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Nokia Essence Review | 93 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£70
  • Form factor: in-ear
  • Connectivity: wireless
  • Battery life: 8 hours
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC): yes

Nokia Essence review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

6.4

Overall score

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 components:

80.0%

6.4

Technical Score

20.0%

?

User score

Good
6.4

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

7.7

Sound

20.0%

2.4

Features

10.0%

8.0

Design

8.0%

6.3

Connectivity

6.0%

5.1

Battery

4.0%

8.6

Calls & Controls

Good
?

User score

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 components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 9.0
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    10

    Audio latency

    25.0%

    9.0

    Low-latency game mode

    20.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    12.0%

    10

    Noise-canceling microphone

    8.0%

    1.0

    Battery life

  • 6.5
    Travel

    Score components:

    28.0%

    10

    Active noise cancellation (ANC)

    24.0%

    1.0

    Battery life

    18.0%

    9.7

    Weight

    16.0%

    10

    Multipoint support

    14.0%

    1.0

    Ambient sound mode

  • 7.3
    Calls

    Score components:

    28.0%

    10

    Noise-canceling microphone

    24.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    18.0%

    10

    Multipoint support

    16.0%

    1.0

    Battery life

    14.0%

    1.0

    Companion app

  • 7.5
    Workout

    Score components:

    28.0%

    9.7

    Weight

    24.0%

    10

    Water resistance

    20.0%

    5.0

    IP rating

    16.0%

    1.0

    Battery life

    12.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

  • nokia-essence
nokia-essence

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £70

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Nokia Essence (BH-610) is a premium Bluetooth 2.1+EDR in-ear headset featuring highly effective 99.8% Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) via 10.3mm neodymium drivers and NFC quick-pairing. It supports high-quality audio streaming (apt-X and AAC) alongside dedicated bass/treble boost buttons and provides up to 8 hours of music playback with ANC on. Main pros include its exceptional noise reduction for its size, excellent sound quality with customizable EQ profiles, and a comfortable in-ear seal. Cons include an older Micro-USB charging port, a slightly bulky inline remote, and a high retail price upon release.

Technical Specifications of Nokia Essence

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

?

Sound

20.0%

?

Features

10.0%

?

Design

8.0%

?

Connectivity

6.0%

?

Battery

4.0%

?

Calls & Controls

6.4
Nokia Essence has a technical score of 6.43 points, which is higher than that of 76% of products in this category.
User score

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 components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
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.
1.0
Nokia Essence has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 72.7% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

6.4

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

7.5
Nokia Essence has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.5 points, which is higher than 74.3% of products in this category.
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Nokia Essence supports active noise cancellation. 72.6% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used
When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic
Driver size
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

10.3 mm
Nokia Essence uses a driver size of 10.3 mm, smaller driver size than 87.6% of headphones.
Number of drivers
What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup
When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

1
Nokia Essence uses 1 drivers, equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

6 Hz
Nokia Essence reaches a lowest frequency of 6 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 84.5% of headphones and equal to 1.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Nokia Essence supports a noise-canceling microphone. 54.5% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.
When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Nokia Essence is headset-ready, 84.7% is not. 15.3% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

2
Nokia Essence has 2 microphones, more microphones than 78.2% of headphones and equal to 8.8% of headphones.
Boom microphone
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

no
Nokia Essence does not include a boom microphone. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone
When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

?
Show more
Connectivity
What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

wireless
Nokia Essence supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 52.6% of headphones and equal to 47.4% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported
When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

2.1
Nokia Essence uses Bluetooth version 2.1, newer Bluetooth version than 55% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device
When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

10 m
Nokia Essence offers a Bluetooth range of 10 m, higher Bluetooth range than 2.6% of headphones and equal to 79.9% of headphones.
Audio latency
What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

40 ms
Nokia Essence has audio latency of 40 ms, lower audio latency than 74.7% of headphones and equal to 15.5% of headphones.
Multipoint support
What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices
When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Nokia Essence supports multipoint. 35% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness
When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Nokia Essence does not offer ambient sound mode. 76.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer
When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Nokia Essence does not support EQ customization. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates
When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Nokia Essence does not work with a companion app. 44.4% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels
When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A
Voice assistant support
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

yes
Nokia Essence supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
What it is: Playback time on a single charge
When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

8 hours
Nokia Essence offers battery life of 8 hours, lower battery life than 93.8% of headphones and equal to 3.9% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled
When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

8 hours
Nokia Essence offers battery life with ANC of 8 hours, lower battery life with ANC than 97.4% of headphones and equal to 1.6% of headphones.
Charging time
What it is: Time required for a full battery charge
When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

?
Quick charge
What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period
When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Nokia Essence supports quick charge. 31% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery
When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

?
Show more
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Nokia
Form factor
What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)
When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

in-ear
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

32 g
Nokia Essence weighs 32 g, lighter than 82.4% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)
When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back
Clamp force
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Show more

Nokia Essence vs the average headphone

  • Active noise cancellation
    Nokia Essence supports active noise cancellation, the average headphone does not. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
    What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
    When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

    Importance: HIGH

    Nokia Essence supports active noise cancellation, the average headphone does not. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • 85.3% lower weight
    Nokia Essence is lighter than the average headphone (32 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    What it is: Total weight of the headphones
    When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <150 g

