iTeknic IK-BH002 Noise Cancelling Headphones Review

Budget noise-cancelling headphones with amazing comfort.

Cheap headphones with noise cancelling are becoming a thing, and these are one of the best yet.

While their noise removal isn’t any better than the competition, they make up with heavenly comfort and sturdy build quality.

If you’re looking for comfortable and cheap noise cancelling headphones, iTeknic IK-BH002 are one of the best options.

iTeknic IK-BH002 related:

• Best budget noise cancelling headphones

What’s in the Box?

• iTeknic IK-BH002 noise-canceling headphones
• Hard, zipper carrying case
• Micro-USB charging cable
• 5mm audio cable
• User manual

Comfort & Fit

5.0 Perfect

Contrary to what the price suggests, the over-ear headphones offer great comfort. The ear cups (marked L and R) are comparable to those of premium noise cancelling headphones that cost many times the money.

The swiveling ear cups aren’t as big as with home over-ear headphones but big enough to fit most people around the ears. And, what adds to the comfort are soft foam ear pads covered with faux leather.

They offer plenty of support for those long flights while not getting too hot.

Moreover, the headband is extendable to fit bigger heads and has some cushioning for the top of the head as well. Though the headband cushion isn’t that important because the fit is tight and they stick on the head in the position you set it.

Overall, a great pair of headphones that is more than suitable for long-term use and one the most comfortable ANC headset on a budget.

Noise Cancelling

3.0 Good

The iTeknic IK-BH002 noise-cancelling headphones cost less than $100 which puts them in the budget category.

At this price point, the active noise cancellation is usually less effective. It cancels less and lets in more noise. And, these iTeknic cans are no different.

You can turn on (/off) the noise cancellation with its own button that shines blue when activated (LED light).

Once turned on, you’ll notice a short delay before you hear the effects. It’s a noticeable loss of lower range, humming noise. It works well for flying as well as commuting.

Nonetheless, noise canceling can’t compare to more expensive models.

You’ll still hear some background noise, and more of the higher-pitch sounds will get through. That’s understandable since you’re paying a low price.

When ANC is on, and you’re using Bluetooth, you can expect up to 15 hours of playtime (more when using wires).

Also, with ANC on you’ll always hear a little hissing noise. It can be annoying but comes with the territory, and you forget about it after a while.

In the end, noise canceling works as expected for cheap headphones. It’s not the best in class but compares well to models in the same category. You can expect decent removal of ambient sound, but for better, you’ll have to pay more money.

Related: Best noise cancelling earbuds

Noise Isolation

4.0 Great

Noise isolation is different from cancellation.

Pleather earpads that stick to your ears and over-ear sized cups make for great passive noise isolation. You’ll notice the difference immediately when you put them on.

It’s not as effective as with in-ear headphones but close enough. The grey noise of traffic goes away before you’ve turned on the noise cancellation.

If you use the headphones with wires, there’s no cable noise which is a good thing. And, when you wear them outside on a windy day, expect some wind noise (the ear cups are big and create noise when blocking the wind).

Bluetooth

3.5 Almost Great

The wireless Bluetooth 5.0 works out of the box:

• Turn them on (will be in pairing mode if newer connected before)
• Pair with a new Bluetooth device
• You’re ready to use

New, they come with a charged battery so you can start using them immediately.

It offers the basic Bluetooth range of around 33ft (10m) without obstacles. And, it gives remote control of volume, songs, and calls with your music device.

Nonetheless, the headphones don’t support any of the better codec, only SBC.

Battery

3.5 Almost Great

While they advertise the battery life up to 30 hours per charge, this is for music only mode.

If you turn on active noise cancellation and listen to music, you can expect around 15 hours of battery life.

That’s plenty of battery even for cross-continental flights. And, if you’re low on power, you can charge them up in around 1 hour (with micro-USB charging cable).

It’s not exactly premium battery performance, those last up to 40 hours, but it’s good enough for an average user.

Durability

4.0 Great

It’s true these are budget noise cancelling headphones, but they still cost slightly under $100. So, they didn’t skimp on durability.

The plastic is sturdy and sleek, easily comparable to $300 headphones, and nobody will know they’re cheap. The finish on the outside of the earcups gives off a shiny—almost premium—look that feels nice to the touch.

Also, the headband is flexible and metal reinforced. There’s no worry of breaking them as they’re well built.

You can take them on your trips or your commute worry-free because this is a sturdy pair of headphones.

Features

3.5 Almost Great

The iTeknic IK-BH002 ANC headphones come with a built-in microphone with cVc noise-cancelling function, but the call quality is just average.

Most headphones with built-in mics suffer from the same issues. They often pick up too much ambient noise and don’t pick up your voice during a call.

Nonetheless, you can have regular phone calls in a quieter room.

Now, when it comes to built-in controls, they’re well made. The buttons are easily distinguishable and give strong feedback when pressed, so you’re never in doubt.

You’ll figure out how to use them in a hurry. It’s a well-designed feature that other manufacturers could learn from.

Accessories

You don’t get many extras. The noise-cancelling headphones come in a nice, hard carrying case with a zipper. It’s kind of standard even in the budget category.

And inside the case, you can carry around the charging cable, AUX cable, and folded headphones. That’s pretty much everything you get (plus the user manual).

Sound

2.5 Average

First of all, keep in mind these are cheap noise cancelling headphones, so you can’t expect Hi-Fi sound.

The audio quality is mediocre.

The first thing you’ll notice the sound changes when you turn on the active noise cancellation (without ANC it’s more bass-heavy).

It’s common for cheap headphones, though it’s less noticeable in the best noise cancelling headphones that cost hundreds of dollars.

So, the bass loses some depth, it becomes more subdued and doesn’t go as deep. It’s a slight difference that you’ll notice in the beginning and forget after a while. Sibilance, the harsh sounds that are painful to listen isn’t a problem.

One more thing you’ll notice. If you connect them with the AUX cable and put them on a strong source (amplifier) the bass becomes really strong and overpowering. So, they’ve probably made them a bit more bassy without the ANC—because they know it cancels bass when activated.

What if you want strong bass? See the best bass headphones.

Overall, the sound signature is rather balanced with all ranges equal to each other (with ANC on) though it sounds slightly muffled. Also, the soundstage is pretty good giving you a good idea of the space.

In the end, it’s an enjoyable sound, but it won’t win any quality awards. For the price that you’re paying it’s what you get on the market at the moment. For better audio, you simply have to pay more money.

If you’re an average user and don’t stress on sonic fidelity, you’ll be more than happy with it.

iTeknic IK-BH002 are solid active noise canceling headphones on a budget with top-notch comfort. With the premium-like design, low price, and functionality more than make up for average sound quality and noise cancellation.

If you want headphones for flying but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars, these are one of the best options right now.

Specifications

Matija Ferjan

Matija Ferjan is a seasoned audio enthusiast reviewing headphones since 2015. He has personally tested hundreds of headphones and earbuds. He’s an active member of the Headphone Audio community and a true nitpicker, always looking for the “best-value-for-money” headphones.