Anker Soundcore Space A40 Review: ANC Earbuds Without AirPods Max Money
- Active noise cancellation genuinely cuts train and street noise, not just a marketing claim
- Battery holds up — roughly 10 hours per charge, closer to 50 with the case, matching the spec sheet
- App-based EQ actually makes a noticeable difference, unlike most budget earbud apps
- Touch controls on the stems misfire about once a day — usually pausing when adjusting a hat or hood
- Case is noticeably bulkier than AirPods Pro, doesn't disappear into a tight pocket
We bought the Soundcore Space A40 in black after three different readers asked if a budget earbud could replace a pair of AirPods Pro for daily commuting. Four months of regular subway and bus use later, here's the honest answer.
Why we tested this specific pair
Most "best budget earbuds" lists are written from a week of light use in a quiet apartment. We wanted to know if the noise cancellation actually survives a loud NYC subway platform, since that's where ANC either earns its keep or exposes itself as a marketing checkbox.
Four months on a loud commute
The adaptive ANC has been the standout feature. On an incoming train, voices and screeching brakes drop to a dull hum rather than a full assault — not silent, but genuinely usable without music playing over it. That held up consistently across the test period, not just out of the box.
Battery life matches the spec sheet closely: we consistently got 9-10 hours of playback with ANC on, and the case easily carries it through a full work week without a charger in sight.
Where it actually falls short
The touch controls are the one real annoyance. Adjusting a scarf or hood brushes the stem often enough to accidentally pause music or skip a track — it happened roughly once a day during the colder months. Turning off the single-tap gesture in the companion app fixed most of it, which we'd recommend doing on setup rather than living with the default.
The charging case is also noticeably thicker than an AirPods Pro case. It fits a jacket pocket fine but doesn't disappear into tight jeans the way Apple's does.
Our verdict
For a third of the price of premium ANC earbuds, this is the pair we'd point a budget-conscious commuter toward without hesitation. The noise cancellation is the real deal, not a watered-down version — just budget the five minutes to turn off single-tap in the app before your first commute.
Specs
Frequently asked questions
Is the noise cancellation actually comparable to AirPods Pro?
Close, not identical. On a loud train or airplane engine it holds up well. On sudden sharp sounds — a dog bark, a door slam — AirPods Pro still edges it out. For the price difference, we think it's a clear win.
Do they work well for phone calls?
Yes, better than we expected from this price tier. The mic picks up wind noise on a bike ride, but in a normal room or car, call clarity has been consistently good over four months.
Is the touch control problem a dealbreaker?
No, but it's real. We'd recommend turning off the 'single tap' action in the app entirely — most accidental triggers come from that gesture specifically, not the double or triple tap.