We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a straightforward, travel-friendly pair of noise-cancelling headphones with voice-assistant control and a foldable frame, choose Altec Lansing Comfort Q+; if you need LDAC hi-res audio, deeper hybrid noise cancellation and marathon battery life, choose Edifier W820NB.
• Altec Lansing Comfort Q+ — biggest strength: A simple, comfortable ANC headphone with up to 26 hours of playtime, a foldable design and "Just Ask" voice control for Siri or Google Assistant.
• Altec Lansing Comfort Q+ — biggest trade-off: No LDAC and no wired jack. It is Bluetooth-only, and its ANC is a single on/off toggle rather than an adjustable depth.
• Edifier W820NB — biggest strength: LDAC codec support, a 40mm titanium-coated composite driver and hybrid ANC rated to -43dB depth, plus up to 49 hours of playback.
• Edifier W820NB — biggest trade-off: Heavier and more app-dependent. The Edifier Connect app is where its EQ and extra features live, and the Bluetooth range is listed at 10 meters versus 30 feet on the Altec.
• Buy the Altec Lansing Comfort Q+ if you want an uncomplicated, packable ANC headphone you can control by voice.
• Buy the Edifier W820NB if you care about hi-res wireless audio, stronger noise reduction and the longest possible battery life.
The Comfort Q+ is built around simplicity. It is an over-ear Bluetooth 5 headphone with active noise cancellation, a dynamic driver covering 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, and up to 26 hours of battery life on a single charge. The pitch here is longevity on a trip: you can get through a long flight without stopping to recharge, which is exactly the use case Altec Lansing writes into its own description.
What stands out to me is the ANC button behavior. A quick press turns active noise cancellation off and leaves you with a normal Bluetooth headphone. That sounds like a small thing, but it matters in real life. On a plane or a train you want the noise floor pushed down; walking a busy street or sitting in an office where you still need to hear a colleague, you often want the opposite. Two modes, one button, no app required.
Who should skip it? Anyone who wants LDAC, a wired USB-C or analog option, or fine-grained control over noise cancellation depth. The Comfort Q+ is Bluetooth-only with no headphone jack, and its frequency response is the standard 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range. It is not trying to be an audiophile tool. It is trying to be an easy, comfortable, quiet pair of headphones you can toss in a bag — and for that, the design fits.
Edifier W820NB: Who It's For
The Edifier W820NB Plus is the more technically ambitious of the two. Its 40mm composite diaphragm driver is titanium-coated, and the headphone supports LDAC decoding for hi-res wireless audio. In plain terms: LDAC is a Bluetooth codec that carries substantially more audio data than the standard codecs, which is why it shows up in headphones marketed for high-fidelity streaming. If your phone or player supports LDAC and you stream high-bitrate music, this is the headphone in this comparison built for that.
Noise cancellation is the second pillar. Edifier lists hybrid ANC technology with a closed design reaching -43dB of depth, and describes the headphone as automatically recognizing environmental noise and adjusting. Hybrid ANC uses microphones inside and outside the ear cup, which generally handles a wider range of noise than a simpler single-mode system. For commutes, open-plan offices and flights, that is a meaningful step up in how much of the world gets muted.
Battery is the third. Edifier claims up to 49 hours of playback on a full charge, plus fast charging that delivers about 7 hours of use from a 10-minute charge. That is a genuinely large number, and the fast-charge figure is the one that matters on a rushed morning.
Comfort gets real attention too. The W820NB Plus uses memory foam cushioning, weighs 220g (7.9 ounces), and Edifier specifically mentions that it stays comfortable for people who wear glasses — a detail most spec sheets ignore. Connectivity is Bluetooth with a 10-meter range, and there is a USB-C port on the headphone. The Edifier Connect app adds personalized EQ, a shutdown timer, power display and prompt-volume settings, so if you like tuning your sound, that is where you do it.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for hi-res wireless audio → Edifier W820NB. It is the only one of the two with LDAC support and a titanium-coated 40mm composite driver.
• Best for strongest noise cancellation → Edifier W820NB. Hybrid ANC rated to -43dB depth, versus the Altec's straightforward on/off ANC.
• Best for battery life → Edifier W820NB. Up to 49 hours, plus roughly 7 hours from a 10-minute charge. The Altec offers up to 26 hours.
• Best for hands-free voice control → Altec Lansing Comfort Q+. "Just Ask" reaches Siri or Google Assistant directly over Bluetooth.
• Best for travel packing → Altec Lansing Comfort Q+. The foldable, lightweight frame is designed to drop into a suitcase, carry-on or briefcase.
• Best for longer wireless roaming → Altec Lansing Comfort Q+. It lists 30 feet of range; the Edifier lists 10 meters, which is roughly comparable but shorter on paper.
• Best for app-based customization → Edifier W820NB. Personalized EQ, shutdown timer, power display and prompt volume via the Edifier Connect app.
• Best for glasses wearers and long sessions → Edifier W820NB. Memory foam cushions and a 220g weight, with comfort called out for glasses users specifically.
• Best for a no-fuss, no-app experience → Altec Lansing Comfort Q+. One ANC button, voice control, no software required.
In my opinion, the Edifier W820NB is the better buy for most people reading this. LDAC support, hybrid ANC at -43dB, up to 49 hours of battery and fast charging are a stronger package for the money you are likely to spend, and the memory foam comfort details make it a headphone you can wear for a full workday. I would pick the Altec Lansing Comfort Q+ only if voice control and a foldable, travel-first design matter more to you than hi-res audio — it is the simpler, calmer headphone, and there is real value in that. Before you decide, check the current price on Amazon for both, since pricing shifts and it can change the math.
what is ldac headphones
LDAC is a Bluetooth audio codec that transmits significantly more audio data than standard Bluetooth codecs, which is why headphones that support it can decode hi-res wireless audio. In this comparison, the Edifier W820NB supports LDAC; the Altec Lansing Comfort Q+ does not list LDAC support.
what is ldac support in headphones
LDAC support means the headphone can decode an LDAC audio stream sent by a compatible phone or player, giving you higher-fidelity wireless playback than a standard codec allows. You need both ends to support it — the source device and the headphone — for it to work.
what is ldac codec in headphones
The LDAC codec is the compression and transmission method used to send high-bitrate audio over Bluetooth. It is the reason a headphone like the Edifier W820NB can be marketed for hi-res wireless listening, and it is the clearest technical difference between the two models here.
what is ldac sony headphones
LDAC was developed by Sony and appears across many Sony headphones, but it is not exclusive to that brand. Edifier uses it in the W820NB, so if LDAC is your priority, you are not limited to one manufacturer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: Altec Lansing Comfort Pro Over vs DROP + Grell OAE1, Altec Lansing Nanophones ANC vs Sellwell Sliver, RORSOU K5 vs Altec Lansing Kid Safe Noise: Foldable on Ear