Soundcore P40i

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.