A new pair of Soundcore headphones are a very fine thing: you know what you’re going to get, but even then, it brings a sort of warmish, nostalgic familiarity when everything works as it should.
The Soundcore Space 2 is the latest and greatest from one of the biggest names in budget headphones, following up on the monumentally successful Soundcore Space One launched in 2023 with improvements in several key areas: improved ANC, longer battery life, wonderfully comfortable ear cushions, and extensive audio customization through the Soundcore App.
Accordingly, the price of the Soundcore Space 2 has risen — it’s been two years, after all — but it’s clear that Soundcore has focused on keeping costs down while maximizing features in what are easily some of the best budget ANC headphones of 2026.
7/10
Battery Life
50 w/ ANC, 70 without
Microphones
3
Brand
Soundcore
Transducer Size
40 mm
The Soundcore Space 2 are over-ear wireless headphones designed for travel and everyday use, featuring advanced 4-stage adaptive active noise cancellation and 40mm drivers for detailed sound. They offer up to 50 hours battery with ANC (70 without), fast charging, LDAC support, and personalised audio tuning via HearID 3.0
Pros & Cons
- Fun, warm sound with extensive customization
- Excellent battery life
- Good build quality with comfortable earpads
- ANC that works
- Useful companion app
- I’d like stronger clamping force
- Some misleading labelling in Soundcore App
- Some folks won’t enjoy out of box sound
Soundcore Space 2 specs and availability
The Soundcore Space 2 ANC headphones come in three colors: Linen White, Jet Black, and Seafoam Green, and are available from Amazon and Soundcore for $130/£130/€130.
Battery Life
50 w/ ANC, 70 without
Microphones
3
Brand
Soundcore
Transducer Size
40 mm
Frequency Response
20 Hz – 40 kHz
Impedance
16 Ω ± 15%
Weight
261g
Noise Cancellation
Yes
Foldable
Yes
Connectivity
Bluetooth 6.1
Charging type
USB-C
Supported codecs
SBC, LDAC, AAC
Hands-on with the Soundcore Space 2 ANC headphones
Evolution in the right places
Now that I have the Soundcore Space 2 headphones in front of me, I’m a little sad that I gave my Space One headphones away at a raffle. I hope they’re making someone very happy… but it turns out, I’ll be even happier, because the Soundcore Space 2 bring upgrades just where you want them.
The two headphones have a similar design, but with a key difference to the hinges, which now sit inside the overall ear cup design. Although it’s still an all plastic design, these hinges feel stronger than the Space One, which was one of the main issues I had with the former design.
I always love it when a tech company specifically addresses issues!
The Soundcore Space 2 earcups are really delightful though. They’re soft and comfortable, and I’ve not once felt the familiar twinges of ear fatigue. I’ll caveat that by saying we’ve not had much warm weather in the UK as yet, so I can’t judge what they’ll be like when it cranks up a few degrees, but they’ve felt fine on days in the low 20C/68F zone.
A little more clamping pressure would be nice, mind. I’ve just finished using a pair of Nothing Headphone (a), a set of cans at the opposite end of the clamping force scale, and switching to these feels odd. The Soundcore Space 2 aren’t falling from my head with slight movement, but if I bend to tie my laces, I feel more movement than I’m happy with.
Adding to that, Soundcore also measured 2,000 different head profiles to find the pefect, universal design. That’s what gives the Space 2 its clamping-force, but I don’t think my head was necessarily accounted for.
Still, overall, comfort is abundant, and I can keep these headphones on for hours and hours without worry.
These headphones are also fairly lightweight, too. They save a few grams off the Space One, dropping from 265g to 261g. Nothing noticable, of course, but it all adds up to a pair of headphones that feel in tune with you head.
Multi-day battery life to keep the music playing
Good with or without ANC
Battery life is also another strong point for the Soundcore Space 2, with Soundcore rating them for 50 hours with ANC on, rising to 70 hours of playback with ANC off.
You get days and days of playback with these headphones, that’s for sure — I didn’t have to reach for the charger for four days after unboxing them using a mixture of regular and ANC listening, and I probably could have gone longer given how long it takes for the Soundcore App to show an actual decrease.
