Over-Ear
Beats Executive
34Weak
$22
Full review dataBeats Executive vs QCY H3S: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the QCY H3S comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: QCY H3S - Outstanding overall at around $34.
Over-Ear
QCY H3S
81Outstanding
$34
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
QCY H3S leads on 6 of 7 measures.
- Beats Executive
- QCY H3S
HearWiki score
34
81
Sound
5.3
7.5
Noise cancelling
3.2
7.4
Battery
-
9.8
Calls
4.5
5.4
Value
-
9.5
Price (USD)
$22
$34
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
New platform
QCY H3S (2025) against Beats Executive (2012). The QCY H3S is the newer platform here: Top codec LDAC against SBC and ANC type Adaptive against Feedback. It also adds Multipoint pairing and USB-C.
- Executive2012
- H3S202513 yr newer
What differsExecutiveH3S
- Top codec
- SBC
- LDAC
- ANC type
- Feedback
- Adaptive
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
ExecutiveH3S
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $22
- $34
- HearWiki score
- 34
- 81
- Released
- 2012
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- 2-driver hybrid
- Driver type
- dynamic
- hybrid
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 2
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Bluetooth
- -
- 6.0
- Codecs
- SBC
- AAC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 25 h
- 102 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 58 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 7 h
- Wireless charging
- No
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- feedback
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- No
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- -
- Yes
- Weight
- 340 g
- 240 g
- Water resistance
- none
- none
- Foldable
- Yes
- Yes
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Microphones
- 1
- 7
What reviewers said
Beats Executive
The Beats Executive is a foldable, over-ear wireless headphone from 2012 that focuses on style and bass-heavy sound. It offers decent active noise cancellation and long battery life, but its performance is held back by a noticeable hiss from the ANC system and a sound signature that may not suit everyone. While it's comfortable and sturdy, it's generally considered a mediocre all-rounder rather than a standout choice.
- Pro:Stylish and comfortable design
- Pro:Strong battery life
- Pro:Effective noise cancellation for its era
- Con:Noticeable hiss from ANC
- Con:Bass-heavy tuning can distort at high volumes
- Con:No passive mode when battery dies
QCY H3S
The QCY H3S is a budget-friendly over-ear wireless headphone that packs adaptive active noise cancellation, a hybrid dual-driver setup, and support for LDAC and Bluetooth 6.0. Its foldable design and lightweight build add to its portability and convenience.
- Pro:Effective adaptive ANC for the price
- Pro:LDAC and AAC codec support for high-quality audio
- Pro:Multipoint connectivity and Bluetooth 6.0
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:No wireless charging support
- Con:Controls are button-based, not touch
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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