soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones Review: The Mid-Range ANC King with One Achilles’ Heel

There’s a specific kind of exhaustion that sets in after a long-haul flight. It’s not just the jet lag or the cramped seating; it’s the relentless, low-frequency drone of the engines that seeps into your bones for hours on end. I remember one particularly gruelling trip from London to Tokyo, where a crying baby and the constant hum of the Airbus A380 left me feeling frayed and mentally drained. In that moment, I would have paid a small fortune for a personal bubble of silence. This quest for tranquillity isn’t limited to air travel. It’s the daily commute on a rattling train, the struggle to focus in a noisy open-plan office, or simply the desire to be fully immersed in a favourite album without interruption. The world is loud, and finding a way to turn down the volume is no longer a luxury—it’s essential for our sanity and focus. This is the promise of active noise-cancelling headphones, and it’s why we’re taking a deep dive into a model that promises premium features without the premium price tag: the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones.

What to Consider Before Buying Noise Cancelling Headphones

A pair of Noise Cancelling Headphones is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your personal soundscape. Whether for travel, work, or relaxation, the primary benefit is the ability to significantly reduce ambient noise, allowing you to focus better, enjoy your audio with greater clarity, or simply find a moment of peace. They work by using microphones to detect external sounds and then generating an opposing sound wave to cancel them out. This technology is particularly effective against constant, low-frequency sounds like engine drones, air conditioning hums, and crowd chatter, making them indispensable companions for frequent flyers and commuters.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing regular noise pollution. This includes commuters, frequent travellers, students studying in loud dorms, and office workers in bustling environments. They are also a fantastic tool for individuals with sensory sensitivities, as noted by some users, who find the reduction in overwhelming stimuli to be a significant quality-of-life improvement. However, they might not be the best fit for those who need to maintain full awareness of their surroundings for safety reasons, such as cyclists or runners on busy streets (though many models, including this one, feature a transparency mode to address this). For pure, at-home critical listening, a pair of open-back wired headphones might offer a more natural soundstage, albeit with zero noise isolation.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Comfort & Fit: You’ll likely be wearing these for hours at a time. Look for plush, breathable earpads, a well-padded headband, and a reasonable weight (around 280-300g is typical). Clamping force is also a factor; too tight and they cause fatigue, too loose and they won’t seal properly, diminishing noise cancellation and audio quality.
• Noise Cancellation Performance: Not all ANC is created equal. Premium models often excel at cancelling a wider range of frequencies, but mid-range options have become incredibly competitive. Look for adaptive ANC, which adjusts the level of cancellation based on your environment, and the ability to customise it via an app. A good transparency mode is also crucial for hearing announcements or having quick conversations without removing the headphones.
• Audio Quality & Codec Support: Beyond silence, you want great sound. Look for driver size (40mm is a common standard) and support for high-quality Bluetooth codecs like LDAC or aptX HD if you use a compatible device (typically Android phones) and listen to high-resolution audio files. For everyone else, AAC (for Apple devices) and SBC are the standards. The ability to tune the sound with an equalizer (EQ) in a companion app is a massive plus.
• Battery Life & Connectivity: The industry standard is now well over 20 hours with ANC on, but leaders like the soundcore Space Q45 are pushing this to 50 hours or more. This is a game-changer for travellers. Also, consider features like fast charging (e.g., 5 minutes of charging for several hours of playback), Bluetooth version (5.0 or higher is good), and multipoint connectivity, which allows you to connect to two devices at once (like a laptop and a phone).

Finding the right balance between these features and your budget is key to choosing a pair of headphones that will become an indispensable part of your daily life. The soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones aim to hit that sweet spot, offering features often found in much pricier models.

While the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling 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: Premium Aspirations in a Practical Package

Unboxing the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones, the first thing that struck us was the included hard-shell travel case. It’s a thoughtful and genuinely useful addition that you don’t always get in this price bracket. Inside, the headphones are nestled securely, feeling substantial and well-constructed. The design is a clear evolution from previous soundcore models like the Q30/Q35, with a more refined, modern aesthetic. The matte finish resists fingerprints well, and the aluminium alloy hinges feel robust. Placing them on my head, the comfort was immediately apparent. The earpads are deep and plush, accommodating larger ears without issue, and the clamping force felt just right—secure enough for a good seal without inducing pressure headaches. They are a bit larger than some competitors, which some users noted, but we didn’t find them unwieldy. The physical buttons are a welcome feature, providing tactile, reliable control over playback, volume, and noise-cancelling modes without the fuss of imprecise touch controls. For a mid-range pair, the initial feel is one that confidently punches above its weight, making a strong case for its value before you even press the power button. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a sense of this premium feel.

