The Honor Choice Headphones Pro, also sold as the Honor VZ Sport Mate Headphones Pro, are budget over-ear headphones from Chinese brand Honor. In South Africa, they are listed on Takealot for under R1,000 (South African rand), with a markdown from R3,700. Comparable headphones at this price point exist but may be difficult to find in 2026.
The review found the R3,700 original price to be unsupported by the product’s build and performance. At R1,000, the headphones are considered too expensive; a price closer to R600 would be more appropriate. There are some positives, however. The headphones do some things well and others less so, with design prioritised over noise cancellation performance. They may suit users who plan to use them while running or lifting.
- 40mm drivers
- Active noise cancellation and transparency modes
- Claimed battery: 80 hours ANC off, 40 hours ANC on
- Price: under R1,000 in South Africa
Design and comfort
The design is visually appealing, based on styles popularised by Sony and other premium brands. Ear cups are generous with good-looking padding, though the artificial leather is thin and the sponge pads are slightly too soft. The build uses lightweight plastic throughout. Other budget headphones have used thicker, more durable plastics, but the materials are adequate for the intended use.
Comfort is a weak point. The on-ear design was uncomfortable from the outset for an average head size and shape, though fit may vary by user. The twist-and-fold ear cup design does not angle enough to sit comfortably, and leaving one ear exposed makes the fit worse. Clamping force is not excessive, which prevents the fit from becoming unbearable. At R900 or less, the headphones are a mixed bag: good looks but poor fit.
Sound and noise cancellation
The headphones include 40mm drivers, active noise cancellation (ANC), and transparency modes. The soundstage is too wide for comfort, leaving some tracks feeling washed out. Low-end response is decent but inconsistent. Separation of lows, mids, and highs is clean on some tracks and muddy on others.
Honor describes the noise cancellation as adaptive. In testing, ANC was kept off because audio playback was measurably worse when it was active. Transparency mode performed better but was also avoided due to microphone processing. ANC overcompensates, causing odd volume dips, uneven playback, a disorienting rotating soundstage, and a near-total loss of bass.
Battery and fitness use
Turning ANC off also maximises battery life. Honor claims 80 hours with ANC off and 40 hours with ANC on. There is no automatic shutoff, but the headphones disconnect to save power. Battery uptime was strong during testing, with only about 10% consumed over the review period.
Despite the shortcomings, the sub-R1,000 price leaves some utility. The alternate name, Honor VZ Sport Mate Headphones Pro, signals the intended use. For frequent gym goers, the headphones could be treated as disposable. The long battery life helps if they are left in a car boot. The lightweight, low-cost build makes them suitable as a spare pair for sweaty workouts, and damage from a dropped kettlebell would not be a significant loss.
