Monster Persona 5th ANC Review

Monster sent me the Persona 5th ANC for an honest review, and after spending time with it across several days of commuting, desk work and extended listening sessions, I can say this is a strong value proposition at $80. The headline numbers are hard to argue with: 70 hours of playtime with ANC off, Bluetooth 6.0, a four-microphone hybrid ANC system rated at -30dB noise reduction, a foldable design that weighs in light enough for all-day wear, and multipoint connection for two devices simultaneously. That is a competitive spec sheet at this price point.

I tested the Persona 5th ANC with my iPhone 13, MacBook Air M1, and a Samsung Galaxy Tab across several days, and based on my experience, these are looking like tremendous value for money.

Who the Monster Persona 5th ANC is for

The Persona 5th ANC is built for commuters, travelers, students, and anyone who wants a reliable all-day wireless headphone that does not need charging every night. If battery life, comfortable ANC, and the ability to switch between two devices matter more than reference-grade sound quality, this is a strong pick at under $100. It is not trying to compete with Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra. It is competing with the Anker Soundcore Q45 and the Tozo HT3, and in that bracket it holds up well.

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Design and build quality

The Persona 5th ANC looks clean and understated. The matte finish is well executed, and the beige and grey/lavender colorways in particular give the headphones a premium visual impression that does not match the price tag. The Monster M logo is embossed on each earcup without being aggressive about it. Build quality feels solid for $80. There is no hollow or cheap feel to the plastic, and the hinges have a satisfying resistance when you fold and unfold them.

Comfort and earcup design

At roughly 172g (0.38 lb), these are genuinely light for an over-ear headphone with ANC. The protein leather earcups are soft and breathable, and the memory foam underneath does a good job of distributing pressure across the ear. I wore them for four to five hour stretches without discomfort. The headband is adjustable with a numbered scale (1-9) etched into the slider, which is a nice touch for finding your fit and returning to it. The earcups rotate 90 degrees and the headphones fold flat, making them compact enough for a backpack or carry-on.

Controls and button layout

All controls sit on the left earcup. The ANC toggle button cycles through Normal, Noise Cancelling, and Transparency modes. Volume up and volume down sit above and below a multifunction button that handles play/pause, answering calls, and activating the voice assistant. The USB-C charging port and 3.5mm AUX port are both on the left earcup as well. Every button is physical and clicky with clear tactile feedback. You always know when you have pressed something, which I prefer over touch controls that misfire in the cold or with gloves on. There is no companion app, which means no EQ customization, but it also means there is nothing to download, update, or troubleshoot.

Features and connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0 is the newest version of the standard, and the Persona 5th ANC is one of the few headphones at this price to ship with it. The practical benefit for daily use is better connection stability in dense Bluetooth environments and slightly improved energy efficiency, both of which contribute to the long battery life. For a detailed look at what Bluetooth 6.0 actually changes compared to 5.4 for headphones, the Bluetooth 5.4 vs 6.0 comparison covers exactly that.

Multipoint connection

Multipoint connects the Persona 5th ANC to two Bluetooth devices at the same time. I connected to my iPhone and MacBook simultaneously and it switched between them without issue when audio started on either device. Incoming calls are automatically prioritized over music playback, which works as advertised. Switching is not instant but it is fast enough that it does not feel clunky in practice.

Wired connection

A 3.5mm cable is included in the box. When the battery runs flat, you can plug in the cable and keep listening. The headphones work passively over the wired connection, which means ANC does not function in wired mode. That is standard for most wireless headphones at this price and is not a complaint, just something to know. The wired connection is useful on flights with seat-back entertainment systems that still use 3.5mm outputs.

Sound quality

The Persona 5th ANC uses Monster’s Pure Monster Sound tuning with 40mm dynamic drivers. The sound signature is warm and bass-forward, which suits the casual listener and the commuter more than the critical listener. It is not flat, and it is not trying to be. For the genres most people actually listen to at this price point, pop, hip-hop, electronic, and R&B, it sounds full and engaging.

