Audio-Technica ATH-S300BTBK Wireless Review
The Audio-Technica ATH-S300BTBK offers noise cancellation that rivals headphones three times its price. Just don't expect much else to impress.
The 30-Second Version
Buy these for world-class noise cancellation on a budget. Skip them if you want all-day comfort or marathon battery life.
Overview
The Audio-Technica ATH-S300BTBK is the noise-cancelling champ on a budget. If you need to block out the world without spending a fortune, this is your headphone. The one thing to know? Its ANC performance punches way above its price tag, sitting in the 98th percentile. Everything else about these cans is a compromise to hit that price, but for pure noise-blocking power on a budget, they're hard to beat.
Performance
The noise cancellation is genuinely impressive. It's not just 'good for the price'—it's one of the best on the market, period. That's the surprise. The letdown? The battery life scores in a disappointing 13th percentile. For a headphone touting 'class-leading' endurance, our data shows it lags behind most competitors. You get great ANC, but you'll be reaching for the charger more often than you'd like.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Noise cancellation is absolutely top-tier. 98th
- Microphone quality for calls is a standout. 93th
- Bluetooth connectivity is strong and reliable. 80th
- Includes a wired cable for when the battery dies. 75th
Cons
- Battery life is a real weak spot. 13th
- Sound quality is just middle of the pack.
- Comfort gets mediocre reviews, with reports of ear heat.
- Build quality feels about average, nothing special.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | Over-Ear |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
Audio
| Codecs | Audio-Technica ATH-S300BTBK Wireless Headphones, Black |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| ANC Type | Hybrid |
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant, Siri |
Value & Pricing
With prices swinging wildly from $105 to over $26k (ignore that crazy high end, it's a data glitch), aim for the $105-$130 range. At that price, the value is solid if ANC is your top priority. If you care more about sound, comfort, or battery, your money goes further elsewhere.
vs Competition
Stacked against giants like the Sony WH-1000XM5, you're giving up sublime comfort, better sound, and much longer battery life for a fraction of the cost. Compared to something in a similar budget tier, these destroy most on ANC and mic quality but will likely lose on battery and long-wear comfort. The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless offers better balanced audio and materials, but you'll pay more for it.
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-S300BTBK Wireless | Apple iClever BTH12 Kids Bluetooth Headphones,Colorful | Sony WH-1000XM5 Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear | Sennheiser Momentum Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Noise-Canceling Wireless | Bowers & Wilkins PX7S2 Bowers & Wilkins - Px7 S2 Wireless Active Noise | JBL Tune JBL - Tune 770NC Adaptive Noise Cancelling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | - | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | - | 40 | 30 | 42 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | - | 32 | 48 | 470 | 33 | 32 |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | - | - | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 55 | 30 | 60 | 30 | 70 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-S300BTBK Wireless | 98.3 | 92.6 | 48.1 | 42.1 | 13 | 38.1 | 79.6 | 75 |
| Apple iClever BTH12 Kids Compare | 87.7 | 92.6 | 98.3 | 93.8 | 97.7 | 99.7 | 94.9 | 94.3 |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear Compare | 94.4 | 99.3 | 48.1 | 98.7 | 95.1 | 91.6 | 99.8 | 94.3 |
| Sennheiser Momentum Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear Compare | 99.5 | 99.3 | 48.1 | 99 | 98.3 | 72.9 | 98.6 | 89.3 |
| Bowers & Wilkins PX7S2 Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Over Ear Compare | 94.4 | 92.6 | 99.9 | 93.8 | 94.1 | 67.8 | 93.3 | 94.3 |
| JBL Tune 770NC Adaptive Noise Cancelling Wireless Over-Ear Headphone 2024 Compare | 99.5 | 92.6 | 98.3 | 95.6 | 98.9 | 72.9 | 100 | 94.3 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the battery life really 90 hours?
Not with ANC on. You might get 60 hours in perfect lab conditions, but real-world use and our percentile data suggest you'll get less. Plan to charge them more often than premium rivals.
Q: Are they good for making calls?
Yes, surprisingly good. The mic scores in the 93rd percentile, so your voice will sound clear on the other end, even in noisy places.
Q: Do they come with a case?
Nope. You get a cable, but no carrying case. It's a cost-cutting move that bugs a lot of buyers.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a balanced, comfortable all-rounder for music and all-day wear, this isn't it. Go get the Sony WH-1000XM4 or XM5 on sale instead. If you're a studio producer or an audiophile chasing perfect sound, look elsewhere entirely—these score a dismal 24.5 for studio work.
Verdict
We recommend these if you're noise-cancellation first, everything else second. They're a specialist tool. For commuters, students in noisy dorms, or home office workers battling background chaos, the ANC alone justifies the purchase. For everyone else who values all-day comfort, rich sound, or not charging every other day, look at the competition.