We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-04 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a compact, waterproof-friendly in-ear set with a touchscreen charging case and a transparency-style awareness mode for riding, choose ZYHKON Earbuds; if you need over-ear cups that rotate flat, a true one-press Transparency mode and marathon battery for long motorcycle days, choose MINIXPC Active Noise Cancelling. I get asked about this pairing a lot by riders who want one set of wireless headphones with transparency mode that can do the commute, the gym and the open road. Here's how I'd split them for motorcycle use.
• ZYHKON Earbuds — biggest strength: tiny in-ear fit plus a smart touchscreen charging case you can operate without pulling out your phone.
• ZYHKON Earbuds — biggest trade-off: no over-ear cups means no rotatable, fold-flat design, and the fit depends entirely on how the tips sit in your ears.
• MINIXPC Active Noise Cancelling — biggest strength: a real Transparency mode you switch to with a single press, backed by hybrid ANC rated to cut up to 96.6% of ambient noise.
• MINIXPC Active Noise Cancelling — biggest trade-off: it's a 7.9-ounce over-ear headset, so it's bulkier on a helmet-free ride and it only reaches Bluetooth 5.3 versus the earbuds' 5.4.
• Who each is for: ZYHKON for riders who want something pocketable, low-profile and screen-controlled; MINIXPC for riders who want over-ear comfort, transparency on demand and the longest possible battery.
The ZYHKON Earbuds are in-ear wireless earbuds built around a Z9Pro hybrid ANC system that blocks up to 38dB of ambient noise, with ENC handling roughly 90% of background chatter on calls. For a rider, that combination matters in two very different moments: killing wind and engine drone while you're moving, and keeping your voice intelligible when you take a call at a fuel stop with traffic all around you. The 14.2mm dynamic drivers cover a 20Hz–20kHz range, and the five EQ modes — Standard, Rock, Jazz, Pop and Classic — are switchable from the case itself, which is genuinely handy when your phone is zipped in a jacket pocket.
The standout design choice here is the touchscreen charging case. Volume, track skipping, calls, alarms and a locate-my-earbuds function all live on that screen, so you're not fumbling for a handset mid-ride or digging through a bag. Battery is rated at 6–8 hours per charge with a 1.5-hour charge time, stretched to 48 hours total with the case — plenty for a long day out if you're topping up between legs. The shells are ABS with silicone tips, and the set ships with two earbuds, a USB-C cable, the charging box and a manual, backed by a 24-month warranty.
Who should buy it: riders who want the smallest possible footprint, a case that doubles as a control panel, and in-ear isolation. Who should skip it: anyone who specifically wants over-ear cups with rotatable, foldable hinges, or who prefers a proper one-press Transparency toggle rather than an awareness mode layered into ANC and ENC. There's also no wired fallback — it's wireless only, with no headphone jack.
The MINIXPC Active Noise Cancelling headset is the opposite philosophy: over-ear, off-white, and built for people who'd rather wear a headband than seat tips in their ears for hours. Its hybrid ANC is rated to reduce up to 96.6% of ambient noise, and — the part that matters most for this comparison — it lets you switch between Noise Cancelling, Transparency and Normal modes with a press. That's the classic transparency-mode workflow: flip to Transparency when you want traffic, voices or a passenger to come through, flip back to ANC when you want the world gone.
Sound comes from 40mm composite drivers with a vocal enhancement algorithm, and the spec sheet lists 31.98 ohm impedance, a 20Hz frequency response and 115dB sensitivity — easy-to-drive numbers that pair fine with a phone. Calls run through four built-in microphones with ENC, which is the right setup for taking a call on a busy street or in wind. Comfort is clearly the design brief: a zero-pressure headband, memory foam ear cups in protein leather and breathable cushioning for all-day wear. Battery is the headline — up to 50 hours at 80% volume, still 40 hours with ANC on, and a 1.5-hour USB-C charge. Bluetooth 5.3 with a 10-meter range, plus a 3.5mm jack and cable so you can run it wired when you want.
Who should buy it: riders and travelers who want over-ear isolation, rotatable flat-folding cups that pack down, and a transparent mode they can trigger instantly. Who should skip it: anyone who wants the lightest, most discreet option, or who prefers a touchscreen case and app-free controls — this one leans on app control for fine-tuning.
• Best for transparency on demand → MINIXPC Active Noise Cancelling. One press cycles Noise Cancelling, Transparency and Normal.
• Best for raw noise reduction → MINIXPC Active Noise Cancelling. Up to 96.6% of ambient noise versus 38dB on the ZYHKON.
• Best for battery life on long rides → MINIXPC Active Noise Cancelling. 50 hours total, 40 with ANC on, against 48 hours total on the ZYHKON.
• Best for a discreet, low-profile fit → ZYHKON Earbuds. In-ear shells and a pocketable case instead of a 7.9-ounce headband.
• Best for on-the-go controls without your phone → ZYHKON Earbuds. The touchscreen case handles volume, tracks, calls and alarms.
• Best for call clarity in wind → MINIXPC Active Noise Cancelling. Four microphones with ENC, versus the ZYHKON's ENC filtering around 90% of background chatter.
• Best for wired backup → MINIXPC Active Noise Cancelling. It has a 3.5mm jack; the ZYHKON is wireless only.
• Best for newer Bluetooth → ZYHKON Earbuds. Bluetooth 5.4 versus 5.3.
For motorcycle use, I'd buy the MINIXPC Active Noise Cancelling headset. The reason is the transparency workflow: a single press to let road noise, horns and voices back in is exactly the feature you want while riding, and the over-ear cups with rotatable, fold-flat hinges plus 40 hours of ANC-on battery make it the better long-haul companion. If your priority is something tiny, screen-controlled and easy to pocket, the ZYHKON Earbuds are the smarter pick and their touchscreen case is genuinely useful. In my opinion, most riders will be happier with the MINIXPC — but check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one thing that can flip this decision.
FAQ
which airpods have transparency mode
how to turn airpods to transparency mode
On AirPods Pro you press and hold the force sensor on the stem, and on AirPods Max you press the noise control button. With the MINIXPC headset the same idea applies: press the control to cycle from Noise Cancelling into Transparency mode.
do all airpods have transparency mode
No — it isn't universal across Apple's lineup, and it isn't universal across brands either. Of the two products here, only the MINIXPC Active Noise Cancelling headset lists a dedicated Transparency mode; the ZYHKON Earbuds rely on ANC and ENC instead.
how to turn on transparency mode airpods
On AirPods you press and hold the stem sensor until you hear the tone, or toggle it in the Bluetooth settings. On the MINIXPC headset, transparency is one press away in the same mode cycle as ANC — no app required for that basic switch.
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