivityWeight: 10%
60
Best Quote

"If you want to listen at LDAC quality, you need to turn off the dual device connection mode in the app's settings menu (when this is on, you can maintain a connection with up to two devices simultaneously)."

The headphones offer a good range of features like LDAC support and multipoint, but the inability to use both simultaneously and the lack of AAC for iPhone users are significant drawbacks.

YouTube Creators

Analyzed 16 detailed reviews & 107 comments

ANC PerformanceWeight: 25%
70
Best Quote

"The ANC is at Bose level, but it's better than most $250.00 and below headphones that's for sure."

Reviewers generally found the ANC to be good, especially for lower frequencies and in specific environments like the gym, but noted it wasn't as effective as top-tier models for higher frequencies.

Sound QualityWeight: 20%
90
Best Quote

"The Edifier WH950NB has a flat design I like, a new model and the sound is great."

The sound quality is consistently praised, with users frequently comparing it favorably to much more expensive headphones, highlighting clarity, detail, and a well-balanced profile, especially when using LDAC.

Comfort/FitWeight: 15%
85
Best Quote

"The Edifiers are about 20 times more comfortable than the XM5s...."

Comfort is a major highlight, with multiple users reporting they are easy to wear for long periods and are more comfortable than premium competitors like the Sony XM5.

Battery LifeWeight: 10%
90
Best Quote

"The battery life is fantastic and the charge time is nonexistent."

Battery life is described as fantastic and amazing, with one user noting it can last 16-19 hours even with LDAC enabled.

Build QualityWeight: 10%
75
Best Quote

"They're hands down the best bang for buck headphones I've ever bought."

The build quality is generally perceived as premium and good-looking, though one user reported a squeaking headband issue that led to a return.

Call Quality / MicWeight: 10%
80
Best Quote

"Wow, the call quality impressed me, yes, the XM5 spund better but the Edifier was really good too."

Call quality is frequently mentioned as a strong point, with users impressed by its performance, even when compared to higher-end models.

Features & ConnectivityWeight: 10%
55
Best Quote

"I do have some connectivity issues sadly. Every now and then the music cuts out for half a second or so and occasionally there is a bit of static for a second or two."

While features like LDAC and multipoint are present, users report connectivity issues such as stuttering and static, and the companion app is often criticized as intrusive or lacking.

The Comfort King of the Mid-Range

The Edifier WH950NB Gen 2 positions itself as a budget-friendly alternative to flagship ANC cans. It succeeds primarily through physical design. While many competitors opt for stiff clamping forces, Edifier utilizes ear pads with significant "give," making them a favorite for glasses wearers and long-haul travelers. One YouTube reviewer went as far as to claim:

The Edifiers are about 20 times more comfortable than the XM5s....

Initial Impressions vs. Long-Term Reality

Professional tech blogs initially lauded the WH950NB for its "understated confidence" and perceived durability, noting steel reinforcements in the hinges. However, long-term owners on Reddit paint a different picture. While the hinges may be steel, the surrounding plastic housings are prone to audible friction. As one owner noted:

It's mostly plastic, except for the hinge and headband, the plastic feels decent for the price, but I did notice some audible and felt creaking in the clamps that held the right and left ear unit.

This discrepancy suggests that while the headphones look premium in a studio setting, daily wear reveals the cost-cutting measures required to hit its aggressive price point.

Technical Friction and Codec Compromises

The audio performance is a battlefield of contradictions. YouTube reviewers praise the clarity and detail of the LDAC implementation, yet the software architecture forces a frustrating choice: you can have high-resolution audio or you can have a multipoint connection, but you cannot have both. For iPhone users, the situation is even more dire, as the lack of AAC support forces a fallback to the inferior SBC codec.

Sound profiles also vary wildly depending on the selected preset. While the default tuning is balanced, the "Rock" profile is frequently described as fatiguing. One user highlighted this sharp peak in the treble:

With the rock profile, the Bass and treble area are boosted a lot, but the highs get a bit too much for me to the point that it kind of hurts to listen to it

ANC performance follows a similar trend, excelling at the low-frequency hum of engines but struggling with the unpredictable mid-range frequencies of a busy office. It is a specialized tool rather than a universal silencer.