Lindy BNX-60 Bluetooth Wireless Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) Headphones, aptX - 30hrs battery – reduces 85% of ambient noise – comfort, lightweight – built-in mic for hands-free calls – Matt Black

Product Information

There are issues, however. When the headphones are in noise-cancelling mode, a slight push on the earcups will make the sound cut out. It doesn’t happen when the ANC is switched off, or when the cable is being used, so there is clearly an issue with that particular mode. We tested and lived with the headphones for nearly a full month, and it doesn’t happen all the time, but the slightest of touches can make the audio skip for a moment. Active noise cancellation technology works by neutralising unwanted sound with inverse sound waves. It does so by using microphones to detect nuisance sounds, such as the roar of a plane’s engine, and blasts out the inverse of that sound through the headphone’s speakers, timed so the noise and cancellation wave reach your eardrum at the same time cancelling each other out. Until now, we’ve never awarded five stars to a true wireless model at this budget level –despite testing models from well-known and highly respected audio brands. This is the first. If you’re after something inexpensive that sound good without breaking the bank, the Earfun Air buds could just be the ideal proposition. Sennheiser’s HD 4.40 headphones: detailed, dynamic sound. Photograph: Antonio Olmos/The Observer Sennheiser HD 4.40

Sonically, they're even-handed and nicely balanced, with well-shaped bass notes. In short, they offer a lot of what makes Sony's high-end buds so compelling, without cutting too many corners. Definitely one for the shortlist.

There are a few other handy features missing. For starters, there’s no transparency mode to filter external noise in, nor is there wear detection to automatically pause audio when the headphones are removed. The BNX-60XT also benefit from twin pairing – impressive for the relatively low outlay. This means that you can have them paired with both a phone and a laptop and can switch between the two. This isn’t seamless – you have to pause the sound on the laptop, say, to then take a call on your phone – but it does work once you get used to things. Additionally, headphones can be paired with a maximum of eight devices. They’re acceptably comfortable, sound punchy and exciting with the noise-cancelling engaged (they’re strangely vague and ill-focused without) and maintain impressive wireless grip as long as you don’t wander too far from your phone. But the most outstanding thing about the Lindys is how effectively they isolate you from the outside world - they’re not as complete as some more expensive alternatives, but their light touch keeps you nicely cocooned. The BNX-60 are wireless – yes that’s right, unlike the Bose QuietComfort 25, the BNX-60 work via Bluetooth and they also support the aptX codec, which means you’ll get a CD-quality over Bluetooth – a pleasant surprise considering the cost. Pros: Great spec for the money; effective noise-cancelling Cons: Too many controls; slightly creaky plastics

Once it’s time to recharge, the headphones take around two hours to fully refuel. There’s no fast-charging option, and it’s slightly annoyingly that they can’t be used while they’re on charge.

We connect our Lindy BNX-60XT headphones to both our Apple MacBook Pro and iPhone 12 and listen to music on Spotify and Tidal over Bluetooth, with noise cancelling both on and off. And the differences between the two are stark.