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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If audio quality matters most and you occasionally work out with your earbuds, the Soundcore Space A40 would serve you well with higher scores in overall sound quality and use during exercise, plus they have active noise cancelling for more immersive listening. They're slightly less suited for calls and meetings compared to the AirPods, however. For those invested in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods (2nd gen) offer better optimization for Apple devices, along with ear detection and generally lower latency beneficial for TV and gaming, albeit with no active noise cancellation. The AirPods are more expensive and score slightly lower in build quality and comfort, but they provide the convenience of wireless charging, which the Soundcore lacks. Each offers about the same portability, but the Soundcore boasts a longer battery life, which could be crucial for frequent travelers or long listening sessions. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Space A40
- Good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.7
The Soundcore Space A40 is good for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
4.8
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
4.9
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Soundcore Space A40 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Battery
4.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Space A40 has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$80
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $89 and the Soundcore Space A40 costs $80.
Build Quality
7.6
8.5
The Soundcore Space A40 has very good build quality, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
4.8
4.9
The Soundcore Space A40 and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.4
5.3
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the Soundcore Space A40 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (2nd generation) | Soundcore Space A40 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.9/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 4 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 32 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
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Soundcore Space A40
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Sound Guys
Sam Smart | May 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent deal if you want affordable noise canceling earbuds with great sound. The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from plus the ability to customize your sound profile makes it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Soundcore Space A40
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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