Deep Dive: Performance Under Pressure

A great first impression is one thing, but headphones are defined by how they perform day in, and day out. We put the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones through its paces across long commutes, busy office days, and flights to see if its performance lives up to its impressive spec sheet. The results were, for the most part, deeply impressive, revealing a product that masters the essentials and offers a level of customisation that is rare at this price point.

Adaptive Noise Cancellation: Your Personal Cone of Silence

The headline feature of the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones is its adaptive ANC, and we can confirm it is nothing short of brilliant for the price. soundcore claims a reduction of up to 98% of ambient noise, and while that number is hard to verify, the real-world effect is profound. On a busy train, the low-frequency rumble and track noise practically vanished, leaving only the faintest hint of higher-pitched chatter. On a flight, the relentless engine drone was reduced to a whisper, making it easy to enjoy a podcast at low volume or simply rest in near-silence. This is a level of performance we’d typically associate with headphones costing twice as much. One user powerfully noted their utility for sensory overstimulation, stating, “This is especially useful, if you suffer from overwhelming (at times) sensory issues…the reduction on these are much more superior.”

The “adaptive” part of the system works seamlessly. The headphones automatically detect your environment—be it travel, outdoors, or indoors—and adjust the cancellation level accordingly. If you prefer manual control, the excellent soundcore app offers five levels of cancellation and a fully-featured transparency mode. The transparency mode is clear and natural-sounding, perfect for ordering a coffee or listening for platform announcements without taking the headphones off. The only minor weakness is in filtering out very sudden, sharp noises, but for the constant, droning sounds that cause the most fatigue, the ANC performance is truly top-tier and a feature that really sets it apart in its category.

Sound Quality: A Blank Canvas Awaiting Your Masterpiece

Here’s where the story of the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones gets interesting. Out of the box, with the default “soundcore Signature” EQ, the audio is… fine. It’s balanced and clear but lacks a certain punch and excitement. We found ourselves agreeing with a user who bluntly stated, “Out the Box they sound.. straight bad.” However, to judge them on this initial impression would be a huge mistake. The true magic lies within the soundcore companion app. The app is a powerhouse of customisation, offering a wide range of presets and, more importantly, a full 8-band graphic equaliser. This is where the headphones transform.

After just a few minutes of tweaking the EQ (we favoured a slight V-shape to boost the bass and treble), the sound came alive. The 40mm double-layer diaphragm drivers, which combine silk and ceramic materials, are clearly capable of producing excellent sound; they just need the right instructions. Bass becomes deep and impactful without being muddy, and treble gains a sparkle and detail that was missing before. For audiophiles, the inclusion of the LDAC codec is a massive win, allowing for near-lossless streaming quality from compatible devices. We tested it with high-res tracks from Tidal on an Android phone, and the level of detail and clarity was genuinely impressive. The app also includes a “HearID” feature that creates a custom EQ profile based on your personal hearing test. For us, this provided a great starting point for further fine-tuning. The takeaway is clear: if you are willing to spend five minutes in the app, the Q45 can be tailored to sound fantastic, competing with headphones far outside their price range.

The Marathon Champion: Battery Life and Everyday Livability

If there’s one area where the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones is simply untouchable, it’s battery life. The quoted 50 hours of playtime with ANC enabled is not an exaggeration. During our testing period, we used them for several hours every day for over a week before needing to recharge. For context, that’s enough to fly from London to Sydney and back, with hours to spare. Pushing it further, turning ANC off extends this to a staggering 65 hours. This completely changes how you interact with wireless headphones; battery anxiety becomes a thing of the past. You can pack them for a week-long business trip and leave the charger at home without a second thought.

When you finally do need to top up, the fast charging is just as impressive. A mere 5-minute charge provides a solid 4-5 hours of playback, which is enough to get you through an entire movie or a long commute if you’re caught short. Connectivity is handled by modern Bluetooth 5.3, providing a rock-solid connection, and the multipoint pairing works flawlessly. We had them connected to a laptop for a video call and our phone simultaneously; when a call came in on the phone, the audio switched over instantly and then back to the laptop once the call ended. These quality-of-life features, combined with the epic battery, make the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones an incredibly reliable and low-maintenance travel and work companion.

Comfort, Build, and a Note on Durability

We wore the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones for a continuous 6-hour work session and experienced no discomfort, ear fatigue, or overheating—a testament to the well-designed earpads and balanced clamping force. As one user with larger ears noted, “Comfort wise they were outstanding…a lot of great sounding headphones are no use to me because the ear cups are too small…Not the Q45’s.” The physical controls are intuitive and easy to locate by feel. The overall build feels solid, with smooth hinges and quality plastics.

