Philips SHB9850NC Wireless Headphones Review

Final Thoughts

Price

You can purchase the Philips SHB9850NC Wireless Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones from most major retailers. Currently, we found them on Amazon for just £109.99, down from the £144.99 RRP. That’s not exactly cheap, but still excellent value for a set of high-end headphones. I’ve had sets that cost more, yet didn’t sound any better. It’s worth it for the best ANC I’ve ever used at the very least.

Overview

I’m a little bit in love with these headphones, and that makes it pretty hard for me to give an impartial opinion of them. However, credit due where credit is due, they more than exceeded my expectations in terms of features and performance, and that’s no bad thing.

The latest headphones from Philips are great for use at home. I have had them paired up with my Xbox One controller, with my Nvidia Shield Tablet, even my PC. With the use of Bluetooth, NFC, and the included 3.5mm cable, connectivity certainly isn’t a problem here. However, their real star performance shines through when you’re out of the house. If you’re on a long journey with a lot of background noise, these cannot be beaten. I actually found that using them without audio dampened ambient noise far greater than the in-flight ear plugs provided for the journey!

The build quality feels great too. There is a good amount of flex to the headband, yet it’s still very strong. The headphones will take a few good knocks and bumps with no trouble, which is great if you’re throwing them in a backpack like I do. Obviously, you want them to stay in one piece while travelling.

The passive noise dampening is very good. The ANC is certainly impressive on top of that. However, the overall sound quality is what really sets them apart. There’s plenty of thump and more than enough volume to satisfy the needs of your listening habits. The battery life seems to hover around 15 hours of constant use. I had plenty of loud audio playing and used them as passive earplugs for around 20 hours on my way home, and the battery was giving me a warning as I got home. Overall, that’s pretty fantastic.

Pros

• Competitively priced ANC headphones
• Premium sound quality
• Wired and Bluetooth support
• Excellent battery life
• Auto-adjustment fit
• Powerful sound
• Stylish aesthetics
• Trusted brand name

Cons

• None

“If you want to enjoy your movies, music, games, and more in peace on those long journeys, the Philips SHB9850NC are one of the best solutions on the market today. Highly recommended!”