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I’ve said it before — I’m genuinely a big fan of QCY. This sub-brand from Xiaomi has earned a solid reputation for producing audio gear that sounds far better than it costs. Over the years, they’ve surprised me with earbuds and headphones that deliver impressive sound quality, smart features, and reliable performance — all while staying incredibly affordable.

I still remember being impressed by the QCY H3 Pro, which offered clean, detailed audio and surprisingly effective ANC for its price. So when QCY announced the new H3S, I couldn’t wait to see if they had managed to raise the bar again.

I’ve been using the H3S daily for the past couple of weeks — during my writing sessions, while walking my dog, and even during long train rides — and I’ve come away with mixed feelings. Let me explain.

Tech Specs — On Paper, It Looks Amazing

On paper, the QCY H3S looks seriously impressive. It’s packed with features that you’d expect from headphones two or three times the price:

56dB Active Noise Cancellation
Up to 102 hours of battery life
Dual driver setup (40mm + 13mm) for a richer soundstage
Hi-Res Audio certification
360° Spatial Sound
7 microphones with AI noise reduction for clearer calls
Lightweight (240g) and foldable design for all-day comfort
Bluetooth 6.0 for stable, low-latency connections
Customizable modes for gaming, movies, or music
Dual connection with seamless switching between devices

It’s a long list — and for the current Black Friday price of around $50, it’s hard not to be impressed. That’s an incredible deal for everything QCY has packed into these headphones.

However, here’s where things get interesting: the excellent QCY H3 Pro costs only about $7 more (around $57 right now). Sure, the Pro version uses Bluetooth 5.4 instead of 6.0 and has slightly weaker noise cancellation at 50dB — but in my experience, the sound quality and comfort of the H3 Pro are both a step above. The H3 Pro headphones can also get very loud, which is something I personally love when listening to music or testing gear.

So what about the new H3S? On paper, it looks like an upgrade in several areas, but in practice, I’m not sure it quite delivers the same magic. The H3S sounds more like what you’d expect from a typical budget headphone — which isn’t bad by any means — but when the H3 Pro is just a few dollars more, it starts to raise questions.

Don’t get me wrong: the active noise cancellation is strong, the connection is fast, and the battery life is fantastic. But it does feel as though QCY has made a few compromises in sound quality to balance out the newer features.

Design & Comfort

Design-wise, the QCY H3S clearly follows the same visual language as the rest of the H3 range. It’s clean, modern, and instantly recognizable as part of QCY’s family of over-ear headphones. The build is entirely plastic, but it feels solid and well-assembled, not cheap. There’s a matte finish that resists fingerprints, and the overall look is simple and functional — nothing flashy, just practical everyday design.

The adjustable headband works fine, but it doesn’t feel quite as smooth or refined as the one on the H3 Pro. The movement is a little stiffer, and there’s a subtle difference in how the materials feel when you handle both side by side.

Now, let’s talk comfort — and here’s where my experience was less positive. Personally, I find the H3S uncomfortable after a while. The earcups feel slightly too small or too tight for my ears, which creates a bit of pressure during long listening sessions. Of course, comfort is highly subjective — some people might find them perfectly fine or even very comfortable — but for me, they don’t quite achieve that “forget you’re wearing them” feeling that I had with the H3 Pro.

I can wear them for an hour without major issues, but beyond that, I start to feel the need to take them off for a break. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if, like me, you use headphones for extended periods while working, traveling, or editing content.

Sound Quality & Performance

As usual with QCY, you get Hi-Res Audio support — though only if you’re on Android (thanks, Apple!). I tested the H3S using Spotify on my iPhone 15 Plus, which is my main daily setup, and overall, the sound was… okay. Not bad at all for the price, but not mind-blowing either.

The active noise cancellation works surprisingly well. It’s efficient enough to drown out the background hum of daily life — like traffic, the washing machine, or a noisy café — and it makes a noticeable difference when you switch it on. QCY also includes a few equalizer modes in the app (Music, Game, and Movie), which can slightly change the listening experience depending on what you’re doing.

However, when it comes to pure sound quality, I have to say the H3 Pro still sounds better. The H3S delivers a balanced sound with decent clarity, but it lacks that extra punch and warmth that made the H3 Pro such an easy recommendation. The H3S also doesn’t get as loud, which is something I immediately noticed when switching between the two.

So, if sound quality is your main priority and you can spend a little bit more, go for the H3 Pro — you won’t be disappointed. The H3S still offers good value, but the Pro simply feels more polished, powerful, and refined in every way that matters.

Final Thoughts

The QCY H3S have all the potential to be great mid-range headphones. For around $50, you’re getting a well-rounded package with a few pleasant surprises — excellent Active Noise Cancellation, solid battery life, and decent soundthat’s perfectly fine for everyday listening. QCY clearly knows how to deliver good value, and the H3S are no exception in that sense.

However, when the same brand offers the H3 Pro for less than $10 more, it becomes a tricky recommendation. The H3 Pro simply feels like a more complete product — better comfort, better sound, and a more refined overall experience.

Once the Black Friday and Christmas offers settle and prices even out, the H3S might find their place as a very good option in the $50 range. But right now, if you can stretch your budget just a little bit further, go for the H3 Pro — you won’t regret it. The QCY H3S and H3 Pro are available at QCY.com (here)