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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-19 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
• Edifier W820NB — biggest strength: A self-contained over-ear headphone with hybrid active noise cancellation rated to -43dB, LDAC hi-res support, and up to 49 hours of playback.
• Edifier W820NB — biggest trade-off: It is a closed over-ear design that you wear as-is, so there is no way to swap in your own earphones, and it is the heavier object of the two at 220g.
• KZ AN01 — biggest strength: A true wireless earhook adapter that converts any detachable 0.75/0.78mm 2-pin in-ear monitor into a wireless setup, with Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC, 4-mic AI ANC, and a charging case.
• KZ AN01 — biggest trade-off: It is an adapter, not a full headphone — the earphones themselves are sold separately, and on its own the adapter delivers up to 8 hours per charge.
• Who each pick is for: Edifier W820NB is for someone who wants one box, one pair, and long listening sessions. KZ AN01 is for someone who already owns (or plans to buy) detachable KZ-style in-ears and wants to cut the cable.
The W820NB Plus is built around one clear idea: a big, comfortable over-ear that handles noise for you. The 40mm composite diaphragm driver uses a titanium-coated diaphragm and supports the LDAC codec, so the wired-to-wireless chain is designed for high-resolution streaming rather than just background audio. Edifier pairs that with hybrid active noise cancellation rated at -43dB, using a closed-back design and environmental noise recognition to adjust the signal. In practice, that is the profile you want for commutes, open-plan offices and flights — places where steady low-frequency rumble is the enemy.
Battery is the headline number here: up to 49 hours of playback on a full charge, plus fast charging that Edifier says gives 7 hours from a 10-minute top-up. That combination matters more than it sounds. It means you can forget the charger for a week of normal use, and if you do forget, a few minutes plugged into USB-C gets you through a day. The headset charges over USB-C, connects over Bluetooth with roughly a 10-meter range, and the controls run through the Edifier Connect app, which adds a personalized EQ, a shutdown timer, a power readout, prompt volume and soothing sound options.
Comfort is the other reason to pick this one. The earcups use memory foam with Edifier's zero-pressure cushioning, and the whole headphone weighs 220g — light enough for long sessions, and Edifier specifically calls out that it stays comfortable even if you wear glasses. If you are the kind of listener who puts headphones on at 9am and takes them off at 5pm, that is the spec that matters.
KZ AN01: Who It's For
The KZ AN01 solves a very specific problem, and it solves it well. If you own detachable in-ear monitors with a 0.75mm or 0.78mm 2-pin connector, the AN01 is a pair of earhooks that plug into them and turn them into true wireless earbuds. That is the whole pitch: keep the sound signature you already chose, lose the cable. KZ builds it on Bluetooth 5.4, which the spec sheet highlights for improved transmission efficiency, more stable connections, lower power consumption and broader compatibility.
The adapter itself carries the electronics. There is a built-in headphone amplifier supporting LDAC and SBC, a 4-microphone AI active noise cancellation system with dedicated processing hardware, and touch controls on the earhooks for fingertip operation. The hooks are made from skin-friendly flexible TPU with an ergonomic over-ear fit and an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance, which is exactly the material story you want if you plan to use these at the gym or on runs.
Battery is split into two numbers, and both matter. The adapter alone gives up to 8 hours of playback, and a 20-minute quick charge returns 2 hours. The included charging case holds three additional full charges, taking the total to roughly 40 hours away from a wall outlet. You get the adapter, the case and a USB-C charging cable in the box.
Now the trade-offs, and they are real. First, the earphones are sold separately — this is not a plug-and-play headphone, it is a conversion kit, so your total cost depends on what you already own. Second, 8 hours per charge is a fraction of what the W820NB offers, and you will be managing the case. Third, noise cancellation here is handled by four microphones on the adapter, which is a different engineering approach than a closed over-ear cup — it is designed to work with the isolation your IEMs already provide, so how much quiet you get depends heavily on the earphones you attach. Finally, if you have never owned a 2-pin IEM, this product has nothing to offer you.
• Best for battery life → Edifier W820NB. Up to 49 hours per charge and 7 hours from a 10-minute top-up versus up to 8 hours plus a case on the AN01.
• Best for noise cancellation as a complete system → Edifier W820NB. Hybrid ANC rated to -43dB in a closed over-ear design, with no dependency on what you plug into it.
• Best for people who already own 2-pin IEMs → KZ AN01. It converts 0.75/0.78mm detachable earphones into true wireless, which is something the W820NB simply cannot do.
• Best for workouts and sweaty use → KZ AN01. IPX4 sweat and water resistance plus a secure TPU over-ear hook is a better fit for training than a 220g over-ear headphone.
• Best for all-day desk and travel comfort → Edifier W820NB. Memory foam zero-pressure cushions, 220g, and a design Edifier says works with glasses.
• Best for app-based tuning → Edifier W820NB. Edifier Connect adds personalized EQ, a shutdown timer, power display and prompt volume.
• Best for the latest wireless standard → KZ AN01. Bluetooth 5.4 versus Bluetooth 5.2 on the Edifier.
• Best for a single, self-contained purchase → Edifier W820NB. The AN01 requires you to supply the earphones.
In my opinion, most people asking this question should buy the Edifier W820NB. It is the complete product: big-driver hi-res audio with LDAC, -43dB hybrid ANC that does not depend on anything else, 49 hours of battery, and a 220g memory-foam fit built for long sessions. It does one job end to end and asks nothing of you. I would only steer you to the KZ AN01 if you are already invested in detachable 2-pin in-ear monitors and your real goal is cutting the cable while keeping your own tuning — in that case the AN01's Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC support, 4-mic ANC and IPX4 hooks make it the smarter pick. If you are starting from zero, the W820NB is the safer, more complete choice.
They are different products, not direct rivals. The W820NB is a finished over-ear noise-cancelling headphone with up to 49 hours of battery and -43dB hybrid ANC. The AN01 is a true wireless adapter that turns your own 2-pin IEMs into wireless earbuds. If you want one complete headphone, the Edifier is the better fit; if you want to go wireless with your existing earphones, the AN01 is.
Can the KZ AN01 work without buying extra earphones?
No. The AN01 is an earhook adapter with a 0.75/0.78mm 2-pin connector, and the earphones are sold separately. You need a pair of detachable in-ear monitors to plug into it. The box includes the adapter, the charging case and a USB-C cable — nothing to put in your ears.
The Edifier W820NB, clearly. It delivers up to 49 hours of playback on a full charge and 7 hours from a 10-minute fast charge. The KZ AN01 gives up to 8 hours from the adapter, with the included case adding three more charges for a total of up to 40 hours.
The specs describe two different approaches. The W820NB uses hybrid ANC rated to -43dB in a closed over-ear design, so the result is consistent regardless of anything else. The AN01 uses a 4-microphone AI ANC system and relies partly on the passive isolation of whatever IEMs you attach, so results vary with your earphones. For predictable, self-contained noise reduction, I would lean Edifier.
Both are sold on Amazon, and the current price is worth checking there before you commit — especially with the AN01, since your real cost depends on whether you already own compatible earphones. If you are buying earphones anyway, factor both pieces in.
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