I just tested these noise-cancelling headphones — and it's hard to believe they're just $40

1More is known for releasing low-cost headphones that aim to replicate the well-received performance of its pricier siblings. And the SonoFlow SE HQ31 are the latest cans to enter the chat.

I tested the SonoFlow SE HQ31 extensively, and I find that they offer super long battery life and impressive noise cancellation for under $60. And the call quality is surprisingly good.

However, these headphones have some notable flaws in terms of music playback and awkward controls. Does that take away from their value? Not exactly.

Scroll down to see if the 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 are a suitable contender for best cheap noise-cancelling headphones or if you should opt for a different pair.

1MORE SONOFLOW SE HQ31 REVIEW: Cheat sheet

• What is it? 1More’s new low-priced headphones that feature a variety of high-end audio technologies, including ANC, LDAC, and spatial audio.
• Who is it for? Those in the market for highly attainable noise-cancelling headphones.
• What does it cost? $59
• What do we like? The standout noise cancellation, playtimes, and voice calling.
• What don’t we like? The bugs, controls, and default sound settings.

1MORE SONOFLOW SE HQ31 review: Price & availability

The SonoFlow SE HQ31 can be purchased for $59 / £47 / AU$93 on 1More’s website. Four colors are sold: black, blue, pink, and white.

These headphones cost less than current entry-level favorites like the equally priced $79 EarFun Wave Pro and JLab JBuds Lux ANC, while also being much more affordable than luxury noise-cancellers like the $429 Bose QuietComfort Ultra and $399 Sony WH-1000XM5.

1MORE SONOFLOW SE HQ316 review: Design

• Substandard craftsmanship
• Heavier than previous entries
• Missing key accessories

Aesthetically, the SonoFlow SE HQ31 pale in comparison to other sub-$50 headphones. The bold and bright colorways are the headphones’ only attractive trait.

Build quality is fine for surviving hard tumbles to the concrete. Hard plastic surrounds the entire exterior and skin-friendly leather covers the earcups. The extenders are long enough to accommodate listeners with larger head sizes.

The SonoFlow SE HQ31 weigh more than the flagship SonoFlow Pro, and it is noticeable right out of the box.

Wearing the headphones felt cumbersome after an hour of wear. On top of that, the tight clamp force applied unwanted pressure to my ears that caused discomfort.

You don’t get a carrying case or pouch with the purchase, nor a 3.5mm audio cable, which would be ideal, since the headphones don’t have a headphone jack. The extremely short USB-C to USB-A cable is disappointing too.

1MORE SONOFLOW SE HQ31 review: Features

• Plenty of sound enhancement tools
• Bluetooth multipoint
• The companion app is a major annoyance

1More equipped its headphones with a bunch of sound features that are common on pricier models.

You get a customizable EQ with presets, LDAC codec support, low-latency mode, and spatial audio. That’s an awesome list of perks to have when factoring in the low MSRP.

Another major feature at your disposal is multipoint technology. It works well for seamless switching between iOS/macOS and Android devices.

Bluetooth 4.3 runs smoothly and maintains strong connectivity within a 40-foot radius.

Where the SonoFlow SE HQ31 take a huge hit is the app experience. The 1More App is a buggy mess that either crashes or prevents you from toggling certain features (you’ll have to force-close it to fix this).

It even runs company ads, which can be disabled, but is so unnecessary. Furthermore, the app looks generic with a bland backdrop and option fields that seem like they were designed using HTML.

1MORE SONOFLOW SE HQ31 review: Controls

• Complex button setup
• Responsive functions
• Dependable digital assistance

1More’s control scheme is a bit wacky. Most wireless headphones have a multifunctional button dedicated to media functions (i.e., call management, play/pause, skip/previous, digital assistant).

These headphones have the play/pause and digital assistant functions assigned to the power button. Sounds confusing, right? The volume rockers are an even bigger headache.

Not only do they enable the skip track and previous track functions, but 1More programmed them backward. Holding down the “+” button either restarts or plays the previous track and holding down the “–” button will play the next track.

At least the buttons are responsive to single/multi-press and hold gestures, producing solid tactility that ensures users of intended commands being met.

The headphones demonstrate reliable speech recognition via Google Assistant and Siri. Voice commands are registered and executed accurately on both voice bots.

