Panasonic RB-HF630B Review
Wireless Bluetooth headphones offer a high degree of flexibility and freedom of movement, ensuring uninterrupted music enjoyment in any situation. Panasonic proves that important features such as decent sound quality, a long-lasting battery, and high wearing comfort do not necessarily have to be expensive with the new RB-HF630B, available for under $65.
This budget-friendly headphone includes a 30 mm driver unit and Extra Bass System (XBS) for powerful bass, a lithium-polymer battery with up to 72 hours of runtime, Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), an ultra-light weight of just 140 grams, and Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connection to pair with two devices simultaneously.
Our following test report clarifies how the material and build quality can be assessed, whether an app or voice control is provided, how ENC differs from ANC, whether it is possible to change the ear pads, and how the sound quality performs in practice.
Accordingly, the first headphone-like prototypes were hardly anything other than normal loudspeakers that were held to one ear. The commercial marketing of the first real headphones finally began in 1910 with the so-called “Baldy Phones” by US-American Nathaniel Baldwin, although if used incorrectly, they could deliver an electric shock to the wearer.
The wireless Bluetooth headphone RB-HF630B is available in three color variants—black, blue, and white—whereby the rather classic-looking black variant was made available to us for our test. The on-ear headphone’s design is very simple, without any notable standout features. Aside from the padded headband and earcups (each foam with a faux-leather cover), it is made of plastic. This also explains the unusually low weight of just 140 grams. Additionally, the two earcups, which each have a diameter of around eight centimeters and can be rotated 90 degrees, are very compact, though they should still fully cover most ears. Overall, this ensures an extremely comfortable wearing experience that does not diminish even after lengthy listening sessions.
Furthermore, the headphones sit perfectly on the head and do not slip, even with quick head movements, such as when jogging. The workmanship is simple but absolutely clean and free of visible defects. The flexible headband can be adjusted on both sides in eleven individual levels by up to 4.5 centimeters, so practically every head size is catered for. Happily, the soft ear pads can be removed and replaced with a little practice. You can use any no-name standard models in the correct size, which are available online or in stores for under $11.
Alternatively, replacement pads can also be requested through Panasonic service if damaged. Folding the on-ear headphones for the most space-saving transport is not possible. To avoid confusion, both sides are labeled with an L and an R, and there is also a small raised dot above the L so that even people with limited vision can orient themselves.
“Wireless on-ear headphone with environmental noise cancellation at a top price”
Each earcup houses a 30 millimeter driver unit with neodymium magnets. Audio transmission is done classically via Bluetooth, where the modern version 5.3 has been implemented. However, supported codecs are limited to the standard AAC and SBC formats, while the higher-quality aptX is entirely absent. On the other hand, a microphone is integrated into the headphone, enabling its use as a headset. Through this microphone, you can also use the voice assistant function of a paired mobile device. A closed design is used, so the sound does not easily escape outward and can’t be heard by people nearby, e.g., on a train.
The scope of delivery includes, besides the stereo headphones, only a 30-centimeter USB-C cable and a quick start guide. For long-lasting music enjoyment, the affordable on-ear headphones have a permanently installed lithium-polymer battery with 3.7 V / 650 mAh capacity. This allows up to 72 hours of continuous operation, while a full charge requires about four hours of waiting. For those in a hurry, thanks to fast charging, only 15 minutes are enough to get sufficient power for a full six hours of playback.
What is ENC and how is it different from ANC?
Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) technology filters out unwanted background noises from the sounds recorded via microphone using advanced algorithms. This is especially advantageous for phone calls, as it clears your voice of ambient noises like traffic and makes it clearer and easier to understand for the person on the other end. By contrast, ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) also filters out ambient noise, but it focuses on the sound perceived by the wearer through the headphones themselves, allowing you to enjoy your music without background noise, for example in loud environments such as a train.
Setup, operation, and features
The Panasonic RB-HF630B is turned on by pressing the power button on the right earcup for about three seconds, after which it immediately starts its Bluetooth search. This is visible by a small LED indicator next to the USB-C charging port that flashes blue and red alternately in search mode. Once pairing is complete, recognizable in the usual way via the desired smartphone or tablet, the LED then only lights up twice in blue every two seconds. A voice confirmation also sounds the words “connected” or “disconnected” as soon as the connection is released. To restart pairing, for example to connect another mobile device, press the power button for at least five seconds in the off state until the LED again begins flashing red and blue. In our practical test, it was easy to pair with a smartphone as well as a tablet or TV, with the Panasonic headphone able to remember up to eight devices. The connection remained stable up to about 10 meters away, including multiple walls, before it began to cut out. So you can comfortably leave your smartphone behind if you quickly want to head to the neighboring bedroom or kitchen. Thanks to multipoint functionality, up to two Bluetooth devices can also be paired in parallel, allowing you to switch, for example, between playlists on two different smartphones.
