Heyday Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

Discovering Affordable Audio Excellence in a Noisy World

Let me be honest with you right from the start. I never thought I’d be writing about budget headphones with such enthusiasm. For years, I’ve been what you might call an audio snob, convinced that quality sound and effective noise cancellation required spending at least $300 on big-name brands. Then, on a rushed trip to Target last month when my trusty Sony headphones finally gave up after years of loyal service, I made what I thought would be a temporary compromise. I grabbed a pair of Heyday Active Noise Cancelling Headphones almost as an afterthought.

Six weeks later, I’m still using them. And not just using them—I’m genuinely impressed by them. So much so that I felt compelled to share my experience with fellow audio enthusiasts who might be overlooking these affordable gems.

What surprised me most about the Heyday Active Noise Cancelling Headphones wasn’t just their price tag—it was how they’ve fundamentally changed my expectations of what budget audio gear can deliver.

The First Impression: Unboxing and Design

The moment I opened the box, I was struck by how sleek these headphones looked. Target’s in-house brand has clearly put some thought into design aesthetics. Available in several colors (I went with the matte black, but they also come in navy blue, pink, and a cream color that looks surprisingly premium), these headphones don’t scream “budget” at first glance.

The packaging itself was minimal but effective—a simple box containing the headphones, a carrying pouch (not a hard case, which would have been nice, but the soft pouch is better than nothing), a USB-C charging cable, and a 3.5mm audio cable for wired listening. Basic, but everything you need.

The build quality feels substantial without being heavy. At approximately 250 grams, they’re lightweight enough for extended wear but don’t feel flimsy. The headband is padded adequately, and the ear cups have a decent amount of cushioning with a soft leatherette covering. The ear cups rotate and fold, making them reasonably portable for travel—they won’t fold as compactly as some premium models, but they’ll fit in a backpack or carry-on without taking up too much space.

Physical controls are located on the right ear cup—simple buttons for power, volume up/down, and a multi-function button for play/pause and call management. There’s also a dedicated ANC toggle switch, which I’ve found incredibly convenient compared to some higher-end models that bury this function in an app.

Setting Up: Pairing and Connectivity

Pairing the Heyday headphones was refreshingly straightforward. I held the power button for about 5 seconds until the LED indicator started flashing blue, then selected “Heyday ANC” from my phone’s Bluetooth menu. The whole process took less than 30 seconds.

What’s particularly impressive is the Bluetooth range and stability. These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0, which provides a solid connection up to about 30 feet in my experience. I can leave my phone charging in my home office and walk to the kitchen without any dropout—something my previous $200 headphones struggled with.

One important note: these headphones work equally well with both iOS and Android devices. I’ve tested them with my iPhone, my wife’s Samsung Galaxy, and my Windows laptop, and they’ve paired effortlessly with all three. There’s no companion app, which means you miss out on EQ customization but also means there’s no platform-specific functionality you’ll be missing.

The Sound Quality: Surprisingly Balanced

Let me address the elephant in the room—the sound quality. For headphones in the $60-$80 price range, I was expecting mediocre audio at best. Instead, I found myself impressed by the balanced sound profile.

The 40mm drivers deliver clear mids, which is where most vocal content lives. Listening to podcasts and audiobooks is a pleasure, with voices coming through with clarity and warmth. The highs aren’t harsh or tinny, though they don’t have quite the sparkle and detail you’d get from premium headphones.

The bass response is where most budget headphones fall short, but Heyday’s offering provides a respectable low-end punch. It’s not going to satisfy serious bassheads, but for most pop, rock, and even hip-hop tracks, there’s enough thump to keep the music engaging. I’ve been revisiting some classic albums—everything from Fleetwood Mac to Kendrick Lamar—and while these headphones don’t reveal new layers in familiar songs the way $300+ models might, they reproduce the music faithfully enough that I’m never distracted by audio shortcomings.

