How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a featherweight, all-day open-ear pair that stays comfortable while you watch movies on a tablet or phone, choose JOYROOM Open Ear Headphones; if you need over-ear active noise cancelling with rotatable, cushioned cups to block out the room during movie night, choose SOAR NBA Active Noise.
• JOYROOM Open Ear Headphones biggest strength: Each bud weighs just 10g with an open-ear hook design, so your ear canals stay open and comfortable for hours — plus up to 50 hours of total playback with the charging case.
• JOYROOM Open Ear Headphones biggest trade-off: There is no active noise cancelling, so you still hear the room around you; it relies on sound isolation and directional audio instead.
• SOAR NBA Active Noise biggest strength: True active noise cancellation in an over-ear design with a 3.5mm jack as a wired backup, which is genuinely useful when you want to shut the world out.
• SOAR NBA Active Noise biggest trade-off: It is a bulkier over-ear with a heavier plastic-and-foam build, and its battery life rating is well below what the JOYROOM case delivers.
• Who each pick is for: JOYROOM suits runners, gym-goers, and anyone who wants lightweight bluetooth headphones for movies without ear fatigue; SOAR suits couch viewers and gamers who want rotatable ear cups and noise blocking for movies.
The JOYROOM Open Ear Headphones are built around one idea: never make your ears feel stuffed. Each earbud is only 10g, and the hook-style open-ear shape means nothing plugs your canal. That matters more than it sounds. If you have ever pulled off a pair of in-ears after a two-hour movie because your ears felt hot and irritated, this is the fix. The silicone enclosure is skin-friendly, and the open design lets air move freely.
Battery is the headline number: 12.5 hours on a single charge and up to 50 hours total with the charging case, with an LED display so you always know where you stand. IPX4 means sweat and light rain are fine. If you split your time between workouts and screen time, this is a natural fit. Skip it if you need to fully silence a noisy room — JOYROOM states plainly that these do not have active noise cancelling.
SOAR NBA Active Noise: Who It's For
The SOAR NBA Active Noise is a completely different animal. It is an over-ear, closed-back headphone with active noise cancellation, a plastic outer shell and headband, and fabric-and-foam ear pads in a Chicago Bulls colorway. The over-ear cups physically surround your ears, and the ANC layer on top of that is the reason to pick it. If your movie time happens on a plane, a bus, or next to a loud air conditioner, that combination is exactly what you want.
The 3.5mm jack is a real advantage people overlook. Wireless is convenient, but a wired connection means you can plug straight into a TV, a console controller, or an in-flight entertainment system with no pairing dance and no latency. For movie watching where lip-sync matters, that is a meaningful plus. Bluetooth 5.3 handles the wireless side fine.
The trade-offs are honest ones. It is a full-size over-ear, so it is heavier and warmer on the head than a 10g open-ear bud. Battery is rated at 40 hours with a 40-hour charge time — long enough for many movies, but not the marathon total the JOYROOM case offers. It is also aimed at a teen audience per the manufacturer's age range, and the 1-year warranty is shorter than JOYROOM's 2 years. Buy it for the noise blocking and the wired option; skip it if you want something you can forget you're wearing.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for all-day comfort → JOYROOM Open Ear Headphones. 10g per bud and an open-ear hook you can wear for hours without pressure.
• Best for blocking out a noisy room → SOAR NBA Active Noise. Active noise cancellation plus over-ear cups that physically seal around your ears.
• Best for wired, zero-latency movie audio → SOAR NBA Active Noise. The 3.5mm jack plugs straight into TVs, consoles and seat-back screens.
• Best for running, cycling and gym work → JOYROOM Open Ear Headphones. IPX4 sweat and rain resistance plus situational awareness so you hear traffic.
• Best for staying aware of your surroundings → JOYROOM Open Ear Headphones. The open design never seals you off from the world.
• Best for a private late-night movie without leakage → JOYROOM Open Ear Headphones. Directional sound transmission aims audio at your ears and limits spill.
• Best for a longer warranty → JOYROOM Open Ear Headphones. 2 years versus 1 year manufacturer coverage.
In my opinion, the JOYROOM Open Ear Headphones are the smarter buy for most people, especially if movies are your main use. They are dramatically lighter, they last far longer on a charge, they survive sweat and rain, and they cost you no ear fatigue during a long film. I would only steer you to the SOAR NBA Active Noise if cancelling noise is non-negotiable and you want the wired jack for a TV or console. For lightweight bluetooth headphones for movies that you can also run in, JOYROOM wins. Check the current price on Amazon before you decide — both are worth a look at the right number.
Yes, with a caveat. The 16mm drivers and bass enhancement give movies decent body, and directional transmission keeps the sound aimed at you. But because there is no active noise cancelling, a loud room will compete with your soundtrack.
They do — there is a 3.5mm jack alongside Bluetooth 5.3. That makes them easy to plug into a TV, console or plane seat screen when you want zero wireless delay.
JOYROOM rates 12.5 hours per charge and up to 50 hours with its charging case. SOAR rates 40 hours of playback with a 40-hour charge time. JOYROOM gives you more total listening before you need a wall outlet.
If blocking noise is your priority, yes. Active noise cancellation plus over-ear foam pads will do far more to quiet a plane or a busy room than an open-ear bud with sound isolation only.
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