Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Adaptive ANC Earbuds (Black)

Sound and noise canceling

PCMag calls the sound “balanced, with plenty of high-frequency detail” but “light on sub-bass.” WIRED hears “solid overall balance without over-reliance on thumpy bass” and a “surprising amount of tact and detail,” though instruments are not as defined as the Sony WF-1000XM4. RTINGS describes “decent audio reproduction accuracy” with a signature that deviates from their warm sound profile, and notes treble is de-emphasized. Reddit owners describe “more punchy, faster and clean bass” with “mids more forward.” WIRED also notes the upper register can be “snappy by default.”

The adaptive ANC is the standout feature at this price. PCMag calls it “impressive for the price,” dialing back low-frequency rumble well but struggling with complex higher frequencies. WIRED finds it “especially solid in the lower frequencies” — city noise, drone sounds, and cars are well reduced — while higher frequencies like voice chatter and keystrokes get through. The 98% noise reduction figure on soundcore.com is a manufacturer marketing claim with no published test methodology. ANC mode slightly affects the sound signature, adding a bit of emphasis to the lows.

Battery life and charging

soundcore.com claims up to 10 hours in Normal mode and 8 hours with ANC, for 50 and 40 hours total with the case. WIRED clocked 7–8 hours with ANC enabled. LDAC cuts playtime significantly: 5 hours with ANC on, 6 hours with ANC off. A 10-minute charge gives 4 hours of playback. The case charges in about 3 hours over USB-C or about 3.5 hours wirelessly. Anker measures playtime at 50% volume in laboratory conditions, so real-world numbers will vary. One owner on soundcore.com reports 3+ years of daily 15-hour use with the battery still performing.

App, controls and maintenance

The soundcore app (mobile only, no computer support) offers HearID Sound 2.0, 22 EQ presets, and extensive control customization. ANC turns on by default when you take the earbuds out of the case. There are no auto-pause sensors, so the earbuds keep playing when you remove them. Touch controls can be inconsistent — WIRED notes double-tap misfires and a slow hold command. The FAQ on soundcore.com documents common issues: pairing failures, one earbud not working, disconnection, low volume, poor call quality, and earbuds not charging in the case, with reset and troubleshooting steps for each.

There are no user-replaceable parts and no parts availability information was found. The soundcore.com FAQ recommends cleaning the charging pins regularly with rubbing alcohol, cleaning the metal mesh filter under the ear tips, using the earbuds at least once a month to avoid battery over-discharge, charging when the battery is above 20%, and opening the case lid at least once a month. The warranty is listed as “Hassle-Free” with a 30-day money-back guarantee, but the exact duration is not stated on the product page. No independent failure-rate data is available.

Is it worth it?

At $99.99 on soundcore.com (as of 2026-10-07), the Space A40 packs adaptive ANC, 50-hour battery, LDAC, wireless charging and multipoint at a price that undercuts most noise-canceling rivals. PCMag listed it at $79.99 at the time of their review, and WIRED showed a $55 deal price in 2023. At the $151.99 reference price, the value weakens — competitors with more refined ANC and better controls become available at or near that price. The strongest value differentiator is the combination of LDAC, 50-hour battery, wireless charging and adaptive ANC at a sub-$100 price point.

Which model this is

This page covers the Soundcore Space A40 in Black, product ID A3936011. The soundcore.com product page lists five color options: Black, White, Navy Blue, Fresh Green, and Purple. The Amazon listing for the black US variant is ASIN B0B1LVC5VZ. Do not confuse it with other Soundcore models like Liberty, Aero, or Space One.

Sources

Manufacturer:

• soundcore Space A40 product page

Independent reviews:

• PCMag: Anker Soundcore Space A40 Review
• WIRED: Anker Soundcore Space A40 Review
• RTINGS: Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless Review

Owner reports:

• Soundcore Space A40 RTINGS Review (r/earbuds)
• Soundcore Space A40 - A Review (r/earbuds)