Marshall Major IV

The Marshall Major IV nails battery life with 80 hours of playback and a 15-minute quick charge that gives 15 hours. Sound is bass-forward and fun, though call quality is a weak spot. US prices range from $60 to $100, so shop around. Best for battery-obsessed listeners who don't need ANC and don't mind the on-ear fit.

The sound profile is what Marshall calls their signature sound, and it's tuned for punch and energy. The 40mm dynamic drivers deliver a bass-forward presentation that works great for rock, hip-hop, and anything with a driving rhythm section. Our sound score puts these in the 77th percentile, which is solid but not exceptional. You're getting a fun, engaging listen rather than a neutral or analytical one. The 32Ω impedance and 99dB sensitivity mean they're easy to drive from a phone or laptop without needing an amp.

Where the performance really shines is battery. The 80-hour rating is not marketing fluff, it's one of the best numbers we've seen in this category. The 97th percentile battery ranking backs that up. Real-world usage will vary depending on volume, but even at 70% of the claimed number you're looking at over two full days of continuous playback. The wireless charging is a bonus, though you'll need to supply your own pad. The 3.5mm passthrough for sharing music is a clever feature too, letting a friend plug in and listen along.

The Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B is probably the biggest competitor here. Sony brings active noise cancellation and their typically excellent sound tuning, but you'll pay more for it. The trade-off is clear: Marshall gives you insane battery life and that rock aesthetic, Sony gives you ANC and a more refined sound. If you're on a plane or train regularly, the Sony is the better pick. If you're mostly at home or in quiet spaces and hate charging things, the Marshall wins.

The JBL Tune 670NC is another interesting alternative. JBL also offers ANC at a similar price point to the higher end of the Marshall range. The TOZO HT3 is a budget wildcard that undercuts both on price but feels cheaper in the hand. The Beyerdynamic Aventho and Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus are more premium options with better sound quality, but they cost significantly more and don't match the Marshall's battery life. The Marshall's 89th percentile comfort score is actually better than most on-ear competitors, but that's still an on-ear design, which some people just can't do for long sessions.

Pricing on these is all over the map depending on where you shop. In the US, we're seeing listings from $60 to $100, which is a $40 spread. That's a huge difference for the same headphones. If you're in the US, the lower end of that range makes these an absolute steal. At $60, you're getting top-tier battery life and a recognizable brand for less than most budget wireless earbuds. At $100, the value proposition gets shakier because you're approaching territory where you can find headphones with ANC.

In Europe, the spread is even wider. EUR prices range from EUR 80 to EUR 132 across four listings in Germany, Spain, France, and Italy. That EUR 52 gap means you should absolutely shop around before buying. The EUR 80 price is fantastic value. The EUR 132 price is harder to justify when competitors with noise cancellation are in that range. The CAD 220 and GBP 71 listings are single data points, so it's harder to judge those markets, but the GBP 71 price seems reasonable for what you get.

The Marshall Major IV is one of those products where the spec sheet tells you most of the story before you even put them on. 80 hours of battery life. Wireless charging. A foldable design that actually gets compact. And that classic Marshall look with the textured black vinyl and script logo. On paper, this is a commuter's dream or a student's best friend for long library sessions. But on-ear headphones are a specific choice, and these make some trade-offs to hit that price point and battery number.

Who are these for? Honestly, anyone who hates charging their headphones. The 80-hour claim puts these in the top tier of our battery rankings, and the quick charge is genuinely useful. 15 minutes plugged in gets you 15 hours of playback. That's a full work week of listening from a coffee break charge. The 3.5mm jack also means you can use them wired if the battery somehow dies, which is a nice backup most wireless headphones skip.

What makes them interesting is the mix of old-school rock aesthetic and modern convenience. Marshall leaned into their amp heritage with the multi-directional control knob, which handles play, pause, skip, volume, and calls. It's tactile in a way touch controls aren't. And the sustainability angle, 45% post-consumer recycled plastic, is a nice touch that doesn't get in the way of the design. But the on-ear form factor means comfort is a real question mark for some people, and the call quality is a known weak spot.

If you take phone calls regularly, skip these. The call quality score of 42.6 is one of the weakest we've seen in this category, and the mic just doesn't hold up in noisy environments. You'll sound muffled or distant to the person on the other end. Look at the Sony ULT WEAR or even a dedicated headset if calls matter.

Also skip these if you need active noise cancellation. The on-ear design provides minimal passive isolation, and there's no ANC to fall back on. Commuters and frequent flyers will be disappointed. The Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B or JBL Tune 670NC both offer ANC at a similar or slightly higher price. And if you know you hate on-ear headphones, don't talk yourself into these just because the battery life is impressive. The pressure on your ears won't magically become comfortable.

For most people looking at wireless headphones under $100, the Marshall Major IV is a strong pick if you can find them at the lower end of the price range. The battery life alone is a killer feature. 80 hours means charging once every couple of weeks for most people. The sound is fun and energetic, the design is distinctive, and the build quality feels solid for the price. The 79th percentile build score reflects that these don't feel like cheap plastic.

But if you take a lot of calls, these are not for you. The 42.6 call score is rough, and the mic quality is a real letdown. The on-ear fit is also a personal thing. Some people love it, some people can't stand the pressure on their ears after an hour. If you have larger ears or wear glasses, try before you buy. And if you need noise cancellation for commuting or travel, look elsewhere. These are best for home listening, office use in quiet environments, or anyone who prioritizes battery life above all else.