The Ultimate Anker Soundcore Space One Wireless Headphones Review: Unveiling the Pinnacle of Audio Excellence!

Highlights

The Anker Soundcore Space One headphones offer incredible sound quality and an impressively long battery life of 40 hours with ANC on and 55 hours with ANC off.

The headphones provide comfort during extended usage with their lightweight construction and deep, angled earcups that ensure a secure fit around the ears.

Although the ANC feature effectively blocks up to 98% of external noise, it may cause some inner-ear pressure when on the highest setting. Furthermore, certain users may experience occasional frustration with the Soundcore app.

Introducing the Anker Soundcore Space One Noise Cancelling Headphones – the latest addition to Anker Soundcore's impressive lineup. These over-ear headphones not only come with a budget-friendly price tag below $100, but they also boast exceptional noise-cancelling capabilities, remarkable sound quality, and a remarkable battery life that can easily last an entire work week. Fortunately, GameRant had the privilege of receiving an early pair for testing, and the verdict is in: if you're a gamer in need of noise-cancelling headphones, these are definitely worth considering. Throughout the past week, we put them through their paces by gaming, listening to music, and braving public transit.

The Soundcore Space One headphones offer exceptional sound quality with their 40mm drivers, providing hi-res audio and LDAC audio on supported devices. They also boast an unparalleled noise-canceling feature that blocks out 98% of surrounding sound. Whether you're commuting or enjoying your favorite music, these headphones will enhance your experience. Additionally, the battery life is impressive, lasting for up to 40 hours with ANC on and up to 55 hours with ANC off.

Impressively long battery life

Comfortable for long wearing sessions

Cons ANC set to the highest setting creates a lot of inner-ear pressure

The Soundcore app is sometimes frustrating

$99 at Anker

Box Contents and Setup

Box Contents

Soundcore Space One Headphones

Carrying Case

USB-A to USB-C charging cable

3.5mm audio cable

Setup

Anker Soundcore has consistently impressed with its packaging, and this latest line is no exception. It is delightful to see that they have now shifted to utilizing paper packaging materials. While the box may not contain much, it does come with a USB charging cable and a 3.5mm audio jack, ensuring that anyone who obtains these headphones can start using them right away.

Setting up the Space One is extremely easy. To ensure a smooth first-time setup, Game Rant suggests using a phone or mobile device with Soundcore's app. This app provides users with instant and comprehensive control over the headphones. From unboxing the headphones to enjoying music, the setup process typically takes around 3 minutes, which includes the firmware update.

Please note that the duration for downloading and installing the firmware update may differ for each user.

Design and Features

The Space One headphones boast a timeless design that can effortlessly complement any setting. While the review unit received by Game Rant showcases a sleek black finish, Soundcore also offers alternative color options such as sky blue and latte cream for users seeking variety. The earcups are crafted from a blend of matte and glossy plastic, featuring a textured section along the edges for convenient handling when removing the headphones. However, individuals prone to perspiration should exercise caution as the glossy parts tend to attract fingerprints.

Soundcore primarily targets commuters with these headphones, emphasizing the importance of portability and comfort throughout the day. Following several commutes, the Space One excels in meeting these criteria by effortlessly folding into a compact package and including a handy carrying bag for cleanliness. It's worth noting that individuals who typically carry smaller bags, such as purses or fanny packs, on their commutes may face challenges accommodating these headphones. However, they readily fit into the majority of backpacks without issue.

Features

The Space One headphones from Soundcore are packed with features, but their standout feature is the exceptional active noise-canceling (ANC). Through the app, users have control over the intensity of the noise-canceling, with Anker claiming that at the highest setting, these headphones can block out 98% of external noise. Initially, during the first few days of use, the highest level of ANC caused a significant amount of inner-ear pressure. However, with more consistent usage, this issue became less prominent. For those who prefer not to manually adjust the ANC level, the headphones also feature active ANC, which adapts to the surrounding environment and automatically adjusts the ANC level accordingly.

Comfort

In addition to its impressive ANC capabilities, the Space One headphones boast an exceptionally long battery life. With ANC turned on, they can last a remarkable 40 hours, while with ANC off, they can endure for an incredible 55 hours. The unit used for this review had approximately 50% battery upon arrival, and after being used extensively for the majority of a week, it only required recharging once. Furthermore, the Space One headphones do not require lengthy charging periods. In fact, a mere 5-minute charge will provide an additional 4 hours of playtime.

