Introduction to TaoTronics TT-BH085

I recently had the chance to test out the TaoTronics TT-BH085 active noise cancelling over-ear headphones. As someone who travels frequently and often works in noisy environments, I was intrigued by the promised ability to eliminate background sounds. After using the headphones extensively, I’m happy to share my thoughts.

Noise Cancellation Ability: ★★★★☆

The active noise cancellation (ANC) performed very well overall, successfully muting consistent low and mid-range ambient noises like airplane engines, busy offices, and traffic. For less predictable sounds like voices or irregular construction noise, the noise cancellation was decent but not flawless. Still, for the price point I was seriously impressed by how well the feature worked.

Audio Quality: ★★★★☆

I wouldn’t call myself an audiophile, but I do appreciate decent sound quality especially when listening to music. The TT-BH085s reproduced audio cleanly without distortion even at high volumes.

Highs and treble – Cymbals, vocals, and guitars came through sparkling and clear. There was no tininess or harshness.

Mids – Both male and female vocal ranges sounded full-bodied and balanced. Acoustic instruments also came through very naturally.

Lows and bass – While not über booming, the bass response was quite robust yet tight for a set of headphones at this price. The thump and beat of drums, bass guitars, etc. was very satisfying without muddying the rest of the mix.

Soundstage – The headphones provided a decent sense of space for the instrumentation without sounding artificially spacious. Very nice depth overall.

Design & Comfort: ★★★☆☆

The TT-BH085 headphones sport a flexible padded headband and rotating oval ear cups, allowing them to lay flat for transport. I found them lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for 2+ hours without fatigue. Those with larger heads may find the fit too snug unfortunately.

While the plastic build keeps them affordable, it also makes them feel a bit flimsy and cheap compared to premium headphones. But considering the cost savings, this compromise in sturdiness is understandable.

Battery Life: ★★★★☆

TaoTronics claims 30 hours of playback per charge with ANC on. While I didn’t quite hit that mark in my testing, I still managed a very respectable 25+ hours before needing to recharge via USB-C. Enough for multi-day trips without plugging in. Turning ANC off extends runtime close to the advertised 30 hour max.

I appreciate that you can still use the headphones passively with no battery charge at all, minus noise cancelling of course.

Call Quality: ★★★☆☆

Thanks to the built-in cVc 8.0 microphone, call quality was decent in quiet environments. My voice transmitted clearly and callers could hear me fine. But background noise cancellation was just average, meaning louder environments overwhelmed the mic.

I’d skip these if you take frequent calls in noisy places. For occasional quick calls in quiet settings though, they perform alright.

Key Features

• Active noise cancellation up to 30dB
• 30 hour battery life
• USB-C quick charging (5 min = 2 hrs playback)
• Foldable design with rotating earcups
• Built-in microphone for calls
• 40mm large-aperture drivers
• Support for wired and wireless playback
• Comfortable memory protein earpads

Pros

• Impressive active noise cancellation ability for the price
• Great audio reproduction with crisp highs and solid bass
• Very good battery life
• USB-C quick charging
• Quality comfortable fit for long listening sessions
• Can be used wired or wirelessly
• Decently clear built-in microphone for voice calls
• Lightweight and portable foldable design

Cons

• Noise cancellation less effective on voices/irregular sounds
• Microphone call quality struggles in loud environments
• Build quality feels a bit cheap and flimsy
• Ear cups may feel tight for larger heads
• Lacks premium metal and leather accents

Value For Money: ★★★★☆

Priced around $80 USD at the time of this review, the TT-BH085 headphones deliver excellent value. You’d be hard pressed to find ANC, 30 hour battery life, and usb-c charging at this price point.

The audio and noise cancelling hold their own against more premium over-ear models costing 2-3 times as much. With very good versatility for both music listening and travel, the performance per dollar is outstanding.

TaoTronics cut certain corners with the all-plastic build and microphone call quality being just okay. But if your main priorities are noise cancelling effectiveness and audio reproduction, you’ll love these affordable headphones.

How They Compare to Similar Models

vs Anker Soundcore Life Q30 – The $80 Life Q30 is another affordable ANC option with 60 hour battery life. Noise cancelling ability seems to be a touch below the TaoTronics TT-BH085 based on my testing. But call quality is better with 6 microphones to filter out ambient noise. I’d choose the TT-BH085 for ANC and music, or the Life Q30 for vocal calls.

vs Sennheiser HD 450BT – At $200, the Sennheiser HD 450BT emphasizes premium materials like glass-fiber reinforced plastic and soft leatherette ear pads. You pay for build quality, but battery life falls to 30 hours. The TT-BH085 hold their own in noise cancelling, and offer similar audio and comfort at less than half the cost.

vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II – Retailing for $329, the veteran Bose QC35 II remains the active noise cancelling headphones to beat for consumers. Their noise blocking abilities outshine the budget TT-BH085 noticeably, especially concerning unpredictable ambient sounds. You also get slightly better clarity and depth from Bose’s costly proprietary drivers. But unless noise cancellation abilities are critical, the TT-BH085 give you 70% of the performance at a fraction of the investment.

Final Verdict

I walked away very pleased after extensively testing the TaoTronics TT-BH085 active noise cancelling headphones. Shoppers looking for ANC and quality audio on a budget can do no better. Imperfections exist like mediocre build quality and microphone call performance. Yet TaoTronics still manages to pack in workhorse noise cancellation, rich sound, and 30 hour battery life at an affordable sub-$100 price point.

Considering the price paid, the TT-BH085 punch well above their class and won’t disappoint discerning music listeners and travellers alike. They earn my wholehearted recommendation for budget-minded buyers that still expect good active noise cancelling results.