Over-Ear
QCY H3 Lite ANC
72Good
$45
Full review dataQCY H3 Lite ANC 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.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 400
82Great
$77
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
QCY H3 Lite ANC
Sound6.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery8.5
Calls6.0
Value8.5
Sennheiser HD 400
Sound8.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | QCY H3 Lite ANC | Sennheiser HD 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $45 | $77 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 82 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2024 | - |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Sennheiser dynamic drivers |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 18Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 120 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | - |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| Latency | 68 ms | - |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 60 h | - |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 50 h | - |
| Full charge time | 120 min | - |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 11 h | - |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No |
| ANC type | adaptive | - |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 260 g | 240 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 1 |
| Call noise reduction | ENC/DSP | - |
What reviewers said
QCY H3 Lite ANC
The QCY H3 Lite is an affordable over-ear headphone that packs adaptive noise cancellation, multi-device pairing, and a remarkable battery life of up to 60 hours without ANC (50 with it). It offers solid everyday performance with a bass-forward sound, transparency mode, and app-based EQ, making it a strong value pick for budget-conscious listeners, though it cuts corners on build materials and codec support.
- Pro:Exceptional battery life, even with ANC enabled
- Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode at a budget price
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device switching
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than pricier rivals
- Con:Only supports SBC and AAC codecs, no aptX or LDAC
- Con:Bass-forward tuning may not suit neutral purists
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.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.