Soundcore Space One: Best Budget ANC Headphones Under $100?

Editor’s Pick

Soundcore Space One

The Soundcore Space One headphones immediately stood out once I started using them in my day-to-day routine. They cut down a surprising amount of background noise, and with up to 40 hours of ANC playback, they’re built for long stretches of work, travel, or just shutting out the world for a while. After spending time with them on flights, in coffee shops, and during work-from-home days, I can say they deliver solid performance without the premium price tag of some bigger-name competitors.

The Space One supports LDAC for high-resolution wireless audio and connects via Bluetooth 5.3, which stayed reliable even when I moved between rooms. With nearly 12,000 ratings on Amazon averaging 4.4 stars, plenty of other people seem impressed, too. That said, I did notice a few quirks worth mentioning alongside the genuinely good stuff.

Soundcore Space One Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

Click here to grab the Soundcore Space One and enjoy distraction-free listening.

Why I Bought It?

I’d been testing budget and mid-range headphones for months, and the Space One caught my attention because it promised serious noise cancellation without the premium price tag. The 40-hour battery life sealed the deal — I travel frequently and hate charging devices every other day.

LDAC support for high-res audio was a big draw. Most headphones in this price range skip that feature entirely. Comfort mattered as well since I often wear headphones on long flights or during multi-hour work sessions.

Bluetooth 5.3 and improved call quality felt like bonuses, but they’ve turned out to be more useful than I expected — especially on video calls while working remotely.

Overview: Soundcore Space One Headphones

After testing these headphones over the past few weeks, I found them to be a solid mid-range option that punches above their price point. The Space One delivers impressive active noise cancellation that adapts to the environment, which worked well during commutes and while working in busy coffee shops.

What stood out:

  • Battery life lasted almost a full workweek on a single charge with ANC turned on

  • Sound quality through LDAC offered noticeably clearer audio than standard Bluetooth

  • Comfort remained consistent even after 3–4 hour listening sessions thanks to the rotating ear cups

The adaptive noise cancellation blocks out background chatter and low rumbles effectively, though it’s not quite at premium-tier levels. The 8-degree rotating ear cups adjust naturally to my head shape, and the headband distributes weight evenly, preventing pressure points I often get from cheaper headphones.

One downside: they’re slightly heavier than I expected at just over 9 ounces, which becomes noticeable during extended listens.

Key Features

Adaptive Noise-Cancellation Up to 98%

The adaptive system genuinely surprised me. It actively listens to the environment and adjusts in real time.

On trains, voices and PA announcements dropped to a faint murmur — far better than older budget models. While the “98%” claim is clearly based on lab conditions, the real-world difference is noticeable.

I liked how it compensates for small fit shifts, recalibrating as needed. Voice reduction is especially strong in coffee shops and other conversational environments.

Hi-Res Wireless Audio with LDAC

The 40mm drivers sound great, but LDAC is where the Space One really shines. On devices that support it, audio becomes clearer and more detailed, especially in the mids and highs.

Switching from standard Bluetooth to LDAC made certain tracks feel fuller and more spacious.

LDAC does drain battery slightly faster, but not enough to matter in everyday use.

40 Hours of ANC Playtime

Battery life holds up well in practice. We got close to the advertised 40 hours with ANC running, which covered nearly two weeks of our typical commuting before needing a charge.

With ANC off, the claim jumps to 55 hours. We didn’t fully test that limit, but even heavy users should get several days between charges. The USB-C charging is convenient, and a quick top-up gives several hours of listening.

This kind of battery performance removes the anxiety of constant charging that plagues some competitors.

Comfort and Design for Long Listening

The rotating ear cups actually make a difference. The 8-degree angle helps them settle naturally on different head shapes without constant readjustments.

I wore these for 3–4 hour stretches without major discomfort. The headband distributes pressure evenly across the top of my head, and the materials feel soft enough for extended wear.

At 9.1 ounces, they’re not featherlight, but they don’t feel overly heavy either. The fold-flat design also packs neatly into the included pouch.

The only comfort complaint: the ear cups could be a bit deeper for larger ears. During long sessions, I occasionally felt my ears brushing the inner driver housing.

Real-World Use & Everyday Scenarios

I’ve used the Space One for daily commutes, remote work, video calls, and even the occasional workout.

The adaptive noise-cancelling really shines on public transit, muffling chatter and engine hum effectively. Battery life held up through a cross-country flight and several days of office use without needing a charge.

Where I used them most:

  • Crowded subway commutes

  • Back-to-back Zoom calls (mic quality was clear for callers)

  • Coffee shop work sessions

  • Evening walks and light workouts

The rotating ear cups prevented pressure headaches, and Bluetooth 5.3 stayed stable most of the time. I did notice the occasional hiccup when my phone was in a backpack — typical for most Bluetooth headphones.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Outstanding battery life — I charged them about once every week or two

  • Adaptive noise cancellation works better than expected for this price

  • LDAC sound quality is crisp and detailed

  • Very comfortable during 2–3 hour sessions

  • Clear call quality for Zoom/Teams

  • Rotating ear cups help with overall fit

Cons

  • Plastic build feels functional, not premium

  • Carry case is bulkier than I’d like and comes separate

  • Sound leakage is noticeable at higher volumes

Conclusion

After spending time with the Space One, I’m impressed with what Anker delivered. The 40-hour battery life is legitimately strong, the adaptive ANC cuts down everyday distractions, and LDAC support pushes audio quality above typical mid-range competitors.

What worked for me:

  • Long-wear comfort

  • Strong battery performance

  • Clear call quality

  • Adaptive ANC that handles real-world environments well

Minor drawbacks:

  • Materials feel mid-range

  • ANC isn’t premium-tier

  • Touch controls could be better

If you want solid noise-cancelling headphones without spending flagship money, the Space One is an excellent pick. They handled my commute, travel, and work-from-home sessions without issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

How comfortable are these for long listening sessions?

I wore the Space One for several hours at a time and found them comfortable overall. The rotating ear cups help reduce pressure points, and the soft headband distributes weight evenly.

At 9.1 ounces, they aren’t the lightest headphones, but they didn’t become uncomfortable, even after three or four hours. The ear cups are spacious enough for most people, though my ears did get slightly warm after a couple of hours.

Are there any common connectivity issues?

Bluetooth 5.3 worked reliably across phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. The only issue I noticed was the occasional hiccup when switching between devices — likely because the Space One doesn’t support multipoint connections.

If audio becomes choppy or a device fails to connect:

  • Turn off Bluetooth on unused devices

  • Forget and re-pair the headphones

  • Update firmware through the Soundcore app

Range was solid at around 30 feet in open spaces, dropping slightly through walls — normal for Bluetooth.

Setup Experience

App Experience

Features

Compatibility

Value for Money

Final Score
0
Final Score
0
Take a closer look at the Soundcore Space One
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may also contain other affiliate links. If you click through and buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I personally use or genuinely think is worth your time. More info here.

Search this site

Share this post

More Posts

You Might Also Like

Join the Conversation

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Smarter Tech. Better Life. Weekly-ish.

Join our newsletter for practical smart home tips, travel essentials, and real-world upgrades to make everyday life easier