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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Cisco — biggest strength: Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling plus genuine enterprise plumbing — Webex and Cisco device optimization, call controls over Bluetooth, and deployment through Webex Control Hub. Biggest trade-off: 5 hours of talk time per charge, with the case adding roughly 2.5 more charges — modest next to the TOZO.
• TOZO NC9 — biggest strength: Hybrid ANC rated to a 45dB reduction depth, 6 mics with ENC, IPX8 waterproofing, and up to 59 hours of total playtime with ANC off (42H with ANC on). Biggest trade-off: It's a consumer earbud — no enterprise management, no Cisco/Webex hooks, and no bundled USB adapter option.
• Pick Cisco if your day is calls and meetings on managed corporate devices and you want one set of buds that IT can actually administer.
• Pick TOZO NC9 if you want long battery, strong noise cancelling, and water resistance for commuting, gym and travel, and you're fine tuning everything from an app.
The Cisco earbuds (model HS-WL-950-BUN-C, built with Bang & Olufsen) are the rare set of true wireless buds designed around work first. The headline spec is adaptive active noise cancelling — it adjusts rather than sitting at one fixed level — and it's paired with passive isolation and touch and motion controls so you can grab a call or pause media without hunting for your phone. Talk time is rated at 5 hours with ANC on, and the aluminum charging case holds about 2.5 additional charges on top of that. Qi wireless charging is supported, the carrying case recharges in about 105 minutes from its 380 mAh cell, and the whole kit is IP57 rated, which covers sweat and splashes but not a swim.
Audio is B&O Signature tuning: balanced bass, clear midrange, controlled treble, from a 9.2 mm dynamic driver with a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range and 32 ohm impedance. In the box you get five ear tip options including Comply foam, which matters more than people expect for both comfort and how well the ANC seals. Bluetooth 5.2 covers roughly 32 feet, and there's an optional Cisco USB adapter for machines where wireless pairing is unreliable.
Who should skip it: if you mostly listen to music on a personal phone and want maximum hours per charge, this isn't the pick. Five hours of talk time with ANC is a workday at best, and the case only stretches that to about 12.5 hours total. There's also no headphone jack, no app-based EQ customization mentioned in the specs, and the management features are wasted on you if nobody in your organization administers devices. In my opinion, buying these purely as consumer earbuds means paying for capability you'll never switch on.
TOZO NC9: Who It's For
The TOZO NC9 is a hybrid active noise cancelling earbud in the classic consumer mold, and the spec sheet leans hard into endurance and flexibility. Hybrid ANC here means a maximum reduction depth of 45dB, which is a serious figure — enough to bury engine drone, train rumble and open-plan office chatter. There's also a Transparent Mode so you can hear announcements, traffic or a barista without pulling the buds out, which is the single most useful feature on any ANC earbud for city walking and cycling.
Calls get 6 microphones with ENC ambient noise reduction, so the buds actively filter background sound on your end. Waterproofing is IPX8, a step up from the Cisco's IP57 — this is the rating you want if you sweat heavily or get caught in real rain. Sound comes from 10 mm drivers with OrigX Acoustic 2.0 tuning aimed at deep bass and clarity, and you can reshape it yourself: the TOZO app exposes 32 EQ presets and lets you adjust bass, music style and noise cancelling modes, plus share your custom EQ in the app's EQ zone.
Battery is the headline. Single-charge playback is rated 14 hours with ANC off and 10 hours with ANC on. Add the case and you get up to 59 hours total with ANC off, or 42 hours with ANC on, after about a 2 hours full charge. The case has an LED display showing remaining battery, so you're not guessing. Bluetooth 5.3 gives you a 15-meter range — about 49 feet — which is noticeably more roaming room than the Cisco's 32 feet. Six sizes of replaceable ear caps are included, and the design is ergonomic for long sessions.
Who should buy it: commuters, travelers, gym-goers and students who want one pair to do everything and hate charging. The app-based control and EQ sharing are genuinely fun if you like fiddling with sound. Who should skip it: if your calls run through Webex or Cisco infrastructure and you need IT-managed deployment, centralized control and enterprise-grade security, the NC9 simply doesn't play in that world — it's a personal audio product, and the controls live in an app and on touch surfaces rather than in a management console.
• Best for battery life → TOZO NC9. Up to 59 hours total with ANC off versus roughly 12.5 hours of talk time plus case charges for the Cisco.
• Best for deep noise cancelling → TOZO NC9. Hybrid ANC with a stated 45dB maximum reduction depth is the more aggressive spec on paper.
• Best for work calls on managed devices → Cisco. Webex and Cisco optimization, integrated Bluetooth call controls, and Control Hub deployment are things the NC9 can't offer.
• Best for water and sweat → TOZO NC9. IPX8 beats IP57 for swimming-adjacent abuse, heavy workouts and downpours.
• Best for sound customization → TOZO NC9. 32 EQ options and app control versus B&O Signature tuning with no EQ app mentioned.
• Best for a tailored, premium fit and materials → Cisco. Aluminum case, tempered glass, five tips including Comply foam, and a 32 ohm, 9.2 mm dynamic driver.
• Best for wireless range → TOZO NC9. Bluetooth 5.3 at 15 meters versus Bluetooth 5.2 at 32 feet.
• Best for peace of mind on warranty → Cisco. A two-year limited liability warranty is spelled out; the NC9 sheet doesn't list a comparable term.
If I had to buy one for myself and I wasn't working inside a Cisco or Webex environment, I'd take the TOZO NC9. The combination of 45dB hybrid ANC, IPX8 waterproofing, 6-mic ENC calling, app EQ and up to 59 hours of total playtime covers more of my actual week — commute, gym, flights, long listening sessions — than the Cisco does. I'd choose the Cisco only if my calls run on Webex or Cisco hardware and my employer manages the devices; there, the adaptive ANC, call controls, Control Hub administration and two-year warranty are worth more than raw battery hours. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since that's the one variable I can't compare here.
FAQ
what is hybrid anc earbuds
what is anc earbuds
ANC stands for Active Noise Cancelling: the earbuds use microphones and electronics to generate sound that cancels incoming ambient noise, so you hear less of the outside world. The Cisco buds add an adaptive layer on top, adjusting the cancellation rather than running at one fixed level.
what are hybrid anc earbuds
They're earbuds combining feedforward and feedback noise cancelling — external mics catch noise before it reaches you, internal mics catch what slips through, and the two corrections are combined. Both products here use active cancellation; TOZO describes its implementation as hybrid and pairs it with a Transparent Mode for hearing your surroundings.
what are anc earbuds
Simply earbuds with active noise cancellation built in, as opposed to passive isolation from just the ear tips. The Cisco set layers active, adaptive and passive cancellation together, and its five tip options including Comply foam exist partly to improve that seal.
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