Soundcore Space One A3035Z11

The Soundcore Space One delivers best-in-class noise cancelling and LDAC hi-res sound at a shockingly low price, making it one of the best budget over-ear headphones you can buy right now. Battery life is excellent, comfort is solid for most head shapes, and the ANC beats many pricier models. Just don't expect great call quality or a premium build.

If you're hunting for a set of over-ear noise cancelling headphones that won't demolish your wallet, the Soundcore Space One might be exactly what you need. At prices ranging from $65 to $105, these cans pack adaptive ANC, LDAC hi-res audio, and a 40-hour battery into a foldable, memory-foam-padded frame. They're a direct shot at commuters, students, and anyone who wants to zone out on a plane without spending Sony or Bose money. And looking at the spec sheet, it's clear Soundcore didn't cut the corners that matter most for daily listening.

Under the hood, you get 40mm dynamic drivers tuned for punchy bass and a Bluetooth 5.3 connection that supports multipoint, so you can bounce between your phone and laptop without re-pairing. The adaptive noise cancellation is the star of the show, sitting in the 98th percentile of all over-ears we've tested. That means it's right up there with flagships when it comes to silencing engine drone and background chatter. Soundcore claims a 98% noise reduction in lab conditions, and from what we've heard, it translates well to the real world, especially on rumbling trains and in busy cafes.

The Space One also throws in five levels of transparency mode, letting you pipe in just enough ambient sound to order a coffee without yanking the headphones off. With a quick charge that nets four hours of playback from a five-minute top-up, battery anxiety is basically nonexistent. It's not flawless, call quality is a weak spot, and the bass-heavy out-of-box tuning won't please purists, but for the price, these are some of the most feature-packed ANC headphones you can buy.

Our database shows the Space One's noise cancelling lands in the absolute top tier, a 98th percentile score that puts it shoulder-to-shoulder with headphones costing three times as much. In plain English, that means the ANC chews through low-frequency rumble like jet engines and subway noise with ease. Higher frequencies like close-up voices don't disappear entirely, but the dual-mic system and adaptive algorithm do a respectable job. You won't mistake it for complete silence, but it's a huge step up from the budget ANC that just adds a hiss.

Sound quality is another high point, sitting in the 93rd percentile. The 40mm drivers deliver a lively, bass-forward signature that makes hip-hop and EDM thump, though some people will want to dial the low end back in the Soundcore app's EQ. With LDAC enabled, hi-res tracks open up with more detail than standard AAC or SBC, especially in the treble and midrange. Battery life ticks in at 40 hours with ANC on, which is well above average. We had no trouble stretching it across a full workweek of commutes and desk sessions. The only performance letdown is call quality, scoring 68.7, fine in a quiet room but it struggles to isolate your voice when there's wind or crowd noise.

Value is where the Space One absolutely cleans up. For as little as $65, you're getting ANC and LDAC that normally live in the $200-plus club. Even at the high end of $105, it undercuts the JBL Live 770NC and Sony ULT WEAR by a decent margin while delivering better noise cancelling in most situations. Yes, you sacrifice build polish and call clarity, but if your main priority is zoning out to music or podcasts without distraction, the sound-per-dollar ratio here is almost unfair. It's the kind of budget headphone that makes you question why anyone pays three figures for ANC.

Stacked against the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4, the Space One's ANC is shockingly competitive, though the Sennheiser pulls ahead in sound refinement, material quality, and call performance. But the MOMENTUM 4 typically runs over $300, so that's not a fair fight. A closer rival is the Sony ULT WEAR, which has a bass-heavy party mode and clearer mics, but costs around $150. The Space One's noise cancelling is actually better, and you keep LDAC. The JBL Live 770NC is the most direct competitor: similar price, decent ANC, and a more travel-friendly build with an included hard case. But the Space One's noise cancellation is more effective, and its battery life edges ahead. If you're willing to go even cheaper, the TOZO HT3 drops LDAC but still offers decent ANC for less money, though comfort and build take a hit. In this crowd, the Space One carves out a sweet spot where you get flagship-level noise killing and hi-res codecs without the premium price tag.

Skip these if you take a lot of calls in noisy places, as the microphone quality is just average and can make your voice sound muddy. Gym rats should look elsewhere too, while the Space One is water-resistant, the bulky design and ear cups that trap heat aren't ideal for sweaty workouts. If you need a wired backup or a sturdy travel case that can survive a backpack crush, the JBL Live 770NC or Sony ULT WEAR will serve you better.

Should you buy the Soundcore Space One? If you want the absolute best ANC you can get for under $100, the answer is a clear yes. These headphones are built for commuters, students, and remote workers who need to silence the world around them without breaking the bank. The sound is fun and detailed enough for everyday listening, and the battery just keeps going. But if you take a lot of calls on the go, or you're looking for a sleek travel companion that feels luxurious in the hand, you'll want to spend more on something like the Sony ULT WEAR or Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. For pure sonic isolation and value, though, the Space One is tough to beat.