Two budget over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling, long battery life, and a foldable design: the FiiO EH13 and the Philips H8000E. Both sit under $70, both support LDAC, and both are aimed at commuters who want a lot of headphone for not much money. They are close on paper, but a few differences in call quality and battery behaviour will decide which one suits you.
Price and positioning
The FiiO EH13 asks $50, making it one of the cheapest over-ear ANC models with LDAC support. The Philips H8000E is priced at $68, which is 36% more. For that extra money, Philips gives you Bluetooth 5.4, LC3 codec support, and a slightly lighter build at 260g versus 278g. FiiO counters with a lower price and a higher headline score. Neither feels premium – both use plastic builds that may feel less upmarket than their price suggests, but that is typical at this level.
The scores, side by side
HearWiki scores both as strong budget buys. The FiiO EH13 records an 86/100, while the Philips H8000E sits at 83/100. That is a three-point gap, which is meaningful but not a landslide. In sub-scores, the two are effectively a tie on sound (8.0/10 for both), and very close on ANC (8.0/10 for FiiO, 7.8/10 for Philips) and battery (10/10 vs 9.8/10). The real split is in calls: FiiO scores 8.0/10, Philips just 5.5/10. Value also favours FiiO at 10/10 versus 9.6/10.
Sound
Both use 40mm dynamic drivers and support SBC, AAC, and LDAC. Neither lists aptX. With LDAC, you can get high-resolution wireless audio on Android devices; iPhone users will fall back to AAC. Published reviews describe both as balanced and easy to listen to, with no strong emphasis on any one frequency. The FiiO EH13 has a 16-ohm impedance, the Philips a 32-ohm one – in practice, both are easy to drive from a phone. If you want to tweak the tuning, both have companion apps with EQ, though the Philips app is the one explicitly mentioned for that feature.
Noise cancelling and battery
Both have hybrid or adaptive ANC, plus transparency mode. The FiiO EH13 uses hybrid ANC; the Philips H8000E uses adaptive noise cancellation. Neither lists an IP rating, so you should keep both away from rain and heavy sweat. Multipoint is present on both, so neither gets credit for it in this comparison.
Battery is where the numbers need careful reading. The FiiO EH13 lists 75 hours per charge with ANC off, and 45 hours with ANC on. The Philips H8000E lists 70 hours per charge with ANC off, and 50 hours with ANC on. Neither has a charging case because both are over-ear, not true wireless. So the per-charge figures are the ones to compare. If you mostly use ANC, the Philips lasts longer; if you switch ANC off, the FiiO edges ahead. Both are exceptional for the price – most budget ANC over-ears struggle to reach 30 hours.
Calls and everyday use
This is the clearest differentiator. Both have five microphones, but published reviews and the HearWiki sub-scores tell different stories. The FiiO EH13 scores 8.0/10 for calls, suggesting clear voice pickup in most conditions. The Philips H8000E scores 5.5/10, which points to muffled or inconsistent call quality, especially in noise. If you take calls on public transport or in open offices, the FiiO is the safer bet.
In everyday use, both fold flat and are light enough to carry. The FiiO is heavier at 278g, but that is still comfortable for most people. Both use physical buttons rather than touch controls, which many people prefer for reliable operation with gloves or in the cold. Neither supports wireless charging, and neither lists wear detection – so music will not pause automatically when you take them off.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the FiiO EH13 if you want the lower price, better call quality, and a slightly higher overall score. It is the all-rounder of the two, and the 75-hour battery with ANC off is a genuine standout. Buy the Philips H8000E if you value Bluetooth 5.4, LC3 support, and longer ANC battery life, and if you rarely make calls with your headphones. The Philips is the better choice for long-haul flights with ANC on; the FiiO is the better choice for everyday mixed use.
For a full spec-by-spec breakdown, see the comparison table. If you are still deciding between other budget models, our best over-ear and best budget earbuds under $50 guides cover more options.
FAQ
Which has better battery life, FiiO EH13 or Philips H8000E?
With ANC off, the FiiO EH13 lasts 75 hours versus 70 hours for the Philips. With ANC on, the Philips lasts 50 hours versus 45 hours for the FiiO. So it depends on how you use them: longer with ANC off goes to FiiO, longer with ANC on goes to Philips.
Do both headphones support LDAC and multipoint?
Yes. Both support LDAC, SBC, and AAC, and both have multipoint connectivity. The Philips also adds LC3, which the FiiO does not list. Neither supports aptX.
Are the FiiO EH13 and Philips H8000E good for phone calls?
The FiiO EH13 scores 8.0/10 for calls, which is solid. The Philips H8000E scores 5.5/10, which is below average – expect worse voice clarity, especially in noisy environments. If calls matter, choose the FiiO.
