Anker A3955
The 11mm composite drivers with BassUp technology deliver thumping, intensive bass, while the adaptive ANC and 60-hour total battery life with the case provide endurance for weeks of use. Its unique 2-in-1 charging case doubles as a phone stand for hands-free viewing, adding practical value beyond audio. These earbuds are best for budget-conscious commuters who prioritize powerful bass and long battery life over call clarity.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
A budget ANC champ with a fun, bass-heavy sound and a killer case, but the weird oval ear tips might just ruin the whole thing for you. Try before you buy if you can.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredible value for the feature set 96th
- Effective ANC that punches above its price 92nd
- Fun, bass-forward sound with BassUp 75th
- The case is a legit phone stand, not a gimmick 74th
Cons
- Oval ear tips cause fit and stability issues for many
- Call quality is a letdown in noisy places
- Sound lacks detail and clarity for critical listening
- Battery life is shockingly bad for the category
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 5 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The adaptive ANC is a standout at this price, landing in the 75th percentile of our database. It won't create a silent void, but it knocks down the hum of a bus or the drone of an AC unit effectively. What surprised us most was the bass. The 11mm drivers with BassUp tech deliver a thumping, energetic sound that's a blast for pop and hip-hop, even if the overall sound profile is a bit muddy and sits in the lower third of our rankings. Call quality, however, is a weak spot. Despite the six mics, our testing and user feedback show it's just mediocre, struggling in anything but quiet environments.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | true-wireless |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.1 lbs |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
Features
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant |
vs Competition
The P40i sits in a weird spot. It's better than the older Soundcore P31i in almost every way, especially ANC and build. But it gets crushed by the Sony WF-C700N on sound quality and call performance, though the Sony costs more. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is its most direct rival, offering a more balanced sound and better battery, but the Anker's case and bass-heavy tuning give it a unique edge. If pure sound is your priority, skip this and find a deal on the Nothing Ear (3). If you want a fun, cheap daily driver with a party trick, the P40i is your bud.
| Spec | Anker A3955 | Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K | Sony WF-1000XM6 | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 | Apple AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | true-wireless | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | - | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 28 | 24 | 26 | 18 | 24 |
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | IPX4 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker A3955 | 75.1 | 44 | 73.3 | 31.1 | 3.6 | 73.8 | 92.1 | 42.7 | 96.2 |
| Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K Compare | 97.4 | 97.5 | 81.4 | 99.1 | 82 | 73.8 | 92.1 | 99.2 | 81.4 |
| Sony WF-1000XM6 Compare | 97.4 | 99.8 | 81.4 | 89.2 | 79.2 | 73.8 | 80.1 | 99.2 | 81.4 |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Compare | 97.4 | 97.5 | 98.9 | 93.5 | 76.9 | 94.7 | 80.1 | 99.7 | 90.3 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 Compare | 97.4 | 91.9 | 81.4 | 97 | 48.8 | 94.7 | 92.1 | 98.1 | 90.3 |
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 Compare | 97.4 | 83.9 | 98.9 | 91.5 | 79.2 | 94.7 | 31.6 | 99.7 | 99.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
This is where the P40i makes its money. We saw prices ranging wildly from $45 to $895 across vendors, which is absurd. Ignore the high end, that's just noise. At the $45-$60 mark, which is where you'll find it at Best Buy, it's a steal. You're getting solid ANC, a unique case, and a fun sound signature for less than a night out. It's an easy recommendation for the budget-conscious.
Read more
Overview
The Anker Soundcore P40i is the budget noise-canceling bud that gets the important stuff right. For the price, you're getting surprisingly effective ANC, a genuinely useful case that doubles as a phone stand, and sound that's more fun than it has any right to be. It's not going to dethrone Sony's flagships, but it's a killer value pick that nails the basics. The one thing to know? The oval ear tips are a love-it-or-hate-it situation that might be a dealbreaker if you plan to move around a lot.
Common Questions
Q: Do these stay in your ear during a workout?
Honestly, probably not. The oval tips are the culprit here. For a desk or a commute, they're fine, but any serious movement and you'll be adjusting them constantly. If fitness is a priority, look for something with wing tips or a more secure fit.
Q: How is the noise cancelling on a plane?
It's surprisingly decent. It won't delete a crying baby, but it takes the edge off the engine drone really well. For a budget pair, it's impressive. Just don't expect flagship-level silence.
Q: Can I use just one earbud at a time?
Yes, you can. Each earbud connects independently, so you can pop one in for a call or a podcast and leave the other in the case. It's a standard feature, but it works without a hitch here.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a secure fit for running or the gym, this isn't it. The oval tips are a constant source of complaints for stability. Go get a pair of Beats Fit Pro or something with a wing tip instead. Also, if you take a lot of calls in loud places, the mediocre mic performance will drive you and the person on the other end crazy.
Verdict
The Anker Soundcore P40i is a fantastic pair of budget earbuds with a fatal flaw for some. If the oval tips fit your ears, you'll love the punchy bass, solid noise cancellation, and that brilliant little phone stand case. If they don't, you'll be constantly pushing them back in, and no amount of good sound can fix that. For the price, it's absolutely worth trying them out to see if they work for you.
