OVERALL

SPECS

VS AVERAGE

REVIEWS

ALTERNATIVES

Philips SHB9100 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£90
Avg. price in US: ~$60
Form factor: over-ear
Connectivity: wireless
Battery life: 9 hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Philips SHB9100 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

6.3

Good

6.1

Good

7.3

Very good

8.4
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
?
Audio latency
25.0%
10
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
4.0
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
?
Battery life
6.6
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
4.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
?
Battery life
18.0%
?
Weight
16.0%
10
Multipoint support
14.0%
4.0
Ambient sound mode
7.2
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
4.0
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
10
Multipoint support
16.0%
?
Battery life
14.0%
4.0
Companion app
7.3
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
?
Weight
24.0%
4.0
Water resistance
20.0%
?
IP rating
16.0%
?
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

#25 in Best Philips Headphones
#345 in Best Cheap Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
#452 in Best Wireless Headphones for TV for Seniors
#456 in Best Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
#515 in Best Over Ear Headphones
#617 in Best Wireless Headphones
#725 in Best Headphones with Mic

Verdict

The Philips SHB9100 is an ultra-lightweight (140g) on-ear Bluetooth 2.1 headset featuring 40mm neodymium drivers that deliver a frequency response of 18Hz to 21kHz and a sensitivity of 103dB. Its main characteristics include an adjustable headband with soft FloatingCushions for a personalized fit, integrated on-ear controls for volume and call management, and the ability to switch between wireless and a 1.2m wired connection for passive use. Pros include its exceptional long-term wearing comfort due to the lightweight design and balanced sound signature in wired mode. However, notable cons include its dated Bluetooth version which lacks modern codec support, a glossy plastic build that may lack durability, and a significant reduction in bass performance when used in wireless mode compared to wired.

Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Philips SHB9100

Overall score

6.3

Show more

Hide

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.

Sound

6.7

Show more

Hide

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

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: HIGH

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: HIGH

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

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

Show more

Calls & Controls

6.9

Show more

Hide

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: LOW

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: LOW

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

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

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

6.2

Show more

Hide

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: LOW

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: LOW

Good value: >=5.0

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

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: MEDIUM

Good value: <60 ms

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: LOW

Show more

Features

4.0

Show more

Hide

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

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

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

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: HIGH

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

Show more

Battery

4.1

Show more

Hide

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: LOW

Good value: >45 hours

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: LOW

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

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: LOW

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: LOW

?

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: LOW

Good value: >=720 mAh

Show more

Design

7.8

Show more

Hide

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: LOW

Philips

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: LOW

over-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <150 g

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: LOW

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: LOW

?

Show more

Philips SHB9100 vs the average pair of headphones

Why is Philips SHB9100 better than the average pair of headphones?