Bass and low-end

The low end is the most prominent part of the Persona 5th ANC’s sound. Bass is deep, punchy, and forward in the mix. Sub-bass has genuine weight. On hip-hop and electronic music, the thump of kick drums and the rumble of bass lines come through with impact that you would not expect from headphones in this price range. The bass does not bleed badly into the midrange at moderate volume, though at higher volume levels it starts to feel slightly dominant. If you like a bass-heavy sound signature, this delivers it. If you prefer a flatter response, the lack of an EQ app means you are stuck with the tuning as is.

Mids and highs

Vocals sit slightly behind the bass in the mix but come through clearly and with enough body to be enjoyable across most genres. Female vocals sound natural and full. The midrange is warm rather than analytical, which keeps the sound easy to listen to for long sessions without any fatigue. Highs are smooth and non-fatiguing. Cymbals have texture without harshness, and the top end never becomes edgy or sharp even at higher volumes. Detail retrieval is decent for the price. These are not headphones that reveal mixing details or subtle instrumental textures, but they handle everything the average listener throws at them without complaint.

Soundstage

Soundstage is compact, as expected from a closed-back over-ear design at this price. Imaging in the left/right field is good enough for music and film, though the overall presentation feels closer and more intimate than open or semi-open alternatives. For commuting and travel, that closed-in character adds to the sense of isolation, which works in the headphone’s favor.

Active noise cancellation

The hybrid ANC system uses four microphones to sample ambient noise from both inside and outside the earcups. Monster rates it at -30dB noise reduction. In practice, it handles low-frequency rumble well: engine noise on a bus, air conditioning hum, and background traffic are knocked back to a faint presence. Higher-frequency sounds like nearby conversations and keyboard clicks are reduced but not eliminated. That is consistent with most ANC headphones at this price, including the Anker Soundcore Q45 and Tozo HT3.

What is notable is that ANC does not significantly alter the sound signature. The tonal balance with ANC on is close to what you get with ANC off, which is not always the case with budget ANC headphones where enabling noise cancellation often introduces a pressure sensation or shifts the frequency response noticeably. The Persona 5th ANC avoids that problem. I found the sound with ANC on perfectly comfortable and consistent with what I expected from the sound quality testing.

For more on how hybrid ANC works and what to expect from it at different price points, the active noise canceling guide covers the technology and the trade-offs in detail.

Transparency mode

Transparency mode lets in ambient sound so you can hear conversations and announcements without removing the headphones. It works, though the ambient sound comes through slightly thin and processed compared to just taking the headphones off. It is useful for short interactions and for staying aware of your surroundings during a commute, but it is not the natural, high-quality transparency mode you get from premium headphones. For $80, that is an acceptable trade-off.

Battery life

Battery life is the Persona 5th ANC’s strongest card. Monster claims 70 hours with ANC off, which would make it one of the longest-lasting wireless headphones at any price point. My testing over several days tracked consistent with a figure in that range at moderate volume without ANC. With ANC active, expect somewhere around 40 to 50 hours based on usage patterns, which is still significantly above average for an ANC headphone at this price.

The quick charge works well. Ten minutes on a USB-C charger gives five hours of playback, which is enough to get through a long commute or flight if you forgot to charge overnight. Full charge from flat takes around two to three hours.

Charging once a week at moderate daily use is a realistic expectation. For students and commuters who do not want to manage charging as part of their daily routine, the battery life alone justifies serious consideration of the Persona 5th ANC over shorter-lasting alternatives. For context on how battery life is affected by codec choice and ANC settings in headphones at this tier, the does LDAC use more battery guide is worth a read.

Microphone and call quality

Call quality from the four-microphone array is above average for headphones at this price. My voice came through clear and intelligible indoors, and the person on the other end reported hearing me clearly. In quiet environments the microphone performs well. In noisy outdoor environments, background noise bleeds through more than on premium models with dedicated AI noise reduction processing. For office calls, video conferencing, and phone calls in moderate environments, the microphone is more than adequate. For calls in busy public spaces, moving to a quieter spot helps.

How the Monster Persona 5th ANC compares to the rest of the Persona line

Monster’s Persona lineup covers several generations and price points. The Persona 6th ANC sits above the 5th in the lineup with a more refined ANC system and slightly better sound resolution, but it also costs more. The Persona SE ANC is a direct alternative at a similar price with a different sound tuning that leans more neutral. The Persona 5th ANC sits between those two in terms of overall performance, with the 70-hour battery being a specific advantage over both. If you have read the Monster Persona 6th review or the Monster Persona SE ANC review on this site, the 5th ANC occupies a slightly different position: it trades some sound refinement for a battery claim that no other Monster headphone currently matches.

