An older TaoTronics ANC pair that still holds up for the price
Quick Specs: TaoTronics TT-BH22
- Type: over-ear active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones (older TaoTronics ANC model, predates the SoundSurge line)
- ANC rating: roughly 70 percent effectiveness versus flagship-tier ANC, per TaoTronics
- Battery: rated about 25 hours
- Charging: Micro-USB (not USB-C)
- Price tier: originally budget-tier, now typically found secondhand or through resellers
- Compatibility: any standard Bluetooth source (phone, laptop, tablet)
| Model | TaoTronics TT-BH22 |
| Type | Over-ear ANC Bluetooth headphones |
| ANC rating | Roughly 70 percent vs flagship-tier ANC |
| Battery life | About 25 hours |
| Charging port | Micro-USB |
| Compatibility | Any standard Bluetooth source |
What the TT-BH22 actually is
The TT-BH22 is one of the earlier TaoTronics active noise cancelling headphone models, and it has since been followed by the SoundSurge line covered elsewhere on this site. I picked up a used pair to see how it holds up against the newer models, and the short answer is: reasonably well, with a few clear signs of its age that are worth knowing about before you decide whether it is still a smart buy today.
Comfort and build
The clamping force is a bit firmer than I expected from a modern headphone, which some people will actually prefer for a more secure fit during light exercise or walking. The ear pads are on the thinner side compared to newer TaoTronics models, so long sessions past two or three hours start to feel it more than with the plusher SoundSurge 85. It is a solid, if unremarkable, plastic build that has survived being tossed in a bag more times than it probably should have.
Noise cancellation performance
TaoTronics rates the ANC effectiveness on the TT-BH22 at roughly 70 percent compared to top tier headphones from more expensive brands, and that number tracks pretty closely with what I experienced. Steady background noise like an air conditioner or a car engine gets noticeably reduced, though it does not disappear the way it would with a flagship pair. For the price this pair originally sold at, and what you can typically find it for secondhand now, that tradeoff is easy to accept.
Battery life
Rated for about 25 hours of use, and my unit still gets reasonably close to that despite its age, which says something about the battery TaoTronics used here. It charges over Micro-USB rather than USB-C, which is the clearest giveaway that this is an older design compared to current TaoTronics headphones that have all moved to USB-C.
Controls and calls
Physical buttons on the ear cup handle volume, playback, and calls, with no touch controls to worry about accidentally triggering. Call quality is serviceable in quiet rooms but struggles more than newer TaoTronics headphones in noisy environments, since this model predates the improved cVc microphone setups found in the current SoundSurge lineup.
Sound signature
Sound wise, the TT-BH22 leans warm with a fairly present bass response, similar in character to other TaoTronics headphones from around the same era. It handles podcasts and vocal heavy content clearly, and bass on electronic or hip hop tracks has enough punch without turning muddy at moderate volumes. Push the volume too high and you will start to hear some strain in the low end, which is common at this price tier but worth knowing if you like listening loud. Overall the tuning is inoffensive and easy to listen to for hours, which matters more day to day than chasing perfectly flat, reference-level accuracy.
- Pair once through your device’s Bluetooth settings, then it reconnects automatically afterward
- Use the physical ANC toggle to switch cancellation on or off depending on your surroundings
- Charge fully before first use since Micro-USB charging is noticeably slower than USB-C alternatives
- Fold the ear cups flat for storage in the included pouch when traveling
Troubleshooting Pairing and ANC Issues
- Won’t pair with a new device: hold the power button for several seconds until the LED flashes red and blue alternately, which forces pairing mode — a quick press only turns it on and reconnects to the last paired device.
- Stuck reconnecting to an old phone: forget the TT-BH22 in that phone’s Bluetooth settings first, then re-pair fresh from the new device, since it defaults to trying its most recent connection.
- ANC toggle does nothing: confirm the headphones are actually powered on and charged — ANC circuitry is one of the first features to stop responding on a low battery, before playback itself cuts out.
- Slow or failed charging: Micro-USB cables degrade with wear more than USB-C ones; try a different cable before assuming the port itself has failed.
If a factory reset is needed after persistent pairing trouble, the manual fallback is to hold the power and volume-down buttons together for around ten seconds until the LED flashes rapidly, which clears the paired-device list entirely and lets you start pairing from scratch.
Should you buy a TT-BH22 today
Since this is an older model, availability from TaoTronics directly is limited, and you are more likely to find it secondhand or through third party sellers clearing old stock. If you can find one cheap and just want basic ANC for a noisy commute without spending much, it still does the job reasonably well. If you are buying new and have the option, I would point you toward the current SoundSurge lineup instead, since the improvements in ear pad comfort, USB-C charging, and microphone quality are noticeable enough to matter for daily use.
- Good candidate if you find one secondhand at a low price
- Micro-USB charging is a real downside if you have moved everything else to USB-C
- ANC handles steady noise well, less effective on sudden or sharp sounds
- Newer SoundSurge models are the better buy if new stock is what you are looking at
For a general primer on what active noise cancellation ratings actually measure and why they vary so much between brands and price points, this overview of active noise control is a useful, plain language reference.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TaoTronics TT-BH22 still sold new?
Availability varies and it is largely considered an older model at this point, so you are more likely to find it through resellers or secondhand rather than directly from TaoTronics.
Does it charge over USB-C?
No, it uses Micro-USB, which is one of the clearest signs of its age compared to current TaoTronics headphones.
How does the ANC compare to newer TaoTronics headphones?
It is noticeably behind the hybrid ANC found in the SoundSurge 85, though still effective against steady background noise like engine hum or HVAC systems.
Is battery life still reliable on an older unit?
In my experience with a used pair, yes, it still gets close to the rated 25 hours, though individual battery health will vary by unit and age.
Final take
The TaoTronics TT-BH22 was a solid budget ANC option in its day, and it still functions well enough to be worth considering if you come across one cheap. For anyone shopping fresh with a full range of current options available, though, the newer SoundSurge headphones from the same brand deliver a noticeably better experience for not much more money, and that is where I would point most buyers today. Still, there is something to be said for a pair of headphones that keeps working reliably years after release, and this one has more than earned its keep in my rotation of backup gear for guests and loaner use.
Ryan
Computer science graduate and lifelong gadget collector, keeps a drawer full of old headphones just to compare against new releases