There's a new ANC challenger in town — Sony should be worried by these new mid-range headphones

Philips H800E
(Image credit: Philips)

As flagship headphones creep up in price every year, the most exciting price point is increasingly becoming the mid-range. Headphones that have excellent features, but that don't cost the world — making them accessible to a wider range of potential buyers.

Philips looks to be the latest entry into this price range with its self-proclaimed "mid-range headphones", the H8000E.

Continuing a headphone legacy of a combination of letters and numbers, the specs list of the H8000E makes them sound a lot more like a pair of flagship 'phones than their mid-range moniker might suggest; which might bring them up to scratch with the best wireless headphones you can buy today.

Sony should take note

The H8000E are noise canceling headphones, featuring a 'hybrid adaptive ANC'. There are five modes on offer, including some form of wind noise reduction that you can toggle in the Philips app. That's more than you'd usually get from a pair of headphones in the mid-range, and while it doesn't seem to change depending on where you are located like the Sony WH-1000XM5, it still encroaches on their territory.

Sony XM5 headphones in ecru (off white) placed outdoors on a garden table

Sony XM5 headphones in ecru

That ANC is powered by four mics, and then there's an extra two AI mics for calls. That should make ringing friends on the go sound great — although we'll have to take them for a spin to see how the H8000E perform when out and about.

40mm graphene-coated drivers bring the noise, and it should sound pretty good thanks to LDAC support. There's spatial audio on board as well, which is increasingly common in a range of different price points.

Where the WH-1000XM5 should really be glancing over the shoulder however is battery life — the 50 hours of ANC playback isn't quite as good as our current battery champions, the Marshall Monitor III, but it's a lot more than the 34 hours of the Sonys. Turn ANC off and it goes up to 70 hours.

Inside there are some environmental bonuses though — the batteries are user-replaceable.

They're going to be available in black and white, and while their design isn't going to melt any hearts, they look to be a fairly attractive, simple pair of headphones. Inside there are some environmental bonuses though — the batteries are user-replaceable, and earpads are detachable. That's a big plus over the Sonys. Once the batteries on your $399 WH-1000XM5 headphones are dead, they're gone — not so with these new Philips.

They're coming this September, and we're hoping for a great price. That mid-range proclamation should bring them around the $150-200 price range, but we'll have to see. As to whether they're one of the best noise-canceling headphones out there, we'll have to see how they do in our rigorous testing.

More from Tom's Guide

Tammy Rogers
Audio Editor

Tammy and her generous collection of headphones have found a new home — Tom's Guide! After a two-and-a-half-year stint as iMore's resident audiophile, Tammy's reviews and buying guide expertise have more focus than ever on Tom's Guide, helping buyers find the audio gear that works best for them. Tammy has worked with some of the most desirable audio brands on the planet in her time writing about headphones, speakers, and more, bringing a consumer focussed approach to critique and buying advice. Away from her desk, you'll probably find her in the countryside writing (extremely bad) poetry, or putting her screenwriting Masters to good use creating screenplays that'll never see the light of day.

Read more
Philips-TA8506
I just tested these noise cancelling headphones — and they're shockingly good for under $150
A pair of black Edifier WH950NB over-ear headphones photographed against a blue background
I never thought I’d consider giving up my Beats but these Edifier headphones changed everything
Beyerdynamic Aventho 300
I just tested the best designed headphones yet — and they take the fight to Sony and Bose
Sennheiser HD 505 on stand in room
Sennheiser's HD 505 headphones offer audiophile-grade open-back audio for under $300
A pair of B&O headphones on a background with the Tom's Guide "lowest price" deal badge added
Forget AirPods Max — Bang & Olufsen's luxury noise canceling headphones hit their lowest price ever right now
1More Sonoflow Pro
I tested these budget noise cancelling headphones and they’re amazing for under $100
Latest in Audio
Soundcore AeroClip open-ear earbuds in champagne mist against a blue backdrop
Soundcore AeroClip review: sleek looks and stunning sound, these new open-ears just blew me away
the majority d80 speakers, a pair of black egg-shaped speakers with mesh casing, HDMI, bluetooth, aux connectivity
I tested these £99 bookshelf speakers that look like they stepped right out of the noughties
AirPods Pro 2
Apple AirPods reportedly getting live translation feature this year as part of iOS 19
Sonos Deals
Epic Sonos sale takes up to 40% off speakers and soundbars — 9 deals I’d shop right now
the sony ht-s100f or sony ht-sf150 in uk, a black soundbar with buttons on the top, a remote, photographed with a panasonic TV
I just upgraded from my TV's built-in speakers with this $99 soundbar — and I'm never going back
Pro-ject colorful Audio system
I gave up my $3,000 speakers for this stunning stereo system — and the results blew me away
Latest in News
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Ultra just tipped to replace Pro Max in new leak — with these key upgrades
RCS messaging on an iPhone
Forget green bubbles — iPhones will soon get encrypted RCS messaging to Androids
CAD renderings of the Google Pixel 10 Pro
Latest Google Pixel 10 leak could make you want to skip it altogether
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 — analysts say it will be massive hit even with price hike
Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso in Ted Lasso season 3
‘Ted Lasso’ season 4 is official — here’s what Jason Sudeikis revealed
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 shipments rumor hints at possible release window