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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-08 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Williams AV Sound HED 021 — biggest strength: a genuinely folding adult-size on-ear design with mono 32 Ω output and a mild, low-gain hearing-loss rating, plus a 100-pack of replacement sanitary covers.
• Williams AV Sound HED 021 — biggest trade-off: no Bluetooth, no microphone, no battery, and no bundled case — it is a wired, single-purpose headphone.
• LORELEI Q60 — biggest strength: wireless Bluetooth with an ultra-long 40-hour battery, Bass Mode, a built-in microphone, swivel-foldable ear cups and a carrying case in the box.
• LORELEI Q60 — biggest trade-off: sound isolation rather than true active noise cancellation, and a plastic build that signals casual everyday use rather than heavy-duty service.
• Pick the Williams AV Sound HED 021 if you need a foldable on-ear headphone for listening programs, shared stations, or anyone with mild low-gain hearing loss.
• Pick the LORELEI Q60 if you want a foldable on-ear headphone for wireless music, calls and travel with the longest battery of the two.
The Williams AV Sound HED 021 is a folding on-ear headphone in adult size, wired at 32 Ω, and it outputs in mono. That combination tells you a lot about intent. This is not a lifestyle headphone chasing deep bass and app features — it is a practical listening tool. The folding hinge is the headline for portability, and the 0.12 lb (0.8 oz) weight means it disappears in a bag. The mild, low-gain hearing loss rating is the detail that matters most: this headphone is aimed at listeners who need a little help getting clear audio, not at listeners chasing thumping low end.
Who should buy it: anyone running a shared or assisted-listening setup, anyone with mild low-gain hearing loss, and anyone who wants a simple folding on-ear headphone with no charging, no pairing and no battery to think about. Who should skip it: if you want wireless freedom, a microphone for calls, Bass Mode, or a case in the box, this is the wrong headphone — it does none of those things by design.
LORELEI Q60: Who It's For
The LORELEI Q60 is the modern, wireless answer to the same foldable on-ear idea. It uses Bluetooth for connectivity with up to 10 meters of range, and it recharges over the included Type-C cable. The battery figure is the one that jumps off the sheet: 40 hours of average life. For a household where one headphone gets passed between kids, shared on trips, and tossed in a bag, that number is the difference between "charge it every night" and "charge it every week or two."
The build is aimed at comfort and portability. The ear cups swivel and fold, the headband adjusts, and the cushions use memory foam for a secure, stable fit over long sessions. A carrying case and charging cable come with it, and the case is a real one — roughly 7.3 by 1.6 by 8.3 inches. On the audio side you get 40 mm dynamic drivers, a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency range, 32 Ω impedance and 110 dB sensitivity, plus a Bass Mode for listeners who want more low end. A built-in microphone handles calls.
The noise control is sound isolation, not active cancellation — worth knowing before you buy, because that is a different experience from a headphone that electronically cancels ambient sound. The age range is listed as teen, and the enclosure is plastic, which fits casual daily use. Who should buy it: teens and adults who want a lightweight wireless on-ear headphone with long battery, a mic, foldable cups and a case. Who should skip it: anyone who needs wired, mono, assistive listening or shared-hygiene use — the Q60 is not that product.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for battery life → LORELEI Q60. 40 hours of average battery life versus a wired headphone with no battery at all.
• Best for calls → LORELEI Q60. A built-in high-definition microphone; the Williams AV Sound HED 021 has no microphone.
• Best for shared or hygienic use → Williams AV Sound HED 021. The 100-pack of replacement sanitary covers is built for exactly this.
• Best for assistive listening → Williams AV Sound HED 021. The mild, low-gain hearing loss rating is a deliberate design choice.
• Best for travel convenience → both fold, but differently. The Q60 swivels its cups and ships with a carrying case; the HED 021 folds and weighs just 0.8 ounces.
• Best for deep bass → LORELEI Q60. Bass Mode and 40 mm dynamic drivers versus a mono, low-gain-tuned design.
• Best for zero-maintenance simplicity → Williams AV Sound HED 021. No pairing, no charging, no battery to degrade.
In my opinion, the LORELEI Q60 is the better buy for most households, because it covers the widest range of everyday jobs: wireless listening, calls, travel, long battery and a case in the box. I would choose the Williams AV Sound HED 021 only if my priority is assisted listening or a shared headphone where the 100 sanitary covers and the mild low-gain hearing loss rating actually matter. If you are shopping for a toddler, be clear-eyed: neither of these is a toddler product, and neither is marketed as one. The Q60's teen age range and plastic build make it the closer fit for older kids, while the HED 021 is an adult-size tool. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit — that is the one variable that can flip this decision.
are on ear headphones good
On-ear headphones rest against the ear rather than around it, so they tend to be lighter and more compact than over-ear models. Both the Williams AV Sound HED 021 and the LORELEI Q60 use the on-ear format and fold for storage. The trade-off is less passive isolation than a full over-ear cup.
what are the best open ear headphones
which are the best over the ear headphones
Over-ear headphones fully surround the ear; the two products compared here are on-ear, not over-ear. Within this comparison, the LORELEI Q60 is the more feature-complete option for general listening, with 40 hours of battery life, Bluetooth, a microphone and Bass Mode. The Williams AV Sound HED 021 wins instead on assistive listening and shared-use hygiene.
what are the best over the ear headphones to buy
That answer depends on your use case rather than on any single spec. If you want wireless, long battery and a carrying case, the LORELEI Q60 fits better. If you need a folding adult-size on-ear headphone with a mild low-gain hearing loss rating and replacement sanitary covers, the Williams AV Sound HED 021 is the more sensible choice.
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