Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones

Pros

• Clamping force comfort ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 5.0
  Clamping force is generally light and non-fatiguing, contributing to all-day comfort; reviewers frequently note minimal side pressure and good comfort even with glasses or piercings; it is tuned more for comfort than a tight squeeze, while still maintaining a decent seal for isolation.
• Battery ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 5.0
  Battery life is outstanding at up to 70 hours with ANC and 100 hours without, roughly double many rivals, with fast charge adding about 12 hours in 15 minutes and battery preservation options in the app.
• Ear cup padding quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.9
  Ear pads use a plush, pillow-like multi-foam approach that stays comfortable for long sessions while forming a strong seal for isolation; multiple reviews call them among the softest pads in the category and note good comfort with glasses or piercings; pads are also designed to be replaceable, helping long-term ownership.
• Button control usability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.8
  A multi direction control knob plus dedicated ANC and M buttons make it easy to manage playback, volume, and modes directly on the earcup.
• Carry case quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.8
  Sturdy hardcover case with a red velvet interior and accessory pouch protects the headphones well and packs neatly for travel.
• Comfort during long use ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.8
  Light 250 g build with plush pads stays comfortable for multi hour flights and full workdays without pressure points on the head or ears.
• Portability/foldability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.8
  Folds down compactly for easy packing and everyday portability, especially when paired with the included travel case.
• Replaceable earpads ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.7
  Earpads are user-replaceable and designed to be removed quickly, improving long-term durability; multiple sources highlight easy removal and replacement as part of a repairable design; this helps owners refresh comfort and seal after years of use.
• Weight comfort ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.7
  The relatively light 250 g weight keeps the headphones from feeling heavy over time and contributes to overall long term comfort for travel and office use.
• Ear cup swivel/rotation range ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.7
  Earcups swivel and fold or stack to collapse into a very compact shape for travel; the range of rotation helps achieve a good seal and makes packing into the small case easy; the same twist-and-fold design can also contribute to a slight twisting feel on the head for some users.
• Maximum volume clarity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.7
  Both wired and wireless listening remain clean without obvious distortion, even at higher volumes, supporting loud playback when desired.
• Charging ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.6
  Fast charging delivers many hours of playtime from a short top up, and the app lets you limit maximum charge and charging speed to preserve long term battery health.
• Included accessories ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.6
  The package includes a sturdy travel case, USB C charging cable, and USB C to 3.5 mm audio cable, all of which store neatly in the case.
• Noise isolation (passive) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.6
  Plush over ear pads provide excellent passive isolation from high frequency noise, helping quiet planes and offices even before noise canceling is enabled.
• Android compatibility ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.6
  Android pairing and day-to-day use are smooth via the Marshall app, and some coverage notes Google Fast Pair for quicker setup; the main Android downside is the lack of common hi-res codecs like aptX or LDAC; Bluetooth LE Audio features like Auracast readiness add some future-facing value as Android support expands.
• Build quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.5
• Bluetooth connectivity stability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.4
  Bluetooth 5.3 connection is generally stable for everyday use across phones and computers, with reliable pairing and long-session playback; LE Audio and Auracast readiness are mentioned as future-proofing, though real-world benefits depend on device support; overall connectivity stability is a strong point with few reported dropouts.
• Multi-platform compatibility ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.4
  Compatible across iOS, Android, and computers via Bluetooth, with the Marshall app available on both Android and iOS; wired listening is also possible via the included USB-C to 3.5 mm cable for devices that have a headphone jack; overall it is versatile for mixed-device use, with codec limits being the main cross-platform compromise.
• Hinge durability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.4
  Hinges and folding joints are designed to flex and survive twisting, supporting compact packing and long-term durability; at least one review notes the pivoting can cause the headphones to twist on the head and feel a bit odd when reaching for controls; overall durability is strong, with minor ergonomic quirks possible.
• Multipoint connectivity reliability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.4
  Multipoint is included and reported to switch sources smoothly, with calls taking priority when they arrive; it is useful for hopping between phone and computer during work or travel; feedback is positive where tested, though not every review stress-tests reliability.
• Software/setup simplicity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.3
  Initial setup and ongoing tweaks through the Marshall app are straightforward, with controls, EQ, and noise modes easy to locate and adjust.
• Design and Aesthetics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.3
  The amp-inspired Marshall styling with textured finishes and gold accents stands out and feels premium, especially for fans of rock heritage; several reviewers love the classic grungy look, while others dislike the styling or find the silhouette an awkward middle ground; overall the design is distinctive and high-end, but somewhat polarizing.
• Sound quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.2
  A lively V shaped tuning with punchy bass and bright treble sounds fun for most listeners, though recessed mids and a relatively narrow soundstage keep it from being the most spacious or accurate option.
• App ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.2
  The Marshall app shows battery, noise modes, and ANC strength, plus EQ and presets, Soundstage controls, and firmware updates; it also lets you customize shortcuts like the M button, Spotify Tap, and auto play or pause, and includes battery health options such as charge limiting; the layout is generally straightforward, though some reviewers still consider it relatively basic compared with richer ecosystems.
