TOZO HT2 review — A solid, affordable Bluetooth headset

The hunt for the perfect audio device can feel never-ending. Some of us are looking for a high-end theater experience in a pair of earcups, while others just want to enjoy a movie or album without the need to feed their wallet into a woodchipper. In an attempt to appeal to folks on the latter end of that spectrum, TOZO has released its HT2 headset. At $30-$60, it certainly seems affordable, but does the product warrant the price tag?

In the box is the HT2 headset itself, folded and packed in a custom foam insert that contours to the headset. It also includes a 3.5mm analog cable, a USB-C charging cable, and the hardware’s literature (a quick start guide and user manual). For the asking price, I think that’s a reasonable offering. It felt a little bizarre to see a carrying case offered on their website for $20 though, since that’s between a third and two-thirds the asking price for the unit itself.

The unit’s headband is comprised largely of softer matte plastic with a gentle, pliable cushion for the top of your head. There are 9 different size settings on either side, allowing the headset to fit comfortably on a wide range of folks. The ear cuffs both swivel for a comfortable fit and fold inward for better storage. The cuffs themselves are covered in the same foam as the top of the headband and offer a soft, cushioned seal over your ears.

With regards to the HT2’s functionality, the unit can connect to a wide range of devices thanks to its built-in 5.3 Bluetooth as well as a 3.5mm auxiliary port. Whether it's your phone or another device, Bluetooth mode will use battery power while giving you control over things like volume and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), all with a 10-meter (~33 feet) range. If you decide to use the standard 3.5mm audio cable, you'll have to rely on the host device to control the volume and output. Doing so unfortunately also means that you'll lose access to the headset's excellent noise cancellation feature. On the plus side, you won't have to worry about battery power.

Speaking of battery power, I’m impressed with the runtime I saw on the unit in my time with it. From  full charge, I listened for several hours and saw only a small decrease in battery power. The official specs suggest you can run the unit for 60 hours on a full charge with no noise cancellation or 40 hours with the maximum noise cancellation.

Most notably, the HT2’s audio quality is excellent. From the crisp, clear high-end to satisfying bass range, nothing felt lost or muddled. The headset has earned a High-Resolution Audio certification, meaning it meets or exceeds the standards for CD and DVD audio (a touchstone that may be lost to younger generations). The HT2 produces great sound quality. When you pair that with the device’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), you have a great everyday listening device for use at home or around the office.

The HT2’s Active Noise Cancellation features are impressive. The headset offers four different settings that can be cycled at the press of a button. Leaving it turned off by default will have it set up like any other headset you’d buy. You’ll get some ambient noise bleed through, but it’s not awful thanks to the ear cuff design. With the press of a button (and after an audio chime), the headset will flip to Adaptive mode, which uses a built-in microphone to sample the ambient audio, cancelling external noise appropriately. There’s also a passthrough mode that will use the microphone to allow the world around you to bleed in. I could imagine this being useful in an office setting where you want to listen to music while allowing coworkers to get your attention or maybe at home with children who you may need to be able to hear. With the full ANC mode turned on, I was able to enjoy the soundtrack to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 with full clarity, whether there were nearby dogs, vacuums, or a hair dryer running on full blast. It’s a great feature you’re sure to get great use out of.

I have only a few qualms with the TOZO HT2 headset. First, my skull is larger than the average person's, and despite comfortable materials, the headset was a little too tight for me. This caused some discomfort and the occasional headache if I wore it too long. Second, TOZO has provided an app that allows you to customize your listening experience. This is potentially a great thing by itself, but the app required both Bluetooth access and my phone’s location data - something I’m not willing to hand over for the sake of a listening device. Finally, the pricing information feels like it’s all over the place. The official TOZO website has the device at $40, marked down from $60, while the TOZO store on Amazon has the headset listed at $32 on a limited-time deal, also marked down from $60.

While the headband may be tight for folks who, like me, have a larger cranium, the TOZO HT2 is an easy recommendation for your average consumer on a budget. It’s a great over-the-ear Bluetooth headset with wonderful audio quality, long battery life, and a nice feature set. The unit’s noise cancellation is a particularly nice feature, but this is a great product whether you’re in the market for that feature or not. If you’re looking for a good over-the-ear Bluetooth headset, you should give the TOZO HT2 serious consideration.