The catch
Marshall Major V
Its cushions rest on top of your ears and do not surround them.
Side by side
Marshall Major V vs Monitor III A.N.C. Compared: Monitor adds ANC for travel, Major V is lighter
Quick verdict
Major V is the one for a smaller 186 g on-ear pair when ANC is unnecessary. Monitor III A.N.C. is the one for over-ear fit and noise-cancelled travel. Do not read its 70-hour ANC-on claim as a downgrade from the Major V 100-plus-hour figure, because Major V has no ANC.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Major V sheds roughly one-quarter of the weight
The 64 g gap amounts to 25.6% of what Monitor III weighs.
Where this comes from
25.6% = (250 - 186) / 250 × 100.
The catch
Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
No water-resistance rating is stated for it.
Marshall Major V
- Why pick it
- On-ear fit and lower weight are your preference.
- Active noise cancellation is not something you need.
- The catch
- Its cushions rest on top of your ears and do not surround them.
Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
- Why pick it
- For travel, you want over-ear cups together with ANC.
- An ambient mode for hearing announcements is a need.
- The catch
- No water-resistance rating is stated for it.
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What this page compares
Marshall Major V and Monitor III A.N.C. compared by on-ear fit, weight, travel noise and mode-specific battery life, to help you pick the right shape for your routine.
Major V is the one for a smaller 186 g on-ear pair when ANC is unnecessary. Monitor III A.N.C. is the one for over-ear fit and noise-cancelled travel. Do not read its 70-hour ANC-on claim as a downgrade from the Major V 100-plus-hour figure, because Major V has no ANC.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A loud train or flight
Major V has no ANC, and Monitor III does.
- Marshall Major V
- Caution
- Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
- Better fit
Light gear for everyday carry
Major V is 64 g lighter and has a smaller on-ear format.
- Marshall Major V
- Better fit
- Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
- Good
You find on-ear pads uncomfortable
The cups are laid out differently on Monitor III, but you should still try the fit yourself.
- Marshall Major V
- Caution
- Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
- Better fit
You already have a wireless charging pad on your desk
Monitor III charges via its cable, whereas Major V can charge wirelessly.
- Marshall Major V
- Better fit
- Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
- Good
In practice
Differences you will notice
Major V sheds roughly one-quarter of the weight
The 64 g gap amounts to 25.6% of what Monitor III weighs.
How we worked this out
25.6% = (250 - 186) / 250 × 100.
ANC endurance cannot be compared here
Because Major V has no ANC hardware, its 100-plus-hour figure can neither beat nor trail Monitor III in an ANC-on test.
How we worked this out
Per manufacturer records, Major V has no ANC and Monitor III is listed at 70 hours with ANC on.
A day of eight hours eats very different portions of the ratings
Of the Monitor III’s 70-hour ANC claim, eight hours takes about 11%. Of the Major V’s 100-plus-hour non-ANC claim, it takes at most 8%. The two claims cover different listening modes.
How we worked this out
The math: 8 / 70 × 100 = 11.4% and 8 / 100 × 100 = 8%. These use claimed maxima and do not measure daily battery drain.
Plug in your setup
Which headphones suit the way you listen?
Start with how you listen. Charging over USB is not the same as playing audio over USB, and some headphones need power even on a cable. These answers are placeholders until you apply your own.
Marshall Major V
Passes these checksPlays over Bluetooth.
Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
Passes these checksPlays over Bluetooth.
Battery figures are maker claims for the stated mode. They do not reflect measured travel time. Volume, codec, calls and battery age all change runtime. Closed earcups can still leak some sound. Weight alone does not predict comfort. USB audio needs a compatible source and cable. This check does not judge sound quality, mic quality or amplifier power.
Option A
Marshall, Major V
Major V
At 186 g, this compact on-ear pair has a 100-plus-hour wireless claim and a 3.5 mm cable option. Buy it for portability. Noise cancellation is not its strength.
- Best for
- Traveling light without needing ANC
Facts we checked
- Listed at 186 g with an on-ear construction, per the manufacturer.
- The wireless playback rating is more than 100 hours.
- Support covers multipoint, wireless charging and a supplied 3.5 mm cable.
Option B
Marshall, Monitor III A.N.C.
Monitor III A.N.C.
This folding over-ear pair has a 70-hour ANC-on claim and weighs 250 g. It suits long trips where you would rather charge less often.
- Best for
- ANC on long travel days, with fewer stops to charge
Facts we checked
- Marshall's playback rating is 100 hours without ANC and 70 hours with it.
- The weight, as listed, is 250 g.
- Bluetooth multipoint is supported, and the over-ear design folds.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Marshall Major V | Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wearing style | On-ear | Over-ear | The way the cushions touch your ears is not the same. |
| Weight | 186 g | 250 g | Major V weighs 64 g less. |
| Active noise cancellation | No | Yes | Monitor III alters the picture for noisy travel. |
| ANC-on playback | Not applicable | 70 hours | This listening mode is not something Major V can do. |
| Playback without ANC | More than 100 hours | 100 hours | Each headline figure rests on a different ANC capability. |
| Analog connection | 3.5 mm cable | Supplied USB-C-to-3.5 mm cable | Use the right lead with the right model. |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No | The larger model lacks a charging option that Major V has. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Marshall Major V
- It offers no active noise cancellation and no water-resistance rating.
With Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.
- For wired listening you need the supplied USB-C-to-3.5 mm lead, so hold on to it.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
On-ear fit and lower weight are your preference.
Go with Marshall Major V. Monitor III does a different job, putting ANC around an over-ear cup. On noisy trips, that matters more than which model has the highest published hours.
For travel, you want over-ear cups together with ANC.
Go with Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.. Major V is much lighter and folds into a compact on-ear shape. For quiet listening and short trips, hauling the larger model around may fix a problem you do not have.
Decision guide
How to decide
If you want a smaller 186 g on-ear pair and can do without ANC, go with Major V. For over-ear fit and noise-cancelled travel, go with Monitor III A.N.C. The 70-hour ANC-on claim on Monitor III should not be treated as a downgrade from the Major V 100-plus-hour figure, because Major V has no ANC.
Noise cancellation is what justifies stepping up
Monitor III does a different job, putting ANC around an over-ear cup. On noisy trips, that matters more than which model has the highest published hours.
A smaller pair can win in a quiet room
Major V is much lighter and folds into a compact on-ear shape. For quiet listening and short trips, hauling the larger model around may fix a problem you do not have.
Fit and charging are decided separately
Major V rests on the ear and supports wireless charging, whereas Monitor III surrounds the ear and needs its charging cable. Neither combination is automatically more comfortable or convenient for everyone.
What this page can’t tell you
- The battery percentages come from arithmetic on manufacturer maximum ratings and are not real discharge measurements.
- A stated water-resistance rating for sports use is missing on both products.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the headphones we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 6 of the 60 models checked meet every need here: “I go back and forth between laptop and phone”, “I want a pair that weighs 250 g or less”, and “My bag has no space left”.
6 models fit, out of 60 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I go back and forth between laptop and phone”, “I want a pair that weighs 250 g or less”, and “My bag has no space left”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall Major V |
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| Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Marshall Major V
On-ear fit and lower weight are your preference.
See price & reviews on AmazonMarshall Monitor III A.N.C.
For travel, you want over-ear cups together with ANC.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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