OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Maxell NC IV Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£110Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:50 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):yes

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

Maxell NC IV
7.1/10

Overall score

Score
7.1/ 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
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components

80%

7.3

Technical score

20%

6.7

User score

â–²Better than 77% of headphones
8.0

Value for money

Value for money
8.0/ 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
â–² Better than 78% of models
Score components

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

â–²Better than 78%
7.3

Technical score

Technical score
7.3/ 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
â–² Better than 80% of models
Score components

52%

8.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

8.3

Design

8%

5.5

Connectivity

6%

8.0

Battery

4%

8.8

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 80%
6.7

User score

User score
6.7/ 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
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

User ratings

30%

4.8

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 91%
  • maxell-nc-iv
maxell-nc-iv
Where to buy
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Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Maxell NC IV

Technical score
Technical score
7.3/ 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
â–² Better than 80% of models
Score components:

52%

8.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

8.3

Design

8%

5.5

Connectivity

6%

8.0

Battery

4%

8.8

Calls & Controls

7.3
User score
User score
6.7/ 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
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

User ratings

30%

4.8

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.7
Popularity
Popularity
4.8/ 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
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Popularity:
Maxell NC IV has a popularity score of 4.8 points, which is lower than that of 60.4% of products in this category.
4.8
Value for money
Value for money
8.0/ 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
â–² Better than 78% of models
Score components:

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

8.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
yes
This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation. 72.6% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
34 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 34 mm, smaller driver size than 73.7% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
10 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 10 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 67.2% of headphones and equal to 12.6% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
yes
This pair of headphones supports a noise-canceling microphone. 61.1% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
yes
This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone. 86.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
?
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
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
50 hours
Market range: <10 hours – >70 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 50 hours, higher battery life than 71.7% of headphones and equal to 5.7% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
50 hours
Market range: <15 hours – >55 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life with ANC of 50 hours, higher battery life with ANC than 79.3% of headphones and equal to 7.7% of headphones.
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
Maxell
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
148.8 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 148.8 g, lighter than 70.9% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Maxell NC IV vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • 20 hours longer ANC battery life
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life with ANC than the average pair of headphones (50 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    50 hours vs 30 hours
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 31.7% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (148.8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    148.8 g vs 218 g
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • 20 hours longer battery life
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life than the average pair of headphones (50 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    50 hours vs 30 hours
  • 31.7% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (148.8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    148.8 g vs 218 g
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 0.6 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (1.8 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    1.8 m vs 1.2 m
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 4 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (106 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    106 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 20 hours longer ANC battery life
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life with ANC than the average pair of headphones (50 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    50 hours vs 30 hours
  • 20 hours longer battery life
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life than the average pair of headphones (50 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    50 hours vs 30 hours
  • Play while charging
    This pair of headphones can play while charging, the average pair of headphones cannot. 29.1% of headphones support play while charging.
  • Removable battery
    This pair of headphones has a removable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 7.8% of headphones have a removable battery.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • 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.
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 6 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (34 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    34 mm vs 40 mm
  • 20.1% lower user score
    User score
    6.7/ 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
    Maxell NC IV
    the average pair of headphones
    Maxell NC IV has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.66 vs 8).
    6.66 vs 8
  • 2.5 dB looser channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (3 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    source threshold <3 dB.
    3 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • 8 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2008 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    March 2008
    2008 vs 2016
  • 20.1% lower user score
    User score
    6.7/ 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
    Maxell NC IV
    the average pair of headphones
    Maxell NC IV has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.66 vs 8).
    6.66 vs 8
  • 6 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (34 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    34 mm vs 40 mm
  • 2.5 dB looser channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (3 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    source threshold <3 dB.
    3 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 8 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2008 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    March 2008
    2008 vs 2016

Third-party reviews

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

What customers like about Maxell NC IV

  • Comfortable fit for long hours and travel
  • Good sound quality for the price with clear tones
  • Effective active noise cancellation for airplane use
  • Lightweight and portable folding design
  • Includes useful accessories like a 6ft extension cable, airline adapter, and travel case
  • Excellent value for money (bang for the buck)
  • Long battery life of over 50 hours using 2 AAA batteries

What customers don't like about Maxell NC IV

  • Build quality issues, specifically reports of a plastic bracket snapping easily
  • Maximum volume may be too low for some users, especially in loud environments
  • Requires non-rechargeable AAA batteries rather than a built-in rechargeable battery
  • Noise cancellation may not be as effective as high-end $400 models
  • Wired-only connection (no Bluetooth support in this specific model variant)

Verdict

The Maxell NC-IV is a lightweight (148.8g) over-ear headphone designed primarily for travel and commuting, featuring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) powered by two AAA batteries for over 50 hours of use. It utilizes 34mm neodymium magnet drivers with a frequency response of 10Hz to 22kHz, an impedance of 38 Ohms, and a sound pressure level of 106 dB/mW. Main pros include a foldable, swivel design for portability, a detachable 1.8m cord with a gold-plated 3.5mm plug, and an included travel kit with an airline adapter. However, notable cons include reports of fragile plastic brackets prone to breaking under stress and a lack of modern integrated rechargeable battery options.

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