Denon Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Review

Denon's earbuds are comfy and have amazing mics for calls, but the battery life is just okay. They score a 63.2 overall, with their best performance in the microphone category. At $159, they're hard to recommend over the competition.

Denon's AH-C830NCW earbuds are a solid, no-frills entry into the premium wireless earbud space. They promise Denon's signature sound tuning and hybrid ANC in a comfortable, stem-style design.

At $159, they're priced right in the thick of it, competing directly with heavyweights from Sony and Bose. They nail the basics, but our data shows they have one glaring weakness that's hard to ignore.

The sound quality is good, landing in the 84th percentile, with Denon's tuning delivering a balanced and detailed listen. The ANC is effective, also scoring in the 84th percentile, and the mics are excellent for calls (91st percentile). The comfort and build are top-notch, too. The big letdown is battery life, which sits in the 41st percentile. Six hours per charge with ANC on is just okay in 2024, and it's the main reason our overall score is held back.

At $159, the value proposition is a bit shaky. You're paying for the Denon name, great comfort, and fantastic call quality. But when the battery life is this middling and you're missing modern codecs, it feels like you're not getting the full package for your money. There are better all-rounders at this price.

Stacked up, it's a tough fight. The Sony WF-1000XM5 has vastly better ANC and battery. The Technics EAH-AZ80 offers superior sound and multi-point. Even the Apple AirPods Pro integrate seamlessly if you're in that ecosystem. The Denon's edge is in call quality and comfort, but that's a narrow niche when competitors are beating it on the core features of sound, ANC, and battery.

Skip these if you're an audiophile or an Android power user. The lack of high-res codecs and the surprisingly low music score mean there are better-sounding options. Also, if you need buds that last through a long flight or workday without a charge, the mediocre battery life will disappoint you.

Buy these if you take a lot of calls on the go and prioritize long-wearing comfort above all else. The mic performance is genuinely best-in-class. But if you're a music lover or need all-day battery, you should look at the Sony or Technics options instead.