The Mpow H5 Wireless are decent mixed usage headphones with an okay sound for their budget price tag. They're not quite as budget as the Mpow 059 Wireless, but they look and feel more premium and have better sound quality. They're also noise cancelling headphones, but unfortunately, their ANC isn't strong enough for cancelling the ambient noise of most commutes and noisy environments. They're also a bit tight on the head, but on the upside, they have decent battery life, an easy-to-use control scheme, and a unique look that will work for some.
Our Verdict
The Mpow H5 are fair for mixed usage. They have a simple and easy-to-use over-ear design that's decently well-built and feels more premium than the Mpow 059. They also sound above-average with most tracks and have decent battery life. Unfortunately, they're not the most comfortable, and their noise cancelling feature is fairly lackluster, meaning they won't be the best choice for commute and travel.
- Above-average sound quality.
- Easy to use.
- Below-average microphone.
- Subpar noise cancelling.
- Tight fit.
The Mpow H5 are okay for neutral sound. They have a decently balanced and surprisingly good sound. They lack a bit of sub-bass, and their mid-range can sound a bit boomy since the bass over-extends into the mid-range. They also have a dip that pushes instrumentals to the back of the mix, although overall, they sound decently well-balanced and should sound good enough for most listeners. They won't be the ideal choice for more neutral listeners since they don't have a very spacious soundstage and don't come with an EQ to tweak their sound, but on the upside, their default sound should be good enough for most.
The Mpow H5 are okay for commuting. They're fairly easy to use and decently portable. Unfortunately, their noise cancellation is not strong enough for the noisy environments involved in commuting. They're also a bit tight on the head which may not be as comfortable to wear for long trips.
The Mpow H5 are decent for sports. They're wireless with an easy-to-use control scheme. However, despite being fairly tight on the head, they're not the most stable headphones for more demanding exercises and workout routines.
The Mpow H5 are fair for office use. They sound decent and have an efficient and easy-to-use control scheme. However, they won't block the noise of a particularly lively office since their noise cancellation is fairly weak. They're also not the most comfortable headphones to wear for long listening sessions.
The Mpow H5 are disappointing for gaming. They have a bit too much latency, they're not compatible with consoles via Bluetooth, and can't be customized to the extent of other gaming headphones. They also have a sub-par overall integrated microphone.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 18, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Sep 19, 2018: Review published.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Mpow H5 are okay over ears. They have a cool-looking design that feels more premium than the Mpow 059 Wireless; however, the glossy backplates may not be ideal for everyone. They also have a decent battery life, good controls, and a somewhat comfortable design, although they're a bit tight on some heads. Unfortunately, their build quality is not quite as good as some of the budget headphones compared below, and their noise cancelling is mediocre-at-best, only capable of reducing some sounds but not a lot of ambient chatter or high frequencies.
See our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones under $50, the best over-ear headphones under $100, and the best wireless headphones.
The Mpow H5 WIreless are better headphones overall when compared to the Mpow 059 Wireless. The H5 have a more premium look, a better-balanced sound quality, and a more compact form factor. They're also noise cancelling headphones, but their ANC is not very strong. On the other hand, the 059 have a more comfortable fit that's not as tight on the head. They also have a longer battery life and do not leak as much as the H5 since they create a better seal around your ears. They're also a better value for your money at their current price point.
The Mpow H5 Wireless are better budget noise cancelling headphone than the Cowin E7 Wireless. The Cowin have a better noise cancelling performance and a longer battery life. The Cowin also have a lightly clearer mic and a better isolation performance overall, since they also leak a little less. On the other hand, the Mpow look and feel a bit more premium, have better and less confusing controls, and also have a more comfortable fit even if they're a little tight on the head. The Mpow also have much better sound.
The Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 Wireless 2016 are a much better noise canceling headphone than the Mpow H5 Wireless. The Bose have a better, more comfortable over-ear fit. They also isolate a lot better in noisy environments, with a much more efficient noise cancelling feature. They're easier to use, last longer on a single charge, and have a better-balanced sound that packs a lot of bass without sounding as boomy as the Mpow. On the other hand, the Mpow are a better value on a budget. They also have a more compact design and a unique shape for the backplates that some may prefer.
The Mpow H5 Wireless are a better headset overall compared to the Bluedio T4 Turbine Wireless. The Bluedio have a better build quality that's surprising for their price range. They also have a deeper, more powerful bass range that some may prefer, and a stronger isolation performance for commuting. On the other hand, the Mpow have a more compact design that fits better on most people even if they are a little tight. They also have a better-balanced sound and easier-to-use controls. Their latency is also much better than the Bluedio, although they will still not be the best option for watching movies and gaming.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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