Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Anker Soundcore Space One review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT in 2026. I’ll also be comparing the Anker Soundcore Space One vs Space One Pro, Space 2, Q45, Q30, Q20i, Sony WH-CH720N, JBL Tune 770NC, Sennheiser Accentum, and more!
I’m going to do my best to share whether these headphones are worth it, and ideally who these headphones are for. I bought these headphones with my own money, and was NOT sponsored, paid, or received a free copy for review. All thoughts are my own.
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, and tech journalist. I also run the RecordingNow YouTube channel with over 25,000+ subscribers and over 5 million views.
Let’s dive right in!
Anker Soundcore Space One Headphones Review in Short
The Anker Soundcore Space One has arguably the best noise cancelling performance and build quality under $100. However, the sound quality with ANC turned “ON” is mediocre. Personally, I would consider upgrading to either Soundcore Space 2 or Soundcore Space One Pro. Competes with Soundcore Space Q45, Soundcore Life Q30, Anker Soundcore Q20i, Sony WH-CH720N, JBL Tune 770NC, Sony ULT Wear, Sennheiser Accentum, and JBL Live 770NC.
Watch this Full Review on YouTube!
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Pros and Cons
- Good noise cancelling performance
- Best build quality under $100
- Great comfort
- Mediocre sound quality with ANC on
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Sound Quality
My first impression of the Anker Soundcore Space One’s sound was slightly underwhelming.
Typical “store demo” sound profile with an overly-boosted bass drowning out the rest of the frequencies.
But this is nothing new when it comes to the wireless ANC headphone category, as even the $300+ headphones tend to have a similar sound profile out of the box.
So as with all of the headphones I review, I made my way over to the customizable EQ to see if we can fix this.
I try some things and things improve only slightly, but not enough to completely “fix” that stock sound profile. The EQ doesn’t seem to be making a huge impact like some other EQs, such as the JBL Tune 770NC.
So instead, I try the “HearID” which is like a custom EQ based on a short hearing test. This is similar to Sennheiser Momentum 4’s Sound Personalization.
The sound noticeably improves after HearID. Great! Much more balanced and detailed with the bass a bit more in check. Still boomy and loose bass, but much better than stock.
Unfortunately, turning ON the ANC (which is the point of these headphones) resulted in a huge bass boost and completely ruined that improved sound from the HearID tuning.
I would give the HearID and ANC OFF sound quality score closer to a 7.6 out of 10. It was fine, but nothing remarkable or special about it. I prefer many other headphones in the ~$100 range we’ve tested.
The Space One seems technically better from a resolution standpoint than the Sony WH-CH720N, but I enjoy listening to the Sony’s tonality and liveliness over these.
BUT for the sound with ANC ON, which I’m guessing they boost the bass to make the ANC seem more effective in drowning out outside noise, I can’t really listen to these…
Sound Quality Comparisons
vs Soundcore Space One Pro
The higher-end Soundcore Space One Pro is much more enjoyable for me to listen to, with higher overall resolution and clarity over the “regular” Space One.
They share the same size 40mm drivers, but that’s just about where the similarities end, as the Space One Pro utilizes upgraded diaphragm materials and a different architecture.
The quality of the Space One Pro’s drivers makes itself apparent immediately upon first listen, and the tuning is also more palatable.
vs Soundcore Space 2
The newer-generation Soundcore Space 2 is a noticeable upgrade in sound quality to the 1st Generation Space One.
The Space 2 competes better with the Space One Pro, with the slight edge still going to the “Pro” model, despite being older than the Space 2.