• Noise cancellation adjustability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.2
  Users can fine tune how strong the ANC feels in the Marshall app, and can easily switch between noise canceling and several transparency levels to match their environment.
• Voice assistant integration ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.2
  Voice assistant control can be assigned to the customizable M button, alongside shortcuts like Spotify Tap or Soundstage; this enables quick hands-free access without pulling out your phone; the flexibility depends on how you configure the button in the app.
• Sensors ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.2
  Wear detection sensors can automatically pause and resume playback when you take the headphones off and put them back on; this reduces missed audio and saves battery in day-to-day use; it is described as a standard but genuinely convenient feature.
• Sustainability materials ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.2
  Some coverage notes recycled aluminum and other materials in the redesign, paired with a focus on repairability and replaceable components; together these choices are meant to extend product life and reduce waste; sustainability details vary by source, but it is positioned as a deliberate design consideration.
• Equalizer customization ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.2
  A five band EQ with several presets and an adaptive loudness option gives listeners meaningful control to shape bass, mids, and treble to taste.
• Active noise cancellation effectiveness ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.1
  ANC is generally solid but not class-leading, working best on low-frequency rumble while letting more voices and some higher-pitched noise through; lab-style testing shows roughly a 20 dB cut in low and mid noise for about 83% average reduction, aided by strong passive sealing; overall it makes travel and commuting more comfortable but still trails top Bose and Sony flagships.
• Instrument separation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.1
  Instrument separation and layering are generally solid for an ANC over-ear, keeping guitars, vocals, and percussion reasonably distinct; some reviewers still describe mixes as a bit cluttered and note that precise placement and depth are only average; overall separation is good, while pinpoint imaging lags the very best competitors.
• Wired connection sound quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.1
  Wired listening via the included USB-C to 3.5 mm cable provides low-latency playback useful for video and content creation, with generally clean sound; some reviewers report the headphones can play wired even when powered off, while at least one source says the headset must be on for wired use; overall wired mode is a valuable backup for latency-sensitive tasks, with a few operational caveats.
• Bass performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.0
  Bass is punchy and extends well, giving rock and hip-hop satisfying low end without heavy bloat; multiple reviewers still wish the bass boost preset hit harder and note it is not a true bass-cannon in stock tuning; bass balance can shift slightly by mode and EQ, with some noting a subtle lift when ANC is off.
• Microphone noise reduction ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.0
  Noise suppression is generally strong in testing, handling wind and common street or office noise better than many peers; in very noisy environments, some reviewers still report that intelligibility drops or the user can sound too quiet; overall background noise reduction is above average but not flawless in extreme noise.
• Transparency mode quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 3.9
  Transparency offers multiple levels and can even amplify ambient sound, but several reviews note added hiss and less natural clarity than the best rival modes; because passive isolation is strong, some users find transparency only moderately more open than ANC-off; overall it is useful for quick conversations and announcements, but not best-in-class.
• Midrange clarity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.9
  Midrange presentation depends on genre and EQ: guitars and male vocals can sound full and forward for rock, but the default V-shaped balance can leave some snare and vocal detail a touch recessed; small EQ tweaks in the lower mids can bring presence forward; overall mids are good for the target tuning, but not the most accurate in class.
• Treble clarity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.9
  Treble is lively with plenty of sparkle for vocals and cymbals, giving an exciting, bright character; some reviewers note sibilance, a high-mid edge, or fatigue on higher notes over time; EQ adjustments can smooth the top end and reduce sharpness.
• Preset EQ profile quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.9
  EQ presets make quick tuning easy, including options for more bass, mids, or treble alongside the Marshall signature; reviewers generally find the presets useful, though bass boost is often described as modest rather than extreme; for precise tailoring, the custom five-band EQ is still the better tool.
• Microphone quality for calls ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.8
  In quiet rooms, call audio can sound clear and intelligible, but clarity varies by reviewer and environment; some tests report slightly muffled vocals, clipping with loud voices, or reduced loudness in busy places; overall it is fine for casual calls, but less ideal for frequent high-stakes meetings.
• Soundstage width ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.7
  Default imaging can feel narrower and less localizable than some top competitors, with a few mixes sounding slightly cluttered; enabling the Soundstage feature can open the presentation up somewhat, but it trades realism for an effect-based spaciousness; overall soundstage is adequate for music and media, but not a standout for width.
• USB-C ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 3.7
  A single USB-C port handles charging and wired playback through the included USB-C to 3.5 mm cable, since there is no built-in 3.5 mm jack on the headset; some reviewers note you cannot simply plug in a standard USB-C cable from a phone or laptop for audio, and you also cannot charge while using a separate analog jack; overall the USB-C approach is clean and compact, but less flexible than dual-port rivals.
• Cable quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.5
  The included audio cable is straight and travel-friendly, but some fans miss the previous model’s distinctive coiled cable; the cable is generally serviceable and stores neatly in the case pouch; criticisms focus more on style and uniqueness than on outright durability failures.