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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-02 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• SIMOLIO's biggest strength: a 330° swiveling noise-reducing boom mic with a one-key mute button, plus three levels of hearing protection — a genuine communication tool, not just a listening device.
• SIMOLIO's biggest trade-off: it's wired and clearly aimed at younger users, so it isn't the pick if you want a minimalist, fashion-first headphone for adult casual listening.
• ULTECHNOVO's biggest strength: a very light, plug-and-play retro design with an adjustable ergonomic fit and no charging involved.
• ULTECHNOVO's biggest trade-off: the spec sheet lists no microphone and no warranty, and the form factor is described inconsistently, so it's a style-and-simplicity buy rather than a features buy.
• Pick SIMOLIO if you're buying for a child, teen or student who needs a mic for class, calls or games.
• Pick ULTECHNOVO if you want an inexpensive-looking, vintage-styled wired headphone for music, a desk, travel or a costume.
The SIMOLIO set is designed around one job: letting a kid or teen talk and listen at the same time without you worrying about the volume. The boom mic swivels through 330 degrees, so it can sit in front of the mouth for talking and swing out of the way when it isn't needed. The unidirectional pickup is noise-reducing, which matters in a house where someone else is watching TV in the next room. And there's a one-key mute button right on the headset — the kind of thing a student can hit instantly when a teacher calls on someone else, or when a parent walks in mid-call.
The other half of the pitch is hearing protection, delivered in three selectable levels. That's the feature I'd point a parent to first. Kids don't naturally moderate their own volume, especially during games or videos, so having a built-in ceiling they can't accidentally blow past is more useful than any single sound-quality claim. The headset is over-ear, with stainless steel in the enclosure, and it ships with a protective case — a small detail, but a practical one for something that lives in a backpack.
Compatibility is broad and simple: anything with a 3.5mm jack works, which covers tablets, Chromebooks, iPads, smartphones, the Switch, PS4, PS5 and Xbox One. A Y-audio adapter is included so you can split the audio and microphone ports on a desktop PC. Controls are listed as volume control with a touch method.
ULTECHNOVO Retro Over Ear: Who It's For
The ULTECHNOVO is a different animal entirely, and it's honest about it. The headline is the look: a black, retro, vintage-classic style over-ear headphone. The build is described as PVC sponge, and the whole thing weighs just 27.22 grams. For context, that's lighter than most phones — light enough that you'll notice the difference the moment you pick it up. The listed dimensions are 15 × 11 × 4 cm, so it's a compact, foldable-feeling package rather than a big studio can.
Use is deliberately simple. It's wired, plugs into a standard jack, and works with computers, phones and audio devices with no charging, no pairing, no setup. ULTECHNOVO describes the sound as clear and detailed, with vocals and instruments reproduced with definition, and a lightweight build that stays comfortable through long sessions thanks to an ergonomic design meant to reduce ear pressure. The fit is adjustable so it holds position while you move.
The intended use cases the brand lists are revealing: music, travel, desk listening — and photography, costumes and decorative use. That last group tells you who this is really for. It's a headphone you buy because it looks right in a photo, suits a retro outfit, or sits on your desk as a prop that also happens to play music.
Who should buy it: someone who wants a cheap-feeling-but-charming retro headphone for casual music, a costume, a shoot, or a secondary pair for the desk. I'd also suggest it for a teen who cares more about aesthetics than features. Who should skip it: anyone who needs a microphone for calls or class, anyone who wants a warranty (the listing states none), and anyone who needs a secure, consistent fit — the spec sheet is contradictory here, listing the ear placement as both over-ear and in-ear and the folding feature as "in ear," which suggests you shouldn't count on a precise, premium over-ear seal.
• Best for a microphone and calls → SIMOLIO Over Ear Headphones. The 330° boom mic with one-key mute has no equivalent on the other side.
• Best for protecting a child's hearing → SIMOLIO Over Ear Headphones. Three selectable levels of hearing protection is the standout feature here.
• Best for online classes and virtual school → SIMOLIO Over Ear Headphones. Mic, mute, volume control and wide 3.5mm compatibility are exactly the checklist a student needs.
• Best for gaming on a console or PC → SIMOLIO Over Ear Headphones. PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Switch are all covered, and the Y-adapter handles desktop audio and mic ports.
• Best for retro looks, costumes and photography → ULTECHNOVO Retro Over Ear. The vintage styling is the entire point.
• Best for pure plug-and-play simplicity → ULTECHNOVO Retro Over Ear. Wired, standard jack, no charging, no setup.
• Best for the lightest carry → ULTECHNOVO Retro Over Ear. At 27.22 g it's about as light as a headphone gets.
• Best for durability and travel protection → SIMOLIO Over Ear Headphones. Stainless steel in the enclosure plus an included protective case.
• Best for a no-strings desk or travel pair → ULTECHNOVO Retro Over Ear. But accept that there's no mic and no warranty.
In my opinion, SIMOLIO Over Ear Headphones is the one I'd buy for almost anyone who has a real reason to wear a headset — a kid in class, a teen on a call, a gamer on a console. The boom mic, the one-key mute and the three-level hearing protection give it a job to do, and the stainless steel build and included case suggest it's meant to survive a backpack. The ULTECHNOVO Retro Over Ear is a fun, featherweight, retro-styled wired headphone, and I'd recommend it specifically for costume, photo and casual desk use — but not as your main headset for talking to people. Check the current price on Amazon for both before you commit, since that's the one variable that could flip the call.
Yes. It has a 330° swiveling, flexible boom mic with noise-reducing unidirectional pickup focused on the mouth, plus a one-key mute button on the headset.
Does the ULTECHNOVO Retro Over Ear have a microphone?
The data sheet doesn't list a microphone as a feature, and the description mentions a "mic option" without confirming one is included. If you need to talk on calls, treat this as a listening-only headphone and choose SIMOLIO instead.
Both are wired. SIMOLIO connects via a 3.5mm jack and includes a Y-audio adapter for desktop PCs. ULTECHNOVO uses a standard jack plug and needs no charging.
For a child, I'd pick SIMOLIO. The three levels of hearing protection, the boom mic for class and calls, and the included protective case all point to a kid-focused design. ULTECHNOVO's retro styling and prop-friendly design suit older users, costumes and photography better.
The listing states no warranty and doesn't describe reinforced materials, so there's no durability claim to rely on. I'd treat it as a light, casual-use pair rather than something built for rough daily handling.
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