The soundstage is relatively narrow compared to high-end open-back headphones, but that’s to be expected from closed-back ANC headphones at any price point. Instrument separation is decent—I can pick out individual elements in complex arrangements, though things can get a bit muddied in very dense musical passages.

The Main Event: Active Noise Cancellation

Here’s where the Heyday headphones truly surprised me. The active noise cancellation is remarkably effective for headphones in this price range. Is it on par with Sony’s WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort headphones? No, but it’s much closer than the price difference would suggest.

The ANC technology does an excellent job with low-frequency, constant noises—the hum of an airplane cabin, air conditioners, or the rumble of a train. I recently took these on a cross-country flight and was able to enjoy my music at moderate volume levels without being disturbed by engine noise. The ANC reduced the drone to a barely perceptible background hum.

Where these headphones show their limitations is with irregular, higher-frequency sounds. Human voices, keyboard clacking, and sudden noises still break through, though they’re noticeably dampened. This is actually pretty typical of ANC headphones at any price point—it’s just physics. The microphones need time to detect and counter sound waves, and sudden, irregular sounds are harder to cancel.

Toggling ANC on and off is simple with the dedicated switch, and unlike some more expensive models, there’s no noticeable change in sound quality when ANC is engaged. Many budget ANC headphones suffer from a “pressure” feeling or degraded audio when noise cancellation is active, but the Heyday headphones maintain consistent sound with minimal artifacts.

There’s also an ambient sound mode that uses the microphones to pipe in external sounds—useful for quick conversations or awareness of your surroundings. It works reasonably well, though it does give everything a slightly processed sound quality.

Battery Life: A Full Day’s Listening and Then Some

Battery life is another area where these headphones punch above their weight class. Heyday claims up to 20 hours of playback with ANC enabled, and my testing found that to be accurate. With ANC turned off, you can squeeze out about 24 hours.

In practical terms, this means I can use these headphones for my entire workday, including a workout, and still have plenty of battery left. On my recent flight, I used them for nearly 6 hours straight (including a movie, several albums, and a podcast) and still had about 60% battery remaining when I landed.

Charging is handled via USB-C, which is a welcome modern touch. A full charge takes approximately 2.5 hours from empty, and there’s a quick-charge feature that gives you about 3 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge—perfect for those moments when you realize your headphones are dead right before heading out.

The headphones give voice prompts for power on/off and battery status, which is helpful. You’ll get a “Battery low” warning when you have about 30 minutes of listening time remaining.

Comfort: Can You Wear These All Day?

Comfort is subjective, but I’ve found the Heyday headphones to be perfectly adequate for extended wear. The ear cups are large enough to fully encompass my ears (I have average-sized ears), and the padding is soft enough that I don’t experience uncomfortable pressure points.

The headband has enough padding to prevent that “hot spot” on the top of your head that cheaper headphones often create. The clamping force is moderate—secure enough that the headphones won’t slide off with movement, but not so tight that they cause discomfort.

After about 3-4 hours of continuous wear, I do notice some warmth around my ears—this is typical of closed-back headphones and not unique to the Heyday brand. Taking a 5-minute break usually resolves any minor discomfort.

For perspective, I recently wore these for a 6-hour flight and only removed them briefly during meal service. That’s a comfort level I’d previously only experienced with premium headphones costing three times as much.

Call Quality: Suitable for Casual Conversations

If you’re planning to use these headphones for calls, you’ll find the experience acceptable but not exceptional. The built-in microphones pick up your voice clearly in quiet environments, and the noise cancellation helps you hear the other party.

In noisier settings, the microphone performance degrades noticeably. Wind, traffic, and background chatter can make it difficult for the other party to hear you clearly. This is an area where premium headphones still maintain a significant advantage with their advanced microphone arrays and noise suppression algorithms.

