Anker Soundcore Space 2 Headphones Are a Top Value Alternative to Bose and Sony

Again in 2023, Anker launched its Soundcore Space One noise-canceling headphones. Whereas I assumed they have been a great worth at round $100, fact be instructed, I did not love them whilst they grew to become in style headphones. They regarded a bit too giant on my head and provided first rate, although not exceptionally good, efficiency throughout the board. They have been a great budget-friendly different to costlier headphones from Bose, Sony and Apple, however they fell properly wanting the flagship fashions from these manufacturers. 

Anker’s new-for-2026 Soundcore Space 2 headphones ($130) are a particular improve. Not solely do they characteristic a sleeker, extra comfy design, however additionally they have improved sound and noise canceling. At round 1 / 4 of the worth of Sony’s $450 WH-1000XM6 and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2), they’re a wonderful, extra reasonably priced different to these fashions. Whereas they’re extra of a B-plus for total efficiency, they earn an A score within the worth division. 

Learn extra: Best Headphones of 2026

Soundcore House 2 design

Whereas the House 2 weighs about the identical because the House One (265 versus 260.6 grams), it seems to be a bit trimmed down and sleeker. Anker has upgraded the ear pads to plush reminiscence foam, and the headphones are total fairly comfy and match securely on my head with out extreme clamp pressure.

They fold up flat and embody a primary canvas-like carrying pouch, together with a USB-C cable and a 3.5mm cable for audio gadgets with a 3.5mm jack. Whereas they do not characteristic premium construct high quality, they appear and feel extra premium than the House One.

So far as controls go, there is a pause/play button and a quantity rocker on the left ear cup (press and maintain the amount up button to advance a observe ahead and maintain down the amount down button to skip again). On the fitting ear cup, you may discover a energy/Bluetooth button and an “NC” button that permits you to toggle between noise-canceling and transparency modes. Lengthy press on the ability button to entry your cellphone’s voice assistant. You can even reply an incoming name with a single press on the identical button or reject it with a protracted press. After a couple of days of use, you need to get used to working the buttons by really feel alone, although I initially took the headphones off a couple of occasions to remind myself which buttons have been which.

Soundcore House 2 options

The House 2 does not have quite a bit in the way in which of additional options. Nevertheless, they do assist multipoint Bluetooth pairing and are outfitted with ear-detection sensors that pause your music once you take the headphones off and resume playback once you put them again on (the characteristic should be activated within the Soundcore companion app for iOS and Android). Moreover, they’ve an “AI Chat” mode that is basically like having always-on Siri and permits you to use voice instructions to manage playback, or simply ask for the climate report and different info. This additionally should be activated within the app, after which saying, “Hey, Anka,” can be utilized for voice instructions or asking questions.

The app gives guide equalizer settings to tweak the sound, plus a couple of presets and a HearID EQ setting that optimizes the sound to your ears primarily based on a listening to check. On a extra essential observe, I used to be upset with the 3D Sound mode within the “Sound Results” setting within the app. It did not develop the soundstage or give any kind of spatial audio sensation and really made every little thing sound worse. Maybe it is going to get improved in a firmware replace. 

So far as audio codecs go, iPhone customers get SBC and AAC. Android customers have the added choice of Sony’s high-quality LDAC to stream over Bluetooth (it is Bluetooth 6.1), assuming your system helps it, as many do.

Whereas the headphones assist analog wired listening with the included cable, there is not any assist for USB-C audio. I used to be sort of hoping they might.

Soundcore House 2 noise-canceling efficiency

The headphones supply adaptive noise canceling that is improved over the House One, with higher noise muffling for lower-frequency sounds. That mentioned, whereas strolling within the streets of New York, I did hear extra noise throughout all frequencies than with the Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Extremely (Gen 2) and Apple AirPods Max 2. In different phrases, the noise canceling is efficient however simply not in the identical league as what you get with premium ANC headphones. I might grade it a B-plus, whereas these different fashions’ noise canceling will get an A-plus.

Soundcore House 2 sound high quality

Out of the field, I assumed the House 2’s sound high quality was fairly good utilizing the default Soundcore Signature EQ, however I can not say it wowed me. There’s first rate readability and definition with a fairly spacious soundstage, however there is a little bit of bass push, although it’s possible you’ll respect that. The sound simply does not really feel fairly as clear, pure or wealthy as what you get with some higher-end wi-fi headphones. 

After taking Anker’s HearID listening to check in a quiet room, I in contrast my customized profile to the Soundcore Signature setting and felt I acquired a noticeable bump in sound high quality. In my profile, the bass was dialed again a bit, the midrange extra so, and there was a spike the place the mids cross into the highs. Lastly, a few of the treble was shaved off. It was kind of a modified U-shaped profile with some jaggedness to it. I favored the way it made the sound appear a bit extra balanced, with the bass tightened up a tad and a little bit of edge taken off the highs.

The Baseus Inspire XH1 are among the many House 2’s closest opponents in the meanwhile. That mannequin, which prices round $100, has “Sound by Bose” and is total a well-designed headphone with comparable total efficiency. I just like the sound of the Baseus a tad extra. It additionally has a little bit of bass push, however the bass has a bit extra power, and the sound simply appears a bit smoother total (and the XH1s have a bit extra openness). However which sound you favor will largely come right down to a matter of style. Word that the Encourage XH1 aren’t outfitted with ear-detection sensors, however they do include a tough case as a substitute of a pouch.      

In the long run, if I did not have a bunch of better-sounding headphones at hand to check them to, I may need even larger reward for the House 2’s sound, which is sort of first rate with a little bit of tweaking. I might give them an A or A-minus for sound at this worth ($130 nonetheless is not low-cost), however a B-plus within the grand scheme of issues. 

Soundcore House 2 voice-calling efficiency and battery life

In my checks with callers on the noisy streets of New York, the headphones did a wonderful job decreasing background noise to virtually silence, however callers mentioned my voice sounded muffled — like I used to be speaking via the sleeve of a thick shirt. I may hear callers tremendous, however primarily based on their suggestions, I might grade the voice-calling efficiency a B.

The House 2 supply sturdy battery life, with as much as 50 hours with noise canceling on at reasonable ranges and as much as 70 hours with noise canceling off. The Sony WH-1000XM6 are rated for as much as 30 hours with noise canceling on. 

Anker Soundcore House 2 closing ideas

Not all people can afford to spend upwards of $250 (or desires to) on premium noise-canceling headphones, which is the place fashions just like the Anker Soundcore House 2 are available in. A transparent enchancment over the House One, they’ve a greater design and construct high quality than a number of of the headphones on our greatest budget noise-canceling headphones listing and match or exceed their efficiency. A few of these headphones price rather less, however the House 2 are a prime choice at this worth, particularly in the event you see them go on sale for nearer to $100.