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Noise Cancelling
Noise-cancelling performance is impressive, they can’t quite compete with over the head options or more expensive in-ear options from the likes of Sony, but overall the ANC is excellent.
Using my standard airplane cabin noise video on YouTube, there is a significant drop off on the low end and mid-range of the engine home. Switching between ANC on and off I would say there is a perceived difference of about 50% in the sound. This difference then means I can play music with little to no noticeable sound in the background vs an annoying hum.
Battery
These earbuds are rated 11 hrs of battery life ANC off or up to 10 hours of playback with ANC on when fully charged. This is above and beyond any requirement, I could possibly have, few earbuds compete, and I am not aware of any that have 10 hours with ANC on.
These also have wireless charging making it extremely convenient to place the case on top of a charging matt on my desk.
Price and Alternatives
The Cleer Ally Plus II are priced at £129.95 from hifiheadphones.co.uk, which I think is well priced.
The older Cleer Ally Plus are £99.98 if you go for the Warm Grey colour.
I’d say the Huawei Freebuds Pro are the best similarly priced earphones I have personally used. They have been good enough that I have continued to use them since my review. However, they lack an IP rating and have a poor battery in comparison.
The previous generation Sony WF-1000XM3 have dropped down to quite an affordable price of £144. I’d say these are worth it if you specifically want high performance from the ANC, however, they lack an IP rating and have a lower battery life
Overall
I have been impressed with the Cleer Ally Plus II, they suit my personal preferences well, and I have found myself opting to use these over the Jabra Elite 85t more often than not recently.
Sound quality is good, and this benefits from the EQ customisations within the Cleer app. The app itself is a little basic and lacks the features of the big brand name counterparts, but it does the job it needs to.
These offer a reasonably good level of ANC, especially when factoring in the price. If you want class-leading performance, you will have to fork out a lot more on something like the Sony
At £129.99, I think these are well priced, with a very high specification for the money you pay.
Cleer Ally Plus II Review Rating
Summary
The Cleer Ally Plus II are an excellent alternative to premium-priced ANC earbuds
Overall
90%-
Overall - 90%90%
Pros
- Excellent sound quality with a slight bass emphasis
- Superb battery
- aptX Adaptive
Cons
- Some may prefer a more neutral sound
- Basic app
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.