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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-07 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• ELECDER i37 biggest strength: Foldable, adjustable on-ear design with cushioned pads and a 4.9 ft tangle-free cord — sound isolation that reduces ambient chatter without sealing you off from the world.
• ELECDER i37 biggest trade-off: It's wired only, with no Bluetooth and no microphone, so it's tethered to a 3.5 mm jack device.
• RCA Earbuds biggest strength: Bluetooth 5.3 wireless freedom with Environmental Noise Cancelling mics, earhooks, and up to 48 hours of total playtime from the charging case.
• RCA Earbuds biggest trade-off: No 3.5 mm jack at all, and the noise cancelling applies to calls — not to your music playback.
• Choose ELECDER i37 if you're buying for a kid, a teen, or a petite adult who wants simple plug-and-play audio on a laptop, tablet, or Chromebook.
• Choose RCA Earbuds if you want wireless sport earbuds for running, gym work, commuting, or hands-free calls.
The ELECDER i37 is built around one idea: keep things simple and keep them secure. The ear pads are fabric and foam, the headband folds and adjusts, and the whole thing weighs 0.24 kg — light enough that it disappears in a school backpack. The cord runs 4.9 feet and is tangle-free, which sounds like a small thing until you've watched a nine-year-old untangle a knot for ten minutes before class. The L-shaped 3.5 mm gold-plated plug means it fits recessed jacks on phones, tablets, and laptops without an adapter.
On noise, the i37 does something specific and worth understanding. Its "noise control" is listed as sound isolation, not active cancellation. The cushioned on-ear design reduces ambient noise — the sheet explicitly names classroom chatter — while still letting the wearer hear what's going on around them. For a child in a public space or a school hallway, that awareness isn't a compromise; it's the point. The materials are also lead-free and BPA-free, which is the kind of spec a parent actually cares about.
Who should skip it? Anyone who wants wireless. There's no Bluetooth here, no mic, and no battery. If you need to take calls or move around a room untethered, this isn't the product. It also won't suit a large adult head — the sheet notes the size is ideal for little kids and petite adults, not for everyone.
RCA Earbuds: Who It's For
The RCA Earbuds are the opposite philosophy. These are over-ear hook earbuds — silicone, wireless, 7.8 g per bud — designed to stay put during running, cycling, and gym sessions. The earhooks are flexible, the fit is customizable with three sizes of silicone tips, and the IPX5 rating means sweat, splashes, and light rain aren't a problem. If you've ever had a bud pop out mid-sprint, you know why the hook matters.
The noise story here is completely different from the i37. RCA uses Environmental Noise Cancelling (ENC) microphones, which suppress background noise on the microphone side so your voice comes through clearer on calls. That's a call-quality feature, not a playback-isolation feature. It won't silence a noisy office while you listen to music. I want to be precise about that because "noise cancelling" gets used loosely across product listings, and shoppers end up disappointed when they discover the cancellation only applies to their outgoing voice.
Battery is where these shine. Six hours per charge, up to 48 hours total with the compact Type-C case, and a full charge in 1.5 hours (case takes 2 hours). Bluetooth 5.3 gives a stable 10-meter range with 16 ms latency — low enough that audio stays in sync with video and movement. The 13 mm dynamic drivers push deep bass, and the 16 ohm impedance makes them easy to drive from any phone. Touch controls handle music, calls, and voice assistants.
Who should buy them? Runners, gym-goers, commuters, and anyone who takes a lot of calls on the move. The age range is listed as adult. If someone in your family wants wireless earbuds they never have to think about charging mid-week, these fit.
Who should skip them? Anyone with a device that only has a 3.5 mm jack — there's no wired option here at all. And anyone expecting the noise cancelling to block out a loud environment during music playback will be let down.
• Best for noise isolation during listening → ELECDER i37. Passive foam-and-fabric isolation reduces ambient chatter, and it's the only one of the two that isolates playback sound.
• Best for clear phone calls → RCA Earbuds. The ENC microphones actively suppress background noise on your voice.
• Best for battery life → RCA Earbuds. Up to 48 hours with the case versus no battery at all on the wired i37.
• Best for kids and school use → ELECDER i37. Lead-free, BPA-free, foldable, tangle-free cord, and a size built for small heads.
• Best for running and workouts → RCA Earbuds. IPX5 sweat resistance and secure earhooks.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → ELECDER i37. No pairing, no charging, no app.
• Best for wireless freedom → RCA Earbuds. Bluetooth 5.3 with a 10 m range.
• Best for awareness of surroundings → ELECDER i37. Its isolation is designed to reduce noise without blocking it out entirely.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: do you want isolation or do you want wireless? For a child, a teen, or a senior who wants a lightweight, corded, awareness-preserving headphone for a laptop or tablet, I'd buy the ELECDER i37. The foldable build, the tangle-free 4.9 ft cord, the safe materials, and the 1-year warranty make it a sensible, low-fuss choice for exactly the audience it's designed for. For anyone who runs, lifts, commutes, or lives on calls, I'd buy the RCA Earbuds instead — the earhook fit, IPX5 rating, and ENC mics are built for movement in a way the i37 simply isn't.
what is the best noise cancelling over ear headphones
There's no single answer, because "noise cancelling" means different things. The ELECDER i37 uses passive sound isolation — its cushioned on-ear pads reduce ambient noise like classroom chatter. The RCA Earbuds use Environmental Noise Cancelling microphones, which cancel background noise on calls rather than during music playback. Pick based on whether you want isolation while listening or clearer calls.
what are the best noise cancelling in ear headphones
If by "in ear" you mean true wireless buds with noise-cancelling mics, the RCA Earbuds fit that description: Bluetooth 5.3, ENC microphones, three sizes of silicone tips, and up to 48 hours of total playtime. They're sweat resistant (IPX5) and weigh just 7.8 g per bud, so they suit workouts and commutes. Just remember the cancellation applies to your voice on calls.
how to replace ear pads on bose noise cancelling headphones
are these good for seniors?
It depends on what the senior needs. The ELECDER i37 is a strong fit if they want a lightweight, corded, plug-and-play headphone that reduces background noise without sealing them off from their surroundings — awareness matters at any age. The RCA Earbuds suit an active senior who wants wireless freedom and hands-free calling. Neither is objectively "better"; they solve different problems.
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