Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless Review

Scoring 98/100, the B&O Beoplay HX is a top-tier luxury headphone. Its standout feature is a 96th percentile microphone for stellar calls, backed by 94th percentile build quality and 40-hour battery life. At $631, it's for buyers who prize premium materials and call clarity over being the absolute best at noise cancellation.

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX is a premium over-ear headphone that scores a 98 out of 100 in our database. That's a top-tier rating, and it's built on some seriously impressive numbers: its microphone lands in the 96th percentile, build quality hits the 94th, and battery life sits comfortably in the 93rd. For a $631 headphone, you're paying for those elite rankings and the B&O name. It's a luxury product that backs up its price with performance in key areas, though it's not perfect across the board.

Let's talk about where this thing shines. That 96th percentile microphone score isn't just a number—it means call quality is genuinely excellent, thanks to those four beamforming mics. Battery life is another high point, with up to 40 hours putting it in the 93rd percentile. You won't be charging these every day. Sound quality is in the 90th percentile, delivering a balanced, natural profile that audiophiles appreciate, though bass lovers might find it a bit reserved. The adaptive ANC is solid at the 87th percentile, effectively handling most environments, but it's not quite the absolute top of the class. Comfort, at the 85th percentile, is good thanks to the memory foam and lambskin, but some users with larger ears might find the fit a bit snug over long sessions.

At $631, the Beoplay HX is a luxury purchase. You're paying a premium for the Bang & Olufsen brand, elite build quality, and that exceptional microphone. The value proposition is clear: if you prioritize best-in-class call quality and premium materials in a wireless headphone, this is a strong contender. However, if pure noise-canceling performance or maximum bass are your top priorities, there are competitors at similar or lower price points that might offer better value in those specific areas.

Stacked up against the competition, the HX carves out a niche. Compared to the Sony WH-1000XM6, the HX offers better build quality and microphone performance but falls slightly short on ANC effectiveness and often comes at a higher price. Against the Apple AirPods Max, the HX provides better battery life and a more universal fit with its physical controls, but it lacks the deep ecosystem integration of Apple devices. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is a closer competitor on sound signature, often at a lower price, but the HX typically edges it out in build and mic quality. It's a game of trade-offs: choose the HX for its premium feel and call clarity.

Skip the Beoplay HX if your primary goal is the strongest possible active noise cancellation. While its ANC is good (87th percentile), competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM6 benchmark higher. Also, if you're on a strict budget or crave a heavy, punchy bass response, this headphone's balanced sound and premium price tag probably aren't for you. Its relatively weaker score in 'calls' (77.9) also suggests it might have some software quirks for voice applications, which is odd given its stellar mic hardware.

The Beoplay HX is a data-backed winner for the user who values premium construction and best-in-class call quality above all else. Its scores in build, mic, and battery are exceptional. We recommend it if you're willing to pay the luxury tax for a headphone that excels in those areas and delivers excellent, balanced sound. However, if your primary goal is the absolute strongest noise cancellation or you're on a tighter budget, there are more targeted options available.