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ALTERNATIVES
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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.
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Pioneer SE NC21m Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£25Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):yes

Pioneer SE NC21m Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Pioneer SE NC21m
7.0/10

Overall score

Score
7.0/ 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 74% of models
Score components

80%

7.0

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–²Better than 74% of headphones
7.9

Value for money

Value for money
7.9/ 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 75% of models
Score components

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–²Better than 75%
7.0

Technical score

Technical score
7.0/ 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 76% of models
Score components

52%

8.1

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

7.9

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

7.6

Battery

4%

4.7

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 76%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 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 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • pioneer-se-nc21m
pioneer-se-nc21m
Where to buy
    N/A~ £25
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 Pioneer SE NC21m

Technical score
Technical score
7.0/ 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 76% of models
Score components:

52%

8.1

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

7.9

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

7.6

Battery

4%

4.7

Calls & Controls

7.0
User score
User score
8.0/ 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 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 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 99% of models
Popularity:
Pioneer SE NC21m has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 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 75% of models
Score components:

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.9
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
30 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 30 mm, smaller driver size than 77.4% of headphones and equal to 4.3% 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
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
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% 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
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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.
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Ambient sound mode
yes
This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode. 75.2% 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
N/A
Battery life with ANC
120 hours
Market range: <15 hours – >55 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life with ANC of 120 hours, higher battery life with ANC than 99.6% of headphones and equal to 0.4% 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
Pioneer
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
120 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 120 g, lighter than 75.6% of headphones and equal to 0.8% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Pioneer SE NC21m 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.
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • 90 hours longer ANC battery life
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life with ANC than the average pair of headphones (120 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    120 hours vs 30 hours
  • 45% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (120 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    120 g vs 218 g
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 3.6x cheaper
    Pioneer SE NC21m is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£25 vs £90).
    £25 vs £90
  • 45% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (120 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    120 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 90 hours longer ANC battery life
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life with ANC than the average pair of headphones (120 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    120 hours vs 30 hours
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • 10 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    30 mm vs 40 mm
  • 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.
  • 10 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (92 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    92 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 5.87x less popular
    Pioneer SE NC21m is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 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.
  • 5.87x less popular
    Pioneer SE NC21m is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 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.
  • 10 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    30 mm vs 40 mm
  • 10 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (92 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    92 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 15 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (95 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    95 dB vs 110 dB
  • 8 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (95 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    95 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 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.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 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.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    May 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Pioneer SE NC21m

  • Extremely long battery life of up to 120 hours on a single AAA battery
  • Lightweight and highly portable due to compact folding design
  • Comfortable for long-duration wear, such as long-haul flights
  • Functional as regular headphones even when the battery is dead
  • Comes with useful accessories including a hard carrying case and in-flight adapter
  • Affordable entry-level price point for active noise-cancelling technology

What customers don't like about Pioneer SE NC21m

  • Noise cancellation effectiveness is limited, primarily targeting lower frequencies around 300Hz
  • Sound quality is average, with some users reporting flat bass and a lack of depth
  • Activating noise cancellation can noticeably reduce the bass output further
  • Lack of padding on the top of the headband can lead to discomfort for some users
  • Build quality feels somewhat plasticky and less durable than premium competitors
  • Not effective at blocking out sharp or high-pitched surrounding sounds

Verdict

The Pioneer SE-NC21M is a lightweight, on-ear noise-cancelling headphone featuring 30mm driver units and a frequency response of 10Hz to 22,000Hz. These wired headphones are specifically designed for travel, offering an impressive battery life of up to 120 hours of active noise cancellation using a single AAA battery, while still functioning as standard headphones if the power is depleted. Key pros include its ultra-light 120g construction, a compact folding design that fits into an included hard carrying case, and the ability to reduce ambient noise by up to 90%. However, notable cons include an lack of a built-in microphone for calls, a non-detachable 1.5m cable, and reports of flat bass response or modest noise-cancellation performance compared to premium competitors.

Compare Pioneer SE NC21m with other products in the Headphones category

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