Amazon Basics ANC Over-Ear Headphones Actually Exist, Cost Just $25

Amazon is known for sneaking everyday essentials into its lineup that end up exceeding expectations, and their Basics range of over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation is a prime example. Right now you can pick them up for just $24.99, down from $79.99, and you get a seriously impressive 20 hours of entertainment out of them if you turn on the noise cancellation. That jumps to 35 hours if you don’t bother with the cancellation.

Inside, dual 40mm drivers are handling the audio duties, while Bluetooth 5.0 lets you wander clear of your device (up to 30 feet), at a stretch. The ear cushions are nice and plush, the headband adjusts to fit whatever size head you have, and they fold up neatly so you can stick them in a backpack when you’re done.

Usually, the battery life of headphones is what decides whether they get used regularly or just end up collecting dust in a drawer, but in this case, you should have plenty of grunt to get you through a full workweek of daily commuting and evening unwinding without running low. Need a quick top up? A 10 minute charge gets you a good 2 hours of listening time, ideal for those layovers or crazy mornings.

The controls on these headphones are simplicity itself. No need to fumble around with an app when you can just press a few buttons on the earcup to turn volume up or down, play/pause music, or switch on and off the noise cancellation. That makes it so much easier to just get on with the music – rather than messing around with settings all the time. Noise cancellation in cheaper headphones usually just helps a bit with low rumbles, but these go a lot further by combining the active tech with the way the padded cups help block out sound.

The sound is pretty balanced, as it’s got enough bass to keep things interesting without overpowering the mid and high end notes. Vocals are nice and clear on podcasts, and guitars have a nice bit of bite on rock playlists. The 40mm drivers also create a pretty wide soundstage that’ll fill your ears without the tinny echo you get with cheaper systems. Compared to something like the Soundcore Q20i, this is a world of difference.

And the comfort? It’s spot on for all-day wear, thanks to its lightweight design (200g) with a steel headband as well as breathable ear cushions that don’t trap heat. The headband flexes to fit whatever size head you have, and the over-ear design makes sure the pressure is evenly distributed. The fact they fold up neatly makes them super portable too, making them easy to slip into a backpack with your laptop without adding too much weight.