The three on-device control buttons are in a conveniently reachable position on the right earcup and include the already mentioned power/pairing button and a plus and minus button to its left and right. Users can increase or decrease the volume (tap the desired button) or skip forward or backward by holding down the button for about one second. If the device connected has one or more available voice assistants (such as Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant), it is possible to activate one of them by quickly pressing the power button twice, then speaking directly via the integrated microphone. Finally, let us mention the included ENC technology (Environmental Noise Cancellation). You can find more info on how it works and how it differs from Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) in our info box on page 84.
Sound quality
Although high wearing comfort and useful features may be important and practical for a wireless headphone like the RB-HF630B, they could not compensate for poor sound quality. However, we can say in advance that this is not the case for our test candidate.
For our sound test, we focused first on bass reproduction, which, according to the manufacturer, should be especially convincing thanks to the Extra Bass System (XBS). So we started with rather bass-heavy songs like “Yeah” by Usher or “Angel” by Massive Attack, where the hoped-for low-end punch quickly materialized. We got a crisp, precise thump without distortion, providing a suitable sound foundation. In this regard, the Panasonic headphone is indeed comparable to more expensive competitor models. The highs and mids were also convincing and remained present, although there was at times a slight lack of detail, with certain nuances not always fully emphasized or slightly blurred. This was truly noticeable primarily in very rock-heavy tracks with dominant instrumental accompaniment, while otherwise, the sound typically came across as homogeneous and full of color.
When it comes to spatiality, the headphone also impressed, as it audibly created a sense of depth in which instruments could be perceived at various positions. Moreover, the built-in speakers handled both quiet and loud passages in a very coherent manner, bringing out the music’s dynamics authentically. For speech-based content or podcasts, we did not notice any sound impurities, as they were reproduced clearly and intelligibly. Users should be aware, though, that the RB-HF630B does not feature adaptive noise cancellation, so louder background noises remain audible. This makes it best suited for use in relatively quiet environments, such as at home.
Specs
Technical Data
| Manufacturer | Panasonic |
| Model | RB-HF630B |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 15.5 × 15.0 × 11.4 cm |
| Weight | 140 g |
| Colors | Black, Blue, White |
| Maximum Headband Adjustment per Side | 4.5 cm |
| Headphone Material | Plastic |
| Earcup/Headband Padding Material | Synthetic Leather, Foam |
| Audio Input | USB‑C |
| App | No |
| Voice Control | Yes (via connected device) |
Hardware Features
| Headphone Type | On‑Ear Headphones |
| Acoustic Design | Closed |
| Frequency Response | 20 – 20,000 Hz |
| On/Off Switch | Yes |
Bluetooth
| Version | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP |
| Range | 10 m |
| Max. Pairable Bluetooth Devices | 8 |
Battery
| Type | Lithium‑Polymer |
| Capacity | 650 mAh / 3.7 V |
| Operating Time (Bluetooth with ANC) | Up to 72 hours |
| Charging Time | 4 hours |
| Battery Replaceable | No |
Pricing
| MSRP (in €) | 59.90 |
| Average Market Price (in €) | 59.00 |
Conclusion
In summary, the wireless Bluetooth headphone RB-HF630B from Panasonic proves to be an excellent option for budget-conscious users who value sound quality and comfort. With a long-lasting, though non-removable, battery that can run for up to 72 hours, a straightforward design, and solid build quality, particularly highlighted by its low weight of only 140 grams, it delivers a pleasant listening experience that easily allows for extended sessions.
It does show minor weaknesses in technical features, since it lacks an ANC noise-canceling function and does not offer special extras such as a compatible control app. Considering its low sale price of under $65 and its strong sound performance, especially in the bass range, it is nevertheless a successful price-performance combination and an ideal companion for music lovers and frequent users. As a result, the stereo headphone achieves an overall rating of 9.1 out of 10, corresponding to the grade “good,” as well as a very good price-performance ratio.
PRO Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), Bluetooth 5.3, compatible with voice assistants, very long battery life, can be paired with two devices at once, lightweight, XBS extra-bass technology, replaceable ear pads, price
CONTRA not foldable, no ANC, no control app, no AUX audio input
Test Rating
Model: Panasonic RB-HF630B
Overall Test Verdict: GOOD (90.9%)
Price/Performance: VERY GOOD
Detailed Scores
| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Quality | 50% | 90% |
| Wearing Comfort | 30% | 96% |
| Functionality | 10% | 85% |
| Build Quality | 10% | 84% |
| Bonus | – | – |
Price/Performance Index: 0.65
Average Market Price: €59
