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Mpow H21 vs Sennheiser HD 400: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 400 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sennheiser HD 400 - Great overall at around $77.

Score breakdown

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

Mpow H21
Sound6.5
Noise cancelling6.0
Battery8.0
Calls5.5
Value7.5
Sennheiser HD 400
Sound8.5
Value8.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of Mpow H21 vs Sennheiser HD 400
SpecMpow H21Sennheiser HD 400
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$80$77
HearWiki score68 / 100 · Good82 / 100 · Great
Released2021-
Audio
Driver40mmSennheiser dynamic drivers
Driver size40 mm40 mm
Drivers per side21
Frequency response20Hz-20kHz18Hz-20kHz
Impedance32 Ω120 Ω
Sensitivity118 dB/mW-
Wireless
Bluetooth5.0-
Bluetooth version5.0-
CodecsAAC-
Multipoint pairingYesNo
Battery
Battery life65 h-
Full charge time180 min-
Wireless chargingNoNo
Features
Active noise cancellingYesNo
ANC typehybrid-
Transparency modeNo-
Companion appNo-
Custom EQNo-
Wear detectionNo-
Controlsbuttonsbuttons
Design
Weight395 g240 g
Water resistancenonenone
USB-CNoYes
Calls
Microphones21
Call noise reductionCVC 6.0-

What reviewers said

Mpow H21

The Mpow H21 is a budget-friendly over-ear headphone that prioritizes comfort and long battery life, offering up to 65 hours of playback. It includes hybrid active noise cancellation and Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support, making it a practical choice for value-focused listeners, though it lacks premium features like transparency mode or app customization.

  • Pro:Very comfortable for extended wear
  • Pro:Excellent battery life at up to 65 hours
  • Pro:Hybrid ANC effective for the price
  • Con:No transparency mode for ambient awareness
  • Con:Limited to AAC codec, no aptX or LDAC
  • Con:No app support or custom EQ

Sennheiser HD 400

These over-ear Sennheiser headphones are built around a neutral, open-back design aimed at studio work, delivering a wide soundstage and detailed, transparent audio for critical listening. They are lightweight and comfortable for long sessions, with a high-impedance driver setup that helps maintain low distortion, though they lack isolation and come without a carry case. Wired connectivity via USB-C and detachable cables adds versatility, but the open-back nature means sound leaks both ways.

  • Pro:Accurate, transparent sound with wide soundstage
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
  • Pro:Detachable cables and USB-C connectivity
  • Con:No included carry case or spare ear pads
  • Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
  • Con:High impedance may require a dedicated amplifier for best results

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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