TOZO NC9

Monster battery life and 45dB ANC make the TOZO NC9 a budget champion. The mic system is equally impressive, landing in the top 3% of all earbuds we've tested, so calls come through crystal clear. If you can live with mediocre comfort and a plasticky build, these are an easy yes at around $40.

We measured battery life that lands in the elite top 3% of all wireless earbuds we've tested, giving you a ridiculous 14 hours from the buds alone and 59 hours total with the case. The mic system is similarly stunning, nailing a 97th percentile score for call quality that makes your voice clear even in a noisy coffee shop. ANC is also a standout at 45dB max depth, placing these in the 92nd percentile, which means they hush jet engines and HVAC hum with ease. Sound quality is about average, with punchy but not overly refined bass from the 10mm drivers, so audiophiles might find it a bit one-note. Connectivity is reliable, but the real weak spots are build quality and comfort, which both sit in the bottom third. The earbuds feel a little plasticky and the fit, while customizable with six tip sizes, won't suit everyone, especially during workouts, where our fitness score tanked to a 30 out of 100.

Stacked against the new top-tier field, the TOZO still holds its own where it counts. The Technics EAH-AZ100 and Sony WF-1000XM6 deliver far richer audio and more refined ANC, but they cost several times more and can't match the TOZO's battery endurance. Apple's AirPods Pro 3rd Generation bring a more secure fit and better ecosystem integration, yet the NC9 beats them on raw playtime and undercuts the price by a wide margin. The Soundcore P31i is the closest budget rival, but the TOZO still wins on mic quality and stamina. Basically, TOZO traded away polish for raw feature density, and for the price, it's a trade that makes a lot of sense.

At $30 to $45, the NC9 is a screaming deal. You're getting top-tier battery performance and genuinely effective noise cancelling, features that normally live in the $80–$150 range. Even with comfort and build trade-offs, the sheer spreadsheet of wins makes them an absurdly good buy for the right person. If you want ANC and don't want to spend real money, this is it.

The TOZO NC9 packs a wild amount of tech into a sub-$45 package. You get hybrid ANC with 45dB of noise reduction, a six-mic setup for calls, and a battery that outlasts nearly everything in our database. That's the kind of spec sheet you'd expect from buds costing twice as much.

But specs aren't everything. Real-world usability is where things get interesting. The fit can be hit or miss depending on your ears, and while the sound is solid for the money, it's not going to challenge high-end audio gear. Still, for commuters and anyone who wants to mute the world on a budget, these are tough to beat.

Skip these if you're a runner or heavy gym-goer who needs a locked-in fit—the NC9's in-ear design just isn't stable enough. Audiophiles should also look elsewhere; the bass-heavy EQ and lack of detailed high-end won't satisfy critical listening. And if you want a premium-feeling product, the all-plastic build will disappoint.

Grab the TOZO NC9 if you're a commuter, a student in loud spaces, or someone who takes a ton of calls and hates charging earbuds every day. The marathon battery and shockingly good mic and ANC punch way above the price tag. Just don't expect all-day comfort or a premium feel.