QCY H3 Pro ANC Headphones Review

QCY are a relatively unknown brand, but the QCY H3 Pro has gained a reputation for being a budget-friendly option for those seeking quality audio, effective noise cancellation, and extended battery life.

While they can’t compete with premium options, there are not many ANC headphones that can compete with these at the £40 price point.

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Specification

• Product Name: QCY H3 Pro
• Type: Over-ear
• Audio codec: LDAC/AAC/SBC
• Compatible system: iOS/Android
• Pairing name: QCY H3 Pro
• Effective Bluetooth range: 10m
• Bluetooth version: 5.4
• Supported Protocols: HFP/A2DP/AVRCP
• Battery capacity: 550mAh
• Battery life: 40H with ANC ON, 55H with ANC OFF
• Charging port: USB Type-C
• Weight: 231g

Features

Superior Sound with Dual Chip Technology

The QCY H3 Pro headphones are designed to deliver high-quality sound, supported by advanced audio technology. They feature LDAC support for high-resolution audio streaming and are certified for Hi-Res Audio, ensuring clarity and precision in every note. The dual-chip system combines a primary chip with an amplifier chip to enhance bass response, providing a richer sound experience.

40mm Dynamic Drivers for Enhanced Audio Quality

The headphones are equipped with 40-mm dynamic drivers with titanium film diaphragms. This design provides an accurate and well-rounded sound profile, offering warm bass and clear high-frequency details. These features allow listeners to enjoy a detailed audio experience, whether it is deep bass or crisp treble.

Adaptive Hybrid Noise Cancellation

50dB adaptive hybrid noise cancellation to minimise external sounds, enhancing the listening experience.

360° Spatial Sound

Features a high-resolution spatial model algorithm, providing a 3D listening experience.

Microphone for Clear Calls

Equipped with 6 microphones, including a feedback mic, feedforward mic, and talk mic and combined with AI call noise reduction technology for clear sound during calls.

Wired and Wireless Compatibility

The QCY H3 Pro supports both wired and wireless operation modes. Users can switch to wired mode for continuous music playback during long journeys, ensuring that power limitations do not interrupt the listening experience. This flexibility provides users with consistent access to immersive sound without concerns over battery life.

Low-Latency Mode for Gaming

With a 60ms ultra-low latency feature, the headphones are suitable for gaming. The reduced latency helps deliver a smoother, more responsive experience, making it ideal for games that require precise audio synchronisation.

Dual Device Connectivity

The headphones allow connection to two devices simultaneously, which means users can easily switch between their smartphone and laptop without the need to disconnect and reconnect. This dual connection feature improves convenience for those who use multiple devices for different purposes throughout the day.

Unboxing

The packaging is simple yet functional, with the headphones neatly housed alongside a USB Type-C charging cable, a 3.5mm audio cable for wired use, and a user manual. While the accessories are standard for the price range, their inclusion adds convenience. However, a carrying case or pouch would have been a valuable addition to protect the headphones during travel.

The QCY H3 Pro’s design is sleek and modern, with understated branding and matte finishes. The over-ear earcups are cushioned with soft padding, and the adjustable headband ensures a comfortable fit for extended wear.

Although the build quality is solid for its price, the primarily plastic construction might not withstand heavy usage or accidental drops. The absence of premium materials such as metal or reinforced hinges slightly diminishes its durability, but this is expected given the budget-friendly pricing.

Sound Quality

General Performance

The QCY H3 Pro delivers a balanced sound profile with warm bass and crisp highs.

 Thanks to the dynamic drivers of 40mm titanium film, the audio is detailed and enjoyable across various genres. Whether listening to orchestral tracks or bass-heavy beats, the headphones provide an engaging experience without significant distortion at higher volumes.

I’d say these cater for mainstream tastes with the uplift in bass making them fun to listen to but not the sort of thing audiophiles would appreciate.

High-Resolution Audio

LDAC support ensures that high-resolution audio files are rendered with impressive clarity, provided the source device supports the codec. Audiophiles may appreciate the nuanced audio delivery, although the lack of customisable EQ settings might limit fine-tuning preferences.

Negatives

While the bass response is commendable, it can occasionally overshadow mids in complex tracks. Vocals and instruments remain clear but may lack the richness found in higher-end models.

Active Noise Cancelling

The adaptive hybrid noise cancellation is effective at reducing ambient sounds such as office chatter, air conditioning hums, or traffic noise. With a maximum cancellation of 50dB, the headphones are suitable for commuting and focused work environments.

Doing my normal synthetic test, playing aeroplane cabin noise on my Edifier S3000 Pro speakers, the headphones did an impressive job. They eliminate the majority of the low-end significantly making music or movies audible at a moderate volume with the very loud background cabin noise.  

However, as you would expect, the ANC performance falls short of premium models. It struggles to suppress sudden or high-frequency sounds entirely, such as keyboard clicks or nearby conversations. Still, considering the price, the ANC implementation is impressive and functional for most scenarios.

Battery Life

The QCY H3 Pro excels in battery performance, delivering up to 40 hours with ANC on and an impressive 55 hours with ANC off. This longevity makes it a reliable choice for long trips or heavy daily use. The USB Type-C fast charging ensures minimal downtime, with a full charge taking around two hours.

Microphone and Call Quality

With six microphones and AI-powered noise reduction, the QCY H3 Pro performs well during calls. Voices are transmitted clearly, and background noise is filtered effectively in quiet or moderately noisy environments. However, performance may degrade in extremely loud settings, where wind or crowd noise can occasionally interfere.

Price and Alternative Options

The QCY H3 Pro ANC Headphones are available directly from QCY. They have an RRP of £54, but at the time of writing, they were reduced to £38.

At that price, very little competes with them.

Edifier had some good Black Friday deals, with the W830NB being £60 and the W800BT Pro being £40.

Earfun has the Wave Pro at £56.

The Soundcore Space One have an RRP of £90, but during Black Friday, they are/were £55.

Overall  

You can’t complain about the QCY H3 Pro ANC Headphones for the price.

At this price, you need realistic expectations. Yes, the build quality is a bit plasticy, they are too bass-forward for audiophiles, and the ANC doesn’t compete with the likes of Sony/Bose, etc. However, I doubt someone like my partner would think the Sony WH-1000XM5 is worth over 5 times the price.

Of course, there are superb, affordable alternatives. The Edifier W830NB is well worth considering, and for a bit more money, the Soundcore Space One are excellent.

Overall, it is amazing how good ANC is with affordable headphones nowadays, and I can give these a strong recommendation for anyone wanting good ANC as affordable as possible.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.