After recently reviewing the dual-driver QCY Melobuds N70, I was asked whether I would be interested in reviewing a new dual-driver product. I couldn’t help myself – after all, QCY seems almost unstoppable.

After a short wait, I was supplied a sample of their new H3S. This seems to be a dual-driver over-the-head Bluetooth v6.0 ANC headphones, supporting LDAC. On the surface, you might consider it a QCY H3 Pro, but with dual drivers instead, but the H3S also boasts a surprisingly long 102-hour play time on a single charge which is amongst the longest I’ve ever seen advertised.

After a lengthy review process, in part due to the long play-time offered, I deliver my verdict on the H3S.

Note – Review updated 8/12/2025 upon receiving a second unit. New text is in red, old text has been struck-through.

Unboxing

The unit arrived in a colour print cardboard box with a hanging tag, wrapped in shrink wrap. The silver and gold colour scheme is very similar to that of the H3 Pro, but with a bit more of a pattern in the background rather than the bland white of the H3 Pro. It is Hi-Res Audio certified and boasts dual-driver HD sound, -56dB adaptive ANC and 102 hour playtime on the front.

The rear of the box shows the headphones from a different angle and indicates a few other specifications and contact information. Notably, the charge time is approximately 2.5 hours and the input requires up to 1A even though the adaptor logo below indicates 2-5W and that no power adapter is included. The product has a barcode number 6957141411216 and this particular unit is black in colour. There is an anti-counterfeiting label as well.

The side of the box has the QCY logo and their slogan.

Inside the box is a plastic tray with the headphones wrapped in a milky plastic for protection in transport. The paperwork is curled up in its own dedicated compartment. It is unfortunate that the inclusions continue to be relatively spartan, without anything as nice as a semi-rigid travel case as you might expect from some other products.

Inside the box is a leaflet, the USB-A to USB-C charging cable and the headphones.

While the H3S and H3 Pro may seem similar in name, the style is rather different. The H3 Pro had somewhat “baggy” ear cushions, while the ear cushions on the H3S is very well filled and is more rectangular in profile. The H3 Pro has grey accents and a wrapped headband, while the H3S maintains a black colour scheme and leaves the top side of the headband un-wrapped, exposing a nice brushed-metal finish. It’s very nice either way, while keeping things relatively light and travel-friendly.

Markings are on the inside of the arms, in keeping with a clean aesthetic from the outside.

For comfort, the hinge pivots and rotates, but is much stiffer than those on the H3 Pro, sometimes requiring a bit of manual adjustment to ensure the best sealing over the ear. In doing so, the slots for the feed-forward microphones are visible.

The brushed metal dark-grey finish on the headband and exposed adjustment slot is aesthetically quite attractive.

The headband has ample adjustment – even larger heads like mine did not require the full adjustment length.

There is no subtlety to the markings inside each earcup – a big L and R in orange, ensuring you can’t miss it.

The pleather feels nice and soft with a texture to it. I don’t know how durable it will be in the long run, but it feels of decent quality.

All of the controls are located on the right side ear-cup, including an ANC button, an LED indicator, a multi-function button, a volume rocker, a microphone opening and the USB-C port.

Owing to the flexibility of the hinges, the H3S can be contorted into a few different shapes to save space when in transit, but you will have to provide your own case or bag.

The QCY branding is rather subtle, this time appearing as a glossy accent over a matte black plastic finish on the outside of each earcup.

User Experience

As I received the unit from QCY directly, I had no doubts as to its authenticity, but I decided to check it anyway. This gives