A growing array of sub-Rs. 10,000 headphones now combine effective active noise cancellation, app controls, and impressive battery life, challenging premium brands in India’s budget segment.
Good active noise cancellation is no longer confined to premium headphones in India. In the sub-Rs. 10,000 segment, several over-ear models now combine usable ANC, app-based controls and long battery life, making them practical for commuting, office work and general listening. The current field includes the Soundcore by Anker Q20i, JBL Tune 770NC, Noise Airwave Max 6, Sony WH-CH720N and boAt Nirvana Eutopia 2 ANC.
The Soundcore by Anker Q20i is positioned as a value-focused option with hybrid noise cancellation, dual-device Bluetooth connectivity and support for Hi-Res Audio over a wired AUX connection. According to the company, its four-microphone ANC system can cut ambient noise by up to 90 per cent. The Soundcore app adds 22 EQ presets, custom tuning and listening modes for ANC, Transparency and normal playback. Battery claims are strong as well, with up to 40 hours with ANC on and 60 hours without it, plus a five-minute top-up for four hours of use. It is listed in India at Rs. 4,999.
JBL’s Tune 770NC is another notable contender. TechRadar and RTINGS both describe it as a dependable, well-priced model with effective noise cancellation, a companion app and very strong battery life. JBL says it can run for up to 70 hours on a charge, with a five-minute refill delivering three hours of playback. The headphones use 40mm drivers, include adaptive ANC and Smart Ambient features and support Multipoint pairing over Bluetooth 5.3. At Rs. 4,999, they sit in the same pricing band as the Q20i, but with JBL’s Pure Bass tuning and Google Fast Pair support.
Noise’s Airwave Max 6 takes a different approach, leaning heavily on endurance and codec support. It offers adaptive ANC rated up to 45dB, LDAC support for higher-quality wireless audio and an 80ms low-latency mode aimed at gaming and video. The company says playback can stretch to 120 hours, which places it among the longest-lasting headphones in this bracket. At Rs. 5,499, it is also one of the more affordable picks for users who care more about battery life and versatility than brand pedigree.
Sony’s WH-CH720N remains the most established name in the group, and for good reason. Sony says it is the lightest wireless noise-cancelling headband headphone the company has made, at 192g, while the Integrated Processor V1 is designed to improve ANC performance. The model also supports Adaptive Sound Control, Ambient Sound mode, Multipoint connectivity and Precise Voice Pickup for calls. Battery life is rated at up to 35 hours with ANC enabled, and a three-minute charge provides about one hour of playback. It is currently listed at Rs. 8,727, which leaves room in the budget for buyers who want a more premium brand and lighter design.
The boAt Nirvana Eutopia 2 ANC rounds out the list with adaptive hybrid ANC rated up to 45dB, dual drivers, LDAC support and 3D Spatial Audio. boAt also includes AI-ENx call processing and app-based controls for ANC and equaliser settings through the boAt Hearables app. The company claims up to 80 hours of playback and says a 10-minute ASAP Charge can deliver 12 hours of listening time. Priced at Rs. 5,999, it is aimed at buyers looking for modern connectivity, high battery life and customisation without moving into a higher price tier.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