1MORE SONOFLOW SE HQ31 review: Sound quality

• Standard audio lacks dynamism
• Extra features make all the difference
• Acceptable 3D sound

Audiophiles won’t be drawn to the SonoFlow’s SE HQ31 sound performance. It’s not bad, per se, but it’s not enticing or resonant either.

You can hear the vast increase in lows and the dip in mids, resulting in an unbalanced and unflattering frequency range. In addition, there’s some occasional distortion when streaming on mobile devices.

The sound features are what salvage the sonics. 1More’s customizable EQ lets you personalize audio to your hearing. There are 12 presets in the app, though only half are worth selecting.

Bass Reducer clears the way for transparent mids on boom-heavy records like Kaytranada’s “Drip Sweat” and Voice Reducer raises the background and lead vocals on Mariah Carey’s Unplugged version of “Emotions.”

ANC mode provides extra thump with compromising bass. The sampled drums on Naughty by Nature’s “O.P.P.” are more vibrant. Enabling the LDAC codec on your Android device will scale bit rate to reveal more clarity and details when listening to tracks on the best music streaming services.

The hi-hats and the distorted chorus harmonies on The Breeders’ “Cannonball” sound much clearer.

I couldn’t tell any difference in sound effect synchronization when playing mobile games and watching video clips in low latency mode.

Spatial audio generally sucks on headphones under $100. That isn’t the case here. I wouldn’t put 1More’s 3D audio format up against Apple’s or Bose’s versions, but the technology serves a purpose for select content.

I enjoyed the heightened vocals on contemporary music recordings, but I disliked the artificial presence of sound effects (e.g., explosions, laser blasts) in action movies.

1MORE SONOFLOW SE HQ31 review: Active Noise Cancelation

• Mostly effective noise neutralization
• Powerful transparency mode
• No ANC customization

The SonoFlow SE HQ31 aren’t beating any Bose or Sony headphones in a noise cancellation battle. At the same time, they’re no slouch. Turning on ANC eliminates close to 80% of unwanted sounds.

It isn’t the 42dB of external noise reduction advertised on the product page, but it’s good enough to minimize most distractions when zoning out to Spotify playlists.

I wore the headphones on my balcony and was oblivious to most low and mid-range sounds, including the loud drilling noises near the pool deck area. Wind resistance was strong as well.

Certain sounds were unavoidable. For instance, I could hear water fountain splashes and my 4-year-old toddler screaming for me from his bedroom across the apartment.

Transparency mode is top tier. It allowed me to communicate clearly with my wife during work hours, while also keeping tabs on other ambient sounds such as door deliveries and our building’s fire alarm system that was accidentally set off.

The feature helped most outdoors, increasing my awareness of emergencies and street traffic during daily grocery store runs.

1MORE SONOFLOW SE HQ31 review: Call quality and connectivity

• Great voice and video calling
• Even greater environmental noise cancellation

I was blown away by the SonoFlow SE HQ31’s call quality. The numerous calls I made in different environments were met with positive feedback. Family and friends praised the loudness and clarity of my voice.

Background interference wasn’t an issue either. No one brought up the construction sounds, dog barking or gusty winds that occurred when chatting outside. All credit goes to 1More’s ENC 2-mic array that put a kibosh on environmental fracas.

1MORE SONOFLOW SE HQ31 review: Battery life

• Nearly triple the playtime of competitors
• Robust quick charging

1More is one of the few audio brands to have mastered playtime on budget ANC headphones. Some of their models crush the best noise-cancelling headphones in battery life.

This version of the SonoFlow is no different. A full charge nets you 90 hours of listening time. Up to 60 hours is available for ANC use, which is 40 hours more than the AirPods Max and 20 hours more than the Sony WH-1000XM5. As if that weren’t enough, a 5-minute charge generates 5 hours of listening time.

1MORE SONOFLOW SE HQ31 review: Verdict

The SonoFlow SE HQ31 drive a hard bargain. Call quality and special features perform better than expected.

Noise neutralization holds up well for music listening and voice calling. Several audio technologies help enhance sound output. Lastly, you’re getting between 60 – 90 hours of usage per charge.

These headphones aren’t without their shortcomings. Again, the soundstage isn’t anything to brag about. The clamp force and excessive weight become fatiguing. Not to mention 1More’s app and control scheme require serious polishing.

Are there better headphones for under $100? Yes. Both the SonoFlow Pro and Sony WH-CH720N deliver greater comfort and sound for a few more dollars. Nonetheless, the SonoFlow SE HQ31’s pros outweigh their cons, making them a quality pickup for the price.

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