soundcore Space 2 Review 2026: The Best ANC Headphones Under £150?

What Is the soundcore Space 2?

The soundcore Space 2 is Anker's new flagship over-ear ANC headphone, released in 2026 at £129.99. It arrives as the direct successor to the Space One, and it's a meaningful upgrade — not just a spec-sheet refresh. The Space 2 is built on Bluetooth 6.1 (one of the first consumer headphones to ship with the latest standard), adds LDAC Hi-Res Wireless Audio support, and introduces a redesigned 4-stage adaptive noise cancellation system.

At its price point, the Space 2 is competing with the lower end of the Sony and Bose premium ANC range while undercutting the flagship models by £100 or more. For buyers who don't want to spend £300+ on a Sony WH-1000XM6 but still want genuine Hi-Res wireless audio and serious noise cancellation, the Space 2 makes a very strong case.

Design and Build Quality

The Space 2 is an over-ear headphone with a folding headband — compact enough for a bag or travel case without sacrificing the full cup coverage that proper noise isolation requires. The earcups are large enough to sit around most ears rather than pressing on them, which matters significantly for multi-hour sessions.

The ear cushions use protein leather with slow-rebound memory foam beneath — the same construction you'll typically find on headphones costing considerably more. The headband uses a pressure-relieving design with a padded underside. After extended listening sessions, the Space 2 is noticeably more comfortable than rivals at this price. Soundcore has clearly prioritised wearability alongside audio performance.

Available in Jet Black, White, and a third colour variant, all at the same £129.99 price point. Build quality feels solid throughout — no creaks, no flimsy pivots. These are headphones that should last.

ANC Performance: 4-Stage Adaptive System

The 4-stage noise cancellation on the Space 2 is the headline upgrade over the Space One. Rather than a binary on/off ANC with a single level of attenuation, the Space 2 analyses ambient sound in real time and selects one of four cancellation modes to match the environment. This targets the low-frequency noise spectrum — jet engines, air conditioning units, train carriages, open-plan office hum — where ANC hardware has the most physical capability to cancel sound.

In practical use, the ANC performs well above what you'd expect at £129.99. It won't quite match the flagship Sony XM5 in sheer ANC depth at maximum settings, but the gap is narrower than the price difference suggests. For commuters, frequent flyers, and office workers, the Space 2 does the job properly. The Transparency Mode (letting ambient sound in) is also clearly tuned rather than just bypassing the drivers raw.

The Nap Mode deserves a mention: it maximises ANC, softens the EQ, and blocks incoming calls. It's a small feature that shows how thoughtfully the Space 2 has been designed for real-world usage rather than spec-sheet ticking.

Audio Quality: LDAC Changes Everything

LDAC is the audio codec developed by Sony (now an open standard) that transmits up to 990kbps of audio data over Bluetooth — roughly three times the bandwidth of standard Bluetooth aptX and about six times standard SBC. On an Android phone or any LDAC-compatible source, the Space 2 is receiving substantially more audio data per second than most wireless headphones at any price.

The practical difference is audible on well-produced recordings. The Space 2 has a balanced-leaning signature with clear treble extension and a slightly elevated bass — suited to a wide range of genres. The soundcore app includes a Custom EQ, so if the default tuning isn't your preference, you can adjust it precisely. High-resolution audio sources reveal genuine detail retrieval that you wouldn't expect from a sub-£150 headphone.

Bluetooth 6.1 delivers noticeably lower latency than older Bluetooth standards — relevant for video watching and gaming, where audio-visual sync is important. Dual Connection means you can stay paired to a phone and laptop simultaneously, switching between them without re-pairing.

Who Should Buy the soundcore Space 2?

Buy it if you: want genuine Hi-Res wireless audio at a realistic price; commute or travel regularly and need reliable ANC; use Android (to take full advantage of LDAC); want all-day comfort without paying Sony or Bose flagship prices; or are looking for a step up from entry-level wireless headphones.

Skip it if you: are a committed iOS user where LDAC doesn't apply (the advantage shrinks significantly); need the absolute maximum ANC available regardless of price; or already own the Sony XM5 or Bose QC45 and are just looking for confirmation to upgrade — the differences may not justify switching cost.

Verdict

The soundcore Space 2 is the best ANC headphone under £150 in 2026. It brings features — Bluetooth 6.1, LDAC, 4-stage adaptive ANC, 50H battery, wearing detection, Nap Mode — that until recently were exclusive to headphones costing twice as much. soundcore has closed the gap on the premium tier without closing the price gap, and that's exactly what buyers at this price point need.

At £129.99 on Amazon UK, the Space 2 represents genuine value. If you've been holding off on proper noise cancelling headphones because the flagships felt too expensive, this is the version that makes waiting worth it.

Rating: 4.5/5 — Exceptional value at £129.99; LDAC, Bluetooth 6.1 and adaptive ANC in a comfortable, well-built package. Minor deductions for the small review base and limited iOS codec advantage.