Behringer Behringer BH480NC Wireless Hybrid Noise-Canceling Review
For $63, the Behringer BH480NC delivers sound and noise cancellation that shames much more expensive headphones. The catch? You can feel every penny saved in the plasticky build.
The 30-Second Version
The Behringer BH480NC punches way above its $63 price tag on sound and ANC. It's a budget-friendly workhorse for commutes, but the build quality feels cheap and the mic is just okay. If you want great sound on a tight budget, this is a steal.
Overview
The Behringer BH480NC is a classic case of 'don't judge a book by its cover.' At $63, you're getting hybrid ANC and sound quality that our database ranks in the 90th percentile. That's wild for this price. It's clearly built for daily drivers who need to block out the world without breaking the bank.
You get the essentials: 20-hour battery, a foldable design with a case, and aptX support for better wireless audio. It's a no-frills package that puts its budget into the two things that matter most: the drivers and the noise cancellation.
Performance
Let's start with the good stuff. The sound is genuinely impressive, landing in the 90th percentile. The 40mm drivers deliver rich detail and solid bass. The hybrid ANC is no slouch either, sitting in the 78th percentile. It'll handle a noisy bus or a loud office just fine. Now, the not-so-good. The build quality is down in the 41st percentile, so it feels a bit plasticky and light. The microphone is just average (57th percentile), so your calls will be clear enough but nothing special.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sound quality that rivals headphones twice the price. 95th
- Effective hybrid ANC for the money. 86th
- Includes a carrying case and cables. 85th
- Supports aptX for higher-quality wireless streaming. 82th
Cons
- The plastic build feels cheap and lightweight. 22th
- Microphone quality is just passable for calls.
- Battery life is decent but not class-leading.
- Lacks advanced features like multipoint connectivity.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | Over-Ear |
| Open/Closed | Closed |
| Foldable | Yes |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 |
| Freq Max | 20000 |
| Impedance | 32 |
| Max SPL | 100 |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, SBC |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5 |
| Multipoint | No |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Range | 10 |
Battery
| Battery Life | 20 |
| Charge Time | 2 |
| Fast Charging | 5min=2hrs |
| Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 1 |
| NC Mic | No |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | iOS, Android |
| Volume Limiting | No |
Value & Pricing
At $63, the value proposition is incredibly straightforward. You are trading premium materials and extra features for core performance. If you care most about how your music sounds and how much noise gets blocked out, this is one of the best deals you'll find. If you want a luxury feel or top-tier call quality, you'll need to spend more.
vs Competition
This sits in a tricky spot. It destroys budget options like the JBL Tune 770NC on pure sound quality. But it's not trying to be a Sony WH-1000XM6 killer—you lose out on stellar build, world-class ANC, and smart features. It's more of a direct challenger to something like the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus, offering similar sound performance for significantly less cash, though you'll give up some comfort and brand cachet. Think of it as a high-performance engine in an economy car body.
| Spec | Behringer Behringer BH480NC Wireless Hybrid Noise-Canceling | Sony Sony - WH-1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Cancelling | Apple AirPods Max Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C) - Midnight | Sennheiser Sennheiser - ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Bluetooth | Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless | Bowers & Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins - B&W Px8 S2 Over-Ear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 30 | 40 | 37 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 32 | 48 | 16 | - | 24 | - |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life Hours | 20 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 35 | 30 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Common Questions
Q: How good is the noise cancellation really?
It's ranked in the 78th percentile, which is very good for the price. It uses hybrid ANC to effectively reduce constant low-end rumbles like plane engines and bus noise, but it's not as strong as top-tier models against human voices.
Q: Can you use them wired?
Yes, they include a 3.5mm cable for a wired connection, which is great for saving battery or using them with devices that don't have Bluetooth.
Q: Is the 20-hour battery life with ANC on?
Yes, the 20-hour rating is with the active noise cancellation turned on. You also get a quick charge feature that gives you 2 hours of playtime from just a 5-minute charge.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you need a durable, all-day-everyday headphone for rough use. The build quality is the main compromise. Also, if crystal-clear microphone quality for work calls is a top priority, you'll want to look at models specifically tuned for that, as the mic here is just average.
Verdict
Buy this if you're on a strict budget but refuse to compromise on sound and noise cancellation. It's perfect for students, commuters, or anyone who needs a reliable daily driver they won't cry over if it gets scuffed. Just go in knowing it won't feel premium in your hands.