Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT Wireless On-Ear Review
Audio-Technica packs a 60-hour battery into a $64 wireless headphone. We tested to see if the amazing battery life is worth the trade-offs in sound and build.
The 30-Second Version
For about $64, you get insane 60-hour battery life and reliable features in a comfortable, lightweight package. Sound and build quality are just okay, but the value is undeniable. A great pick if budget and battery are your top concerns.
Overview
The Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT is a straightforward, budget-friendly wireless on-ear headphone. It's built for people who want to cut the cord without spending a fortune, packing in features like multipoint pairing and a massive 60-hour battery.
You're getting a simple, lightweight package here. It's not trying to be a premium noise-canceling king. Instead, it focuses on the basics: reliable wireless audio, long life, and easy switching between your phone and laptop.
Performance
Performance is a classic case of 'you get what you pay for.' The battery life is the star, landing in the 93rd percentile. That 60-hour rating is real, and it's fantastic. Sound quality is middle-of-the-road, scoring in the 58th percentile. The 40mm drivers deliver decent audio for the price, but don't expect deep, thumping bass or crystal-clear highs. The mic is just okay for calls, and there's no active noise cancellation to speak of.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Battery life that absolutely crushes most competitors. 98th
- Lightweight and very comfortable for all-day wear. 97th
- Multipoint Bluetooth makes switching between devices a breeze. 94th
- Includes a cable for wired use when the battery dies (in a month). 90th
Cons
- Sound quality is just average, with a narrow frequency range. 28th
- Build quality feels a bit plasticky and cheap.
- No active noise cancellation at all.
- On-ear design can get warm and doesn't block much outside sound.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | On-Ear |
| Open/Closed | Closed |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 50 |
| Freq Max | 4000 |
| Impedance | 32 |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Cable Length | 1.2 |
| Range | 10.1 |
Battery
| Battery Life | 60 |
| Charge Time | 4 |
| Fast Charging | 10min=3.5hrs |
| Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 1 |
| Mic Pattern | Omnidirectional |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
Value & Pricing
At around $64, the value proposition is clear and strong. You're paying for core wireless functionality and epic battery life, not premium materials or audiophile sound. If your budget is tight and you just need reliable headphones that won't die on you, this is a smart buy. If you have more to spend, you can easily get better sound and features.
vs Competition
Stacked up, it's a budget warrior. It destroys the JBL Tune 770NC on battery life and price, but the JBL has ANC. It's less than half the price of the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus, which offers better sound and ANC but similar multipoint smarts. Compared to the Sony WH-1000XM6? Please. That's a luxury sedan; this is a reliable commuter bike. The ATH-S220BT wins on pure cost-of-entry and stamina, but loses on every other feature.
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT Wireless On-Ear | Sennheiser Momentum Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Noise-Canceling Wireless | Sony ULT Wear Sony ULT WEAR Wireless Over-Ear Noise-Canceling | Apple iClever BTH12 Kids Bluetooth Headphones,Colorful | Bose QuietComfort Bose QuietComfort Wireless Over-Ear Active | Soundcore Life Soundcore - Life Q30 by Anker, Hybrid Active Noise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | On-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 42 | 40 | 40 | - | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 32 | 470 | 314 | 32 | - | 15.829999923706055 |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | Closed | Closed | Closed | - | Closed | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | 60 | 60 | 30 | 55 | 24 | 50 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT Wireless On-Ear | 40.4 | 76.8 | 48.1 | 90.3 | 98.3 | 93.9 | 96.7 | 27.6 |
| Sennheiser Momentum Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear Compare | 99.5 | 99.3 | 48.1 | 99 | 98.3 | 72.9 | 98.5 | 89.3 |
| Sony ULT Wear Wireless Over-Ear Noise-Canceling Compare | 87.7 | 92.6 | 48.1 | 99.1 | 94.7 | 69.1 | 99.8 | 99.6 |
| Apple iClever BTH12 Kids Compare | 87.7 | 92.6 | 98.3 | 93.8 | 97.7 | 99.7 | 94.9 | 94.3 |
| Bose QuietComfort Wireless Over-Ear Active Noise-Canceling Compare | 87.7 | 92.6 | 48.1 | 88.2 | 94.4 | 91.6 | 98.1 | 89.3 |
| Soundcore Life Q30 by Anker Compare | 94.4 | 92.6 | 98.3 | 97 | 96.9 | 82.3 | 96.8 | 99 |
Common Questions
Q: How is the sound quality for music?
It's decent for the price, scoring around average in our database. The 40mm drivers handle most genres fine, but don't expect powerful bass or amazing detail. It's good, not great.
Q: Can you use them wired?
Yes, they include a 3.5mm audio cable. This is great for using them on planes or when the battery is finally dead after weeks of use.
Q: Do they have noise cancellation?
No, there's no active noise cancellation (ANC). They rely on the passive seal of the on-ear cups, which blocks some noise but not like over-ear ANC headphones.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you need top-tier sound or serious noise isolation. Audiophiles and frequent flyers should look elsewhere. The build quality is also fairly basic, so if you're rough on your gear, you might want something more durable.
Verdict
Buy these if you're on a strict budget and your top priorities are battery life and basic wireless convenience. They're perfect for students, commuters who don't need noise canceling, or as a reliable second pair of headphones. You get incredible uptime and solid connectivity for a very low price.