The Razer Hammerhead USB-C ANC is worth the extra money

Razer makes two pairs of excellent USB-C headphones and having lived with both, we're in the best place to help you choose between the two.

Razer Hammerhead USB-C ANC

Noise cancelling

$100 at Razer

Pros

• More comfortable that the regular version
• Nice length cable
• Memory foam tips included
• Excellent ANC

Cons

• No flat-tangle free cable
• Case is too small
• Quite expensive

The cable tangles up far to much on the Hammerhead USB-C ANC, but for the extra $20 you get the noise cancellation, a better, more comfortable design, and Comply memory foam tips included in the box.

Razer Hammerhead USB-C

Tangle free

$80 at Razer

Pros

• Less expensive
• Flat, tangle-free cable
• Superior case
• Sound as good as the ANC version for less

Cons

• Not as comfortable and well-fitting as the ANC version
• No memory foam tips
• No ANC

The regular version of the Hammerhead USB-C has almost everything you get from the ANC version at a lower price, with matching sound quality, a better case and a superior, tangle free cable.

If you're looking for active noise cancellation (ANC) in your in-ear headphones, the Hammerhead USB-C ANC is one of the better choices out there. They're easily worth the extra money, but you don't lose out on sound quality by getting the regular version. If you're rarely in situations that would benefit from full ANC, they're still a great choice and they won't tangle up, either.

The same, but different

There's a reason that the two different versions of the Razer Hammerhead USB-C headphones are only $20 apart in price. The regular version with the green cable has been on sale longer, in part launched to partner the Razer Phone with its lack of 3.5mm headset jack. The newer ANC version is more expensive because it has active noise cancellation.

That's the main difference between the two, and the big selling point for the new version. For a set of in-ear headphones, the noise cancellation is excellent, helped in no small part by the (optional) Comply memory foam tips included in the box. There's no charging or external battery required, either — it's powered by your phone over the USB-C connection.

You don't have to worry about emptying your phone battery with either of these headphones, though there is some small drain. Importantly both sound as good as each other, so you're not losing out on the most important part of any headphones by going for the cheaper option.

Design differences

There are a couple of design differences with each pair that could sway a decision one way or another. The Hammerhead USB-C has a striking green cable that's flat and tangle-free. The ANC version has a braided cable but coupled with a lesser case, it will tangle up a lot.

But, the ANC version of the Hammerhead USB-C is more comfortable in the ear. Instead of the dead straight design, the ANC version is angled slightly for a better fit in the ears and it won't fall out as often, especially during exercise.

Both have light up logos, though. Because that's important.

Ultimately both of these headphones are worth buying, but at only $20 more with a better design and excellent noise cancellation, the ANC version is definitely worth getting.

Razer Hammerhead USB-C ANC

Our pick

$100 at Razer

Comfortable, great-sounding and with excellent noise cancellation

The extra $20 is well worth it for the excellent ANC and better design that won't fall out of your ears as often. The memory foam tips are an added bonus.

Razer Hammerhead USB-C

Still great

Same great sound quality and won't tangle up.

$80 at Razer

Aside from a slightly less comfortable design and no noise cancellation, the regular Hammerhead USB-C remains a great choice with a great sound. The good thing is if you don't really need the ANC function, you don't lose out on the most important thing, sound quality, by going for the cheaper version.