For occasional calls in reasonably quiet environments, the Heyday headphones are perfectly adequate. But if you’re someone who takes lots of important calls on the go or in noisy spaces, you might want to consider a higher-end option or dedicated headset.

Connectivity Options: Wired and Wireless Flexibility

I appreciate that Heyday included a 3.5mm audio cable for wired listening. This comes in handy in several scenarios:

1. When the battery is depleted, you can still use the headphones in passive mode
2. For connecting to in-flight entertainment systems
3. For use with devices that don’t have Bluetooth capability

The headphones sound slightly different in wired mode—a bit more direct and with marginally better detail. The ANC function still works in wired mode as long as the headphones have battery power.

One minor frustration is that the headphones don’t automatically power off when disconnected from Bluetooth. I’ve occasionally forgotten to turn them off after use, only to find them with a depleted battery later. Developing the habit of manually powering them down is important for maximizing battery life.

Durability and Build Quality: The Long-Term Outlook

After six weeks of regular use, my Heyday headphones are holding up well. The hinges (often the first point of failure on budget headphones) still feel solid, and none of the buttons have developed any issues.

The ear pads show minimal wear, though I suspect they might need replacement after a year or so of heavy use. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to determine if Heyday sells replacement ear pads, which could be a longevity concern.

The headband adjustment mechanism is simple but effective, with satisfying clicks as you extend or retract it. The headphones maintain their adjusted size well, not slipping or changing position during use.

While the plastics used don’t feel as premium as those in high-end models, they don’t feel cheap either. There’s minimal creaking or flexing during use, which suggests reasonable build quality. The matte finish has proven relatively resistant to fingerprints and minor scratches.

Value Proposition: Where These Headphones Stand in the Market

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—the price. Heyday Active Noise Cancelling Headphones typically retail between $60-$80 at Target, putting them firmly in the budget category. For comparison, entry-level ANC headphones from major brands like Sony, Bose, or Sennheiser start around $200, with flagship models approaching $400.

Does this mean the Heyday headphones are a third as good as premium options? Absolutely not. In my estimation, they deliver about 70-80% of the performance of headphones costing three times as much. The law of diminishing returns hits hard in audio equipment, and these headphones represent an excellent value proposition for most consumers.

Here’s who I think should seriously consider these headphones:

1. Budget-conscious consumers who still want ANC functionality
2. Casual listeners who don’t need audiophile-grade sound
3. People who are hard on their gear and don’t want to risk damaging expensive headphones
4. Students or office workers looking for affordable focus tools
5. Those new to noise-cancelling headphones who want to try the technology before investing in premium options

On the other hand, these might not satisfy:

1. Audiophiles seeking the ultimate in sound quality
2. Professionals who need top-tier noise cancellation for frequent travel or noisy work environments
3. People who take lots of calls in challenging acoustic environments
4. Those who want companion app features like EQ adjustment or spatial audio

Comparing to the Competition: How Do They Stack Up?

I’ve had the opportunity to test several competitors in similar price ranges, and the Heyday headphones compare favorably in most aspects.

Against the Amazon Basics ANC headphones ($50-60), the Heyday offering has noticeably better build quality and more effective noise cancellation, though slightly less bass emphasis.

Compared to the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ($60), the Heyday headphones have a more balanced sound signature but slightly less battery life (the Anker claims 40 hours, though testing suggests closer to 30).

Moving up the price ladder, the JBL Tune 660NC ($100) offers marginally better sound quality and a companion app with EQ settings, but the noise cancellation performance is surprisingly similar to the Heyday.

When compared to entry-level offerings from premium brands like the Sony WH-CH710N ($150), the gap narrows considerably. The Sony has slightly better noise cancellation and sound quality, but the difference isn’t proportional to the price increase.

