Hey everyone, Alex here from Headphones Me. We’re constantly on the hunt for that “sweet spot” in audio gear—the products that deliver a killer experience without making your wallet cry. So, when the latest challenger entered the ring, we had to put it through its paces. This is our in-depth Anker Soundcore Space One Review, and the big question on my mind is: can you really get premium-level noise cancellation and Hi-Res audio for under $100? Let’s plug in and find out.
For years, the world of active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones has been dominated by a few big names with price tags to match. Anker’s Soundcore brand has been methodically chipping away at that dominance, offering features that were once exclusive to the top tier at a fraction of the cost. The Space One feels like their most ambitious attempt yet. They’re promising an upgraded ANC system, LDAC support for high-quality wireless audio, and a marathon-worthy battery life. It sounds great on paper, but how does it hold up in the real world?
Design and Comfort: Can You Wear Them All Day?
First impressions matter, and the Soundcore Space One makes a solid one. Pulling them from the box, you’re greeted with a soft travel pouch, a USB-C charging cable, and a 3.5mm audio cable for wired listening. The headphones themselves have a clean, minimalist aesthetic. I’ve been testing the “Jet Black” version, and it looks sleek and modern without being overly flashy.
Materials and Build Quality
The construction is primarily plastic, which is expected at this price point. However, it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. The plastic has a smooth, matte finish that resists fingerprints well, and the headband is reinforced with a metal strip, adding a reassuring bit of durability where it counts. The earcups pivot and fold flat, making them easy to slip into the pouch and toss in a backpack. It’s a design that feels practical and built for daily life.
The All-Important Comfort Factor
Here’s where I was genuinely impressed. The Space One headphones are incredibly lightweight. The earcups are made from a soft, plush protein leather, and the memory foam underneath is forgiving. I wore these for an entire 8-hour workday, including several long meetings, and I never felt that dreaded clamping force or ear fatigue. The headband has just enough padding, and the earcups are spacious enough to fit around my ears rather than sitting on them. For long flights or marathon study sessions, the comfort level here is a major win.
Audio Quality: Hitting Above Their Price Point?
Alright, let’s get to the heart of any headphone review: the sound. Out of the box, the Anker Soundcore Space One has a sound signature that will please most people. It’s a well-balanced, slightly V-shaped profile, meaning there’s a gentle boost in the bass and treble, which makes music sound energetic and lively.
The Sound Signature: A Balanced Approach
The bass is present and punchy but doesn’t feel bloated or muddy. It handles the deep sub-bass in tracks like Billie Eilish’s “bad guy” with control, providing rumble without overwhelming the vocals. Mids, where vocals and most instruments live, are clear and forward. I didn’t notice any of the recessed, hollow sound that can plague budget headphones. Highs are crisp, bringing out the detail in cymbals and hi-hats without sounding harsh or sibilant. It’s a very listenable and versatile sound that works well across genres, from pop and hip-hop to rock and acoustic sets.
As our contributing audio engineer, Johnathan Carter, noted, “For a 40mm dynamic driver in this category, the separation is impressive. You can clearly distinguish the bassline from the kick drum, which is a testament to good tuning. They’re not for critical audiophile listening, but for everyday enjoyment, they punch well above their weight.”
Let’s Talk LDAC and Hi-Res Audio
One of the standout features here is the inclusion of the LDAC codec. What does that mean for you? Think of it like streaming a video in 4K versus standard definition. If you’re using a compatible Android device and listening to high-quality streaming services like Tidal or Qobuz, LDAC transmits significantly more data, resulting in a more detailed and richer sound. I tested this back-to-back with the standard SBC codec, and the difference was noticeable. There’s a greater sense of space and clarity, especially in complex orchestral or jazz tracks. It’s a genuinely premium feature to find on headphones at this price.
Bảng trống.Customization via the Soundcore App
The real magic happens when you pair the headphones with the Soundcore app. Here you can access a full-featured equalizer to tune the sound to your exact preference. But the killer feature is HearID. The app plays a series of tones to map your personal hearing sensitivity across different frequencies and then creates a custom EQ profile just for you. For me, it slightly boosted some of the upper-mids, and the result was a sound that felt more open and tailored to my ears. It’s an incredibly powerful tool for personalization.
Anker Soundcore Space One Review of Noise Cancellation
This is the headline feature, and I’m happy to report that the ANC is seriously effective. Soundcore claims their new system targets mid and high-frequency sounds (like voices and office chatter) better than previous models, and my testing backs this up.
How Good is the ANC on a Busy Street?
