We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-01 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want over-ear headphones with a transparency mode for long listening sessions at a desk or on a commute, choose YY KATTY Hybrid Noise Cancelling; if you need pocket-sized earbuds with a touchscreen charging case, longer rated playtime and water resistance for workouts, choose AILKIN Samsung.
• YY KATTY Hybrid Noise Cancelling — biggest strength: Hybrid active noise cancelling plus a transparency mode in an over-ear design with soft earpads, an adjustable headband and fast charging. Deep bass tuning from a dynamic driver.
• YY KATTY Hybrid Noise Cancelling — biggest trade-off: Bluetooth 4.2 is an older wireless generation, and the 320 ohm impedance is unusually high for a portable headphone, which is worth understanding before you buy.
• AILKIN Samsung — biggest strength: A charging case with a built-in LED touchscreen that shows battery, time and connection status, plus ANC and a transparency mode, IPX7 waterproofing and up to 36 hours of total playtime on Bluetooth 5.3.
• AILKIN Samsung — biggest trade-off: In-ear earbuds mean a sealed fit you have to be comfortable with, and the 36-hour figure is total playtime across the case, not one continuous charge.
• Who each pick is for: YY KATTY for around-the-ear comfort and a wider soundstage feel during long sessions; AILKIN for portability, workouts and travel where you want everything controlled from the case.
The YY KATTY Hybrid Noise Cancelling is an over-ear Bluetooth headphone built around two features that matter in real life: hybrid active noise cancelling and a transparency mode. The hybrid ANC is designed to cut down steady background noise, so a noisy commute, a busy open office or a loud café becomes a quieter place to listen. The transparency mode does the opposite on purpose — it lets outside sound in through the drivers so you can hear a conversation or an announcement without pulling the headphones off your head. That toggle is the whole point of this category, and it's the reason someone picks these over a basic pair.
Who should skip it? Anyone who wants earbuds, water resistance for sweaty workouts, or the newest Bluetooth generation. This is Bluetooth 4.2, which is older, and there's no IP rating in the specs. Also worth flagging honestly: the listed impedance is 320 ohm. That's a high number for a portable headphone, and high-impedance designs generally want more power to reach their full volume and dynamics, so if you plan to drive them from a phone at high volume, manage expectations or plan to pair them with a stronger source. If you want a wired option, there is a cable included in the box.
AILKIN Samsung: Who It's For
The AILKIN Samsung set is true wireless in-ear earbuds, and the standout design choice is the charging case. It has a built-in LED touchscreen that shows battery level, time and connection status at a glance, and you can control music, calls, volume and even the camera shutter from the case itself. That means you can leave your phone in your pocket or bag and still manage playback — a genuinely useful trick when you're on a bike, at a desk with the phone charging across the room, or filming something where you don't want to touch the screen.
On the audio side, a 13mm dynamic driver is a large driver for an earbud, and the tuning is aimed at rich bass with clear vocals and detailed highs. Noise control is adaptive, with active noise cancellation for blocking out the world and a transparency mode for staying aware of it — commuting, workouts and daily errands are the exact scenarios this is built for. Bluetooth 5.3 brings faster pairing and lower latency than older generations, and the case auto-connects when you open it after the first setup.
The battery story is the practical headline: up to 36 hours of total playtime with fast USB-C charging, and a listed charge time of about two hours. IPX7 waterproofing means sweat and rain aren't a concern. Compatibility is broad — the listing names iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel families, plus laptops and tablets, and there's no headphone jack, which is expected for wireless earbuds.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for transparency mode in an over-ear fit → YY KATTY Hybrid Noise Cancelling.
• Best for transparency mode in a pocketable earbud → AILKIN Samsung, with adaptive ANC and a transparency switch.
• Best for total rated battery life → AILKIN Samsung, at up to 36 hours across the case.
• Best for long, comfortable sessions → YY KATTY Hybrid Noise Cancelling, with soft earpads, an adjustable headband and a light 0.15 kg build.
• Best for workouts, rain and sweat → AILKIN Samsung, thanks to IPX7 waterproofing.
• Best for newer wireless tech and faster pairing → AILKIN Samsung, on Bluetooth 5.3 versus Bluetooth 4.2.
• Best for bass-forward in-ear sound → AILKIN Samsung, with its 13mm dynamic driver.
• Best for a case you can control without your phone → AILKIN Samsung, with the LED touchscreen charging case.
• Best for connecting to a wider range of older or non-Bluetooth sources → YY KATTY Hybrid Noise Cancelling, since a cable is included.
I'd buy the AILKIN Samsung for most people, and here's my reasoning: it covers more situations. The transparency mode and ANC are both there, Bluetooth 5.3 is the newer standard, the 36-hour total playtime and IPX7 rating make it a genuine all-day, all-weather pair, and the touchscreen case is a real convenience rather than a gimmick. I'd pick the YY KATTY Hybrid Noise Cancelling instead if over-ear comfort is non-negotiable — soft pads, an adjustable band and a very light frame are exactly what you want when headphones stay on for hours. Before deciding, check the current price on Amazon, since that's the one variable I can't weigh for you.
FAQ
which airpods have transparency mode
how to turn airpods to transparency mode
On Apple earbuds you normally switch modes by pressing and holding the force sensor on the stem, or through the Control Center on a paired device. The mechanics differ by brand, so on other products check the manual: the YY KATTY uses volume controls on the headset with a remote control method, while the AILKIN Samsung uses touch controls plus its touchscreen case.
do all airpods have transparency mode
No. Apple reserves transparency mode for its higher-end models, and the same pattern holds across the wider market — it's a feature of noise-cancelling designs rather than a baseline. If transparency is a must-have, check the spec sheet before buying; both products compared here explicitly list it.
how to turn on transparency mode airpods
For Apple models it's a press-and-hold on the stem or a Control Center toggle. For anything else, it's whatever the manufacturer assigns — often a tap or long-press on the earbud or a button on the headset. The AILKIN Samsung gives you touch control on the buds and a touchscreen on the case; the YY KATTY relies on its onboard and remote controls.
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