How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a do-everything pair of headphones you can wear and listen to right out of the box, choose RAT TAIL V5.3; if you need a hard protective case to carry and shield a pair of headphones you already own, choose MAS CARNEY Over Ear Headphones.
• RAT TAIL V5.3 biggest strength: It's an actual pair of over-ear headphones with Bluetooth 5.3, wired 3.5 mm backup, MP3/TF-card playback, FM radio and a built-in mic — several listening modes in one foldable headset.
• RAT TAIL V5.3 biggest trade-off: Passive noise cancellation only, and no battery-life or playtime figure is listed, so you're relying on the 3-hour charge spec without a runtime guarantee.
• MAS CARNEY Over Ear Headphones biggest strength: A hard EVA shell with a soft loop-pile lining, elastic securing strap and mesh accessory pocket — real drop-and-crush protection for a headset you already own.
• MAS CARNEY Over Ear Headphones biggest trade-off: It is not a pair of headphones at all. No drivers, no Bluetooth, no mic — just a case, and it only fits the swivel-foldable models it lists.
• Who each pick is for: RAT TAIL V5.3 for someone who needs headphones now; MAS CARNEY for someone who already has headphones and wants to keep them intact.
The RAT TAIL V5.3 is the rare budget headset that tries to cover every listening scenario at once. It runs Bluetooth 5.3 with 40 mm dynamic drivers and 32-ohm impedance, so it pairs with phones, tablets, laptops and anything else with Bluetooth. But the interesting part is the fallback layer: a micro SD/TF card slot (up to 32 GB, card not included) lets you play music with no paired device at all, and an FM radio tuner gives you live news and talk stations. When the battery is flat, a 3.5 mm cable turns it into a plain wired headset. That's three ways to listen from one product, which is unusual at this end of the market.
Comfort and portability are clearly the design priorities. The earcups are big and over-ear, the headband extends and folds at adjustable hinges, and the mesh-plus-protein-leather earpads are spec'd for long sessions without sweat. It ships with a USB charge cable and a storage bag, and it's aimed at "unisex kids, teens and adults" — so it's pitched as a household, backpack, commute and study headset rather than a specialist piece. Controls are deliberately simple: big physical buttons for mode, volume and track, plus voice control, so you can operate it without pulling your phone out.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants one inexpensive headset for commuting, school, travel and casual PC use, especially if you like the idea of TF-card playback or FM without a phone. Who should skip it: picky listeners chasing serious active noise cancelling or a specific sound signature. This is passive noise isolation — the big earcups physically block some outside sound, nothing more. And since no playtime figure is published, don't buy it expecting a marathon battery claim.
Here's the thing that trips people up: despite the name, the MAS CARNEY Over Ear Headphones is a case, not a headset. It's a hard-shell carry bag — EVA exterior, polyurethane finish, purple, with a soft loop-pile lining — sized 8.6" × 7.5" × 2.6" (21.7 × 19.5 × 6.6 cm). Inside there's an elastic strap that pins your headset down so it can't rattle around, plus a built-in mesh pocket for cables and small accessories so they don't tangle. A nearly 360° zipper and a sturdy hand strap round it out. The whole point is protecting electronics from impacts and crushing when they're jammed into a backpack or carry-on.
The compatibility list is where this case earns its keep — and where you need to pay attention. It's built around swivel-foldable on-ear and over-ear models: Sony WH-CH520 and WH-CH720N, the WH-1000XM4/XM5/XM6, JBL Tune 510BT/720BT/770NC/670NC and Live 670NC/770NC, Soundcore by Anker Life Q20/Q20i/Q30/Q45, Space One Pro and Space 2, Bose QuietComfort, QC35, QC45 and Ultra, plus Skullcandy Crusher and Hesh lines, TOZO, BERIBES, iClever and Raycon models. MAS CARNEY also backs it with a 12-month product warranty and 7×24 customer service, and notes the case arrives alone — headphones and accessories are not included.
Who should buy it: students heading back to school, commuters and travellers who already own one of the listed headphones and want a hard shell instead of a soft pouch. Who should skip it: anyone who needs headphones to actually listen with, and anyone whose headset doesn't fold or isn't on the compatibility list — the brand explicitly says to confirm your model before buying.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for actually listening to music → RAT TAIL V5.3. It has drivers, Bluetooth, a mic and a wired fallback; the MAS CARNEY has none of that.
• Best for listening without a phone or Bluetooth → RAT TAIL V5.3. TF-card playback up to 32 GB plus an FM radio tuner.
• Best for calls and voice chat → RAT TAIL V5.3. Built-in microphone and voice control; the case has no electronics at all.
• Best for travel packing → MAS CARNEY Over Ear Headphones. A compact 2.6"-deep hard case with a hand strap beats a fabric storage bag for crush protection.
• Best for a house with kids, teens and adults sharing one product → RAT TAIL V5.3. Foldable hinges, extendable headband and simple big-button controls suit mixed ages.
• Best for blocking out noise → Neither, strictly speaking. RAT TAIL V5.3 offers passive isolation only, and the MAS CARNEY is an empty case — if you want active noise cancelling, neither spec sheet promises it.
• Best for peace of mind after purchase → MAS CARNEY Over Ear Headphones. It carries a stated 12-month warranty and round-the-clock support; RAT TAIL V5.3 lists no warranty terms.
In my opinion, these two aren't really rivals — they solve different problems, and the deciding question is simply whether you own headphones already. If you don't, I'd buy the RAT TAIL V5.3, because it delivers the actual listening experience: Bluetooth 5.3, wired backup, TF-card and FM modes, a mic, and a foldable over-ear design built for long wear. If you already own one of the listed Sony, JBL, Soundcore or Bose headsets, I'd buy the MAS CARNEY Over Ear Headphones instead — a hard EVA case with a securing strap and soft lining is cheap insurance for a headset that costs far more than the case. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one matches your situation, and for the case, confirm your headphone model fits before ordering.
No. It's a hard carry case for headphones you already own. The listing includes the case only — no headset, no cables, no accessories inside. If you need something to listen with, the RAT TAIL V5.3 is the headphone in this comparison.
It uses passive noise cancellation, which means the large over-ear cups physically block some outside sound rather than cancelling it electronically. There's no active ANC mode listed. If you need real ANC, look at headphones that specifically advertise it.
Only if they swivel-fold and match the listed models — Sony WH-CH520/CH720N and WH-1000XM4/XM5/XM6, JBL Tune and Live lines, Soundcore Q20i/Q30/Q45 and Space models, Bose QuietComfort, QC35/45/Ultra, and several Skullcandy, TOZO and Raycon sets. The brand recommends confirming your model before purchase.
Yes. You can insert a micro SD/TF card (up to 32 GB, not included) and play music directly, use the FM radio tuner, or plug in the 3.5 mm cable. Bluetooth is just one of several modes, which makes it flexible when your phone is dead or unpaired.
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.