Linner NC21 Active Noise Cancelling Lightning Earbuds for the iPhone 7, 8 and X (review)

I admit that I love using my iPhone X. It has a gorgeous display, super fast processor, best in class camera and fantastic battery life. It also has an easy to hold build that makes it the perfect iPhone, despite the lack of a 3.5mm audio jack. I typically favor wired earbuds when listening to music – they’re reliable, sound crystal clear, and never needs a charge. Wired earbuds also sound much better than their wired counterparts when it comes to phone call quality too. In the past year, several third party manufacturers have released Lightning earbuds. Some early versions were adequate, but have evolved into a purchase worth considering. I’ve used the Linner NC21 Active Nosie Cancelling Lightning earbuds for the past month and think they’re a very good option for those of you who still prefer wired headphones.

Linner NC21 Earbud specs

• $69.99 at Amazon
• Wired Lightning headphones
• Active noise cancelling (uses the Lightning port as a power source)
• Three button inline remote
• Frequency response – 10Hz-22kHz
• Weight – 21.8g
• Impedance – 32ohm
• 18 month manufacturer warranty

I still have a strong affection for wired earbuds. Wired earbuds have one significant advantage over wireless and that is they never need to be recharged. While plugging in any device is not all too difficult, it is one more task that might be forgotten. And when you forget to recharge your earbuds, you can’t listen to music. Wireless headphones can also run out of power in the middle of a listening session and can completely throw off a workout, study or work session. It’s the main reason why I still love wired headphones.

As you know, Apple did away with the audio jack with the iPhone 7, 8 and X. It did so to save space and to improve water resistance. Apple supplies free headphones with each iPhone, however the freebie typically doesn’t meet the standards of those who love to listen to music. I’m one of those music lovers who wants to enjoy my music, and while I could use a dongle, it’s too annoying and easy to use to be a reliable option.

I’ve been using the Linner NC21 earbuds with a built-in Lightning plug to satisfy my needs. The NC21s retail at $69.99 which puts them squarely in the mid-range price category for most consumers. However, beyond sound quality the NC21s employ active noise cancellation technology which is most famously used in Bose headphones. Active noise cancellation is a method used to reduce background noise for those who are frequently in noisy environments. When noisy environments come to mind, I think of manufacturing floors, shared office space, or coffee shops where people like to study and work. I fall into the shared office space category where my company’s growth has lead us to be more efficient with our space. We’ve torn out traditional offices in favor of common areas where 10-20 people share office space, and that has lead to quite a noisy environment.

I picked the Linner NC21s because they allow me to actively block out background noise without having to wear big canister style headphones that look goofy in an office setting. The NC21 ANC technology works quite well – not as well as Bose, but they also don’t cost $350 – with or without music playing. The ANC technology is so significant than when I turn it off I can instantly hear background noise to the point of distraction. When ANC is employed it also allows me to listen to my music at lower levels which is better for concentrating while I work. I also like that the NC21 earbuds use the power from the iPhone instead of an internal battery which is one thing I like to avoid with wired earbuds.

When it comes to comfort, Linner stands atop the thousands of round earbuds that fit into a non round ear canal. What do I mean by this?

In the image above, you can see the oval shape portion that inserts into your ear canal. Almost all earbuds come with a circular driver that can be uncomfortable to wear. The oval shape, while seemingly insignificant, does wonders for comfort and makes wearing the NC21s very natural.

When it comes to music, the Linner NC21s sound fantastic. I prefer balanced playback, without overemphasis on bass or treble. Audio is highly subjective and it’s hard to find two people who will agree on any sound signature. I tend to prefer balanced playback because it puts out a sound that I can listen to for long sessions. Too much bass and I don’t enjoy music unless the music is geared towards that and I rarely ever listen to the same genre for more than a couple hours. Too detailed and the music becomes tiring and can sometimes give me a headache. The NC21’s balanced signature is detailed, rich and sounds much better than its $69.99 price tag. I thoroughly enjoy listening to music with the NC21 earbuds no matter the music genre I happen to be in the mood for.

Another reason why I really like wired headphones for is the fact that they work best on phone calls. I regularly make business calls and I need a stable connection. I like to use headphones because it allows me to keep my hands free while I take notes, or it allows me to walk around my lab and multitask. The Linner NC21 earbuds perform flawlessly on calls and I’ve probably put 20 hours of combined calls into them.

Overall

I consider the Linner NC21 Noise Cancelling Earbuds money well spent. They meet all of my requirements: top notch audio playback, great ANC technology, and superior call quality. At $69.99 on Amazon, I consider the NC21s a bargain for all of the features you get, and you won’t find a more comfortable set of earbuds that don’t employ the oval ear piece. I’m thoroughly impressed with the NC21s and recommend you get your own set if you don’t like recharging accessories.

Get the Linner NC21 Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds at Amazon.com.