In the highly competitive world of mid-range Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) headphones, Edifier is aiming straight for the sweet spot with the new Edifier ES850NB. Rolling out at a reasonable $149 USD, these over-ear headphones pack a feature set—including Hi-Res Wireless support and impressive battery life. I’ve spent hours putting these cans through their paces to see if they deliver on their promise, or if they’re just another average contender.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Edifier for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.

Edifier ES850NB

Design

Out of the box, the ES850NB presents a somewhat understated aesthetic. Edifier has opted for clean lines and a mostly matte plastic construction, which, while keeping the weight down, feels reassuringly solid. The skin-friendly faux leather material used on the earpads and generous headband padding lends a touch of premium to the build.

For travellers, the ES850NB features a collapsible design, folding neatly into the included hard-shell travel case—a practical inclusion that some competitors omit. In terms of usability, Edifier has stuck to reliable physical controls. The volume rocker and central multifunction button offer satisfying tactile feedback, allowing for confident adjustments to playback, volume, and calls without fumbling. The overall appearance is sleek and minimalist, a choice that prioritises subtlety over flair.

A critical factor for any over-ear headphone is long-term comfort, and the ES850NB mostly delivers. The plush, thick earpads are large enough to comfortably accommodate even larger ears, preventing any contact with the driver enclosure. The Edifier ES850NB sit securely on the head, with the generous headband padding distributing weight effectively across the crown. However, the clamping force is rather firm. While this translates to excellent stability, which is great for moving around, I did find that the pressure can noticeably build up over longer listening sessions.

Features

If comfort makes the ES850NB suitable for long sessions, its battery life makes it essential. Edifier has done an excellent job here, claiming up to 92 hours of playback with ANC off, or a still impressive 53 hours with noise cancelling active. That’s excellent stamina for a product at this price point. However, users should note that enabling the LDAC codec will noticeably reduce these figures — a fair trade-off for higher sound fidelity.

Sound

The Edifier ES850NB presents a fundamentally warm and balanced sound signature that puts musicality first. It’s a tuning clearly aimed at pleasing the majority of listeners, focusing on an enjoyable experience rather than analytical neutrality.

The low end is a standout, delivering a punchy bass with satisfying weight and good extension into the sub-bass region. Unlike some consumer headphones that go overboard, the bass here is controlled, providing impact without bleeding excessively into the midrange.

The mids are where the tuning leans slightly back; they’re a touch recessed in the default sound profile. This contributes to the overall relaxed presentation. However, a nice feature is the inclusion of several EQ presets in the Edifier Connex app. Switching to the Rock EQ preset noticeably brings vocals and guitars more forward, which I found improved the clarity significantly.

The high frequencies are smooth and well-behaved. They offer enough detail to prevent the sound from feeling dull, yet they manage to avoid any harshness or sibilance, making for a non-fatiguing listen even during long sessions.

Technically, the resolution is surprisingly good for a headphone in this class. However, it’s important to note that the overall character is a somewhat generic, consumer-oriented tuning. While this will suit more average listeners looking for an easy, pleasant sound for daily use, the hardcore audiophile crowd may find it lacks the expansive soundstage and outright precision needed to truly dissect a track. Overall, the ES850NB delivers an enjoyable, well-executed sound for the price point.

Verdict

The Edifier ES850NB is a genuinely capable addition to the entry-level ANC market. Edifier has focused on nailing the essentials: comfort is excellent, and the sound quality offers an engaging, well-balanced presentation. Battery life is equally impressive at 53 hours with ANC enabled and 92 hours with it off (lower when using LDAC).

Combine that with a sturdy build, strong passive isolation, and high-resolution codec support, and the $149 price tag feels justified. The one major shortcoming is the microphone array— call quality is disappointing and a real drawback if you rely on frequent calls. But if you’re mainly after great sound for music and travel, and the mic doesn’t matter much to you, the ES850NB is a well-rounded performer and easy to recommend.