Switching on the hi-res LDAC codec will further diminish your battery life, with Soundcore estimating another ten hours loss with ANC. However, that still gives you around 40 hours, or 45 hours with LDAC and no ANC. I don’t find these numbers absolute as most folks switch between ANC modes, LDAC, and similar, but the Space 2 definitely deliver in the battery department.
Fast charging is also a welcome addition. A rapid five minute charge pushes the Space 2 battery meter up 20 percent, and when you’re in a rush, that can be a lifesaver.
Charging takes place via USB-C, for which you’ll find the customary standard USB-C cable; find a charging brick at home, and you’re good to go.
Warm audio out of the box, with great ANC
But with plenty of customization options
I first took the Soundcore Space 2 for a spin at MWC 2026, the world’s largest mobile-focused tech show. At the time, I was listening to the Space 2 at a busy event, with a very noisy backdrop.
At that event, I was really impressed with the ANC. The Space 2 have what Soundcore calls “4-Stage Low-Frequency Noise Cancelling System,” which basically means more sensors and better ANC equalization. And it works in all the situations I’ve put it up against.
Now, I haven’t had the chance to travel by train or plane during this time, so I’ll have to caveat my ANC experience. But up against a noisy room full of kids? My concentration remained secure.
The Soundcore Space 2 jump out of the box with the default Soundcore Signature EQ. I don’t hate on the Soundcore Signature EQ, because to me, it’s a familar sound and you know what you’re going to get: raised bass, tuned mids, and elevated high-end.
What irks me about the Soundcore Signature EQ is that its presented as a completely flat EQ, when that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s a classic “U” curve. But then, when you switch to the Flat EQ, the Soundcore App introduces some small frequency changes. I really wish Soundcore wouldn’t do this, as it’s misleading, and will never not bother me.
Let’s forget that though and talk about the actual sound. On the show floor at MWC 2026, I took Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone for a spin, and though the classic layered instrumentals and wonderful, rolling bassline sounded fantastic.
On a second listen in a more controlled environment, I found a slightly different experience, with the default tuning somewhat muddling the mid-range; the vocals aren’t as a clear as I’d like. However, on the flipside, I found the detail decent, with each instrument in this multi-layered recording easy to pick out.
The stereo imaging is also good considering the price of these cans. Given you have complete isolation per ear when you’re using headphones, you always have a heightened sense of placement, but the Space 2 deliver nicely here. You can hear it in other tracks too: The Chain sounds great, and I had a lovely time listening to Crosby, Stills, and Nash’s eponymously titled album.
At the end of the day, the consideration is that these cans cost $130. You’re not getting studio-level audio, but the Space 2 are fun, warm, and can be tuned into something more precise if you want. That’s what makes Soundcore headphones great.
Should you buy the Soundcore Space 2 headphones?
I have a strong feeling that the Soundcore Space 2 headphones will be appearing in many best of lists towards the end of 2026, marked as some of the best budget-focused ANC headphones of the year. For $130, you’re in good hands.
You should buy the Soundcore Space 2 if:
- You want excellent battery life spanning multiple days
- You’re in the market for comfortable cans you can wear for hours
- Fun, customizable sound is up your street
You shouldn’t buy the Soundcore Space 2 if:
- You’re an audiophile seeking your next perfect set of cans
- You have a head with smaller dimensions
- You’d prefer a higher build quality (but want to pay more!)
Soundcore have an excellent reputation when it comes to this portion of the audio market. Budget-concious audio hardware that delivers, backed up with ANC that performs better than more expensive alternatives. I feel confident saying you’ll be very happy with your Soundcore Space 2 ANC headphones.
7/10
Battery Life
50 w/ ANC, 70 without
Microphones
3
Brand
Soundcore
Transducer Size
40 mm
The Soundcore Space 2 are over-ear wireless headphones designed for travel and everyday use, featuring advanced 4-stage adaptive active noise cancellation and 40mm drivers for detailed sound. They offer up to 50 hours battery with ANC (70 without), fast charging, LDAC support, and personalised audio tuning via HearID 3.0