Sound Quality Score: 7.3 out of 10
Comfort
The Space One is average weight for over-ear, wireless, ANC headphones as weighed on my scale:
- Sony WH-CH520 – 144.0 grams
- JBL Tune 520BT – 158.6 grams
- Sony WH-CH720N – 186.4 grams
- Beats Solo 4 – 217.6 grams
- JBL Live 670NC – 218.1 grams
- Sennheiser Accentum – 223.0 grams
- JBL Tune 720BT – 223.2 grams
- Sennheiser Accentum Plus – 225.8 grams
- JBL Tune 770NC – 227.1 grams
- Skullcandy Hesh ANC – 229.6 grams
- Bose QuietComfort – 236.1 grams
- Sony WH-1000XM5 – 245.9 grams
- Anker Soundcore Q20i – 249.3 grams
- Sony WH-1000XM4 – 251.6 grams
- JBL Live 770NC – 254.5 grams
- Anker Soundcore Space One – 260.6 grams
- Anker Soundcore Space 2 – 262.8 grams
- Anker Soundcore Life Q30 – 264.6 grams
- Beats Studio Pro – 268.6 grams
- CMF Headphone Pro – 280.8 grams
- Anker Soundcore Space One Pro – 286.3 grams
- Anker Soundcore Space Q45 – 297.5 grams
- Nothing Headphone (a) – 311.4 grams
- Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 – 332.3 grams
In the $100 budget class that the Space One competes in, it’s actually on the slightly heavier side as most of them are under 230 grams due to lesser build quality and plasticky materials.
I find the Space One to be quite comfy, but it’s got a little bit of top of head pressure from the weight and a bit of clamping force around the earcups.
Comfort Score: 9.0 out of 10
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality
Features
The Space One was originally released in August 2023, so they’re a fairly modern headphone with most of the modern features:
- Built-in microphones for taking calls
- Active Noise Cancelling Mode
- Transparency Mode
- Smartphone app with customizable EQ
- Multi-point connection between 2 devices at once
- Bluetooth 5.3
- LDAC
These don’t have Spatial Audio or Dolby Atmos support, for those that care.
These don’t include any kind of case, but they come with a cloth bag instead. This is more than most budget headphones in this class.
However, there are several aftermarket cases available on Amazon that can fit these easily.
Battery Life
The Space One has 40 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is above average for the over-ear, wireless, ANC headphone category. This number increases to 55 hours with ANC turned OFF.
- Nothing Headphone (a) – 75 hours (ANC on), 135 hours (ANC off)
- Marshall Monitor III – 70 hours (ANC on), 100 hours (ANC off)
- Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE – 60 hours (ANC on), 100 hours (ANC off)
- Sennheiser HDB 630 – 60 hours
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 – 60 hours
- Sennheiser Momentum 5 – 57 hours
- Anker Soundcore Space 2 – 50 hours (ANC on), 70 hours (ANC off)
- Anker Soundcore Space Q45 – 50 hours (ANC on), 65 hours (ANC off)
- JBL Live 770NC – 50 hours (ANC on), 65 hours (ANC off)
- JBL Live 670NC – 50 hours (ANC on), 65 hours (ANC off)
- JBL Tune 520BT – 57 hours (no ANC included)
- Sennheiser Accentum Plus – 50 hours (ANC on)
- Sennheiser Accentum – 50 hours (ANC on)
- Beats Solo 4 – 50 hours (no ANC included)
- JBL Tune 770NC – 44 hours (ANC on), 70 hours (ANC off)
- Anker Soundcore Space One Pro – 40 hours (ANC on), 60 hours (ANC off)
- Anker Soundcore Space One – 40 hours (ANC on), 55 hours (ANC off)
- Nothing Headphone (1) – 35 hours (ANC on), 80 hours (ANC off)
- Sony WH-1000XM6 – 30 hours (ANC on), 40 hours (ANC off)
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) – 30 hours
- Sony WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM4 – 30 hours
- Sonos Ace – 30 hours
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st Gen) – 24 hours
- Apple AirPods Max 1 and 2 – 20 hours
There is also a “Fast Charging” feature that provides 4 hours of listening time with 5 minutes of charging.
Build Quality
One redeeming factor of the Space One is having better build quality than most of its plastic peers in this price range.
Most of the $100 headphones feel like even cheaper $50 headphones, while these perfectly feel like $100-$200 headphones.
