If you want wired over-ear listening with a planar magnetic driver, choose HIFIMAN HE400se; if you need wireless earbuds with adaptive noise cancellation and long battery life, choose Anker Soundcore P42i. For video calls, the P42i has the more directly call-focused feature set, while the HE400se suits someone who prefers a wired, over-ear design.
HIFIMAN HE400se vs Anker Soundcore P42i at a Glance
• HIFIMAN HE400se: Its planar magnetic driver and over-ear fit are the draw; its wired connection means no wireless convenience.
• Choose the HE400se if you want wired over-ear headphones and are comfortable listening without wireless features.
• Choose the P42i if you want Bluetooth earbuds, noise control, and call-focused features in a compact setup.
The HE400se is a wired, over-ear headphone built around a planar magnetic driver. That is its defining difference from the P42i’s in-ear dynamic-driver design. Its listed frequency range is 20Hz–20kHz, with 25-ohm impedance and 91dB sensitivity. Those figures describe the headphone’s audio specifications, but they do not establish how it will sound with every device or listener.
The low impedance and high-efficiency positioning make it a candidate for mobile use, but it remains a wired headphone. A 3.5mm connection is listed, with a 6.35mm adapter included, so it can fit listening setups that use either connector. That flexibility is useful if you switch between compatible devices, though it does not replace the freedom of Bluetooth. The cable is also replaceable, a practical detail for someone who prefers a wired design and wants the option to change the cable.
Its bevelled ear pads are described as supporting sound isolation and temperature compensation, while the adjustable headband is intended to make the fit lighter and more comfortable. At 390g, this is an over-ear headphone rather than a pocketable call accessory. I would consider it for seated listening, desk use, and someone who wants a wired headset-style option for calls without needing ANC or wireless controls. The supplied facts do not list a microphone, so I would not choose it specifically for voice calls without first confirming that my intended call setup provides a microphone.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-19 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip it: Skip the HE400se if wireless listening, active noise cancellation, or a listed built-in call microphone is essential.
The P42i takes the opposite approach: compact in-ear earbuds, Bluetooth connectivity, and adaptive active noise cancellation. Its ANC is designed to respond to surrounding everyday noise, including traffic and crowds. That makes it the more obvious fit for moving between a noisy commute, a shared workspace, and a quieter room. It also has a Natural Mode intended for loud live settings, where sound is lowered more evenly while retaining voices, music, and atmosphere.
For calls, the P42i lists six AI-enhanced microphones that are designed to reduce surrounding noise so the speaker’s voice can come through more clearly. That is relevant to someone comparing ANC earbuds for video calls, especially when taking calls away from a quiet desk. It is a feature claim, not a guarantee that every call will sound the same in every environment, but it gives the P42i a clearer call-oriented specification than the HE400se sheet provides.
Battery life is another concrete advantage. The listed maximum is 12 hours from the earbuds and 56 hours with the case in normal mode. With ANC on, the figures are 8.5 hours per charge and 40 hours total. A 10-minute charge is listed as providing up to 3.5 hours of listening. Those figures give a buyer a useful sense of the intended convenience, though actual use can vary. The earbuds also support wireless charging and have an IP55 rating. They use Bluetooth 6.1 and have no headphone jack, so a wired connection is not an alternative.
The listed audio features include an 11mm dynamic driver, LDAC, and Hi-Res Audio certification. These may matter to listeners who want a wireless feature set as well as ANC, but the P42i is still an in-ear product. It will be a better match for someone who wants compact earbuds than for someone specifically seeking over-ear cushions or a wired planar magnetic design.
Who should skip it: Skip the P42i if you need a wired headphone connection or know that you prefer an over-ear fit.
• Best fit for wireless listening → Anker Soundcore P42i. It connects over Bluetooth and has no headphone jack; the HE400se is wired.
• Best for a wired over-ear design → HIFIMAN HE400se. It has an adjustable headband, over-ear pads, and a replaceable cable.
• Best for video calls based on listed call features → Anker Soundcore P42i. Its six AI-enhanced microphones are specifically described for clearer calls.
• Best for noise control on the move → Anker Soundcore P42i. It combines adaptive ANC with a mode intended for loud live environments.
• Best for long listening between charges → Anker Soundcore P42i. Its case-inclusive figures are up to 56 hours in normal mode and 40 hours with ANC on.
• Best for swapping between listed audio connectors → HIFIMAN HE400se. It has a 3.5mm connection and a 6.35mm adapter, plus a replaceable cable.
• Best for a planar magnetic driver → HIFIMAN HE400se. Its driver design is planar magnetic, unlike the P42i’s dynamic driver.
• Best for someone considering a bluetooth gaming headset for video calls → HIFIMAN HE400se if a wired over-ear fit is the priority; P42i if wireless calls are the priority. Neither sheet identifies a gaming-specific feature, so the choice comes down to fit, connection, and the P42i’s listed microphones.
Buying Considerations
Fit is just as important. The HE400se has over-ear pads and an adjustable headband; the P42i sits in the ear. Someone searching for memory foam ear cushions wireless headphones for video calls should note that neither product sheet identifies memory foam cushions, and the HE400se is wired rather than wireless. The two products therefore do not meet that full combination of features. Decide whether over-ear placement or compact in-ear placement better suits your routine.
For calls, the difference in listed features is clear: the P42i specifies six AI-enhanced microphones, while the HE400se sheet does not list a microphone. That makes the P42i easier to assess for call use from the available specifications. For the HE400se, check that your intended device and call setup provide a suitable microphone rather than assuming the headphones include one.
Finally, consider noise and power. The HE400se’s ear pads are described as offering noise isolation, but it does not list active noise cancellation. The P42i does list adaptive ANC and gives separate battery figures for ANC-on and normal use. If you prefer not to charge earbuds, a wired headphone may suit you better; if you want portable listening with a case and charging options, the P42i offers more wireless convenience. For questions about current price, check the current price on Amazon rather than relying on an outdated figure.
I would choose the Anker Soundcore P42i for video calls because its six-microphone call feature, Bluetooth connection, adaptive ANC, and long listed battery life directly fit that use. It is the more complete choice for calls taken in different places, though its in-ear fit and lack of a wired jack may rule it out for some people.
I would choose the HIFIMAN HE400se instead for someone who specifically wants a wired over-ear headphone with a planar magnetic driver and replaceable cable. My deciding factor is the call setup: for a buyer who wants call-focused features stated up front, the P42i is the clearer pick.
The P42i lists six AI-enhanced microphones intended to help reduce surrounding noise during calls. The HE400se’s supplied information does not list a microphone, so its suitability for calls depends on the rest of the setup.
Yes. The P42i connects over Bluetooth 6.1 and does not have a headphone jack. The HE400se uses a wired connection, with a 3.5mm jack and a 6.35mm adapter listed.
The stated figures are up to 8.5 hours per earbud charge and 40 hours total with the case when ANC is on. In normal mode, the listed figures rise to 12 hours per charge and 56 hours total.
No active noise cancellation is listed for the HE400se. Its bevelled ear pads are described as supporting noise isolation, which is different from the P42i’s adaptive ANC.
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