We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-21 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a purpose-built wireless audio transmitter that turns an airplane seat screen, gym machine or tablet into a two-person Bluetooth listening station with up to 25 hours of playback, choose Avantree SoundJet R1-25Hr; if you need a self-contained pair of over-ear Bluetooth headphones with a built-in mic, colorful LED lighting and plush memory-protein earcups for gaming, travel or the office, choose ESSGUO Over-Ear.
These two look like they belong in the same shopping cart, but they are not the same kind of product at all. One is an adapter that sends audio out. The other is the headphones that receive it. That single difference decides almost everything below.
• Avantree SoundJet R1-25Hr — biggest strength: it shares one analog audio source with two Bluetooth headphones at once, uses a Qualcomm chipset with aptX Adaptive and aptX HD support, and runs up to 25 hours per charge with USB-C pass-through charging.
• Avantree SoundJet R1-25Hr — biggest trade-off: it is a transmitter, not headphones. It has no drivers, no mic for calls, and it needs a 3.5 mm output as its source. No 3.5 mm jack, no use.
• ESSGUO Over-Ear — biggest strength: a complete, ready-to-wear headphone with 40 mm dynamic drivers, Bluetooth 5.0, a built-in mic, foldable construction and skin-friendly memory-protein earcups.
• ESSGUO Over-Ear — biggest trade-off: no active noise cancellation — just sound isolation — and the LED lighting is a style choice that will not appeal to everyone.
• Who each pick is for: Avantree for travelers and gym users who already own good Bluetooth headphones; ESSGUO for someone who wants one box that contains everything they need to start listening.
The SoundJet R1-25Hr solves a very specific, very real problem: in-flight entertainment. Airline seat screens still hand you a 3.5 mm jack, and most modern headphones are Bluetooth-only. This adapter plugs into that jack and broadcasts the audio wirelessly to your headphones. The included dual-prong airline adapter means it covers both common seat-jack formats, so you are not the person asking the flight attendant for a loaner pair.
The battery story is built for long-haul travel. Up to 25 hours on a single charge, plus USB-C pass-through charging so you can keep listening while it tops up. The metal enclosure feels more substantial than a plastic dongle, and the controls are button-based rather than touch. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 and works with Bluetooth headphones and earbuds from brands like AirPods, Bose and Sony.
Who should buy it: frequent flyers, gym-goers with cardio machines that still have analog outputs, and anyone who owns a tablet without Bluetooth and wants to keep their existing headphones. Who should skip it: anyone shopping for their first pair of headphones, and anyone who wants to make phone calls — Avantree is explicit that this is not a Bluetooth receiver and is not designed for calls, instruments, or TVs without a 3.5 mm headphone output.
ESSGUO Over-Ear: Who It's For
The ESSGUO Over-Ear is the opposite kind of purchase. It is the thing you wear, not the thing you plug in. Inside are 40 mm dynamic drivers paired with a precision sound chamber, tuned for a wide range with strong bass presence — the brand's own framing is about delivering a full, concert-like listen rather than a flat reference sound. Frequency range is listed at 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz with 32 ohm impedance, which is a standard, easy-to-drive spec.
The design leans lifestyle. Colorful LED lighting sits on both sides of the headphones and pulses with the rhythm of the music. If you game, stream or just like your gear to look alive, that is a genuine feature; if you want to disappear into a quiet commuter car, it is not. The build uses ABS plastic with skin-friendly memory-protein earmuffs and headband padding, and the whole thing folds up — handy for tossing in a bag. ESSGUO also calls out the touch-friendly finish as part of the premium look.
Connectivity is Bluetooth 5.0 with a rated range of about 10 meters, and the brand highlights low-latency synchronous sound and stronger anti-interference compared with older 4.2 gear. There is a built-in mic for calls, a 3.5 mm jack for wired listening, and support for playing from a TF card, though the card itself is not included. Noise control is listed as sound isolation, not active cancellation — the earcups block some outside noise by sealing around your ears, and that is it.
Who should buy it: someone who wants one complete, affordable-feeling package for gaming, travel, office listening or a gift. Who should skip it: anyone who needs true active noise cancellation for a loud flight, or anyone who already owns better headphones and just needs a way to connect them to a seat screen.
• Best for airplane seat-screen audio → Avantree SoundJet R1-25Hr. It is literally designed for it, dual-prong adapter included.
• Best for watching a movie with a travel companion → Avantree SoundJet R1-25Hr. Two Bluetooth headphones, one source, dedicated connection indicators.
• Best for battery life on a long trip → Avantree SoundJet R1-25Hr. Up to 25 hours, with USB-C pass-through charging so you can keep listening while it charges.
• Best for an all-in-one first headphone → ESSGUO Over-Ear. Drivers, mic, earcups and controls all come in one box.
• Best for gaming and video with low-latency intent → ESSGUO Over-Ear. Bluetooth 5.0 with the brand's low-delay claim and 40 mm drivers built for punchy sound.
• Best for wired fallback → ESSGUO Over-Ear. Its 3.5 mm jack means you can still listen when the battery runs down; the Avantree has no drivers to fall back on at all.
• Best for a gift → ESSGUO Over-Ear. Foldable, padded, LED-lit, and self-contained — it works the moment it is unboxed.
• Best for people who already love their headphones → Avantree SoundJet R1-25Hr. It makes the headphones you own more useful instead of replacing them.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: do you need the source, or the speakers? If you travel and already own Bluetooth headphones you like, I would buy the Avantree SoundJet R1-25Hr. It fixes a real annoyance, shares audio with a second person, and its 25-hour battery plus pass-through charging is genuinely built around long flights. If you do not own a decent pair of headphones yet, I would buy the ESSGUO Over-Ear — it is a complete, comfortable, foldable package with a mic, wired backup and LED flair. Buying the Avantree to use as headphones would be a mistake; buying the ESSGUO to feed a seat screen would be too.
FAQ
No. It is a 3.5 mm-to-Bluetooth transmitter, not a receiver, and it has no drivers. Avantree states it is not designed for phone calls, musical instruments, or TVs without a 3.5 mm headphone output.
No active noise cancellation. Its noise control is listed as sound isolation, which comes from the padded over-ear earcups sealing around your ears. It will soften ambient noise, not erase engine drone the way ANC does.
The Avantree SoundJet R1-25Hr, clearly. It plugs into the airline jack and sends audio to your own Bluetooth headphones, and it can pair two sets at once. The ESSGUO connects to a phone or tablet, not directly to a seat screen.
Yes — both products are sold through Amazon, and the page provides a button to check the latest price on Amazon. Prices change, so confirm the current figure there rather than relying on any number you saw elsewhere.
In my opinion they are not competing on value at all, because they do different jobs. If you already own headphones, the Avantree adds a capability you cannot get otherwise. If you own nothing, the ESSGUO gives you a full listening setup in one purchase.
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