Anker Soundcore Area 2 Headphones Are a High Worth Various to Bose and Sony

Professionals

• Comparatively inexpensive
• Upgraded design with a extra comfy match
• Superb sound for the worth
• Improved adaptive noise canceling
• Lengthy battery life
• Built-in voice controls
• Sturdy noise discount for voice calling

Cons

• Callers stated my voice sounded muffled throughout voice calls
• Noise canceling might be even higher
• 3D Sound mode makes sound high quality worse

Again in 2023, Anker launched its Soundcore Area One noise-canceling headphones. Whereas I assumed they have been an excellent worth at round $100, reality be instructed, I did not love them whilst they turned fashionable headphones. They regarded somewhat too massive on my head and supplied first rate, although not exceptionally good, efficiency throughout the board. They have been an excellent budget-friendly various to costlier headphones from Bose, Sony and Apple, however they fell properly wanting the flagship fashions from these manufacturers. 

Anker’s new-for-2026 Soundcore Area 2 headphones ($130) are a particular improve. Not solely do they characteristic a sleeker, extra comfy design, however additionally they have improved sound and noise canceling. At round 1 / 4 of the worth of Sony’s $450 WH-1000XM6 and Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely Headphones (Gen 2), they’re a wonderful, extra inexpensive various to these fashions. Whereas they’re extra of a B-plus for general efficiency, they earn an A score within the worth division. 

Learn extra: Greatest Headphones of 2026

Soundcore Area 2 design

Whereas the Area 2 weighs about the identical because the Area One (265 versus 260.6 grams), it seems to be a bit trimmed down and sleeker. Anker has upgraded the ear pads to plush reminiscence foam, and the headphones are general fairly comfy and match securely on my head with out extreme clamp drive.

They fold up flat and embody a primary canvas-like carrying pouch, together with a USB-C cable and a 3.5mm cable for audio units with a 3.5mm jack. Whereas they do not characteristic premium construct high quality, they appear and feel extra premium than the Area One.

So far as controls go, there is a pause/play button and a quantity rocker on the left ear cup (press and maintain the amount up button to advance a observe ahead and maintain down the amount down button to skip again). On the correct ear cup, you will discover a energy/Bluetooth button and an “NC” button that lets you toggle between noise-canceling and transparency modes. Lengthy press on the facility button to entry your telephone’s voice assistant. You may as well reply an incoming name with a single press on the identical button or reject it with a protracted press. After a number of days of use, it is best to get used to working the buttons by really feel alone, although I initially took the headphones off a number of instances to remind myself which buttons have been which.

Soundcore Area 2 options

The Area 2 does not have quite a bit in the best way of additional options. Nevertheless, they do help multipoint Bluetooth pairing and are outfitted with ear-detection sensors that pause your music while you take the headphones off and resume playback while you put them again on (the characteristic have to be activated within the Soundcore companion app for iOS and Android). Moreover, they’ve an “AI Chat” mode that is primarily like having always-on Siri and lets you use voice instructions to manage playback, or simply ask for the climate report and different info. This additionally have to be activated within the app, after which saying, “Hey, Anka,” can be utilized for voice instructions or asking questions.

The app presents handbook equalizer settings to tweak the sound, plus a number of presets and a HearID EQ setting that optimizes the sound to your ears based mostly on a listening to take a look at. On a extra crucial be aware, I used to be upset with the 3D Sound mode within the “Sound Results” setting within the app. It did not develop the soundstage or give any form of spatial audio sensation and really made the whole lot sound worse. Maybe it should get improved in a firmware replace. 

So far as audio codecs go, iPhone customers get SBC and AAC. Android customers have the added possibility of Sony’s high-quality LDAC to stream over Bluetooth (it is Bluetooth 6.1), assuming your system helps it, as many do.

Whereas the headphones help analog wired listening with the included cable, there is not any help for USB-C audio. I used to be form of hoping they might.

Soundcore Area 2 noise-canceling efficiency

The headphones supply adaptive noise canceling that is improved over the Area One, with higher noise muffling for lower-frequency sounds. That stated, whereas strolling within the streets of New York, I did hear extra noise throughout all frequencies than with the Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Extremely (Gen 2) and Apple AirPods Max 2. In different phrases, the noise canceling is efficient however simply not in the identical league as what you get with premium ANC headphones. I would grade it a B-plus, whereas these different fashions’ noise canceling will get an A-plus.

Soundcore Area 2 sound high quality

Out of the field, I assumed the Area 2’s sound high quality was fairly good utilizing the default Soundcore Signature EQ, however I can not say it wowed me. There’s first rate readability and definition with a fairly spacious soundstage, however there is a little bit of bass push, although chances are you’ll respect that. The sound simply does not really feel fairly as clear, pure or wealthy as what you get with some higher-end wi-fi headphones. 

After taking Anker’s HearID listening to take a look at in a quiet room, I in contrast my customized profile to the Soundcore Signature setting and felt I bought a noticeable bump in sound high quality. In my profile, the bass was dialed again a bit, the midrange extra so, and there was a spike the place the mids cross into the highs. Lastly, a number of the treble was shaved off. It was form of a modified U-shaped profile with some jaggedness to it. I favored the way it made the sound appear somewhat extra balanced, with the bass tightened up a tad and a little bit of edge taken off the highs.

The Baseus Encourage XH1 are among the many Area 2’s closest rivals in the intervening time. That mannequin, which prices round $100, has “Sound by Bose” and is general a well-designed headphone with related general efficiency. I just like the sound of the Baseus a tad extra. It additionally has a little bit of bass push, however the bass has somewhat extra vitality, and the sound simply appears somewhat smoother general (and the XH1s have a bit extra openness). However which sound you favor will largely come right down to a matter of style. Be aware that the Encourage XH1 aren’t outfitted with ear-detection sensors, however they do include a tough case as an alternative of a pouch.      

Ultimately, if I did not have a bunch of better-sounding headphones at hand to check them to, I may need even increased reward for the Area 2’s sound, which is kind of first rate with a little bit of tweaking. I would give them an A or A-minus for sound at this value ($130 nonetheless is not low cost), however a B-plus within the grand scheme of issues. 

Soundcore Area 2 voice-calling efficiency and battery life

In my exams with callers on the noisy streets of New York, the headphones did a wonderful job lowering background noise to virtually silence, however callers stated my voice sounded muffled — like I used to be speaking by way of the sleeve of a thick shirt. I may hear callers positive, however based mostly on their suggestions, I would grade the voice-calling efficiency a B.

The Area 2 supply robust battery life, with as much as 50 hours with noise canceling on at average ranges and as much as 70 hours with noise canceling off. The Sony WH-1000XM6 are rated for as much as 30 hours with noise canceling on. 

Anker Soundcore Area 2 ultimate ideas

Not everyone can afford to spend upwards of $250 (or needs to) on premium noise-canceling headphones, which is the place fashions just like the Anker Soundcore Area 2 are available. A transparent enchancment over the Area One, they’ve a greater design and construct high quality than a number of of the headphones on our greatest price range noise-canceling headphones record and match or exceed their efficiency. A few of these headphones value rather less, however the Area 2 are a prime possibility at this value, particularly when you see them go on sale for nearer to $100.