To put it to the test, I took the Space One on my daily commute, which involves a noisy subway and a walk through downtown traffic. The low-frequency rumble of the train was almost completely eliminated. It creates that satisfying “bubble of silence” that lets you focus on your podcast or music. It also did a great job of reducing the general city hum and the drone of an air conditioner. While it won’t completely silence a nearby conversation or a sudden, sharp noise like a car horn—no headphone can—it reduces them to a background murmur. It’s not quite on the level of the $400 flagships from Sony or Bose, but it gets you an honest 85-90% of the way there, which is incredible for the price.
Transparency Mode: Staying Aware of Your Surroundings
The transparency mode is equally well-implemented. With a quick tap on the left earcup, the microphones pipe in outside sound, allowing you to hear announcements or order a coffee without taking your headphones off. The sound is natural and clear, without the artificial, “digitized” feel some other transparency modes have.
Battery Life and Connectivity
A great pair of headphones is useless if it’s always dead. Thankfully, that’s not a concern here.
- Battery Life: Anker claims 40 hours of playback with ANC on and a massive 55 hours with ANC off. My testing showed this to be very accurate. I used them for a full week of commuting and work before I even had to think about charging. This is top-tier battery performance.
- Charging: They feature fast charging via USB-C. A quick 5-minute charge will get you around 4 hours of playback, which is perfect for those “Oh no, I forgot to charge my headphones” moments.
- Bluetooth 5.3 and Multipoint: The Space One uses the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard, which provides a rock-solid and efficient connection. The star of the show, however, is Multipoint pairing. This lets you connect to two devices simultaneously—say, your laptop and your phone. I was able to listen to music on my laptop, and when a call came in on my phone, the headphones switched over automatically. It’s a quality-of-life feature that, once you’ve used it, is hard to live without.
Who Should Buy the Anker Soundcore Space One?
So, after all this testing, who are these headphones for?
- Students and Commuters: If you need to block out noise on the bus, in the library, or in a bustling coffee shop without spending a fortune, these are an absolute no-brainer. The combination of comfort, battery life, and effective ANC is a perfect match.
- The Budget-Conscious Audio Lover: If you want to experience the benefits of Hi-Res audio codecs like LDAC but can’t justify the price of high-end models, the Space One provides an incredible entry point.
- Remote Workers: For anyone working from home or in a busy office, the long-lasting comfort, solid ANC for focus, and multipoint connectivity for juggling work calls and media make these an ideal daily driver.
If you are a serious audiophile who demands the absolute best in sound fidelity and noise cancellation, you may still want to look at flagships from brands like Sony or Sennheiser. But for everyone else, the value proposition of this Anker Soundcore Space One review is almost impossible to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are the Soundcore Space One good for the gym?
A: They are very lightweight and stay on the head well during moderate activity like lifting weights or using an elliptical. However, they do not have an IP rating for sweat or water resistance, so for intense, sweaty workouts, we’d recommend checking out our list of the best workout earbuds.
Q: Does the Soundcore Space One have a good microphone for calls?
A: Yes, the microphone quality is quite good for the price. The multiple microphones and AI algorithm do a solid job of separating your voice from background noise. In my tests, people on the other end of the call could hear me clearly, even when I was walking on a moderately busy street.
Q: How do you pair the Soundcore Space One?
A: It’s simple. With the headphones turned off, press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds until the LED indicator flashes blue. Then, open the Bluetooth settings on your phone or computer and select “Soundcore Space One” from the list of available devices.
Q: Is the Anker Soundcore Space One better than the Soundcore Life Q35?
A: The Space One offers a significant upgrade in noise cancellation, especially for voices and mid-range sounds. It also features a more refined, comfortable design. While the Q35 is still a great headphone, the Space One is the superior choice for its ANC performance and modern features.
Q: Can you use the Soundcore Space One with a wire?
A: Yes, absolutely. They come with a 3.5mm audio cable, so you can plug them into any device with a standard headphone jack. This is great for in-flight entertainment systems or for conserving battery.
The Final Verdict: Our Take on the Soundcore Space One
After spending significant time with these headphones, my conclusion is simple: the Anker Soundcore Space One represents an incredible value in the ANC headphone market. They bring a suite of premium features—effective noise cancellation, Hi-Res LDAC support, all-day comfort, and epic battery life—down to a price point that is accessible to almost everyone.
They skillfully bridge the gap between budget cans and high-end flagships. While they may not dethrone the absolute best of the best, they get astonishingly close for a fraction of the price. If you’re looking for a massive upgrade in your daily listening experience without a massive investment, the Anker Soundcore Space One should be at the very top of your list. They don’t just meet expectations; they shatter them.