In the crowded market of wireless active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones, EarFun’s new Wave Life cans emerge as an intriguing option. They challenge premium brands with good sound quality and a nice array of features. At a typical sale price of $60, I conclude in my EarFun Wave Life headphones review that they make an excellent choice for budget-conscious listeners or as an affordable gift for someone.
EarFun Wave Life headphones review
These wireless over-ear Bluetooth 5.4 headphones include 4 mics with AI for clear call, deep bass, 60 hours of playtime, comfortable fit, custom EQ and multipoint connection.
- Hi-Res audio with LDAC support
- Comfortable for long sessions
- Excellent value for money
- Exceptional battery life
- Effective noise cancellation
- Multipoint connection support
- Build quality could be more premium
- ANC not as adaptive as premium models
- No carrying case
- No separate audio cable/jack for wired listening
- Average app features
EarFun Wave Life ANC headphones went on sale for the first time March 10 at an affordably low price of $60 (and only $42 with launch discount). The company did such a great job with its first pair of over-ear headphones, Wave Pro, I gave them a 5-star review. I had reason to believe the new, even-more-affordable ones would bring great value, too. And they do. Don’t expect frills, but do expect basic, high-quality closed-back cans with very good sound and solid features.
Wave Life come equipped with 40mm composite dynamic drivers, delivering Hi-Res certified audio quality. At 264g, these wireless headphones strike a good balance between durability and lightweight comfort. The build quality and materials — while primarily plastic — feels solid and well-engineered enough for daily use.
Solid sound, Hi-Res audio certification, customizability
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
The audio performance of these EarFun headphones surprised me with their well-balanced sound signature. The 40mm drivers produce clear highs, detailed mids and controlled bass that doesn’t overwhelm. I didn’t find quite the same audio detail and depth of, say, Beats Studio Pro, but Wave Life are good. The LDAC codec support ensures high-quality wireless streaming, matching features found in somewhat more expensive models like the Soundcore Space One Pro.
When comparing sound profiles, the EarFun Wave Life pretty much holds its ground against solid competitors like Soundcore Space Q45, though it may not match the refined sound stage of Apple’s offerings. The EarFun Audio App allows custom EQ adjustments, with 30 presets, adjustable EQ settings you can save and an ear test to create your own sound profile. That helps users fine-tune their listening experience.
Note that these don’t come with a separate audio cable or jack for wired listening, just a USB-C cable for charging.
Good hybrid ANC
The hybrid active noise cancellation system, capable of reducing ambient noise by up to 45dB, performs admirably. While it may not match the adaptive ANC systems of the Soundcore Space One Pro or Apple’s advanced algorithms, it effectively handles most environmental noise, from airplane engines to office chatter. The ambient setting lets in plenty of sound.
One area where the EarFun Wave Life ANC truly shines is battery performance. These wireless headphones offer up to 80 hours of playback (60 hours normal, 37 hours with ANC), significantly outperforming many other headphones (the recent benchmark of 50 hours is already ho-hum). The USB-C quick charging feature provides 10 hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge, which I find super convenient.
Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity ensures stable connections, while multipoint support allows seamless switching between devices. The addition of a dedicated gaming mode with low latency is a thoughtful touch for mobile gamers.
Comfort and design features
The over-ear design with memory foam ear cushions provides good comfort for extended listening sessions. That’s especially true because the cans are noticeably lightweight. And the foldable design enhances portability, though no carrying case and not even a pouch is included. That’s too bad.
The physical control buttons are tactile and reliable. They offer a consistent experience when I’m on the go and would rather use my fingers than open an app. But I generally prefer an app for many functions.
EarFun Wave Life headphones review: Pro and cons
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Hi-Res audio with LDAC support
- Comfortable for long sessions
- Exceptional battery life
- Effective noise cancellation
- Multipoint connection support
Cons:
- Build quality could be more premium
- ANC not as adaptive as premium models
- No carrying case
- No separate audio cable/jack for wired listening
- Average app features
The bottom line
At $59.99, a fraction of the cost of premium alternatives in the $150-$250 range, EarFun Wave Life ANC delivers exceptional value. While it may lack some refinements found in more expensive models, the core features and performance make it a smart choice for budget-conscious users.
EarFun Wave Life ANC proves that quality wireless headphones don’t need to break the bank. While the cans may not dethrone premium offerings from Apple or Soundcore in absolute terms, they deliver 80-90% of the features at a significantly lower price point. For anyone seeking quality noise cancelling headphones without the premium price tag, these EarFun headphones deserve serious consideration.
These wireless over-ear Bluetooth 5.4 headphones include 4 mics with AI for clear call, deep bass, 60 hours of playtime, comfortable fit, custom EQ and multipoint connection.
- Hi-Res audio with LDAC support
- Comfortable for long sessions
- Excellent value for money
- Exceptional battery life
- Effective noise cancellation
- Multipoint connection support
- Build quality could be more premium
- ANC not as adaptive as premium models
- No carrying case
- No separate audio cable/jack for wired listening
- Average app features
Where to buy: Amazon
★★★★☆
EarFun provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
