If you want better Headband padding quality
Choose Soundcore Anker Space One Pro. It scores 4.7 vs 3.4 for Headband padding quality, with a 3.9 overall score.
Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 Review
Bottom Line
Choose these for long flights, strong budget ANC, and infrequent charging. Skip them if you need consistently refined sound without EQ, cool workout wear, or dependable call clarity in every environment.
Best for
Budget-conscious travelers, commuters, and desk listeners who prioritize cancellation and endurance and are willing to adjust the EQ.
Not for
Listeners who need accurate sound straight out of the box, competitive Bluetooth gaming, or cool, comfortable wear during hard workouts.
Verdict
The Space Q45 makes its strongest case through noise cancellation and battery endurance rather than universally polished sound. Most assessments find it a compelling way to quiet commutes, flights, and office distractions without paying flagship prices. The folding design, protective case, physical buttons, and two-device connection add everyday convenience. Sound opinions are much less consistent: some hear clear, spacious, engaging playback, while others dislike sharp treble, recessed vocals, or bass that changes with ANC settings. The app’s EQ often improves the result, but that asks more effort of buyers who want satisfying sound immediately. Comfort also depends on head shape, with warm cushions and thin headband padding drawing recurring complaints. Call performance varies enough that frequent callers should weigh their usual environment carefully.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
92 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.023 (25%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.448 (52%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.413 (14%)
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Negative 1.5-2.48 (9%)
Pros highlights
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Noise cancellation is the main attraction for commuting and flights, particularly against steady engine hum and lower frequencies. Voices and sharp sounds can still break through, and a poor seal reduces its effectiveness.
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Sound quality receives everything from enthusiastic praise to criticism of harshness, flatness, and uneven bass. EQ is frequently the route to a more satisfying presentation, and pop tends to fare well in genre-specific testing.
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Most users see unusually strong value in the cancellation, battery, and feature mix. Those unhappy with fit or sound question the full price and are more favorable toward a sale.
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Long battery life is one of the clearest strengths, with many listeners going a week or longer between charges. LDAC and heavier use shorten endurance, but most still find it generous.
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Many users wear the headphones for hours with little discomfort. Thin headband padding, pressure around the jaw, heat, and mismatched sizing make long sessions harder for others.
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The strongest recommendations favor budget-conscious commuters, travelers, and everyday listeners. More critical sources suggest alternatives when default sound, fit, or call quality is the top priority.
Cons highlights
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Headband padding is the main physical comfort dispute: some find it soft and sufficient, while others feel the band through it. Sensitive heads and long wear make the thinner cushion especially noticeable.
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Heat and sweat buildup are recurring reasons to avoid hard workouts or hot weather. Ordinary desk use is comfortable for many, with a few reporting little heat even during long sessions.
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Soundcore Signature, acoustic, and podcast settings find fans, while other listeners dislike the available presets or hear little improvement. BassUp is particularly divisive, adding enjoyable thump for some and muddiness for others.
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Restrained branding and a neat headband appeal to some buyers, while the protruding cups and bulky profile draw criticism. These are substantial headphones even when their finish looks understated.
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Several listeners hear substantial changes in bass and treble when switching ANC modes, sometimes making the sound boomy, thin, or harsh. Others hear little change or prefer the sound with ANC engaged.
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ANC can change the listening experience as well as quiet the room. Reports range from minimal sonic impact to reduced openness, uneven bass, and movement-related volume fluctuations.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Over-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in Auto on/off reliability, Smudge resistance, Channel matching, near average in Clamping force comfort, Sound quality, below average in Idle static noise, Sustainability and repairability, Frequency response accuracy.
Comparison summary
86 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher28 (33%)
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Same as average within 0.3 pts36 (42%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower22 (26%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idle static noise | 1.8 | 3.7 | -1.9 |
| Sustainability and repairability | 2.0 | 3.8 | -1.8 |
| Frequency response accuracy | 2.1 | 3.7 | -1.6 |
| Auto on/off reliability | 4.8 | 3.2 | +1.6 |
| Replaceable earpads | 2.3 | 3.8 | -1.5 |
| Smudge resistance | 4.5 | 3.0 | +1.5 |
| Replaceable pads/headband | 2.3 | 3.6 | -1.4 |
| Channel matching | 5.0 | 3.6 | +1.4 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Overall recommendation
Choose CMF Headphone Pro. It scores 4.7 vs 4.2 for Overall recommendation, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better Button control usability
Choose Nothing Headphone (a). It scores 4.9 vs 4.2 for Button control usability, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better Build quality
Choose Beyerdynamic Aventho 100. It scores 4.8 vs 4.2 for Build quality, with a 4.5 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- More expensive: Price The Q45 price is considered substantially more competitive than the Sony model.
- Better: ANC The cancellation is strong but does not reach the Sony flagship level.
- Better: Tonal warmth The sound lacks the warmth attributed to the Sony model.
- Compared: Sound, ANC, calls, and comfort The Q45 wins on value and clarity, with Sony favored for comfort and transparency.
- Compared: Sound, ANC, calls, and fit The comparison favors Q45 value and clarity while favoring Sony comfort and transparency.
AirPods Max
- Better: Transparency The AirPods Max is noticeably more transparent than Q45.
- Similar: Office noise reduction The Q45 blocks office vent noise similarly to the reviewer’s AirPods Max.
- Worse: Battery endurance The Q45 is described as far ahead in endurance.
FAQ
How effective is the noise cancellation?
It is widely praised for reducing engine hum, traffic, and office distractions at this price. Sharp sounds and voices can remain audible, and a good seal matters.
How long does the battery last?
Many tests and daily-use accounts report roughly 45–55 hours with ANC, with longer runtimes when it is off. LDAC, volume, and usage settings affect endurance.
Does the sound need EQ?
Some listeners enjoy the default tuning, while others hear uneven bass, recessed vocals, or harsh treble. The app’s custom EQ is repeatedly praised for improving the result.
Can it connect to two devices?
Multipoint can switch between two devices, such as a phone and computer. It cannot operate alongside LDAC, and it does not mix both audio streams.
Is it comfortable for workouts?
Some users exercise comfortably, but heat and sweat buildup are recurring complaints. Fit and headband pressure also vary, making ordinary commuting or desk use a more consistent match.
Are calls and transparency mode reliable?
Many users report clear calls and useful transparency, but others hear muffled speech, wind interference, hiss, or weak passthrough. Quiet environments generally produce more dependable calls.
Can it play through a cable with an empty battery?
The analog jack and wired sound are welcomed, but the supplied accounts conflict on empty-battery playback. Treat that backup capability as uncertain rather than relying on it for a trip.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Golf Sky
- Review score
- 4.2
YouTube - Tech Stream
- Review score
- 4.6
YouTube - Aaron X Loud and Wireless
- Review score
- 3.8
Article Reviews
techgearlab.com
The Soundcore Space Q45 is a reasonably priced set of wireless headphones. They feature classy metal accents and what feels like more durable...
- Review score
- 3.2
soundguys.com
The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a high value set of noise canceling headphones with LDAC support. Let's see if it's worth buying.
- Review score
- 3.8
androidcentral.com
Anker gives you reasons to wear these mid-range cans.
- Review score
- 4.1
loudnwireless.com
The Soundcore Space Q45 retails at the same price as the Sony WH-CH720N. but which one is better value?
- Review score
- 4.0
routenote.com
Looking for a new pair of headphones? Soundcore's closed-back Space Q45 over ear headphones may be for you, but after trying these cans out...
- Review score
- 4.0
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