How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a lightweight, feature-packed pair of large over-ear headphones with FM radio and memory-card playback, choose PODERIX PDBEAM; if you need active noise cancellation in a sporty, team-branded design with a wired backup option, choose SOAR NFL Active Noise.
• PODERIX PDBEAM — biggest strength: 25 hours of playtime, 120 hours of standby, Bluetooth 5.4, plus FM radio and mini SD card playback so you can listen without your phone.
• PODERIX PDBEAM — biggest trade-off: It only offers passive noise cancellation, so it muffles sound rather than actively cancelling it, and there is no headphone jack.
• SOAR NFL Active Noise — biggest strength: True active noise cancellation (ANC), a 3.5 mm jack for wired listening, and Bluetooth 5.3 with quick charge in 1–2 hours.
• SOAR NFL Active Noise — biggest trade-off: It is noticeably heavier at 1.2 pounds versus 7.2 ounces, and the listed battery average life is 40 hours with a 40-hour charge time figure that needs checking against your real-world expectations.
• Who PODERIX PDBEAM is for: Commuters, travelers and gym-goers who want a light, versatile pair with offline listening options.
• Who SOAR NFL Active Noise is for: Sports fans and anyone who wants active noise cancelling and the option to plug in a cable.
The PODERIX PDBEAM is built around flexibility rather than noise cancelling. Its standout trick is that it does not depend on a phone at all. There is a built-in FM radio mode and a mini SD card slot, so you can play music directly from a memory card — handy if you want to leave your phone in your bag, cut down screen time, or keep listening while your device handles something else. Bluetooth 5.4 gives you a current-generation wireless connection with a 10-meter range, and the headphone jack is absent, so it is wireless-only.
Comfort is clearly the other priority. PODERIX describes an adjustable headband sized for all head sizes and soft memory protein ear cushions, and the whole thing weighs just 7.2 ounces. That low weight matters if you wear headphones for hours at a desk, on a plane, or through a yoga session. The 20 Hz–20 kHz dynamic driver covers the full standard audible range, and the brand markets deep bass and rich stereo sound.
Battery life is where it stands apart on paper: up to 25 hours of playtime and up to 120 hours of standby on one charge. If you are the type who forgets to plug things in, that standby figure is genuinely useful.
Buy it if: you want the lightest option here, you like the idea of FM radio and SD card playback, and passive isolation is enough for your commute or open-plan office.
Skip it if: you fly often and want real active noise cancellation, or you need a wired 3.5 mm connection. In my opinion, the apricot color and plastic build also read more casual-lifestyle than rugged.
The SOAR NFL Active Noise takes the opposite approach: it leans on active noise cancellation and sports styling. ANC is the headline feature, and SOAR pitches it at blocking crowd noise, traffic, and loud bars so commentary or music stays clear. If you have ever tried to follow a game in a noisy room, that is the exact scenario this is designed for.
Sound comes from 32mm dynamic drivers, which SOAR describes as delivering deep, powerful output for game-day audio. The model name and theme make the audience obvious — this is a fan-forward product, and the Green Bay Packers colorway is part of the appeal. Bluetooth 5.3 handles the wireless connection, and quick charge brings it back up in roughly 1 to 2 hours, which is convenient when you realize you forgot to charge before kickoff.
There is also a 3.5 mm jack, so you can go wired when you want to — something the PODERIX cannot do. The trade-off is weight. At 1.2 pounds it is substantially heavier than the PODERIX, though SOAR counters with super-soft ear pads and a pressure-free fit aimed at long game days and tailgates. The listed battery average life is 40 hours, and the charge time field is listed as 40 hours, which is unusual enough that I would treat the charging spec cautiously and rely on the quick-charge figure instead.
Buy it if: you want ANC, you like the team-branded look, and you value having a wired fallback.
Skip it if: weight is your main concern, you want offline playback without a phone, or you dislike sporty branding on your everyday headphones.
• Best for noise cancelling → SOAR NFL Active Noise. It has genuine ANC; the PODERIX relies on passive isolation only.
• Best for battery life → SOAR NFL Active Noise on raw playtime (40 hours vs 25 hours), but PODERIX PDBEAM wins on standby (120 hours).
• Best for lightweight comfort → PODERIX PDBEAM. 7.2 ounces versus 1.2 pounds is a big difference over a long day.
• Best for listening without a phone → PODERIX PDBEAM. FM radio and mini SD card playback have no equivalent on the SOAR.
• Best for wired listening → SOAR NFL Active Noise. It has a 3.5 mm jack; the PODERIX has none.
• Best for the newest Bluetooth standard → PODERIX PDBEAM. Bluetooth 5.4 versus 5.3 is a small but real generational edge.
• Best for sports fans → SOAR NFL Active Noise. The team theme and 32mm drivers are aimed squarely at game-day listening.
• Best for travel and gym → PODERIX PDBEAM. Lower weight and foldable design suit movement and packing.
In my opinion, the PODERIX PDBEAM is the better all-rounder for most people. It is lighter, offers more ways to listen — Bluetooth, FM radio, and mini SD card — and its 120-hour standby means it is ready when you grab it. The SOAR NFL Active Noise is the smarter pick if active noise cancellation and a wired option matter more to you than weight, and its team styling is a genuine plus for fans. I would buy the PODERIX unless ANC is non-negotiable.
FAQ
I cannot speak to JBL models specifically, and the data sheets here do not cover that brand. For the two headphones compared above, the SOAR NFL Active Noise lists a quick-charge window of 1 to 2 hours, while no charge time is stated for the PODERIX PDBEAM.
Again, that is a different brand, so it is outside what these specs cover. If charging speed is your deciding factor between the two products here, the SOAR's stated 1-to-2-hour quick charge is the clearer figure to work from.
There is no single answer, but battery life is a useful proxy for daily usability. The PODERIX PDBEAM is rated for up to 25 hours of playtime and 120 hours of standby, while the SOAR NFL Active Noise lists a 40-hour average battery life and includes a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
Only the SOAR NFL Active Noise does. It features active noise cancellation, while the PODERIX PDBEAM uses passive noise cancellation, which reduces outside sound through the ear cushions rather than with electronics. If you fly or commute in loud environments, that difference is the one to weigh most carefully. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
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