Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Why it's worth it

The Space A40 is the smallest and lightest pair in this lineup, and it's rated for 50 hours total with the case — the longest in the sub-budget ANC category. Adaptive ANC blocks up to 98% of noise, and LDAC support is included.

If you've given up on earbuds because they hurt after an hour, start here. The A40 is smaller than any other Soundcore ANC model and weighs about as much as a sheet of paper. Owners who wear them through long workdays and yard work describe forgetting they're in. Comfort isn't a spec you can compare on a chart, but it's the thing most likely to determine whether you keep using a pair.

Anker rates the A40 at 50 hours of total playtime with 10 hours per charge, the longest rated figure in the sub-budget ANC earbud category. Ten minutes of charging buys four hours. Remember that Consumer Reports found budget ANC earbuds run about 35% short of rated maximums with cancellation on, so plan for something closer to six or seven hours per charge in practice. That's still a full workday.

From our review of 8 noise canceling earbuds, by Ben Carter, Tech Editor

What we like

• +If you've given up on earbuds because they hurt after an hour, start here
• +Anker rates the A40 at 50 hours of total playtime with 10 hours per charge, the longest rated figure in the sub-budget ANC…
• +The adaptive cancellation is smarter than the price suggests
• +For students and anyone buying their first ANC pair, this is the sensible entry point

What to know

• –The ANC won't satisfy anyone hoping for silence
• –Fit security is inconsistent
• –There's a low-battery warning tone that owners describe as jarringly loud