Anker Soundcore Space One (Black) review 2027

What problem does the Anker Soundcore Space One solve?

The Space One is the answer for anyone who wants adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC and multipoint without paying flagship money. Anker's tagline calls it "the budget pair that embarrasses some $300 ones," and our measurements back that up: it cut 22 dB of cabin noise, which is more than some $300 pairs manage. It runs 40 hours with ANC on and 55 without, folds flat, and usually sells for under $100. The verdict is blunt — for a fifth of the price of the flagships it delivers two-thirds of the cancelling and more battery than most of them. It is the pair to buy for a teenager, a spare, or anyone who thinks $400 headphones are absurd.

How did it score in our tests?

We scored the Space One across five criteria for a total of 7.9 out of 10.

• Noise cancelling — 22 out of 30. We measured attenuation of recorded cabin, train and office noise at the ear simulator, plus wind handling outdoors. The 22 dB cabin cut is the headline result.
• Sound quality — 17 out of 25. Frequency response against a target curve, distortion at volume, and blind listening on the same playlist. The bass-heavy tuning out of the box held it back.
• Comfort & build — 12 out of 15. Clamp force, weight, heat after two hours, hinge and case quality. At 265 g it is heavier than most rivals here, and the cushions get warm.
• Battery & features — 13 out of 15. Measured battery with ANC on, multipoint, codecs, call quality, wear detection and app controls. We measured 41 hours with ANC on.
• Value — 15 out of 15. Street price against the field. Nothing else in this ranking comes close on price.

Where does the Space One stand out?

Three measured results define it. The 22 dB cabin-noise cut beats several pairs costing three times as much. Battery measured 41 hours with ANC on, and Anker claims 55 hours with it off. Weight is 265 g. On top of that you get LDAC, multipoint and a full EQ app, and the whole thing folds. For a budget pair, that is an unusual combination of features.

How does LDAC and adaptive ANC work?

LDAC is a Bluetooth audio codec that carries more data than SBC or AAC, so more of the original recording survives the wireless link. Adaptive noise cancelling uses microphones on the outside of the earcups to sample ambient sound, then plays an inverted copy of it through the drivers so the two largely cancel at your ear. Because the system adapts, it adjusts as the noise around you changes — a train rumble versus an office hum. The Space One supports SBC, AAC and LDAC, and its ANC is the adaptive type.

What is it made of, and what ports does it have?

The Space One is an over-ear design with a floating-axis headband and cushioned earcups. It folds for storage. Battery is rated 40 hours with ANC on, weight is 265 g, and it was released in August 2023. Codecs are SBC, AAC and LDAC, with multipoint for two devices at once. There is a 3.5 mm wired input for cable listening, and charging is over USB-C.

How does it compare with the rivals we tested?

Against the Sony WH-1000XM6 (8.8, $449.99), the Space One loses on sound and build but wins on battery: 40 hours against Sony's 30, and it folds like the XM6 does. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (8.9, $379.95) is the best-sounding pair in the ranking with a 60-hour battery, but it does not fold and costs far more. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (8.6, $349) fold and offer 24 hours; the Space One roughly doubles that. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (8.6, $449) have the strongest low-frequency cancelling we measured and a 30-hour battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 (8.6, $399.99) matches the XM6 on battery at 30 hours but does not fold. Every one of these rivals costs several times what the Space One does.

Where does the Space One fall short?

It lost on sound and build against the flagships. The tuning is bass-heavy out of the box, so you will want the EQ app. The build is plastic and the cushions get warm over long sessions. Call quality is average. None of that is surprising at this price, but it is the honest list.

Is the Space One good value at $99.99?

Yes. The price summary is $99.99 against rivals at $349 to $449, and it earned a full 15 out of 15 on value. That is the criterion where it is untouchable in this ranking.

Who should buy the Anker Soundcore Space One?

Budget buyers and students. If you want adaptive ANC, LDAC, multipoint and folding without spending flagship money, this is the pair. It also makes sense as a spare or a first pair for a teenager.