What I like about the Monster Persona 5th ANC

• 70-hour battery with ANC off is genuinely impressive at this price
• Quick charge gives 5 hours from a 10-minute charge
• Bluetooth 6.0 for stable connections and improved energy efficiency
• Lightweight at roughly 172g, comfortable for extended wear
• Physical buttons that always respond, no touch control misfires
• Multipoint connection works reliably across two devices
• ANC does not significantly alter the sound signature
• Foldable and compact for travel
• 3.5mm cable included for wired use when battery runs flat
• Clean, understated design that punches above its price

Room for improvement

• No companion app means no EQ customization
• Bass-forward tuning will not suit listeners who prefer a flat or neutral sound
• Transparency mode sounds processed and thin compared to premium alternatives
• ANC does not work in wired mode
• Microphone performance drops in noisy outdoor environments
• No carrying case included despite the foldable design
• Codecs limited to SBC and AAC, no LDAC or aptX support

Verdict: should you buy the Monster Persona 5th ANC

The Monster Persona 5th ANC is a well-rounded budget wireless headphone that delivers where its target buyer needs it most: battery life, comfort, reliable ANC, and easy multi-device connectivity. At $80, the 70-hour claim and Bluetooth 6.0 are genuinely rare at this price, and the sound quality is enjoyable and appropriate for everyday listening across most genres.

The trade-offs are clear. No app means no EQ. No LDAC means anyone wanting high-resolution wireless audio will need to look elsewhere. The ANC is solid for the price but not competitive with the Sony or Bose tier. And the transparency mode is functional without being impressive. None of those things matter much for the commuter, the student, or the traveler who wants a reliable all-day headphone that does not demand daily charging.

I’d recommend the Persona 5th ANC to anyone who wants budget noise-canceling headphones that last well beyond a full day on a single charge. These are looking like tremendous value for money, and as good as wireless ANC headphones under $100 get right now. If you are also comparing other headphones in the under-$100 category, the SoundPEATS Cove Pro review covers another strong option at a similar price with LDAC support and a different set of trade-offs worth considering.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Monster Persona 5th ANC battery last?

Monster claims 70 hours with ANC off at moderate volume. With ANC active, expect around 40 to 50 hours based on typical usage patterns. Quick charge gives 5 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. Full charge takes around two to three hours via USB-C.

Does the Monster Persona 5th ANC work with iPhone?

Yes. The Persona 5th ANC connects to any Bluetooth device including iPhone. It uses SBC and AAC codecs. iPhone users get AAC, which is well-implemented and sounds good for everyday listening. LDAC is not supported, which is irrelevant for iPhone users since iPhone does not support LDAC regardless.

Can you use the Monster Persona 5th ANC on a plane?

Yes. The 3.5mm cable included in the box works with seat-back entertainment systems. ANC does not function in wired mode, so you rely on passive isolation from the earcups on the plane. The 70-hour battery means the headphones will comfortably handle any flight duration on Bluetooth without needing a charge mid-journey.

Does the Monster Persona 5th ANC have an app?

No. There is no companion app for the Persona 5th ANC. All controls are hardware-based through the physical buttons on the left earcup. This means there is no EQ customization available, but it also means no software to install or troubleshoot.

How does the Monster Persona 5th ANC compare to the Persona 6th ANC?

The Persona 6th ANC has a more refined ANC system and slightly better sound resolution. The Persona 5th ANC has a longer battery claim at 70 hours versus roughly 60 hours on the 6th ANC, and it costs less. The 5th is the better choice if battery life is the priority. The 6th is better if sound quality and ANC performance matter more than maximum runtime.

Is the Monster Persona 5th ANC good for working from home?

Yes. The ANC handles low-frequency background noise like air conditioning and traffic well, the microphone performs cleanly in indoor environments, multipoint lets you stay connected to a laptop and phone simultaneously, and the comfort level is high enough for full workday wear. The lack of an app means you cannot fine-tune the EQ, but the default tuning is enjoyable for long sessions.