soundcore Space One ANC Headphones Review: The New Benchmark for Value?

There’s a constant, low-grade hum to modern life. It’s the chattering of colleagues in an open-plan office when you’re on a deadline, the drone of an aeroplane engine on a much-needed holiday, or the symphony of city traffic outside your window. For me, it was the daily commute on a rattling train, a space where focus felt like a distant dream. Trying to lose myself in a podcast or an album was a battle against the screech of the tracks and the cacophony of fellow passengers. This daily struggle for a sliver of personal peace is what sends so many of us on the hunt for a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. It’s not just about listening to music; it’s about reclaiming our headspace and creating a sanctuary for our thoughts, work, and relaxation, wherever we may be.

What to Consider Before Buying Noise-Cancelling Headphones

A pair of noise-cancelling headphones is more than just an accessory; it’s a key solution for enhancing focus, reducing travel fatigue, and creating an immersive audio experience in environments that are anything but quiet. By actively generating anti-noise waves to counteract ambient sounds, they provide a bubble of silence that allows for greater concentration and enjoyment of your media. The main benefits extend beyond simple audio playback; they can be a tool for managing sensory overload, making long journeys more restful, and transforming a chaotic space into a personal library or concert hall at the press of a button.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who frequently finds themselves in noisy environments—commuters, frequent flyers, office workers, students, or even parents needing a moment of calm in a busy household. They value not only audio quality but the ability to control their auditory environment. Conversely, these might not be the best fit for those who primarily listen in quiet settings, as the premium paid for ANC technology would be underutilised. Likewise, users who need to maintain full situational awareness at all times, such as cyclists or runners in heavy traffic, might prefer open-ear headphones or simply using a transparency mode.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Comfort & Fit: You’ll likely be wearing these for hours. Look for plush, breathable earcups, a lightweight design (like the 258g of the Space One), and an adjustable headband that distributes pressure evenly. The ability of earcups to rotate and pivot, like the 8° rotation on the Space One, is crucial for conforming to different head shapes and ensuring a good seal for passive noise isolation.
• Performance & Audio Quality: The core of the experience lies in two areas: how well they cancel noise and how good they sound. Look for “adaptive” ANC, which adjusts to your environment. For audio, check for large drivers (e.g., 40mm) and support for high-resolution codecs like LDAC, which transmit significantly more data than standard Bluetooth for a richer, more detailed sound. Battery life is also a key performance metric; a good benchmark is 30-40 hours with ANC on.
• Materials & Durability: Headphones are a portable item, so they need to withstand some wear and tear. While many models in the value segment use high-quality plastics to keep weight and cost down, pay attention to the feel of the materials, the smoothness of the hinges, and the quality of the earpad covering. A solid build suggests a longer lifespan.
• Connectivity & Features: Modern headphones should offer more than just sound. Bluetooth 5.3 provides a stable, efficient connection. Multi-point connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices at once (e.g., a laptop and phone), is a massive convenience feature. Also, consider the companion app—a powerful app can unlock custom EQ settings, ANC adjustments, and firmware updates that enhance the product over time.

While the soundcore Space One ANC Headphones is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Punching Far Above its Weight

Unboxing the soundcore Space One ANC Headphones immediately gives you a sense that you’ve received more than what you paid for. The packaging is clean and professional, a hallmark of the Anker brand family. Inside, the headphones are nestled in a soft, branded drawstring pouch—a nice touch for portability, though a hard case would have offered more protection. Picking them up, the first thing I noticed was their lightness. At just over 258g, they feel almost ethereal compared to some premium, metal-laden competitors. The build is predominantly plastic, yet it feels sturdy and well-engineered, not cheap or creaky. The earcups are wonderfully soft and the headband has ample padding. The 8° rotating earcups are not just a marketing point; they genuinely help the headphones sit flush against the side of your head, creating a comfortable and secure seal. Setting them up was a breeze; powering them on put them straight into pairing mode, and my phone prompted me to download the soundcore app, which is where the real magic begins. This initial experience mirrors the sentiment of many users who note they “look, feel, perform and sound like headphones worth 5 times that amount.”