However, it is crucial to address a recurring theme in user feedback: long-term durability, specifically concerning the plastic on the headband near the pivot points. Several users reported cracks developing after several months to a year of use. One heavy user mentioned, “The durability of these headphones is poor. I had my first set for a few months before a serious crack on the side of the headband rendered them unusable.” While we did not experience this during our shorter testing period, the number of similar reports suggests a potential weak point in the design for those who are particularly hard on their gear. The silver lining, mentioned in the very same reviews, is Anker’s excellent customer service. Users consistently report a “zero-fuss” replacement process, with new units sent out quickly. While we’d prefer a design that doesn’t fail, the strong customer support provides a crucial safety net for your investment.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general sentiment surrounding the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones is overwhelmingly positive, with most users hailing them as one of the best value propositions on the market. The phrase “impressive for the cost” appears repeatedly. One satisfied customer compared them favourably to pricier brands, saying, “Sennheiser retail for £150, so it’s truly impressive that these headphones are so superior at a lower price point.” The trifecta of stellar ANC, epic battery life, and the power of the companion app are the most celebrated features. Many, like us, highlight that the app is essential for unlocking the headphones’ true audio potential.

However, the praise is not without its caveats. The most significant negative feedback, as we’ve discussed, revolves around the durability of the headband. While Anker’s customer service is lauded for its quick replacements, the issue itself is a valid concern for potential buyers. Another common critique is the out-of-the-box sound, which some find underwhelming compared to previous models like the bassier Q35. A reviewer who compared them side-by-side admitted, “The 45 look better, more modern than the 35 but the 35 just sounded more bassy.” This feedback reinforces our finding that the Q45 is a headphone for those who don’t mind a little initial EQ tweaking to achieve their preferred sound signature. The consensus is clear: for the price, the features are unbeatable, but be prepared to use the app and treat them with a reasonable amount of care. You can find an array of user experiences here.

How Does the soundcore Space Q45 Compare to the Alternatives?

While the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones holds a commanding position in its price range, the market is filled with compelling options. Here’s how it stacks up against three distinct alternatives.

1. 1Mii Y8+ Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones 75H Playtime

The 1Mii Y8+ presents itself as a direct challenger to the soundcore Space Q45, competing fiercely on the spec sheet. Its most notable feature is an even more astronomical battery life, claiming up to 75 hours of playtime. Like the Q45, it supports the high-resolution LDAC codec and offers EQ customisation via a companion app. For the user whose absolute top priority is battery longevity, the 1Mii Y8+ is an incredibly compelling option, potentially lasting weeks between charges for a moderate user. The choice between the two may come down to brand reputation—Anker’s soundcore line is well-established and known for its reliable customer service—and minor differences in comfort and ANC performance. The Y8+ is an excellent alternative for the battery-obsessed user looking for similar features to the Q45.

2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

Stepping up into the premium tier, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e represents a different class of headphone. This is not a value-for-money play; this is an investment in superior build quality, luxurious materials, and a refined, audiophile-tuned sound signature right out of the box. While its 30-hour battery life is significantly less than the Q45’s, it’s still more than enough for most journeys. The target audience here is the discerning listener who prioritises sonic fidelity and premium feel over maximum features-per-pound. The PX7 S2e will likely offer a more nuanced and detailed audio experience without needing EQ adjustments, and its construction is in a different league. If your budget is flexible and audio quality is your paramount concern, the Bowers & Wilkins is a worthy upgrade.

3. LC-dolida Bluetooth Sleep Headband Headphones

This alternative serves a completely different purpose. The LC-dolida Sleep Headband is not designed for commuting, critical listening, or powerful noise cancellation. Instead, it’s built for one thing: comfort while resting or sleeping. Its soft, flat design allows you to lie on your side without the bulk and pressure of traditional headphones digging into your ear. It’s the ideal choice for those who want to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or calming music as they drift off to sleep, or for use during activities like yoga and meditation. It offers a modest level of noise isolation through its fabric but lacks active noise cancellation. This isn’t a competitor to the Q45 for travel or office use, but an excellent, specialised alternative for anyone who finds over-ear headphones too cumbersome for sleeping.

The Final Verdict: An Unbeatable Value with a Single Caveat

After extensive testing, the soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones has proven itself to be a truly exceptional product that redefines what we should expect from mid-range headphones. The combination of elite-level noise cancellation, a battery life that can only be described as monumental, and deep customisation through its superb app creates a package that is almost impossible to beat on value. For travellers, commuters, and office workers seeking a feature-rich escape from noise without paying the flagship premium, this is an enthusiastic and easy recommendation.

The product isn’t perfect. The audio requires a few moments of EQ adjustment to truly shine, and the recurring user reports about headband durability are a genuine concern that prevents a flawless endorsement. However, the latter is significantly mitigated by Anker’s stellar customer support. Ultimately, the immense strengths far outweigh the weaknesses. If you want 90% of the performance of a £300+ pair of headphones for less than half the price, the decision is simple. The soundcore Space Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones offers a masterful balance of performance, features, and price, making it one of the smartest buys in personal audio today. To experience its class-leading features for yourself, we highly recommend you check the latest price and availability.