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Lately, it feels like I’ve been reviewing a lot of earbuds from Edifier. So when Edifier offered to send me the ES850NB, I was genuinely excited to try something new.

The pair I received is in Brown, which immediately stood out to me. It’s such a refreshing colour choice — warm, elegant, and honestly perfect for a gentleman blogger like me. It gives off that premium, slightly vintage vibe that makes you want to wear them not just for sound, but as part of your everyday style.

After spending over a week using them daily — from early-morning writing sessions to evening walks with music — I can confidently say these are among the best over-ear headphones Edifier has released. But as good as they are, there’s one little detail that keeps them from being absolutely perfect.

So let’s dive into my detailed review of the Edifier ES850NB, where I’ll cover design, comfort, sound quality, noise cancellation, and of course, that one thing I think could be improved.

Design & Comfort

Let’s start with the design because that’s one of the first things that impressed me. Like many modern headphones, the Edifier ES850NB are mostly made of plastic — but trust me, they don’t feel cheap. The faux leather accents add a touch of sophistication that makes them look far more premium than their price tag suggests. The Brown colour, in particular, has a timeless charm. It’s elegant, slightly vintage, and fits beautifully with Edifier’s minimalist aesthetic.

The Edifier logo is printed in a subtle, refined way — no big flashy branding, just understated confidence. When it comes to comfort, Edifier has absolutely nailed it. The ear cups are incredibly soft and well-padded, hugging your ears without putting on too much pressure. Even after hours of use — whether I’m writing blog drafts, editing videos, or just listening to music — I didn’t feel that usual heaviness or ear fatigue.

The buttons are tactile and nicely clicky and the headphones come with a sturdy carrying case, which is a detail worth highlighting. It’s solid, protective, and feels like it’s built to last — the kind of case you actually want to use rather than leave in the box.

Overall, the design and comfort are spot on. The ES850NB looks and feels like something that should cost a lot more, and that’s one of the things I really love about Edifier — they consistently deliver style and comfort without inflating the price.

Sound Quality & Performance

The first thing that caught my attention was the Active Noise Cancelling. Edifier claims it can block up to 45 dB, and honestly, it works beautifully. No, it’s not quite at the level of Sony’s WH-1000XM6 or Apple’s AirPods Max, but it’s not miles behind either. It does a fantastic job at cancelling out low-frequency hums, background chatter, or that constant café buzz — perfect for when I’m trying to focus on writing or just unwind with some music.

Through the Edifier ConneX app, you can select different ANC modes depending on your environment, and I found that flexibility really useful. Whether you’re working from home, commuting, or sitting in a noisy airport lounge, there’s a mode that fits.

Now, about the sound itself — as always with Edifier, it’s lovely. There’s that warm sound signature that I’ve come to associate with the brand. It feels rich and inviting, never harsh. Vocals are clear and natural, while the bass is deep but controlled. It’s the kind of tuning that makes long listening sessions genuinely enjoyable.

You can tweak the EQ inside the app, but honestly, I left it on Music and Classic most of the time — those two modes already sound fantastic. If you’re an Android user, you’ll also enjoy Hi-Res Wireless Audio with the LDAC codec, which delivers more detail and depth than the standard AAC used on iPhones. But don’t worry, the ES850NB sounds equally great on iOS — watching YouTube or Netflix was a treat, with no lag or delay whatsoever.

Battery life is another area where Edifier has nailed it. The company claims up to 53 hours of playback with ANC on, and while I’m not the kind of person who wears headphones all day long, that figure seems realistic. I used them for several days before even thinking about charging.

The best way I can describe the experience is this: when the Active Noise Cancelling kicks in and the music starts, it really does feel like it’s just you and the music — nothing else. It’s immersive, smooth, and surprisingly refined for this price range.

The “Almost Perfect” Part

buy on amazon

Now, you’ve probably noticed the title of this review — “The Almost Perfect Headphones.” There’s a reason I didn’t just call them perfect.

As I mentioned earlier, the buttons on the ES850NB feel nice and clicky — there’s nothing wrong with their quality at all. But when it comes to using them in real life, I found the experience a little hit and miss. The placement makes it easy to press the wrong button, especially when you’re walking or trying to adjust the volume quickly.

After a few days, I simply started using my phone to control playback 99% of the time. It’s just faster and more reliable. Again, it’s not a deal breaker by any means — the sound and comfort are so good that I can happily live with it — but I do think Edifier could do better here.

There is, however, one touch feature I really like: if you touch and hold the right ear cup, the music pauses and the headphones let in ambient sound so you can have a quick conversation without taking them off. It works beautifully and feels very natural.

Hopefully in the next generation, Edifier will bring this even further — maybe adding proper touch controls on the earcups for volume and playback. That would be the icing on the cake, turning the ES850NB from “almost perfect” to truly perfect.

Final Thoughts

After spending time with the Edifier ES850NB, I can honestly say these headphones have quickly become one of my favourites this year. Edifier has managed to create something that blends style, comfort, and sound quality in a way that feels far more premium than their price tag suggests.

The Brown colour gives them a distinctive, elegant edge — perfect for those who like their tech to look as good as it performs. The sound signature is beautifully warm, the active noise cancellation is seriously impressive, and the battery life is one of the best I’ve experienced in this category.

The ES850NB are headphones I genuinely enjoy using every day — whether I’m writing blog posts, editing videos, or just sitting with a coffee and some jazz/indie pop in the background. They’re comfortable, refined, and deliver a listening experience that’s deeply satisfying.

If you’re looking for a pair of stylish, feature-packed over-ear headphones that sound fantastic and feel premium without the premium price tag, then the Edifier ES850NB should definitely be on your shortlist.

Available on Amazon.com (here) and on Amazon UK (here)

Jerome

Disclaimer: Edifier kindly sent me the ES850NB headphones for review purposes. As always, all opinions in this post are entirely my own. Some links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. It helps support my work and keeps Dapper & Groomed running. Thank you for your support!