Anker Soundcore Space D1402

The Soundcore Space 2 delivers best-in-class ANC and a 50-hour battery for around USD 110 to USD 130. Sound quality is strong once you tweak the EQ, and LDAC support is a nice bonus. Call quality is the weak spot, but for travel and commutes, this is one of the best values we've seen.

The 40mm double-layer diaphragm drivers deliver sound that sits in the 94th percentile overall. Bass hits hard, vocals come through rich, and treble stays crisp. LDAC support means you're getting way more data over Bluetooth than standard codecs, and Hi-Res Audio works in wired mode too. ANC is the real star here, top of the charts at the 98th percentile. The 4-stage low-frequency noise cancelling system does serious work on jet engines and low rumble. Battery life is also strong at 86th percentile, 50 hours with ANC on and 70 without. The mic is the one sore spot. Call quality scored 64.1, so don't expect crystal-clear conference calls. It's fine for quick calls, but this isn't a headset for all-day meetings.

Against the Sony WH-1000XM6, the Space 2 holds its own on ANC and battery but loses on call quality and overall polish. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 has better sound out of the box and a more premium build, but costs significantly more. The JBL Tune 670NC is cheaper but doesn't match the Space 2's ANC or codec support. The TOZO HT3 is a budget alternative that gets close on features but falls short on comfort and ANC performance. The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 is a different beast entirely, more audiophile-focused but without the ANC chops. For the money, the Space 2 is the sweet spot.

At USD 110 to USD 130, this is a steal. The US listings show a USD 20 spread, so shop around. Best Buy has the most consistent pricing if you want price match protection. In Europe, you're looking at EUR 105 to EUR 120 across 11 listings, so there's a EUR 15 gap between the cheapest and priciest options. Either way, you're getting ANC that competes with headphones costing twice as much, plus LDAC and a battery that just won't quit. The value proposition here is hard to beat.

The Anker Soundcore Space 2 is one of those headphones that makes you wonder why you'd spend twice as much. For around USD 110 to USD 130, you get ANC that lands in the 98th percentile of our database, LDAC support, and a 50-hour battery with ANC on. That's a combo that usually costs way more.

It's not perfect. The default sound profile needs a little EQ love, and the mic performance is the weakest link at 64.1 out of 100. But for travel, commutes, or just drowning out your open-plan office, this thing punches way above its price.

Skip this if you take a lot of phone calls or need a headset for work meetings. The mic performance is mediocre, and you'll frustrate yourself and whoever's on the other end. Also skip it if you want great sound out of the box without touching an EQ, the default tuning needs work. And if you run hot or live somewhere humid, the warmth during long sessions might bug you.

If you want top-tier ANC, marathon battery life, and LDAC support without spending flagship money, buy the Soundcore Space 2. It's ideal for travelers, commuters, and anyone who wants to block out the world for hours at a time. Just be ready to spend five minutes in the app dialing in the EQ to your taste.