A Deep Dive into the soundcore Space One Experience

After spending several weeks with the soundcore Space One ANC Headphones as my daily driver—on commutes, in the office, and for late-night listening sessions—it’s clear that this is a product that redefines expectations for its price category. It’s a masterclass in smart compromises, delivering an outstanding core experience where it matters most.

Adaptive Noise Cancellation: A Shield Against the World?

Let’s address the main event first: the Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation. Soundcore claims an impressive “up to 98% noise reduction,” and in certain scenarios, this feels entirely accurate. During my train commutes, the low, constant rumble of the engine and tracks was reduced to a barely perceptible hum. The drone of a powerful air conditioning unit in the office simply vanished. This is where the ANC excels—it’s a formidable opponent to low-frequency, persistent sounds. This makes them a fantastic companion for flying or travelling on public transport, confirming what many users have found.

However, the performance becomes more nuanced when dealing with more complex soundscapes. The “enhanced human voice reduction” is a key feature, and while it does take the edge off nearby conversations, it doesn’t create a bubble of total silence. In a busy café, I could still make out the words of people at the next table, albeit muffled and less intrusive. This aligns perfectly with the mixed feedback from users. One reviewer, for instance, found the ANC “pretty basic” on the London tube, while a mother found them incredibly helpful for “toning down the volume” of her toddler, allowing her to hear her child but at a much-reduced, less overstimulating level. This is the crucial distinction: the soundcore Space One ANC Headphones reduce noise, they don’t eliminate it with the ruthless efficiency of a product costing three times as much. For most users, this level of reduction is more than enough to improve focus and immersion significantly. One user did note that wind noise can be an issue in ANC or Transparency mode, which is a common challenge for headphones that rely on external microphones for these features. For the price, the ANC performance is not just acceptable; it’s genuinely impressive.

Sound Quality and LDAC: Hi-Res Audio on a Budget

If the ANC is impressive for the price, the sound quality is where these headphones truly feel like a steal. The inclusion of LDAC support is a game-changer in this segment. For the uninitiated, LDAC is a high-resolution audio codec that can transmit roughly three times more data than standard Bluetooth codecs. Paired with a compatible device (most modern Android phones), the difference is palpable. The 40mm custom dynamic drivers deliver a sound profile that is clear, detailed, and surprisingly spacious.

Out of the box, the sound is balanced, perhaps a little flat for those accustomed to a heavier bass response. One user correctly pointed out that it “lacks some bass” initially. However, this is by design, providing a clean slate for the soundcore app’s powerful customisation tools. The app offers a wide range of EQ presets, but the star of the show is HearID. This feature runs you through a quick hearing test to create a personalized EQ profile tailored to your specific hearing capabilities. After setting up my HearID profile, the audio came alive. The bass became punchier without being muddy, mids remained clear and present, and the highs sparkled with detail. Listening to complex tracks with multiple layers, I could pick out individual instruments with a clarity I did not expect at this price point. This ability to tailor the sound makes the headphones’ audio performance a feature that truly sets them apart from competitors who offer a more rigid, one-size-fits-all sound signature.

All-Day Comfort and Marathon Battery Life

A pair of headphones can have the best sound and ANC in the world, but if they’re uncomfortable, they’ll end up gathering dust. Soundcore has clearly prioritised ergonomics with the Space One. The lightweight design is the foundation of their comfort; I often wore them for 3-4 hour stretches without any sense of fatigue or clamping force on my head. The earcups are deep and enveloped my ears completely, and the plush material remained cool and pleasant, a sentiment echoed by a user who noted they are “light on your head (so your ears don’t sweat).” The integrated headband effectively distributes the minimal weight, so there are no pressure hotspots on the crown of your head.

This supreme comfort is paired with a truly staggering battery life. Soundcore quotes 40 hours of playtime with ANC enabled and a colossal 55 hours with it turned off. In my testing, these numbers are not exaggerated. I used the headphones for an entire work week—commuting, focusing at my desk, and relaxing in the evening—without ever needing to reach for the charging cable. This is a massive quality-of-life feature. It eliminates battery anxiety entirely, making them a reliable choice for long trips or for those of us who are simply forgetful about charging our devices. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your headphones will almost certainly have power when you need them cannot be overstated. You can check the latest price and discover this liberating feature for yourself.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user consensus on the soundcore Space One ANC Headphones is overwhelmingly positive, centring on their exceptional value. Many, like one user who has owned premium models from Bose and Sony, feel that “these headphones have the same/similar sound quality and features, just a fraction of the price/cost.” The combination of a comfortable, lightweight build, long battery life, and highly customisable sound via the app receives consistent praise.

