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Producing affordable audio headsets for several years, the Mpow brand presents a high-performance wireless headset that is the H21 model with a modern, sleek look. Mpow H21 features an ANC function, which noticeably filters out surrounding noise for a pleasant and convenient immersive listening experience. However, besides the hybrid noise reduction system, the wireless headphone bestows an astounding 65 hours of playtime
Indeed, the Mpow H21 is one of the brand’s top-of-the-range headphones with a good number of advanced technology to appeal to amateurs. H21 manifests its practicality through the abundance of features in terms of connectors and various integrated controls. Along with good audio performance, the rechargeable battery can power the headset with excellent autonomy for longer, satisfying listening.
Mpow H21 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Review
Mpow H21 Specifications
Type: Over-ear Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones | Bluetooth: 5.0 | Battery: 65 Hours | Charging: 2.5 Hours | Drivers: Dynamic | Drivers-Size: 40 mm | Weight: 265g | Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz| Microphone: CVC 6.0
Mpow H21 Overview
With a price of slightly under $100, Mpow H21 isn’t the cheapest wireless headphone with an active noise reduction system on the market, but this aspect also shows an unwillingness to compromise quality. Mpow Holo 21 is a great budget option that has plenty of value for its price, and that can be noticed thanks to its evenly reproduced and balanced sound, deep basses and lovely vocals. Unlike its predecessor Mpow H17 and other affordable ANC headphones, Mpow H21 has a large 65 hours autonomy and hybrid noise cancelling system with internal and external microphones. The concepts and technical details aren’t as important as the fact that hybrid ANC is, in fact, better and more efficient than regular ANC headphones.
Package
The headphones come in a cardboard box. Inside, a soft leatherette carrying pouch is supplied along with a micro USB-A cable for charging, a 3.5 mm straight audio cable, and a user manual.
Design & Ergonomy
Mpow has assembled a headset with a modern design, foldable in a dark color with the H21 model. With an over-ear, closed-back enclosure, the H21 is characterized by two ear cups completely covering your ears with a robust headband.
The ear pads are soft with memory foam padding. They’re ideal for prolonged listening. The headband is adjustable to suit almost all types and sizes of head. It is constructed of sturdy metal, which is also fitted with leather padding for optimal comfort. The ear cups can swivel up to 90° to place them on your chest.
Bluetooth & Technology
Mpow H21 is one of the cheapest wireless headsets offering Bluetooth technology to enjoy music on your multimedia devices. As it’s very cheap, we’re surprised to find out how efficient the Bluetooth is. H21 embeds Bluetooth 5.0 technology.
The results can be noticed when paying attention to the wireless connectivity which is more stable, faster, and more efficient, especially when compared to the 4.1 Bluetooth technology of Mpow H17. Therefore, the headset can connect in record time with your smartphone, tablet, etc. and allow you to watch Twitch streams, YouTube videos, movies and play games with almost no latency.
With a higher degree of freedom, you have the chance to roam around your home while listening to music on your headphones over a distance of 10m. Once a Bluetooth connection is made with a device, the headphones pair automatically once you activate the Bluetooth.
Mpow H21 Bluetooth headsets only support AAC and SBC codecs. It does not have aptX for greater ease of use, which is why, if you want to enjoy low latency transmission and higher transfer rates, you’ll have to look at Mpow H20, which supports aptX and AAC technology.
Equipped with an 850 mAh Lithium battery, the H21 is super powerful in terms of autonomy. With a single full charge, this headset packs a gargantuan battery life of 65 hours.
The battery life of the H21 depends on the frequency of use and ANC technology, the headsets can play music for roughly 30-35 hours. If you keep the ANC turned off to save battery life, you'll get close to 60-65 hours of actual use. If you're the type of person to turn the volume to maximum, 40 hours of playtime is a close estimate.
Unfortunately, this headset model does not support fast charging, so you have to wait about 2.5 hours to fully recharge the battery. But, considering you get up to 65 hours of use every 2.5 hours of charging, this feels more like a fast charge than regular battery charging.
Noise Cancelling
The noises will be attenuated by 20-25 dB in the lower end of the spectrum, but other frequencies will still be noticed. It is common for a noise-canceling headset to reduce the lower frequencies by a big margin. It’s in the mid-range and upper-end of the spectrum where most active noise reduction systems struggle.
The noise reduced by the Mpow H21 should be enough to immerse yourself in your music in an environment filled with low frequencies. The headset doesn’t specialize in attenuating a wide range of frequencies; thus, Mpow H21 it cannot be used as a versatile ANC headset, but it’s ideal for train or plane travel. With it, you will be spared entirely from the sounds of too noisy engines, friction on the rails.
Sound Quality
This headset is rather beautiful, its comfort is very good, and it uses pleasant. This is all very well, but if the sound does not follow, then the disappointment is bound to be great. I’m not going to make the suspense last any longer. Mpow H21 clearly doesn’t disappoint.
Mpow H21 delivers a beautiful and accurate sound quality. With fairly balanced sound reproduction, especially in deactivated ANC mode, the headphones are detailed and super dynamic. It is a hip-hop oriented headset. The bass is put forward, with good dynamics; they are precise and do not drool over the rest of the audio spectrum. It produces a deep bass for listening comfort with countless rhythms.
The mids are almost as impressive, with clear male and female vocal timbre. They’re precise, with notably well-reproduced vocals and instruments in the middle of the spectrum.
The highs are slightly behind the stage. We can hear them, but they should have deserved a little more punch. Mpow H21 headphones are rather concentrated on the low and medium frequencies without restricting the highs.
Anyway, the general rendering remains rather well balanced and, above all, pleasant to the ear. Even if it’s hip-hop or electro that it works best, these headphones are versatile, and we can listen to all styles without too many problems. The sound is really good for the price. It is obviously adequate for gaming and more casual music listening.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a top-quality pair of headphones from Mpow that are not only comfortable and durable but sound great too, then Mpow H21 headphones are by far some of the best the company has to offer.
What impresses the most is the noise reduction system that you can easily activate/deactivate according to your needs. The headset is suitable for any type of trip by plane, bus, train, etc. The uncomfortable sounds of the engines are covered by your ANC and proper closed-back enclosure.
Additionally, the built-in CVC 6.0 noise-canceling microphone allows interaction via phone calls, which, thanks to its ability to shield from external noises, makes the communication with your interlocutor clear. Any noise nearby will be picked up by the microphone and eliminated for smoother communication.
Even if this product is positioned at a higher price than the other brand models, it is a worthy budget noise-canceling headphone with huge autonomy and pleasant music playback!
