Design and packaging
Finnish audio maker Valco, known for its over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, has expanded into true wireless buds with the NL25 ANC. Priced at 169 euros, the NL25 comes only in the black shown in promo shots.
The charging case is a rounded puck, a little narrower than a 55 mm disc. It is less pocket-friendly than elongated cases from rivals but still fits reasonably well in a pocket. A lighter decorative logo sits on the lid, USB-C charging sits on the back, and four front-facing LEDs report charge level. The case supports wireless charging.
The lid snaps shut securely and needs a small notch to open. Strong magnets hold the buds firmly in place.
Hardware and connectivity
The NL25 use Bluetooth 5.4 and support SBC, AAC, AptX, and AptX Adaptive. In testing they were paired with a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. On first use they enter pairing mode automatically; after that pairing must be initiated manually.
Each bud weighs about five grams. The design is a hybrid: part of the bud sits in the ear canal while a longer stem protrudes outward. In practice the longer stem tends to pull the bud into a slightly off alignment despite the modest weight.
Box contents include the buds and charging case, a USB-A to USB-C cable, documentation, three pairs of silicone tips, and three pairs of memory-foam tips.
Fit and comfort
Valco offers a wide set of tips and most users should find a close fit. In my testing none of the provided options produced a perfect seal, and the buds gradually shifted out of position. This is a combination of the shape and the stem weight, and other users may have better luck.
The NL25 are rated IPX4 for splash resistance, so daily use in light rain or sweat should be fine.
Sound signature
Valco says the NL25 use a hybrid 10 mm driver design combining a dynamic driver for bass and an armature for highs. Out of the box the sound is the headphones’ biggest strength.
The presentation is lively, clear, and spacious for true wireless buds, with convincing dynamics. The overall tonality is neutral and airy, which works well for home listening and critical tracks.
However, bass is dialed back. In quiet settings that restraint is pleasant, but in noisier environments low frequencies lose presence quickly. There is no companion app to tune the sound, so listeners are stuck with a single preset unless their player offers an EQ.
Controls and features
Controls are physical buttons rather than touch sensors. They are easy to find but require a bit more force than expected. Because the buds shift slightly when pressed, I found myself avoiding frequent button use. There is no wear-detection auto-pause when removing a bud.
Button mapping is straightforward: on the right bud a single press plays or pauses music and answers calls, double press skips forward; on the left bud a single press cycles listening modes (ANC, transparency, off), double press skips back. A triple press on either bud summons the voice assistant.
Noise cancellation and call performance
Active noise cancellation is the NL25’s weakest area. In practice ANC is weak. Low frequencies get some reduction, but overall the performance is underwhelming for this price class. During testing I often had to toggle through modes to confirm ANC was engaged.
The transparency mode works well, although its usefulness is limited because speech often comes through even without it. Call quality is acceptable indoors but outdoors wind makes conversations nearly unusable.
Battery life and charging
Valco rates battery life at up to 4.5 hours with ANC on and 6 hours without. In real-world continuous playback with ANC enabled the buds lasted about four hours and 15 minutes. That falls short of the claimed number and is only average compared with rivals, some of which add a couple of hours.
Each bud packs a 35 mAh cell and the case holds 300 mAh. Bud charging takes roughly 1.5 hours, while the case takes about two hours to recharge.
Who should buy the NL25 ANC
If you want neutral, airy sound straight out of the box and you do most listening in quiet environments, the NL25 are an excellent pick. Few true wireless buds deliver this kind of natural presentation without EQ or tweaking.
But if you need robust ANC, long battery life, extensive customization, or a universally reliable fit, competitors in the same price bracket offer more. At roughly 169 euros the NL25 sit in a crowded field that includes OnePlus Buds Pro 3, Nothing Ear models, JBL Live Beam 3, and Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless.
Valco’s NL25 ANC will appeal to listeners who want straightforward, high-quality playback without fuss. For anyone who expects strong ANC or a configurable experience, they fall short.
Pros and cons
Good
- Airy, neutral sound
- Modern codec support
- Generous tip selection
Bad
- No companion app
- Weak active noise cancellation
- Buttons are a bit stiff
- Battery life only average