Show more

Hide

Hi-Res Audio certification
Philips SHB9100 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
What it is: Certified for high-resolution audio playback
When it matters: When official support for high-resolution playback matters to you.
Importance: HIGH
Philips SHB9100 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
Multipoint support
Philips SHB9100 supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
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: LOW
Philips SHB9100 supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
More flexible connectivity
Philips SHB9100 offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (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: LOW
Philips SHB9100 offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.wireless vs wired
35.8% lower weight
Philips SHB9100 is lighter than the average pair of headphones (140 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: HIGH
Good value: <150 g
Philips SHB9100 is lighter than the average pair of headphones (140 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.140 g vs 218 g
AptX Low Latency
Philips SHB9100 supports aptX Low Latency, the average pair of headphones does not. 8% of headphones support aptX Low Latency.
What it is: Supports aptX Low Latency codec for reduced lag
When it matters: When you care about reducing Bluetooth lag during video or gaming.
Importance: LOW
Philips SHB9100 supports aptX Low Latency, the average pair of headphones does not. 8% of headphones support aptX Low Latency.
On-device controls
Philips SHB9100 includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones 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: LOW
Philips SHB9100 includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
5 m longer Bluetooth range
Philips SHB9100 has a higher Bluetooth range than the average pair of headphones (15 m vs 10 m). The average headphones offer a Bluetooth range of 10 m.
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
Philips SHB9100 has a higher Bluetooth range than the average pair of headphones (15 m vs 10 m). The average headphones offer a Bluetooth range of 10 m.15 m vs 10 m
Quick mic mute
Philips SHB9100 includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
What it is: Ability to mute microphone during calls
When it matters: When you need to silence the mic quickly during meetings or multiplayer games.
Importance: LOW
Philips SHB9100 includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
35.8% lower weight
Philips SHB9100 is lighter than the average pair of headphones (140 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
Hi-Res Audio certification
Philips SHB9100 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
Rechargeable battery
Philips SHB9100 has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
Multipoint support
Philips SHB9100 supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
More flexible connectivity
Philips SHB9100 offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
AptX Low Latency
Philips SHB9100 supports aptX Low Latency, the average pair of headphones does not. 8% of headphones support aptX Low Latency.
5 m longer Bluetooth range
Philips SHB9100 has a higher Bluetooth range than the average pair of headphones (15 m vs 10 m). The average headphones offer a Bluetooth range of 10 m.
NFC pairing
Philips SHB9100 supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
AptX support
Philips SHB9100 supports aptX, the average pair of headphones does not. 18.4% of headphones support aptX.
Multipoint connections
Philips SHB9100 supports multipoint connections, while the average pair of headphones does not. 30.2% of headphones support multipoint connections.
Low-latency game mode
Philips SHB9100 includes a low-latency game mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 21.2% of headphones support low-latency game mode.
On-device controls
Philips SHB9100 includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
Quick mic mute
Philips SHB9100 includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.

Calls & Controls

Why is Philips SHB9100 worse than the average pair of headphones?

Show more

Hide

Tangle-prone cable
Philips SHB9100 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
Philips SHB9100 does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
4 mm tighter earcup width
Philips SHB9100 has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (40 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
1 hours longer charging time
Philips SHB9100 has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (3 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
21 hours shorter battery life
Philips SHB9100 has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (9 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
60.3% lower battery capacity
Philips SHB9100 has a lower battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (230 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
50 ms higher audio latency
Philips SHB9100 has a higher audio latency than the average pair of headphones (200 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
No voice assistant support
Philips SHB9100 does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
1 hours longer charging time
Philips SHB9100 has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (3 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
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: LOW
Good value: <=2 hours
Philips SHB9100 has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (3 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.3 hours vs 2 hours
No voice assistant support
Philips SHB9100 does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
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
Philips SHB9100 does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
21 hours shorter battery life
Philips SHB9100 has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (9 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: LOW
Good value: >45 hours
Philips SHB9100 has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (9 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.9 hours vs 30 hours
50 ms higher audio latency
Philips SHB9100 has a higher audio latency than the average pair of headphones (200 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 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: MEDIUM
Good value: <60 ms
Philips SHB9100 has a higher audio latency than the average pair of headphones (200 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.200 ms vs 150 ms
60.3% lower battery capacity
Philips SHB9100 has a lower battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (230 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
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: LOW
Good value: >=720 mAh
Philips SHB9100 has a lower battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (230 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.230 mAh vs 580 mAh
Tangle-prone cable
Philips SHB9100 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
What it is: Cable designed to resist tangling
When it matters: When you often carry wired headphones in a bag or pocket.
Importance: LOW
Philips SHB9100 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
Philips SHB9100 does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
What it is: Comes with a protective carrying case or pouch
When it matters: When protection in transit matters right out of the box.
Importance: LOW
Philips SHB9100 does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
9.2% lower user score
Philips SHB9100 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.33 vs 8.000).
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.
Philips SHB9100 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.33 vs 8.000).7.33 vs 8

Graphic comparison of Philips SHB9100 and other products in the Headphones category

Attribute category

Attribute

No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Philips SHB9100?

Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
Balanced sound quality, especially in wired mode
Includes a standard 3.5mm cable for wired use when the battery is depleted
Affordable price with a good performance-to-cost ratio
Convenient on-ear controls for volume and playback
Fast charging and easy connection to mobile devices

What customers dislike about Philips SHB9100?

Poor passive noise isolation, making them less ideal for loud commutes
Significant reduction in bass quantity when switching to Bluetooth mode
Disappointing call quality; the microphone struggle to pick up the user's voice clearly
Build quality feels somewhat flimsy due to the lightweight plastic construction
Synthetic earpads can feel stiff and may cause ears to get warm over time
Lacks modern features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) or a foldable design

Expert reviews

headphone.ph

28/09/2014

Summary of the review

Philips SHB9100 Bluetooth Headphone Review

The Philips SHB9100 is a lightweight, on-ear Bluetooth headphone that functions in both wireless and wired passive modes. On the positive side, the headphone offers a very comfortable fit due to its lightweight design and a low clamping force that prevents excessive pressure on the ears. It features an independent volume control while in Bluetooth mode, and its sound leakage is minimal, ensuring that people nearby will not easily hear what you are listening to. Additionally, it includes a dual 3.5 mm cable for wired use and a separate USB charging port located on the right earpiece. However, the headphone suffers from several distinct drawbacks regarding its build and performance. The exterior body is constructed from a glossy plastic that feels fragile and does not inspire confidence in its overall ruggedness. While the headband padding is thin, the synthetic material used for the earpads is notably stiff rather than soft and fluffy. The most significant downside is its poor passive noise isolation, which fails to block out environmental sounds effectively, making it a weak choice for daily commuting unless the...

audiocasque.fr

17/12/2013

Summary of the review

Philips SHB9100: Full review of these affordable Bluetooth headphones

The Philips SHB9100 is an budget-friendly, supra-aural Bluetooth headset designed for entry-level users seeking an affordable wireless audio solution. On the positive side, it offers strong value for money with comfortable, lightweight ear pads that pivot to adjust to the user's head shape. The ear cushions provide decent passive noise isolation, making it suitable for peaceful listening during travel. Its audio performance is clear and well-balanced, with particularly well-rendered treble. Additionally, it features simple on-earcup controls, around 9 hours of battery life, and the ability to switch to a wired connection using an included cable when the battery drains.

cuffie-auricolari.it

Unknown

Summary of the review

Bluetooth | Features - Headphones and Earphones

The provided Italian guide offers a curated overview of the benefits and top choices for wireless audio, emphasizing that applying Bluetooth technology to headphones provides maximum convenience by allowing users to listen to music from smartphones or tablets without annoying wires. Major manufacturing brands like Philips and Creative are highlighted for designing models that deliver clear, crisp sound reproduction while offering users total freedom of movement. The summary profiles specific devices such as the sporty, modern, and aggressive Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats2 earbuds, alongside the August EP640 over-ear headphones, which are explicitly designed for music enthusiasts who need a device capable of making a true performance difference. A close analysis of the featured models reveals distinct functional pros and cons for different user categories. On the positive side, options like the Parrot ZIK provide an optimal, highly peaceful listening environment with excellent audio fidelity, while the Creative WP-300 stands out for its great material build quality and audio delivery. Furthermore, models like the Sonixx SX1 and Philips SHB9100 provide high versatility by easily pairing with cell phones or PCs...

Video reviews

Best alternatives

Anker Soundcore Space One

Headphones

CMF Headphone Pro

Headphones

Sony WH ULT900N

Headphones

Sennheiser Accentum Wireless

Headphones

Headphones

JLab Jbuds Lux ANC

Headphones

JBL Live 660 NC

Headphones

Anker Soundcore Life Tune

Headphones

Noise Master Buds Max

Headphones

Philips TAH8506

Headphones

Srhythm Nicecomfort 95

Headphones

Baseus Bowie H2

Headphones

Compare Philips SHB9100 with other products in the Headphones category

Compare