Marshall’s Milton ANC headphones are giving the on-ear headphone a much-needed glow-up. When we talk about noise-canceling headphones these days, it seems like most brands (and people) default to small, packable earbuds or large, over-ear headphones with the best noise protection and, often, superior sound. On-ear headphones—which sit flat on your ears—fall in the middle, as they are lighter than over-ear headphones without sacrificing sound quality. They’ve never fully gone away, but we also don’t talk about them so much because they’re rarely a vehicle for new tech and because, in a world of extremes, they offer a balance between convenience, performance, and price.
The Milton ANC follows that playbook, too. It offers compact design, strong audio performance, and decent noise cancellation for $230, which is about half of what you’d pay for any of the headphones in the current ANC over-ear pantheon, such as Sony’s 1000XM6 or Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra. Perhaps most importantly, the Milton sports Marshall’s iconic look and signature design language, which has made the brand’s headphones and speakers easy to recommend for years. After years of associating strong noise cancellation with over-ear bulk, they offer a welcome break from the status quo.
| Sound | 32mm audio drivers |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C |
| Battery Life | 50 hours (ANC on), 80 hours (ANC off) |
| Weight | 7 oz |
Like all of Marshall’s audio gear, from guitar amps and Bluetooth speakers to headphones, the Milton ANC has a characterful design and button controls with exceptional tactility. The earcups and headband have Marshall’s distinctive faux-leather finish, highlighted with brass hardware. The look is as elegant as it is instantly recognizable.
The brass makes the Milton look substantially more luxe than Marshall’s previous Major V on-ears, but there are plenty of practical improvements as well. The ear cups fold in, and metal hardware provides better stability and durability. The earcup covers are self-healing, making them impervious to the minor scratches and scuffing that often plague shiny aluminum-coated headphones. They feel like an on-ear counterpart to Marshall’s flagship Monitor III ANC over-ear cans.
Marshall’s headphones all mimic the look of its iconic guitar amps, but the Milton’s brass logo and dial add a touch of luxury.
With on-ear headphones, though, fit and feel are the name of the game. The Milton weighs about half as much as a pair of AirPods Max 2 and features generously cushioned ear pads that make them easy to wear for hours, whether you’re locking in at work or on a long flight.
Another calling card on all Marshall headphones and speakers, the Milton features a single knob to control both audio playback and volume. It sounds confusing, but it is actually quite intuitive once you try it. Once you start playing with them, you will immediately get the hang of the controls and appreciate their efficiency.
It isn’t the only control, though: There’s an extra customizable button on the left earcup, which comes in handy for switching noise cancellation modes. Personally, I would’ve preferred a dedicated ANC button as well, which would’ve freed up the customizable button for other tasks, such as toggling between equalizer modes, but it’s not exactly a deal breaker.
The Milton ANC treated me to a melodic, supremely enjoyable sound out of the box. The cans’ default audio setting, dubbed “Marshall” in the app, delivers a balanced listening experience with a noticeable harmony between bass, treble, and midrange. None of the three acoustic pillars interfered with the others, ensuring that any music, from vocal jazz to bass-forward trip-hop, was faithfully presented.
Marshall has added a neat sound trick to the Milton ANC via the app, which allowed me to adjust the soundstage to simulate a listening experience in a larger or smaller space. I would have much preferred to see the Milton ANC with proper spatial audio support, Dolby Atmos certification, and optional head tracking like its high-end rivals.
Marshall’s companion app offered me an additional sound setting with a boosted bass and, more importantly, the option to create my own via a graphic equalizer. I liked being able to switch between the three via a single press of the customizable button I mentioned earlier to suit the style of music I was streaming.
Across a couple of recent flights, commutes on the NYC subway, and many long hours at the office, the Milton’s ANC performed admirably for a pair of on-ear headphones that doesn’t have the benefit of passive noise cancellation via large earcups or an in-ear seal to block out sound. It has strong customization options for cancellation, including several levels you can adjust through the app and an adaptive mode that automatically adjusts ANC intensity based on your headphones’ fit and the environment.
That said, the on-ear headphones couldn’t match the near-silence of top-shelf over-ear sets I’ve tested from brands known for great noise cancellation, including Apple, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, and Sony. This is as much a limitation of the form factor as it is the technology: Marshall’s own Monitor III over-ears also naturally provide superior noise cancellation. Plus, all over-ear sets have an edge in passive noise isolation due to their fit.
Realistically speaking, this is par for the course. You can’t expect an on-ear ANC experience to perform as well as an over-ear one, but it delivers a strong experience in a lighter, more compact pair of headphones that are substantially cheaper than the best of the best.
The place where the Milton ANC bests many of the over-ear headphones I usually recommend is battery life. They last for up to 50 hours on a single charge with ANC on, or up to 80 hours with the feature turned off. That’s a huge difference compared to 20 hours for the AirPods Max 2 and 30 hours for top-tier Bose and Sony sets. Practically speaking, the result is you can go for many days, maybe even a week, between charges.
The headphones’ retail package is as commendable as their design and performance. It includes a soft carrying pouch with Marshall’s iconic logo and a USB-C-to-3.5mm coiled audio cable for wired use. The cord itself is one of the best I’ve experienced, regardless of the product’s price tag.
Generally speaking, on-ear headphones are for listeners who want a compact, lightweight audio solution, but with more robust sound quality and noise cancellation than you’ll get from most earbuds. If that sounds like you, I think the Marshall Milton is the best option right now. With robust sound, solid ANC, and an impeccable design with that unique Marshall look. It’s a well-rounded pair of headphones that delivers the best on-ear experience I’ve seen in some time.
Stefan is an award-winning consumer technology editor with over a decade of experience in reviewing gadgets, particularly smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, desktop and laptop computers across multiple form factors and platforms, as well as accessories for them. He also covers televisions and audio equipment, including headphones, earbuds, wireless speakers, and soundbars. Since joining Hearst in 2015, Stefan has contributed to BestProducts, Popular Mechanics, and numerous other publications. Prior to his current role, he served as the US Editor for GSMArena.com.
Mike Epstein is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst Enthusiast Group, producing reviews for buying guides Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Best Products. Prior to joining Hearst, he was a video game and technology critic for over 10 years, with bylines at IGN, Gamespot, Variety, Lifehacker, Kotaku, GamesRadar, Flavorwire and Digital Trends, among others. Now, he’s a jack of all trades, helping reviewers share everything they know about all kinds of technical gear, from snowblowers, to running shoes and bicycles, and every kind of gadget imaginable.
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