Comfort is of utmost importance when it comes to headphones, and the Space One undoubtedly excels in this aspect. These headphones can be worn for long durations without any discomfort. However, it is worth noting that once you remove the noise-canceling headphones, you might perceive the surroundings to be significantly louder. Weighing in at a mere 9.2 oz, the Space One is exceptionally lightweight, ensuring that you do not experience the usual strain associated with wearing bulky over-ear headphones for extended periods.

The earcups provide a comfortable and deep fit, ensuring that the drivers do not come into contact with the user's ear. Moreover, they are angled, accommodating users with larger ears without any inconvenience. Additionally, the earcups can be rotated, creating a secure seal around the ears. This feature allows the headphones to be easily removed without causing discomfort, as the earcups can rest flat on the user's shoulders instead of digging into the neck. Thus,

Sound Quality & Performance

In terms of sound quality, the Space One headphones are among the best Bluetooth over-ear headphones currently available, particularly considering their price. The sound is clear and well-balanced, without an overpowering bass, whether you're gaming, using Discord, or simply enjoying music. During most of the testing, the Space One was used with its default EQ settings, but users also have the option to customize the EQ or create a personalized EQ using the Hear ID Sound feature, which involves listening to a series of tones.

When it comes to gaming, the Bluetooth connection of the Space One headphones may not provide the same responsiveness as dedicated gaming headsets. However, using the provided 3.5mm cable ensures comparable response times to the fastest headsets on the market. Aside from response time, nearly all features remain unchanged whether you're using the headphones wirelessly or wired. When it comes to music playback, the Space One truly excels in sound quality. To compare, the same song was played on both the Space One and a pair of Koss kph30i headphones, known for their wide sound stage and accuracy. Open-back headphone enthusiasts might notice that the sound stage of the Space One headphones is not as expansive, but overall, it performs admirably, with no sound leakage.

Soundcore App

To ensure a worthwhile download, software or apps for various devices now need to offer a substantial range of features. Soundcore meets this requirement impressively, as its well-designed and user-friendly app simplifies the customization of headphones. When connecting the Space One to most Android phones, users are conveniently prompted to download the app for seamless setup, eliminating the need for a search.

One minor issue encountered with the app pertains to the wearing detection setup. It seems that the calibration steps prevent it from activating. This limitation could be attributed to the fact that the headphones may not be fully released yet or that the app presently lacks support for this particular function. GameRant will provide an update once the headphones are available in their entirety, investigating whether this feature becomes operational.

Overall Impressions

After immersing myself in the world of the Space One headphones for a week, I can confidently state that they are truly worth your attention. In a market saturated with options, these remarkable headphones stand out effortlessly. Not only do they boast an impressive audio quality, but they also offer unparalleled comfort, exceptional battery life, and top-notch noise-canceling capabilities. Whether you're a regular commuter, a frequent traveler, or simply someone who craves a noise-free environment, the Soundcore Space One headphones will undoubtedly exceed your expectations.

The Anker Soundcore Space One Noise Cancelling Headphones is a top-of-the-line choice for those seeking a superior audio experience. Equipped with 40mm drivers, these over-ear headphones provide high-resolution audio, along with LDAC audio capability on compatible devices. With its exceptional noise-canceling technology that can block up to 98% of ambient sound, the Space Ones are perfect for anyone's daily commute or music indulgence. Not only that, but these headphones boast an impressive battery life of up to 40 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled, and up to 55 hours with ANC turned off.

Battery Life: 40 hours with ANC On, 55 hours with ANC Off

Wireless: Yes

Microphone: Yes

Brand: Anker

Transducer Size: 40mm

Connection Type: Bluetooth and 3.5mm wired

Noise Cancellation: Yes

Codecs: LDAC & Hi-Res Audio

Pros: Exceptional sound quality, Remarkably extended battery life.

Comfortable for long wearing sessions.

Cons ANC set to the highest setting creates a lot of inner-ear pressure.

Soundcore app is sometimes frustrating.

$99 at Anker

Related Products

If the Soundcore Space One didn't meet your requirements, there are numerous options available for noise-canceling headphones. Make sure to refer to Game Rant's comprehensive guide of the top noise-canceling headphones in 2023.

FAQ

Q: Are noise-cancelling headphones worth buying?

Q: Why do I feel pressure with noise-canceling headphones?

When noise-canceling headphones are in use, the elimination of external noise creates a suction-like effect which can deceive the brain into perceiving a pressure imbalance that requires adjustment, similar to the sensation of needing to pop one's ears during ascent in an aircraft.