However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which provides a balanced and realistic picture. The most common point of contention is the effectiveness of the Active Noise Cancellation. While some find it “absolutely brilliant,” others are more measured. One reviewer stated, “ANC is decent but not Bose standards,” which is a fair and accurate assessment. Another was more direct, claiming it’s “NOT NOISE CANCELLING AT ALL” when their expectation was total silence. This highlights the importance of managing expectations: they significantly reduce ambient noise, but do not create an absolute void of silence, especially with sharp, irregular sounds like human speech. These real-world accounts confirm our findings that while the ANC is a strong feature for the price, it is not competing with the absolute best in the market.

How Does the soundcore Space One Compare to the Alternatives?

In the competitive world of noise-cancelling headphones, it’s crucial to see how the soundcore Space One stacks up against its rivals. While it carves out a powerful niche in the value-oriented space, different users may find other models better suit their specific priorities.

1. JLab JBuds LUX ANC Wireless Headphones

The JLab JBuds LUX ANC are a direct competitor in the budget-friendly ANC market. Their headline feature is an even more colossal battery life, boasting over 70 hours of playtime, which edges out even the impressive stamina of the Space One. This makes them an incredible option for users for whom charging is an absolute last resort. However, the soundcore Space One often gets the nod for audio fidelity, thanks to its support for the high-resolution LDAC codec, which the JLab typically lacks. If your priority is maximum battery life above all else, the JLab is a compelling choice, but if you’re an audio enthusiast on a budget, the Space One’s superior sound potential gives it the advantage.

2. Bose QuietComfort SC Noise Cancelling Headphones

Stepping up into the premium tier, we have the Bose QuietComfort SC. There’s no contest here when it comes to noise cancellation: Bose is the industry leader for a reason. Their ANC technology is simply in a different league, creating a deeper, more comprehensive level of silence that is particularly effective against a wider range of frequencies, including human voices. The trade-off is the significantly higher price. The Bose is for the user whose primary, non-negotiable requirement is the most effective noise cancellation on the market, such as a very frequent flyer or someone in an extremely loud office. For them, the extra investment is justified. The Space One, however, offers a package that is far more balanced for the average user’s wallet.

3. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless Special Edition Headphones

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 represents the audiophile’s choice in the premium wireless space. While its ANC is very strong (often considered on par with or just behind Bose), its main selling point is its signature sound quality. Sennheiser is renowned for its rich, detailed, and musical audio profile, which many enthusiasts prefer. It also boasts a premium build quality and a staggering 60-hour battery life with ANC on. This is the headphone for someone who prioritizes the listening experience above all else and is willing to pay a premium for superior materials and Sennheiser’s acoustic engineering. The soundcore Space One competes by offering a taste of that high-quality audio experience with LDAC, but the MOMENTUM 4 delivers the full-course meal for a price to match.

The Final Verdict: Unbeatable Value for the Modern Listener

After extensive testing, it’s clear that the soundcore Space One ANC Headphones are a triumph of engineering and value. They expertly navigate the line between affordability and premium features, delivering an experience that feels like it should cost twice as much. While the Active Noise Cancellation may not dethrone the reigning champions from Bose or Sony, it is more than capable of hushing the drone of daily life and creating a peaceful listening environment for most users.

Where these headphones truly shine is in their complete package: the Hi-Res audio potential unlocked by LDAC and the soundcore app, the marathon 40-hour battery life, and the lightweight, supremely comfortable design. They are the ideal choice for students, commuters, office workers, and anyone looking for a high-performance, feature-rich pair of headphones without the eye-watering price tag of flagship models. If you’re seeking the absolute best value in the noise-cancelling headphone market today, your search should end here. We can wholeheartedly recommend them as a smart, satisfying, and musically rich investment. You can see the full feature set and check current pricing right here.