Practicality
The Soundcore Space One is easily one of the best daily drivers under $100, due to great comfort, solid build quality, and strong active noise cancelling.
It doesn’t come with any type of hardshell travel case, but that is pretty rare for this budget class anyways.
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality Score: 9.0 out of 10
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) Performance
I find the Anker Soundcore Space One’s noise cancelling performance to be the best in its budget class, but with the caveat of negatively impacting the sound quality.
The noise cancelling is pretty effective, better than the Sony WH-CH720N and Sennheiser Accentum.
The JBL Tune 770NC is fairly decent here as well, but I lean towards the Space One.
This also has Transparency Mode to hear your surroundings.
Noise Cancelling Performance Score: 8.0 out of 10
Value
At the time of this writing, the Space One is available for $99 brand new.
On paper, these seem like a decent package for the price…
But the issue is the competition.
For the ~$100 or so budget bracket, I’d rather have the Sony WH-CH720N, JBL Tune 770NC, or Sennheiser Accentum.
My main issue is the sound quality, because these do have decent noise cancelling, comfort, and build quality.
But I’d much rather listen to any of those other headphones, so the Space One is left with a lukewarm score here.
Value Score: 8.0 out of 10
Overall Scoring Breakdown
Sound Quality (50% of score): 7.3 / 10
Comfort (10% of score): 9.0 / 10
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality (10% of score): 9.0 / 10
Noise Cancelling (20% of score): 8.0 / 10
Value (10% of score): 8.0 / 10
Overall: 7.85 / 10
Is the Anker Soundcore Space One Worth it?
I think objectively speaking, the Anker Soundcore Space One is objectively worth its $99 pricetag due to its noise cancelling performance and build quality, both of which are well above average for a budget headphone.
The only drawback is its rather mediocre sound quality, but it is a budget headphone after all.
Personally, I’d rather listen to the Sony WH-CH720N, JBL Tune 770NC, or Sennheiser Accentum.
Each of those headphones has much superior sound quality and listening enjoyment for my tastes. Something about listening to the Space One leaves me bored and not really moved.
Some very strong alternatives in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- Anker Soundcore Space 2
- Anker Soundcore Space One Pro
- Anker Soundcore Q20i
- Anker Soundcore Space Q45
- Anker Soundcore Life Q30
- JBL Live 770NC
- Nothing Headphone (a)
- Sony WH-CH720N
- JBL Tune 770NC
- Sennheiser Accentum
- Sennheiser Accentum Plus
- Sony ULT Wear
- CMF Headphone Pro
- Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2
- Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Bose QuietComfort 45
- Bose QuietComfort (2023 model)
- Sony WH-1000XM4
- Sony WH-1000XM5
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Save money with RENEWED!
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JBL or Anker Soundcore better?
Having tested both brands, I prefer JBL for its superior sound quality, while I think Anker Soundcore does noise cancelling and comfort better.
How long does Soundcore Space One last?
The Soundcore Space One lasts up to 55 hours on a single charge with ANC OFF, and 40 hours with ANC ON.
How to make Soundcore Space One sound better?
To make the Soundcore Space One sound better, it’s best to listen with ANC OFF and use the “HearID” listening test inside the Soundcore app to tune the headphones to your preference.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
Post Update History
- July 2026: Updated scores to “Version 2.0” of our Headphone Scoring System. Added long-term “1 Year Review” updates throughout post. Included new comparisons to previously unreviewed headphones like Soundcore Space One Pro, Soundcore Space 2, JBL Live 770NC, and Sennheiser Accentum Plus. Updated to 2026 current sale prices and adjusted Value score accordingly. Added YouTube video review.
- May 2025: Original publication date.
Read Next
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones under $200
Anker Soundcore Space 2 Review
Anker Soundcore Space One Pro Review
Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Review
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Review
Sennheiser Accentum Plus Review
Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) Review
Bose QuietComfort Review (2023 Model)
