Audio-Technica Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT Bluetooth Over-Ear Review
The Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT offers an almost absurd 90-hour battery and solid noise cancellation, but its audio performance is merely average. It's a trade-off.
The 30-Second Version
The Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT is a battery-life champion with decent noise cancellation. Its sound is just okay, and it's not the cheapest option. Worth it if you prioritize never plugging in over audiophile-grade audio.
Overview
The Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT is a solid, no-fuss pair of wireless over-ears. It's built for one thing: to be a reliable workhorse that you can grab and go without worrying about battery life or complicated features. It nails the basics with a comfortable fit, decent noise cancellation, and a simple control scheme, all wrapped up in a stylish beige package.
Performance
Performance is about what you'd expect for the price. The sound quality lands in the 64th percentile, which means it's good enough for most music and podcasts but won't blow you away with detail. The real star is the battery life, which sits in the 99th percentile. Ninety hours is insane, and a quick 3-minute charge gets you 2.5 hours of playtime. The noise cancellation is decent at a 78th percentile ranking, good for dulling office chatter or a plane engine, but it's not the absolute best in class.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Battery life is absolutely phenomenal. 99th
- Noise cancellation is solid for the price. 87th
- Comfortable for long listening sessions. 78th
- Includes a wired option with a detachable cable. 72th
Cons
- Sound quality is just okay, not great. 9th
- Build quality feels a bit plasticky.
- The microphone is merely average.
- It's not a budget king, scoring low on value.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | Over-Ear |
| Open/Closed | Closed |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 50 |
| Freq Max | 10000 |
| Impedance | 44.5 |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Cable Length | 1.2 |
| Range | 10 |
Battery
| Battery Life | 90 |
| Charge Time | 2.5 |
| Fast Charging | 3min=2.5hrs |
| Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | No |
| Mic Pattern | Omnidirectional |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | iOS, Android |
Value & Pricing
At $149, it's in a tricky spot. It scores a low 41.9 for budget, which tells us there are better pure-value picks. You're paying a bit of a premium for the Audio-Technica name and that killer battery. If you absolutely need a headset that won't die on a cross-country flight, it's worth it. If you just want cheap, good sound, look elsewhere.
vs Competition
This isn't a Sony WH-1000XM6 or AirPods Max killer. Those are in a different league for sound and ANC. The real competition is from the JBL Tune 770NC and Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus. The JBLs often go for less and offer similar features, while the Sennheisers might edge it out on audio fidelity. The ATH-S300BT fights back with its best-in-class battery and reliable, simple operation.
| Spec | Audio-Technica Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT Bluetooth Over-Ear | Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear | Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Closed-Back | Sennheiser Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Active | JBL JBL Tune 770NC Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear | Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 44.5 | 48 | 16 | — | 32 | 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 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life Hours | 90 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 70 | 35 |
Common Questions
Q: Does the noise cancellation work when using the wired cable?
Yes, the hybrid noise cancellation is a headphone feature, not a Bluetooth one. It will work whether you're listening wirelessly or plugged in with the included 3.5mm cable.
Q: How is the comfort for all-day wear?
With a 71st percentile comfort ranking and 258-gram weight, they're quite comfortable. The earpads are plush, making them suitable for long work or travel sessions.
Q: Is the microphone good for calls?
It's fine. The mic scores in the 57th percentile, so it's serviceable for quick calls or meetings, but don't expect studio-quality clarity in noisy environments.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you're an audiophile on a budget. The sound score is middling, and the 'budget' score is weak. For the same $149, you can find headphones that sound significantly better, even if their battery life isn't as monstrous.
Verdict
Buy this if you're a traveler, commuter, or remote worker who hates charging gadgets and just wants a comfortable, reliable pair of noise-cancelling headphones. It's the set you forget on your desk for a month and it still has power.