Soundcore Space Q45 Review

Wireless over-ear headphones on a desk

The Soundcore Space Q45 is Anker's flagship over-ear ANC headphone under the Soundcore brand. It features adaptive ANC performance that rivals headphones costing $200+; 50 hours of battery and LDAC hi-res audio. At $100, it's the best value ANC over-ear headphone on the market.

★★★★★ 4.5 / 5

Best ANC Under $100

Pros:
  • Adaptive ANC that rivals flagship models — excellent on planes and subway
  • 50-hour battery with fast charging and wireless charging
  • LDAC hi-res audio with highly customizable app EQ
  • Comfortable to wear; ear cushions feel soft and breathable
  • Only $99 -- unbeatable value
Cons:
  • Plastic-heavy build doesn't match flagship standards
  • call microphone performs only okay in noisy environments
  • App occasionally has connection lag

Noise Cancellation: Near-Flagship Performance

The Space Q45's biggest highlight is its adaptive ANC system. It uses a hybrid feedforward and feedback microphone setup that continuously detects environmental noise and automatically adjusts ANC intensity. On planes, subways, and other low-frequency noise environments, ANC performance is close to the Sony WH-1000XM4, significantly outperforming competitors at this price.

In our tests at 85 dB subway noise, ANC reduced it by roughly 30-35 dB. Mid-to-high frequencies (voices) also attenuate noticeably. Transparency mode doesn't match the AirPods Pro 2's naturalness, but it's practical when you need awareness.

ANC modes: ANC, Transparency, Off — switchable via the app or touch panel. Adaptive mode automatically adjusts to your environment without manual intervention.

Sound Performance: Balanced, Highly Customizable

The Q45 uses 40mm dynamic drivers and supports LDAC hi-res Bluetooth (up to 990kbps). Sound is balanced across all frequencies: warm and full-bodied midrange with intimate vocals; bright treble without harshness; deep, punchy bass that never gets muddy.

The app offers 8 EQ presets (Acoustic, Bass Booster, Voice, etc.) and a fully customizable 8-band EQ. HearID generates a personalized EQ curve based on a hearing test, tailoring sound to your hearing profile.

Soundstage is respectable — not as wide as open-back headphones, but better than most closed-back options. Resolution is among the best in its price range; classical music detail retrieval is precise.

Battery Life: The 50-Hour Monster

Battery life is another major strength. With ANC on: 50 hours. With ANC off: up to 65 hours. At medium volume, a week of commuting (2 hours daily) needs just one charge.

Fast charging is equally practical: 5 minutes gives you 4 hours — no panic if you forget to charge before a trip. Qi wireless charging support is the cherry on top.

Comfort: Comfortable for Extended Use Without Fatigue

At 268g, the Q45 sits in the middle of the over-ear ANC weight range. Protein leather ear cushions wrapped around memory foam feel soft to the touch and stay comfortable during extended sessions. Headband pressure distributes evenly — even glasses wearers experience minimal discomfort.

Ear cushions do get warm in summer — an inherent trade-off of over-ear designs. Overall comfort exceeds most competitors under $200 and is on par with the Sony WH-1000XM5.

App Features: Feature-Rich and Easy to Use

The Soundcore app is central to the Q45 experience. Key features include:

How It Compares

Model Price ANC Battery Sound Rating
Soundcore Space Q45 $99 4.5/5 50h 4.3/5 4.5/5
Sony WH-1000XM5 $348 5.0/5 30h 4.7/5 4.8/5
Bose QC45 $279 4.8/5 24h 4.5/5 4.6/5
Soundcore Life Q35 $79 4.0/5 40h 4.2/5 4.2/5
JBL Tour One M2 $199 4.5/5 50h 4.3/5 4.4/5

Buying Advice

The Soundcore Space Q45 is the most effective ANC over-ear headphone in the $100 price range by far. If your budget is around $100-$150 and you want flagship-level ANC and battery, the Q45 is the top recommendation.

If your budget stretches to $300+ and you demand the absolute best ANC and sound quality, the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QC Ultra are better choices. But for most buyers, the Space Q45 is more than good enough — and delivers far better value.

Technical Specifications

Driver40mm dynamic
ANCAdaptive ANC
Battery50h (ANC ON) / 65h (ANC OFF)
Fast charge5 min charge = 4 hours playback
Bluetooth5.3
CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Weight268g
Wireless ChargingQi wireless charging
MultipointYes (2 devices)

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