If you want better Codec support
Choose Marshall Milton A.N.C.. It scores 5.0 vs 2.0 for Codec support, with a 4.3 overall score.
Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Marshall Monitor III ANC for class-leading battery life, plush comfort, rugged travel design, and lively rock-friendly sound. Skip them if you need elite ANC, hi-res codecs, or a built-in 3.5mm jack.
Best for
Best for travelers, commuters, and Marshall-style fans who want very long battery life, soft comfort, rugged folding portability, and a lively sound that suits rock and instrument-forward music.
Not for
Not for buyers who need class-leading ANC, hi-res or low-latency Bluetooth codecs, a passive 3.5mm jack, or the most natural spatial audio and transparency modes.
Verdict
Reviewers consistently framed the Marshall Monitor III ANC as a characterful premium travel headphone rather than a pure tech benchmark. The strongest agreement centers on the enormous battery life, soft long-wear comfort, compact case, tactile controls, and rugged Marshall styling. The main tradeoff is performance polish: ANC is usually described as good or decent rather than Bose/Sony level, codec support is limited, and the missing built-in 3.5mm jack frustrates wired-use buyers. Sound impressions are generally positive, especially for rock, metal, jazz, and other instrument-driven genres, though bass lovers and spatial-audio fans may find stronger alternatives.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
81 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.034 (42%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.432 (40%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.48 (10%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.47 (9%)
Pros highlights
-
Battery life had the strongest agreement: reviewers repeatedly described it as class-leading, incredible, extraordinary, or far ahead of competitors.
-
ANC was usually judged good, solid, or decent for daily use, but several reviewers said it still trails Bose, Sony, or the top tier.
-
The carry case was usually praised as sturdy, compact, premium, or travel-friendly, though a few reviewers found it bulky or unnecessary.
-
Comfort was one of the strongest consensus wins, with reviewers repeatedly praising all-day wear, soft fit, and low fatigue.
-
Overall recommendations were positive but caveated: reviewers liked the package, especially for travel and rock-focused listening, while noting ANC, codecs, and wired tradeoffs.
-
Portability and foldability were major strengths thanks to the compact folding design and small travel footprint.
Cons highlights
-
Spatial audio was divisive: some liked the extra space, but others found it unnatural, underwhelming, or below true Atmos-style experiences.
-
The lack of a built-in 3.5mm analog jack was a repeated drawback, even though USB-C-to-3.5mm wired listening is possible.
-
Codec support was a clear weakness because reviewers noted no hi-res, lossless, or low-latency codec support.
-
Hi-res playback support was a weakness because reviewers repeatedly noted no hi-res Bluetooth audio support.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Over-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in Cable quality, Streaming service integration, Portability/foldability, near average in Active noise cancellation, Aesthetics / discreet profile, below average in Built-in DAC and hi-res playback, 3.5mm analog input availability, Codec support.
Comparison summary
81 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher37 (46%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts29 (36%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower15 (19%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in DAC and hi-res playback | 2.0 | 4.0 | -2.0 |
| Cable quality | 5.0 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
| 3.5mm analog input availability | 2.1 | 3.8 | -1.7 |
| Codec support | 2.0 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
| Streaming service integration | 5.0 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
| Audio-video sync accuracy | 2.8 | 4.4 | -1.6 |
| Portability/foldability | 4.8 | 3.6 | +1.2 |
| Carry case quality | 4.5 | 3.5 | +1.0 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Built-in DAC and hi-res playback
Choose Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 Headphones. It scores 4.6 vs 2.0 for Built-in DAC and hi-res playback, with a 4.3 overall score.
If you want better 3.5mm analog input availability
Choose Sony 1000X The Collexion. It scores 4.5 vs 2.1 for 3.5mm analog input availability, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better aptX
Choose Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones. It scores 5.0 vs 2.0 for aptX, with a 4.3 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- More expensive: price T3 says the Marshall is less expensive than Apple AirPods Max.
- Worse: battery life TechRadar says the Marshall lasts much longer than Apple AirPods Max.
- Compared: overall premium headphone competition RecordingNow says the Marshall competes very well against Apple AirPods Max.
- Compared: overall premium headphone competition RecordingNow says the Marshall competes very well against Sony WH-1000XM6.
- Worse: battery life Reviewer says the Marshall more than doubles Sony WH-1000XM6 battery life.
- Worse: battery life TechRadar says the Marshall exceeds Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 battery life.
FAQ
How good is the battery life?
Reviewers strongly agree that battery life is the standout feature. Multiple reviews describe the 70-hour ANC-on claim and up to 100 hours with ANC off as class-leading or far ahead of rivals.
Are the Marshall Monitor III ANC comfortable for long sessions?
Yes. Reviewers repeatedly praised the light weight, soft ear pads, low clamping pressure, and ability to wear them for long workdays or travel sessions.
Is the noise cancellation top-tier?
No. Most reviewers called ANC good, solid, or useful for travel and daily environments, but several said Bose and Sony still perform better.
Do they have a 3.5mm headphone jack?
They do not have a built-in 3.5mm analog jack. Several reviewers disliked this, though the headphones can use wired audio through USB-C with an included USB-C-to-3.5mm cable.
What music do reviewers think they suit best?
Reviewers most often connected the tuning to rock, metal, jazz, classical, and other instrument-driven music. Some said EQ helps modern pop, hip-hop, or electronic music, but bass-heavy listeners may want more slam.
Are the app and controls useful?
Yes. The app, physical joystick, ANC button, M button, EQ, Spotify Tap, and battery-preservation options were generally praised, although spatial audio and wear detection drew mixed reactions.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.8
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 3.9
Article Reviews
androidcentral.com
- Review score
- 4.5
techradar.com
- Review score
- 4.1
Top Over-Ear Headphones to Consider
Choose the 105 Silva for beautiful, repairable construction, superb comfort, easy driveability, and an engaging spacious sound. Skip it if you need isolation, balanced connectivity, heavy sub-bass, or consistently smooth...
Pros: Design and Aesthetics, Overall recommendation
Cons: Noise isolation (passive), Connectivity options
Choose it if your workday revolves around calls and you want exceptional mic isolation, huge battery life, all-day comfort, and a slim travel-friendly design. Skip it if music fidelity, class-leading...
Pros: Battery, Charging
Cons: Value for money, Codec support
Choose the Aventho 100 for standout battery life, portable retro styling, strong ANC, and flexible wired/wireless use. Skip it if you dislike on-ear pressure or want a wide, consistently neutral...
Pros: Battery, Design and Aesthetics
Cons: Clamping force comfort, Soundstage width
Best for exceptional battery life, useful ANC, flexible EQ, and strong budget value. Skip it if refined, detailed sound or polished controls matter more than price.
Pros: Value for money, Sound quality
Cons: Button control usability, App