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Edifier W820NB 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.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

QCY H3S leads on 5 of 7 measures.

  • Edifier W820NB
  • QCY H3S
HearWiki score
66
81
Sound
6.7
7.5
Noise cancelling
6.4
7.4
Battery
7.5
9.8
Calls
6.2
5.4
Value
9.0
9.5
Price (USD)
$27
$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 Edifier W820NB (2021). The QCY H3S is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.0 against 5.0, Top codec LDAC against SBC and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Multipoint pairing.

  • W820NB2021
  • H3S20254 yr newer
What differsW820NBH3S

Platform

Bluetooth
5.0
6.0
Top codec
SBC
LDAC
ANC type
Hybrid
Adaptive

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
No
Yes

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

W820NBH3S
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$27
$34
HearWiki score
66
81
Released
2021
2025
Availability
Still sold new
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 - 40 kHz
20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
32 Ω
Sensitivity
91 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.0
6.0
Codecs
SBC
AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
No
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
49 h
102 h
Battery life (ANC on)
29 h
58 h
Full charge time
90 min
120 min
Quick charge
-
10 min → 7 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
hybrid
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
-
Companion app
Yes
-
Custom EQ
Yes
-
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
buttons
buttons
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
220 g
240 g
Water resistance
none
none
Foldable
No
Yes
Detachable cable
Yes
-
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
-
7

What reviewers said

Edifier W820NB

Its lightweight 220-gram build and comfortable fit make it suitable for extended listening, while the sound profile is generally well-balanced for the price. Though it relies on the basic SBC codec and lacks multipoint connectivity, it remains a solid value pick for everyday use.

  • Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
  • Pro:Exceptional battery life, especially with ANC off
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
  • Con:Limited to SBC codec, no higher-quality wireless audio
  • Con:No multipoint connection for switching between devices
  • Con:No water resistance rating for outdoor or workout use

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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