Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
Headphones Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Headphones Methodology v1.0

Ifrogz Earpollution CS40 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£45Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Ifrogz Earpollution CS40 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Ifrogz Earpollution CS40
5.8/10

Overall score

Score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

5.6

Technical score

20%

6.8

User score

â–¼Worse than 71% of headphones
7.1

Value for money

Value for money
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 67%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

52%

6.2

Sound

20%

4.3

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 67%
6.8

User score

User score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

7.3

User ratings

30%

5.6

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 90%
  • ifrogz-earpollution-cs40
ifrogz-earpollution-cs40
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading...
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Ifrogz Earpollution CS40

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

52%

6.2

Sound

20%

4.3

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

5.6
User score
User score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

7.3

User ratings

30%

5.6

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.8
Popularity
Popularity
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Ifrogz Earpollution CS40 has a popularity score of 5.6 points, which is lower than that of 52.4% of products in this category.
5.6
Value for money
Value for money
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.1
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
30 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 30 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 98.9% of headphones and equal to 0.4% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
?
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Ifrogz
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
181 g
This pair of headphones weighs 181 g, lighter than 61.3% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Ifrogz Earpollution CS40 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 18 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (120 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    120 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 17% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (181 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    181 g vs 218 g
  • 13 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (116 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    116 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 17% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (181 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    181 g vs 218 g
  • 18 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (120 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    120 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 13 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (116 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    116 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 12 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (30 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    30 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 18.4% lower user score
    User score
    6.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Ifrogz Earpollution CS40
    the average pair of headphones
    Ifrogz Earpollution CS40 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.76 vs 8).
    6.76 vs 8
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 6 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2010 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    June 2010
    2010 vs 2016
  • 18.4% lower user score
    User score
    6.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Ifrogz Earpollution CS40
    the average pair of headphones
    Ifrogz Earpollution CS40 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.76 vs 8).
    6.76 vs 8
  • 2.5% worse value for money
    Ifrogz Earpollution CS40 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.09 vs 7.3).
    7.09 vs 7.27
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 12 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (30 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    30 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 6 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2010 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    June 2010
    2010 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
TheTechDaily
≈ estimated
02/02/2010
Hands-on review · a week of use, comfort and sound
Verdict
Ifrogz Earpollution CS40 is comfortable, good-sounding and fair value for the quality, and a definite recommendation.
Not graded
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

skatter.com
14/01/2010
Hands-on test · Foldable headphones
Verdict
The iFrogz EarPollution CS40 is very comfortable and compact, but its padded, bass-heavy sound suits casual use rather than serious listening.
A
amateurtraveler.com
01/02/2010
Summary of the review
F
fromvalskitchen.com
20/06/2010
Summary of the review
valmg.com
20/06/2010
Family use · Everyday headphones
Verdict
The iFrogz EarPollution CS40 is light, soft and blocks household noise well, and has more bass than earbuds, making it a good pick for home use.
guitarworld.com
15/02/2012
Commute test · Portable headphones
Verdict
The EarPollution CS40S is a comfortable commuter pick with deep bass and good noise blocking, a clear upgrade on cheap earbuds.
digitalreviews.net
06/06/2012
Hands-on test · Music and gaming
Verdict
The iFrogz EarPollution CS40s is great value for music or gaming, comfortable apart from a hard headband, with heavy bass and slightly muddy mids.
canadianreviewer.com
22/03/2010
Listening test · Comfort headphones
Verdict
The iFrogz EarPollution CS40 is light, soft and clear at low volume, competing with headphones costing two or three times more for everyday listening.

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Ifrogz Earpollution CS40

  • Extremely comfortable for long periods due to 'AeroFoam' ear cushions
  • Highly portable with a compact, foldable design
  • Excellent value for the price, often cited as a significant upgrade over stock earbuds
  • Durable, thick cable that resists tangling
  • Effective passive noise isolation that minimizes sound leakage
  • Lightweight build that makes them easy to forget you're wearing

What customers don't like about Ifrogz Earpollution CS40

  • Muffled or 'veiled' sound quality, with some reviewers describing it as listening through a pillow
  • Audio profile is heavily bass-dominant, which can lead to 'muddy' lows and recessed mids/highs
  • The leather-like ear cup material can get uncomfortably warm in hot weather
  • The hard rubber headband lacks padding and can cause pressure on the top of the head
  • Does not include a carrying case, which is common for headphones in this category

Verdict

The iFrogz EarPollution CS40 is a lightweight, foldable on-ear headphone from the Comfort Series, featuring 40mm speaker drivers, a frequency response of 30Hz–20kHz, and an impedance of 32 ohms. Designed for portability and style, these wired headphones include AeroFoam ear cushions for enhanced comfort, a 1.6m tangle-free cable, and a 3.5mm jack with a high sensitivity of up to 120dB. Main pros include its highly cushioned fit, compact collapsible design, and strong bass production for the price point. However, notable cons include recessed mids that can sound slightly muddy and highs that lack crispness and clarity.

Compare Ifrogz Earpollution CS40 with other products in the Headphones category

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of Ifrogz Earpollution CS40 and other products in the Headphones category

No results found