1More SonoFlow SE HQ31 VS Haylou S40

Both the 1More SonoFlow SE HQ31 and the Haylou S40 share the same fundamental design DNA: over-ear fit, a foldable form factor, a detachable and tangle-free cable, and a closed-back construction. For most users, this means both headphones are equally travel-friendly and similarly practical when it comes to cable management and portability.

Where the two diverge meaningfully is in water resistance and weight. The SonoFlow SE carries a water-resistant rating, which, while not making it suitable for submersion, does offer a real-world safety net against rain, sweat, or accidental splashes — a genuine advantage for commuters or light outdoor use. The Haylou S40 offers no such protection, meaning moisture exposure is an avoidable risk. On weight, the difference is modest — 273 g versus 280 g — and unlikely to be perceptible during typical listening sessions.

The 1More SonoFlow SE holds a clear edge in this group, purely on the strength of its water resistance. It is the more versatile and durable option for users who do not always listen in controlled indoor environments, while the Haylou S40 asks for more careful handling in that regard.

The two headphones are remarkably well-matched across most sound quality parameters: identical 40 mm driver sizes, the same 32 Ohm impedance, a shared lower frequency floor of 20 Hz, and both offering ANC, passive noise reduction, and spatial audio support. For the majority of listeners, this common foundation means a broadly comparable listening experience in terms of driver sensitivity and noise isolation capability.

The single meaningful differentiator is the upper frequency ceiling. The SonoFlow SE extends to 40,000 Hz, while the Haylou S40 tops out at the standard 20,000 Hz — the conventional boundary of human hearing. In practice, the SonoFlow SE′s extended high-frequency range is most relevant when playing hi-res audio formats that encode content above 20 kHz. Whether this translates into a perceptibly airier or more detailed sound is debated among audiophiles, but it does signal a deliberate positioning toward higher-fidelity source material.

The 1More SonoFlow SE takes a narrow but clear edge in this group. For casual listeners streaming standard audio, the difference is unlikely to matter. For users with hi-res libraries or who prioritize on-paper audio credentials, the extended frequency response gives the SonoFlow SE a tangible, if niche, advantage.

On paper, the power story for these two headphones is nearly identical: both deliver 90 hours of battery life and 60 hours with ANC active — figures that are genuinely exceptional by any standard and mean most users will go well over a week between charges under normal use. USB-C charging, a battery indicator, and a non-removable rechargeable cell are shared across the board.

Dig into the details, though, and two small gaps emerge. The Haylou S40 packs a slightly larger 650 mAh cell versus the SonoFlow SE′s 600 mAh, yet both arrive at the same rated endurance — suggesting the SonoFlow SE is marginally more efficient in how it draws on its battery. The more practical difference is charge time: the SonoFlow SE refills in 2 hours compared to the S40′s 2.5 hours, a 25% faster turnaround that matters most when you′re rushing out the door.

This group is close to a draw, but the 1More SonoFlow SE earns a slight edge. Its faster charging speed is the one real-world differentiator, while matching the S40′s runtime despite a smaller battery hints at efficient power management. Neither headphone will leave you hunting for a charger frequently, but the SonoFlow SE gets back to full faster when you do.

Codec support is where these two headphones find common ground: both carry LDAC and AAC, covering the most important bases for high-quality wireless audio. LDAC is particularly valuable, as it supports up to 990 kbps transmission — the highest bitrate available among mainstream Bluetooth codecs — making it the go-to choice for Android users streaming hi-res or lossless content. AAC rounds out the offering for Apple device users.

The meaningful gaps lie in Bluetooth version and range. The Haylou S40 runs on Bluetooth 6, while the SonoFlow SE uses Bluetooth 5.4. The newer standard brings improvements in connection reliability, interference handling, and power efficiency. More tangibly, the S40′s specified maximum range of 20 m is double the SonoFlow SE′s 10 m — a real-world advantage for users who move around their home or office while listening without their source device in their pocket.

The Haylou S40 holds a clear advantage in this group. Its newer Bluetooth version and significantly extended range make it the stronger performer for wireless freedom and connection robustness, while codec parity means neither headphone sacrifices audio quality over the air.

Feature parity is strong between these two headphones: both offer ambient sound mode, on-device controls, noise-canceling microphones, and headset capability — a solid, practical baseline for everyday use whether commuting, working, or taking calls.

The standout differentiator is microphone count. The Haylou S40 deploys a remarkable 11 microphones compared to the SonoFlow SE′s 4. More microphones generally enable more sophisticated beamforming and noise suppression algorithms — the kind that isolate your voice more cleanly in windy or noisy environments and contribute to more effective ANC performance. For users who frequently take calls in challenging acoustic conditions, this gap is significant. Four microphones is a respectable count for a headphone in this category, but eleven is unusually high and suggests the S40 prioritizes call quality and noise isolation as core use cases.

The Haylou S40 takes a clear edge here. While neither headphone offers more advanced features like ear detection or a mute button, the S40′s substantially larger microphone array positions it as the stronger choice for voice calls, conferencing, and ANC effectiveness — advantages that are directly implied by the hardware count.