How we reviewed this: this is a research-based review. We did not buy or test the product ourselves. We checked the official website, policies and independent customer feedback, and every fact below links to its source. Facts checked 2026-10-31. How we review · Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Quick verdict
Soundcore is Anker’s audio brand, and it’s the go-to for good noise cancelling without Sony or Bose prices. Our top pick is the Liberty 5 Pro earbuds ($169.99): RTINGS names them the best mid-range wireless earbuds and says they “block almost as much low rumble and mid-range chit-chat as the Sony” WF-1000XM6. For over-ear headphones, the Space One ($99.99) lasted nearly 43 hours with noise cancelling on in SoundGuys’ test, and the Space One Pro ($199.99) is a Tom’s Guide Editor’s Choice (4.5/5).
The honest part: Soundcore’s over-ear noise cancelling is good, not best: Tom’s Guide says the Space One Pro’s is “not as good as the Bose QuietComforts.” Several battery claims ran high in testing. And parent company Anker has a BBB F rating with 320 of 347 complaints unanswered (across all its brands), while Soundcore’s terms send disputes to arbitration in Shenzhen under Chinese law.
Our picks: Liberty 5 Pro for the best earbuds, Space One for the best-value headphones, P40i ($79.99) for budget earbuds.
Pros
- ✓ Liberty 5 Pro: RTINGS’ best mid-range earbuds; ANC close to Sony’s WF-1000XM6
- ✓ Far cheaper than Sony WH-1000XM6 ($449.99 launch) or Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen ($369 now)
- ✓ Long battery life: Space One measured about 43 hours with ANC on (SoundGuys)
- ✓ LDAC hi-res Bluetooth and multipoint on most models
- ✓ 18-month warranty, 30-day returns for any reason, free standard shipping
- ✓ Space One Pro: Tom’s Guide 4.5/5 Editor’s Choice
Cons
- ✗ Over-ear ANC trails Sony and Bose
- ✗ Battery claims run high (Liberty 5 about 5 hrs ANC vs 8 claimed in Tom’s Guide’s test)
- ✗ Anker BBB F: 320 of 347 complaints unanswered (all Anker brands)
- ✗ Terms: Chinese law, arbitration in Shenzhen; warranty replacements may be refurbished
- ✗ No water rating on Space over-ear models; LDAC disables multipoint on Space One Pro
- ✗ Soundcore speaker recall in 2024 over battery fire risk
See the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro →
Which Soundcore should you buy?
| Model | Price (2026-10-31) | Type | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| P40i | $79.99 | Budget earbuds | Cheapest ANC pick |
| P41i | $79.99 ($89.99 w/ Lightning) | Budget earbuds | Case can charge your phone; RTINGS measured 7.8 hrs vs 12 claimed |
| Liberty 5 | $129.99 | Earbuds | Tom’s Guide: about 5 hrs with ANC vs 8 claimed |
| Liberty 4 Pro | $149.99 | Earbuds | Older model, still sold |
| Liberty 5 Pro | $169.99 | Earbuds | RTINGS best mid-range earbuds |
| Space One | $99.99 | Over-ear | About 43 hrs with ANC (SoundGuys) |
| Space 2 | $129.99 | Over-ear | Ties Space One Pro on ANC per SoundGuys |
| Space One Pro | $199.99 | Over-ear | Tom’s Guide 4.5/5 Editor’s Choice |
| Space 2 Pro | $199.99 | Over-ear | Newest flagship |
| Boom 2 | $139.99 | Speaker | RTINGS measured 16 hrs vs 24 claimed |
Prices from soundcore.com on October 31, 2026, before any cart coupons or holiday deals.
Liberty 5 Pro: the best Soundcore earbuds
RTINGS added the Liberty 5 Pro as its best mid-range wireless earbuds in August 2026, saying they “block almost as much low rumble and mid-range chit-chat as the Sony” WF-1000XM6, which cost far more. RTINGS also says Anker’s noise cancelling generally “well outperform[s] their listed prices.” For $169.99, that’s the strongest deal in the lineup; AirPods Pro 3 cost $249.
Space One vs Space One Pro vs Space 2
The Space One ($99.99) is the value champ, with a measured 42 hours 57 minutes of battery life with noise cancelling on in SoundGuys’ test. The Space One Pro ($199.99) earned 4.5/5 and Editor’s Choice from Tom’s Guide, which called its noise cancelling “good, but not excellent… not as good as the Bose QuietComforts.” SoundGuys rated it 6.8 and found the cheaper Space 2 ($129.99) matched it on noise cancelling. If you’re choosing over-ear, the Space One is the best value and the Space 2 the sweet spot.
