1More SonoFlow HC905 vs HQ30 vs HQ51: Which Should You Buy?
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Quick answer: The four SonoFlow models look nearly identical on paper but differ in ANC performance, LDAC support, battery life, and comfort. The original HC905 (and refreshed HC905s) is the core value pick, the SonoFlow SE HQ30 is the budget option, and the SonoFlow Pro HQ51 is the newest upgrade. All share the same basic platform, so pay for only the features you'll use — this guide maps each model's real differences so you pick one and skip the rest.
The 1More SonoFlow family has quietly become one of the best-value ANC headphone lines under $100 — but 1More hasn't made it easy to shop. Between the original SonoFlow HC905, the refreshed HC905s, the budget SonoFlow SE HQ30, and the newer SonoFlow Pro HQ51, the names blur together and the spec sheets look nearly identical at a glance. They're not. This guide breaks down where each model actually differs — ANC performance, LDAC support, battery life, and comfort — so you can pick the right one and skip the rest.
The SonoFlow Lineup at a Glance
All four models share the same basic recipe: over-ear closed-back design, 40mm dynamic drivers, hybrid active noise cancellation, Bluetooth with multipoint on the newer models, and very long battery life. The differences come down to codec support, ANC depth, and small quality-of-life details.
| Model | LDAC (Hi-Res) | ANC | Battery (ANC off / on) | Typical Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SonoFlow HC905 | Yes | Hybrid ANC (rated up to 40dB) | ~70 hrs / ~50 hrs | Mid |
| SonoFlow HC905s | Yes | Hybrid ANC, minor tuning refresh | ~70 hrs / ~50 hrs | Mid |
| SonoFlow SE HQ30 | No (SBC/AAC only) | Hybrid ANC, shallower than HC905 | ~70 hrs / ~50 hrs | Budget |
| SonoFlow Pro HQ51 | Yes | Strongest ANC in the line | ~100 hrs / ~65 hrs | Mid |
SonoFlow HC905: The Original, Still the Benchmark
The SonoFlow HC905 is the headphone that put this line on the map. What you get:
- LDAC support — genuinely rare at this price, and a real benefit if you stream hi-res from an Android phone or a DAP
- Warm, bass-forward tuning that's easy to enjoy, with EQ presets in the 1More Music app to tame it
- Around 70 hours of playback with ANC off, roughly 50 with it on — a full week of commuting on one charge
- Lightweight build (about 250g) with soft memory-foam pads
Honest downsides: the ANC is good for the money but clearly a tier below Sony or Bose — it handles airplane rumble and HVAC hum well, but voices and clatter get through. The plastic build feels its price, the mic quality is average for calls, and there's no wear-detection sensor. LDAC also can't be used simultaneously with multipoint, which is a Bluetooth limitation, not a 1More one.
What About the HC905s?
The HC905s is a light refresh of the same headphone — same drivers, same LDAC support, same battery figures. Changes are minor: small tuning and firmware-level tweaks plus new colorways. If you see both, buy whichever is cheaper that day. There is no meaningful reason to pay a premium for the "s" — and we'd rather tell you that than upsell you.
SonoFlow SE HQ30: The Budget Cut — Know What You're Giving Up
The SE HQ30 exists to hit a lower price, and 1More got there by cutting the two things that make the HC905 special:
- No LDAC. You're limited to SBC and AAC. For casual Spotify listening this genuinely doesn't matter much; for hi-res streaming it defeats the purpose.
- Shallower ANC. It still takes the edge off a bus or an office, but it's noticeably less effective than the HC905 in loud environments.
- Battery life remains excellent — that's one area 1More didn't cut.
Our take: the HQ30 is a fine gift headphone or a beater pair for the gym bag. But the price gap up to the HC905 is usually small enough that most buyers should stretch. If you're on this site reading a codec comparison, you're probably not the HQ30's target customer.
SonoFlow Pro HQ51: The Current Sweet Spot
The SonoFlow Pro HQ51 is the newest of the group and, for most people, the one to get. Over the HC905 it adds:
- Deeper ANC — 1More's strongest in the line, with better handling of mid-frequency noise like voices and cabin chatter
- Up to ~100 hours of battery with ANC off (~65 with ANC on) — class-leading numbers, full stop
- LDAC retained, plus Bluetooth multipoint for switching between laptop and phone
- Refined tuning that's a bit more balanced out of the box than the bassier HC905
Caveats, because we always give them: it's still a plastic-bodied headphone, call quality remains mid-pack, and the ANC — while improved — still won't embarrass a Bose QuietComfort. The clamp is also slightly firmer than the HC905's, which some listeners prefer for seal and others find fatiguing over long sessions. And as with all SonoFlows, wired listening via the 3.5mm cable works but bypasses most of the DSP magic.
So Which One Should You Buy?
- Best for most people: SonoFlow Pro HQ51. Better ANC, absurd battery life, LDAC, multipoint. If the price difference over the HC905 is $20 or less, it's an easy call.
- Best value on a deal: SonoFlow HC905. When discounted, it's still one of the strongest sub-$70 ANC headphones you can buy, and LDAC at that price remains almost unheard of.
- HC905s: Functionally the same as the HC905 — buy on price, not on the letter.
- SE HQ30: Only if the budget is truly fixed and LDAC doesn't matter to you. Otherwise spend the extra few dollars.
One thing none of these will do: replace a $300 flagship for critical listening or best-in-class noise cancellation. That's not what they're for. What the SonoFlow line does is deliver 80% of that experience at a quarter of the price — and at that math, they're some of the easiest recommendations we make.
Where to Buy
You can browse the full lineup in our 1More collection, including current pricing on the SonoFlow HC905 and its siblings. As an authorized 1More retailer, every unit we sell is brand-new US stock with full manufacturer warranty — and like everything at TonePier, your order ships free anywhere in the US and is covered by our 45-day return policy. Try a pair on your own commute; if it's not the right fit, send it back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the cheaper SonoFlow SE HQ30 good enough, or should I pay up?
It depends on whether you need LDAC and stronger ANC — those are the main areas where the lineup differs, per this guide. The SE HQ30 keeps the same over-ear, 40mm-driver, hybrid-ANC recipe at a lower price, so if you mostly want long battery comfort listening, it's fine. Heavy commuters and hi-res listeners should look at the higher models.
What's actually different between the HC905 and HC905s?
The HC905s is a refresh of the original HC905, not a redesign — they share the same core over-ear ANC formula. The differences are incremental, which is exactly why the article exists: the spec sheets look nearly identical at a glance. If the original is significantly discounted, it remains a strong value pick.
Which SonoFlow has the best ANC?
The SonoFlow Pro HQ51 is the newest and top model in the line, and ANC performance is one of the key differentiators the guide breaks down. All four use hybrid active noise cancellation, but effectiveness varies by model. If silencing commutes is your top priority, the Pro HQ51 is the one to shortlist first.
Do all SonoFlow models support LDAC?
No — LDAC support is one of the specific differences between models, which is why the article calls it out as a comparison point. If hi-res streaming from an Android phone matters to you, verify LDAC on the exact model before buying rather than assuming the whole family shares it.