How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want over-ear headphones with hybrid active noise cancelling, 70 hours of playtime and a wired backup for long flights, choose Monster Persona 5th; if you need lightweight in-ear buds that stay put during workouts, shrug off sweat and rain, and run up to 90 hours with the charging case, choose GNMN Active Noise Cancelling.
• Monster Persona 5th — biggest strength: Hybrid ANC with two internal and two external microphones, rated to reduce up to 95% of ambient noise, paired with 70 hours of battery life in ANC-off mode and a 3.5mm cable for wired listening when the battery runs down.
• Monster Persona 5th — biggest trade-off: It's an over-ear headphone, so it's bulkier than buds, and the 70-hour figure applies with ANC off — running noise cancelling constantly will drain it faster.
• GNMN Active Noise Cancelling — biggest strength: A sport-first design: secure ear hooks, four sizes of ear tips, IPX7 waterproofing, and up to 90 hours total when you count the charging case.
• GNMN Active Noise Cancelling — biggest trade-off: The spec sheet lists noise control as "None" for its control type field even though the marketing describes active noise cancelling — so treat the ANC claim as the feature it advertises, not a guaranteed spec, and expect less isolation than a sealed over-ear cup.
• Who each is for: Monster Persona 5th for commuters, flyers and office workers who want maximum quiet and long battery; GNMN for runners, gym-goers and anyone who wants buds that won't fall out.
The Monster Persona 5th is built around one idea: shut the world out and keep going for days. Its hybrid active noise cancelling uses two internal and two external microphones working together, and Monster rates it to cut up to 95% of ambient noise. That's the spec that matters most if you fly often, ride the subway, or sit in an open-plan office where chatter never stops. The 40mm dynamic drivers and Monster's own digital audio processor aim for a balanced signature with strong bass and clear mids and highs — a tuning that suits pop, hip-hop and podcasts rather than clinical studio work.
The battery story is the real headline. Monster lists up to 70 hours of listening in ANC-off mode, which is enough to cover multiple long-haul flights on a single charge. And when you do run out, the included 3.5mm cable lets you keep listening wired — a genuinely useful fallback that most true wireless buds can't offer, since they have no jack at all.
Who should buy it: frequent travelers, remote workers, and anyone who wants one pair of headphones for a full workday plus the commute on either end. Who should skip it: people who want something that disappears into a pocket, or who plan to run and sweat heavily in their headphones — this is a foldable over-ear, not a sport bud.
GNMN Active Noise Cancelling: Who It's For
The GNMN X19 goes the other direction entirely. These are true wireless in-ear buds with flexible ear hooks, designed so they stay locked in during vigorous exercise. GNMN includes four pairs of rubber ear tips (XS, S, M, L), which is a real convenience if you have smaller ears and usually find buds uncomfortable or loose. The IPX7 waterproof rating means sweat and rain aren't a concern — that's the spec that makes these a legitimate gym and outdoor-running option.
Battery life is split between the buds and the case. Each earbud gives up to 8 hours on a single charge, and with the charging case the total climbs to 90 hours. A dual LED power display shows the battery status for both the case and the buds, so you're not guessing before a workout. The 14.2mm dual-chamber drivers are tuned for crisp, balanced sound with deep bass — a sport-friendly signature rather than an audiophile one.
On the noise side, GNMN advertises active noise cancelling plus a Transparency mode for hearing announcements or traffic. Note that the product's own control fields list noise control as "None," so the ANC here is a feature claim rather than something the spec sheet independently confirms. In practice, in-ear buds with a good seal will block some noise passively, but I wouldn't expect the same isolation as a hybrid over-ear design.
Control is generous for the price bracket: independent volume and track buttons on each bud, so you can manage everything with one earbud in, plus a one-key reset button on the case. Bluetooth 5.3 with auto-pairing covers phones, laptops, TVs and smartwatches.
Who should buy it: runners, gym regulars, cyclists and anyone who wants buds that survive sweat and stay put. Who should skip it: anyone who wants maximum noise cancellation for flights, or who prefers the feel of over-ear cups.
• Best for noise cancellation → Monster Persona 5th. Hybrid ANC with four microphones, rated to cut up to 95% of ambient noise, versus buds whose spec sheet doesn't confirm ANC.
• Best for battery life → Monster Persona 5th. Up to 70 hours in ANC-off mode from a single charge.
• Best total playtime with a case → GNMN Active Noise Cancelling. 8 hours per bud plus the case adds up to 90 hours, with an LED display so you always know where you stand.
• Best for workouts and running → GNMN Active Noise Cancelling. Ear hooks, four ear-tip sizes and IPX7 waterproofing.
• Best for flights and long commutes → Monster Persona 5th. Over-ear cups, hybrid ANC and a 3.5mm cable for in-flight entertainment systems.
• Best for switching between laptop and phone → Monster Persona 5th. Bluetooth 6.0 dual-device connection.
• Best for portability → GNMN Active Noise Cancelling. Buds in a charging case beat even a foldable headphone for pocket space.
• Best for small ears → GNMN Active Noise Cancelling. The XS, S, M, L tip range is a concrete advantage.
If I were buying one of these for myself, I'd pick the Monster Persona 5th. The combination of hybrid ANC with four microphones, 70 hours of battery, dual-device Bluetooth 6.0 and a 3.5mm wired fallback covers the widest range of real situations — flights, offices, long workdays — and the over-ear design simply isolates more than buds can. I'd only choose the GNMN if my priority were training: the ear hooks, IPX7 rating and 90-hour total runtime make it the better sport companion. Check the current price on Amazon for both before deciding, since the value calculation changes with whatever each is going for.
how to active noise cancelling headphones work
Hybrid ANC, like the Monster Persona 5th, uses microphones inside and outside the ear cup to sample ambient sound and generate an opposing signal that cancels much of it out. Monster uses two internal and two external mics and rates the system to reduce up to 95% of ambient noise.
how to activate noise cancelling headphones
Usually through a dedicated ANC button or a mode cycle on the headphones themselves. The Monster Persona 5th lists three modes — ANC, Transparency and Standard — so you toggle between full cancellation, awareness of your surroundings, and balanced everyday sound.
how to activate noise cancelling jbl headphones
I can't speak to JBL's controls here — those vary by model and aren't part of either product in this comparison. For the two headphones on this page, use the on-board mode control: Monster switches between ANC, Transparency and Standard, while GNMN advertises ANC and Transparency modes on the buds.
how to activate noise cancelling sony headphones
Same answer: Sony's activation method is model-specific and outside this comparison. What matters here is that the Monster Persona 5th gives you a three-mode cycle including full ANC, and the GNMN buds advertise ANC plus Transparency, with touch and button controls on each earbud for playback, volume and calls.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: ZIHNIC Active Noise Cancelling vs INFURTURE Hybrid Active Noise, OYEALEX Active Noise Cancelling vs Aitalk Versatile, Dr.meter Noise Cancelling Headphones vs PinPure 5.4