The real competition comes from mid-tier offerings like the Sennheiser HD 450BT ($200) or Sony WH-XB910N ($250), which do provide meaningfully better sound quality, build, and ANC performance—but at 3-4 times the price.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

During my time with these headphones, I’ve encountered a few minor issues and found simple solutions:

1. Bluetooth connectivity problems: If you experience dropouts or difficulty pairing, reset the headphones by holding the power button for 10 seconds while they’re turned off. This clears the pairing memory and often resolves connectivity issues.
2. ANC not working effectively: Make sure the ear cups are creating a proper seal around your ears. Even small gaps can significantly reduce noise cancellation effectiveness. If you wear glasses, try adjusting them or the headphones position to minimize breaks in the seal.
3. Uneven sound between ears: This can sometimes happen if the balance setting on your device has been accidentally adjusted. Check your device’s audio settings to ensure balance is centered.
4. Headphones won’t turn on: If the headphones won’t power on even after charging, try a different charging cable or power source. If that doesn’t work, perform a hard reset by holding power and volume up buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds.
5. Voice assistant not responding: Make sure you’re pressing and holding the multi-function button long enough (about 2 seconds) to trigger your device’s voice assistant.

Where to Buy: Availability and Pricing

As Target’s house brand, Heyday products are primarily available through Target retail stores and Target.com. The typical retail price for the Heyday Active Noise Cancelling Headphones is $79.99, though I’ve seen them on sale for as low as $59.99 during promotional periods.

Target often includes these headphones in their seasonal sales events, particularly back-to-school, Black Friday, and holiday promotions. If you’re not in an immediate rush, waiting for one of these sales events could save you $15-20.

Target’s return policy gives you 90 days to return unused headphones, which provides a reasonable window to test them out and decide if they meet your needs. Target RedCard holders get an additional 30 days and 5% off the purchase price.

The Warranty Question: What’s Covered?

Heyday products come with a standard one-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects. This is on par with most electronics in this price range, though premium brands sometimes offer 2-3 year warranties.

The warranty specifically covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. It doesn’t cover damage from accidents, misuse, or normal wear and tear. If you experience issues that you believe are covered under warranty, you’ll need to return to a Target store with your receipt or contact Target’s customer service.

Extended protection plans are available through Target for an additional fee, typically around $9 for two years of coverage. These plans add protection against accidental damage, which might be worth considering if you’re particularly hard on your gear.

My Final Verdict: A Budget Gem with Few Compromises

After six weeks of daily use across various environments—from my home office to coffee shops, airplanes, and gym sessions—I feel confident in saying that the Heyday Active Noise Cancelling Headphones represent exceptional value in the budget headphone market.

Are they perfect? No. The sound quality won’t blow away audiophiles, the ANC can’t completely silence a busy coffee shop, and the build quality, while solid, doesn’t match the premium feel of high-end alternatives.

But here’s the thing—they don’t need to be perfect to be worth recommending. At their price point, they exceed expectations in almost every category. The balance they strike between performance, features, comfort, and affordability is genuinely impressive.

For most everyday listeners who want the benefits of noise cancellation without breaking the bank, these headphones deliver where it counts. They provide a listening experience that’s good enough that you can forget about the technology and simply enjoy your music, podcasts, or calls.

In a market segment often filled with compromised products that cut too many corners, the Heyday Active Noise Cancelling Headphones stand out as a thoughtfully designed option that prioritizes the features most users actually care about.

Whether you’re a student on a tight budget, a casual listener, or someone who just doesn’t see the value in spending hundreds on headphones, Heyday’s offering deserves serious consideration. They’ve become my daily drivers not out of necessity, but by choice—and that’s perhaps the highest praise I can give to a budget audio product.

In the end, these headphones have taught me an important lesson about diminishing returns in audio equipment. While I can appreciate the engineering and quality of premium headphones, the Heyday ANC headphones prove that good sound and effective noise cancellation have become democratized to the point where excellent experiences are available at accessible price points.

And that’s something worth celebrating—and sharing—with fellow audio enthusiasts who might otherwise overlook these surprisingly capable headphones.