Soundcore vs Sony, Bose and Apple
| Product | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soundcore Space One | $99.99 | Best value over-ear |
| Soundcore Space One Pro | $199.99 | Tom’s Guide Editor’s Choice |
| Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | $369 ($449 list) | Better ANC than Space One Pro per Tom’s Guide |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | $449.99 at launch | Premium benchmark |
| Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro | $169.99 | Near-Sony ANC per RTINGS |
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | $249 | Apple’s noise-cancelling earbuds |
Prices from bose.com and apple.com on October 31, 2026; the Sony WH-1000XM6 price is TechRadar’s launch figure. If you want the very best noise cancelling, Sony and Bose still win. If you want 80% to 90% of it for half the price, Soundcore is the smart buy.
Battery claims vs real tests
- Liberty 5: Tom’s Guide estimated about 5 hours with noise cancelling, versus 8 claimed.
- P41i: RTINGS measured 7.8 hours, versus 12 claimed.
- Boom 2 speaker: RTINGS measured 16 hours, versus “24 hours” claimed.
- Space One: the exception: SoundGuys measured nearly 43 hours with ANC on.
Warranty, returns and the fine print
- Warranty: 18 months on headphones and speakers. Replacements may be factory refurbished, coverage is void if the product leaves the country of purchase, and claims need a serial number and proof of the defect and expire 90 days after you open them.
- Returns: 30 days for any reason; you pay return shipping for change-of-mind returns.
- Shipping: free standard shipping.
- Terms of use: Chinese law applies, and disputes go to binding arbitration in Shenzhen, conducted in Chinese.
Anker’s track record
Soundcore is owned by Anker Innovations. The BBB rates Anker F (not accredited) with 347 complaints in 3 years, 320 unanswered, across all its brands. Trustpilot shows 3.8 from 4,220 reviews for Soundcore, with 12% one-star. In December 2024, Soundcore recalled about 69,000 A3102 and PowerConf S3 speakers in the US over battery fire risk (CPSC 25-056). Anker’s large 2025 power bank recalls and the eufy camera encryption settlement with the New York Attorney General ($450,000, January 2025) involve other Anker product lines, not Soundcore.
Who should buy Soundcore
- Good fit: anyone who wants strong noise cancelling, long battery life and LDAC for well under $200.
- Skip it if: you need the absolute best noise cancelling (Sony, Bose), water resistance on over-ear headphones, or a company with a strong support record.
FAQ
Is Soundcore a good brand?
For value, yes. RTINGS says Anker’s noise cancelling outperforms its prices and names the Liberty 5 Pro its best mid-range earbuds. The downsides are battery claims that run high in some tests and a weak support record (Anker BBB F).
Is the Soundcore Space One worth it?
At $99.99, yes: it has strong noise cancelling for the price and lasted nearly 43 hours with ANC on in SoundGuys’ test. Its noise cancelling isn’t as strong as Sony’s or Bose’s, and it has no water rating.
Soundcore Space One vs Space One Pro: which is better?
The Space One Pro ($199.99) earned a Tom’s Guide Editor’s Choice, but SoundGuys found the $129.99 Space 2 matched its noise cancelling and the $99.99 Space One is the better value.
Are Soundcore earbuds as good as AirPods Pro?
The Liberty 5 Pro ($169.99) is close on noise cancelling per RTINGS, which says it blocks almost as much noise as Sony’s WF-1000XM6, for $80 less than AirPods Pro 3 ($249). AirPods integrate better with iPhones.
Who makes Soundcore?
Anker Innovations, the Chinese electronics company also known for chargers, power banks and eufy cameras.
What is Soundcore’s warranty?
18 months on headphones and speakers. Replacements may be refurbished, coverage is void if the product leaves the country of purchase, and claims require a serial number and proof of the defect.
Have Soundcore products been recalled?
Yes. In December 2024 Soundcore recalled about 69,000 A3102 and PowerConf S3 speakers in the US over battery fire risk. Anker’s separate 2025 power bank recalls don’t involve Soundcore products.
Does Soundcore support LDAC?
Most models do, including the Space One, Space One Pro and Liberty lines. On the Space One Pro, turning on LDAC disables connecting to two devices at once.
Sources
- Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro (official)
- Soundcore Space One (official)
- Soundcore Space One Pro (official)
- Soundcore P40i (official)
- Soundcore refund and warranty policy
- RTINGS: Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
- RTINGS: best wireless earbuds
- RTINGS: Soundcore P41i
- RTINGS: Soundcore Boom 2
- SoundGuys: Soundcore Space One review
- SoundGuys: Space One Pro review
- SoundGuys: Space 2 vs Space One Pro
- Tom’s Guide: Soundcore Space One Pro review
- Tom’s Guide: Soundcore Liberty 5 review
- BBB: Anker Innovations
- Trustpilot: Soundcore
- NY Attorney General: eufy camera settlement (2025)
- Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
- TechRadar: Sony WH-1000XM6
- Apple AirPods Pro 3