Edifier W830NB review

The Edifier W830NB headphones make a strong case for themselves in the budget-friendly midrange category. As it’s becoming apparent that you don’t need to spend hundreds for a solid pair of headphones in today’s market, the W830NB promise travel-ready ANC with plenty of battery life and a customizable sound. But can these headphones really deliver it all that for under $80? Let’s get to the goods in this Edifier W830NB review.

What’s it like to use the Edifier W830NB?

Edifier has done an excellent job of making the W830NB easily mistaken for a more premium set of headphones, from a distance at least. Aside from two nondescript Edifier symbols on each side of the headband, they don’t actually say Edifier on them anywhere. Our test model arrives in Sand White but is also available in Black, Grey, or Ivory. It’s not until they’re in your hands that it becomes more apparent that these are budget headphones. Aside from the cushioning and two small pieces of metal overlay on the adjustable headband, the rest is plastic, which gives off plenty of creaks and rattles when handled.

However, nothing about their comfort feels cheap once they’re on your head. While the earcups aren’t the roomiest, they sure are plush and create a decent seal around my average-sized ears without issue. Combined with the headband padding and a good amount of clamping force without going overboard, the W830NB headphones are pretty comfortable for longer listening sessions or your daily commute.

That said, if you plan on traveling with these headphones or using them as your daily drivers, it’s worth noting that while the earcups swivel and fold up nicely, the W830NB do not come with a carrying bag or case. Of course, this is another way to keep these headphones affordable, but the plastic build has started showing some minor scuffs and scratches after a week of taking them in and out of my backpack. At a minimum, a cloth bag would have been nice to include. Lastly, these headphones also have no IP rating, meaning they’re not ideal for the gym or rainy climates.

Should you use the ConneX app with Edifier W830NB?

I recommend downloading and installing the Edifier Connex app to use with the W830NB headphones. It allows you to customize your noise cancelation and EQ settings. Depending on your environment, you’re offered two different noise cancelation modes: High and Medium. You can also take advantage of the Wind reduction mode if you’re out exercising with these headphones or Ambient sound, aka Transparency mode, if you want to hear a little more of the world around you. If you’re keen on gaming with these headphones, they also offer a low-latency gaming mode within the app.

The EQ section is the real gem here, something the W820NB Plus lacks. You’re offered four EQ presets, but Edifier also includes a four-band parametric EQ with Q control to cut or boost an exact frequency. This means you can really personalize the sound of these headphones. It’s worth experimenting with! Not many companies offer this type of extensive EQ, which is a pleasant surprise for a budget pair of headphones.

How do the Edifier W830NB connect?

The Edifier W830NB headphones connect to your device wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.4 and support SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. They also offer audio over USB via a wired connection. You can still rock the ANC or Transparency mode while wired, and they’ll charge up as well—another win and a nice touch for a budget set of headphones.

Multipoint connection is also available if you want to connect to two devices simultaneously and seamlessly switch between them, but you need to configure this feature via the Connex app.

How long does the Edifier W830NB’s battery last?

How well do the Edifier W830NB cancel noise?

The Edifier W830NB headphones offer solid passive isolation thanks to some well-fitting ear pads. This helps block out most, but not all, of any nearby conversations while commuting or working at the office. While I found the active noise canceling does a great job of reducing the low-end rumble of a city bus during my commute, according to our measurements, the Edifiers budget sibling W820NB headphones can reduce an even wider range of low-end frequencies, enough so to make our list of the best noise canceling headphones. Something to keep in mind if you’re on the fence between these two affordable options and ANC is your priority.

How do the Edifier W830NB sound?

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Edifier W830NB was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

Regarding our simulated panel of listeners, the Edifier W830NB headphones suffer from a lower Distortion score but ultimately earn a decent Overall score of 4.4. By this measure, most listeners will enjoy the stock tuning of these headphones, which can always be personalized to taste, thanks to its EQ options.

Objective Measurements

You can see how the frequency response of the Edifier W830NB compare to our SoundGuys Preference Curve in the chart above. They don’t quite offer the sub-bass we like to hear, but it aligns with our upper bass and lower mid-range curve. We also notice a wide spike in the high end from roughly 6.5kHz to 9kHz, which, as I discovered, may be an issue for any treble-sensitive listeners during longer listening sessions. Again, as discussed, you can dial this out via the EQ app.

Can you use the Edifier W830NB for phone calls?

While connected to the Edifier W830NB headphones, you can take phone calls, jump on a Zoom meeting, or FaceTime with your pals, and you get a usable performance in ideal conditions.

Edifier W830NB microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Should you buy the Edifier W830NB?

If you’re looking for a pair of over-ear headphones that offer a solid feature set without breaking the bank, the Edifier W830NB fit the bill. They come with useful tools that more experienced listeners want, such as a parametric equalizer, and various listening modes that commuters need. Along with a comfortable fit and a decent battery life, the W830NB checks plenty of boxes. Just don’t forget to buy an aftermarket carrying case or bag bag to protect them from travel scuffs.

What should you get instead of the Edifier W830NB?

For a similar price, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are worth considering. These headphones offer a foldable design, a protective carrying case, and a 9-band customizable EQ. With an impressive 46-hour battery life on a single charge, they’re a great option for commuters and frequent travelers. Snag a pair of Q30 headphones for $79.99 at Amazon.

Edifier W830NB review: FAQs