Global audio brand QCY entered India with a portfolio of TWS earbuds, over-ear headphones, and Bluetooth speakers last month. Here we have the feature-packed QCY H3 Pro Over-Ear Headphones with 50dB ANC, LDAC and 55-hour battery life. I have been using this for a couple of weeks now. Let us dive into the review to find if it’s worth the price.
Box Contents
- QCY H3 Pro headphones in Black
- 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable
- USB Type-A to Type-C Cable
- User manual
Specifications
- Driver Unit: 40mm Dynamic
- Type: Over-ear
- Audio codec: LDAC/SBC
- Compatible system: iOS/Android
- Weight: 231g
- Bluetooth version: 5.4
- Supported Protocols: HFP/A2DP/AVRCP
- Battery capacity: 550mAh
- Battery life: 40H with ANC ON, 55H with ANC OFF
Design and build
The QCY H3 Pro adopts a clean, understated aesthetic that belies its budget status. The headphones are primarily constructed from plastic, but they feel durable and well-assembled, avoiding a “cheap” or flimsy feel. Weighing approximately 231 grams, they are lightweight, contributing significantly to all-day comfort.
The earcups feature deep, soft padding, and the adjustable headband offers a snug yet gentle fit, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The design is foldable, enhancing portability, though users should note that a dedicated carrying case is sometimes omitted from the standard packaging.
On the right side there is a power button which you need to press for 2 seconds to power the headset on or off. There is a white LED next to it that turns on to indicate the status. The button also acts as a play/pause button, and there are volume rockers next to it.
You can also see the 3.5mm AUX audio port, USB Type-C port, and ANC button below it.
This has a foldable design for better portability. Since these cover your ears, you don’t feel like the headphones pressing your ears, even after long hours of using them. The adjustable headband can be extended based on the size of your head.
A key convenience feature is the inclusion of an IPX4 rating, providing sweat and splash resistance, which makes them suitable for light workouts or rainy commutes.
Sound Quality
Equipped with 40mm titanium drivers and utilizing dual-chip processing, the QCY H3 Pro aims for detailed and powerful sound. The highlight here is the support for the LDAC codec, enabling high-resolution wireless audio transmission (up to 990 kbps) for Android users and delivering significantly better fidelity than standard Bluetooth codecs like SBC and AAC. You need to enable LDAC option from the app.
The default tuning is generally balanced, but it offers a lively sound stage with a slightly bass-forward signature, offering a satisfying punch in the low end without overwhelming the mids. The mids remain clear, and the highs are crisp enough to deliver detail without harshness.
While out-of-the-box tuning is generally great for a consumer audience, the Smart App customization allows users to adjust the EQ to their preference, correcting any minor frequency-response quirks. Furthermore, the inclusion of 360° spatial audio provides an immersive, theater-like experience for movies and gaming.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Call Quality
The ANC performance is a standout feature for this price point. QCY advertises Adaptive ANC up to –50dB, which is an aggressive claim. In practice, the H3 Pro provides surprisingly effective noise suppression. The Adaptive functionality automatically adjusts the cancellation level based on surrounding noise, proving highly efficient at silencing constant, low-frequency sounds like airplane engines, bus traffic, and humming AC units.
While it may not completely rival high-end flagships in eliminating complex, sudden noises (like chatter in a busy café), the overall isolation is excellent for daily commuting or focusing on a noisy office.
There are Noise cancelling, Transparency and Normal Modes which can be controlled with the ANC button on the headset or the app, which also offers Adaptive, Noisy and Commuting modes. The low-latency is 60ms in gaming mode that is useful when gaming.
The 3-mic ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) system also works to ensure voice clarity during calls, effectively picking up the user’s voice while minimizing background distractions.
Connectivity
Connectivity is handled by the modern Bluetooth 5.4 standard, offering a robust and stable connection across iOS and Android platforms. A highly practical feature is dual pairing (multipoint), which allows the headphones to connect to two devices simultaneously (e.g., a phone and a laptop) and seamlessly switch between them. However, LDAC mode disables dual pairing.
You can set custom controls volume down, volume up and multifunction button with the QCY app for Android and iPhone.
| Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Power On | Keep pressing MFB for 2 seconds |
| Power Off | Keep pressing MFB for 4 seconds |
| Playback/Pause or Answer/End Call | Press MFB |
| Ignore Call | Keep pressing MFB for 2 seconds |
| Skip Track Forward | Keep pressing Vol+ for 1 second |
| Skip Track Backward | Keep pressing Vol- for 1 second |
| Volume Up | Press Vol+ |
| Volume Down | Press Vol- |
| ANC Mode Switch | Press ANC Button (cycles ANC ON, ANC OFF, Transparency) |
| Adaptive ANC Toggle | Double press ANC Button (when ANC is ON) |
| Low-Latency Mode | Double press MFB |
| Voice Assistant | Triple press MFB |
Battery life
Battery life is another major strength. The stated playtime is an impressive 40 hours with ANC on and up to 55 hours with ANC off, easily lasting through several days of heavy use. When power runs low, the fast-charging capability is invaluable: a quick 10-minute charge provides up to 2 hours of listening time. For audiophiles or those running out of battery, the H3 Pro also supports a passive wired connection via a 3.5mm audio jack.
However, in wired mode, ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and all EQ (equalizer) and DSP (digital signal processing) adjustments provided by the app are disabled since these need power. There is also pronounced bass dip and a treble notch compared to when the headphones are powered on with EQ and ANC active.
Conclusion
The QCY H3 Pro is a genuine disruptor in the competitive budget headphone space. It combines elite features like LDAC and Adaptive ANC with exceptional battery life and thoughtful design details (IPX4, multipoint). While the ANC may not fully match ultra-premium models and some may prefer different out-of-box sound tunings, the ability to customize the experience via the Smart App and the sheer value proposition make the H3 Pro an unbeatable choice for the price.
If you want high-fidelity sound, strong noise cancellation, and all-day comfort without emptying your wallet, the H3 Pro is easy to recommend.
The QCY H3 Pro was launched at Rs. 5,999, but you can get them from Amazon.in for as low as Rs. 3,999 during offers.
Pros
- LDAC Hi-Res Audio support
- Excellent battery life (40h ANC on) with rapid charging
- Adaptive ANC is good
- Dual-pairing for multi-device use
- Comfortable and lightweight for long listening sessions
Cons
- No dedicated hard shell carrying case included
- Dip in bass and treble in wired mode