    Nokia Essence is lighter than the average headphone (32 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.32 g vs 218 g
  • 12 Hz lower bass extension
    Nokia Essence has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (6 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <=10 Hz

    Nokia Essence has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (6 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.6 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • More flexible connectivity
    Nokia Essence offers more flexible connectivity than the average headphone (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
    When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

    Importance: HIGH

    Nokia Essence offers more flexible connectivity than the average headphone (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.wireless vs wired
  • Clear call microphone
    Nokia Essence offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
    What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
    When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Nokia Essence offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • 87.5 ms lower audio latency
    Nokia Essence has a lower audio latency than the average headphone (40 ms vs 127.5 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 127.5 ms.
    What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
    When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: <60 ms

    Nokia Essence has a lower audio latency than the average headphone (40 ms vs 127.5 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 127.5 ms.40 ms vs 127.5 ms
  • On-device controls
    Nokia Essence includes on-device controls, the average headphone does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
    What it is: Physical controls available directly on headphones
    When it matters: When you need playback, volume, or call controls to be easy to reach without pulling out your phone.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Nokia Essence includes on-device controls, the average headphone does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • Wind noise reduction
    Nokia Essence reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
    What it is: Reduces wind interference for clearer outdoor calls
    When it matters: When you take calls outdoors while walking, cycling, or commuting.

    Importance: LOW

    Nokia Essence reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • 85.3% lower weight
    Nokia Essence is lighter than the average headphone (32 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
  • Water resistance
    Nokia Essence is water resistant, the average headphone is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
  • Active noise cancellation
    Nokia Essence supports active noise cancellation, the average headphone does not. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • 12 Hz lower bass extension
    Nokia Essence has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (6 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
  • Rechargeable battery
    Nokia Essence has a rechargeable battery, the average headphone does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • Play while charging
    Nokia Essence can play while charging, the average headphone cannot. 55.9% of headphones support play while charging.
  • More flexible connectivity
    Nokia Essence offers more flexible connectivity than the average headphone (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
  • 87.5 ms lower audio latency
    Nokia Essence has a lower audio latency than the average headphone (40 ms vs 127.5 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 127.5 ms.
  • Clear call microphone
    Nokia Essence offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • On-device controls
    Nokia Essence includes on-device controls, the average headphone does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • Wind noise reduction
    Nokia Essence reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • 1 more microphones
    Nokia Essence has more microphones than the average headphone (2 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
  • Sidetone support
    Nokia Essence supports sidetone, the average headphone does not. 29.7% of headphones support sidetone.
  • Quick mic mute
    Nokia Essence includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.

Total
Design
Sound
Battery
Connectivity
Calls & Controls
  • Fixed cable
    Nokia Essence has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 29.7 mm smaller driver size
    Nokia Essence has smaller driver size than the average headphone (10.3 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
  • 22 hours shorter battery life
    Nokia Essence has a lower battery life than the average headphone (8 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
  • 22 hours shorter ANC battery life
    Nokia Essence has a lower battery life with ANC than the average headphone (8 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
  • 6 years older release date
    Nokia Essence was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    October 2011
  • 29.7 mm smaller driver size
    Nokia Essence has smaller driver size than the average headphone (10.3 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
    When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Nokia Essence has smaller driver size than the average headphone (10.3 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.10.3 mm vs 40 mm
  • Fixed cable
    Nokia Essence has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
    What it is: Cable can be removed or replaced
    When it matters: When you care about easier cable replacement, simpler storage, or the option to swap to shorter, longer, or upgraded leads.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Nokia Essence has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 22 hours shorter battery life
    Nokia Essence has a lower battery life than the average headphone (8 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    What it is: Playback time on a single charge
    When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >45 hours

    Nokia Essence has a lower battery life than the average headphone (8 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.8 hours vs 30 hours
  • 22 hours shorter ANC battery life
    Nokia Essence has a lower battery life with ANC than the average headphone (8 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled
    When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >40 hours

    Nokia Essence has a lower battery life with ANC than the average headphone (8 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.8 hours vs 30 hours
  • 4.65x less popular
    Nokia Essence is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).
    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.
    Nokia Essence is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).1 vs 4.65
  • 6 years older release date
    Nokia Essence was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    October 2011
    What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
    When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2020

    Nokia Essence was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2011 vs 2017
Total
Overall
Design
Sound
Battery
Features

Graphic comparison of Nokia Essence and

Attribute category
Attribute
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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Nokia Essence?

  • Exceptional active noise cancellation that eliminates a massive percentage of background noise, making it highly effective on public transport
  • Super fast and easy Bluetooth pairing via built-in NFC by simply tapping a compatible phone to the unit
  • Tangle-resistant flat ribbon-style wires
  • Includes physical switches on the clip-on base for manual bass and treble boosting to easily adjust the audio profile
  • High overall satisfaction regarding comfort and the selection of multiple included earbud sizes
  • Convenient physical media controls directly on the unit to play, pause, or skip tracks

What customers dislike about Nokia Essence?

  • Wires are somewhat cumbersome to manage and the weight of the main receiver clip can be noticeable
  • The baseline sound stage and audio quality is decent but not as exceptional or immersive as some competing high-end headsets
  • Aesthetics are described as a bit bland or plain compared to Nokia's colorful Lumia device designs
  • Depending on ear shape, there is a slight chance of a misfit with the uniquely designed in-ear buds

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