When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreThe Soundcore Space 2 headphones impressed us with excellent noise-canceling performance.Ryan Waniata/Business InsiderNoise-canceling headphones continue to one-up each other, immersing listeners in near-dizzying layers of sonic solitude. But innovation comes at a cost, and not everyone can afford ever-rising prices from top brands. Thankfully, Soundcore (as it often does) has a solution for budget buyers who want to share in the spoils, courtesy of its new Space 2 headphones.As a tech writer and audio reviewer for over a decade, I've tried hundreds of headphones. While the active noise cancellation (ANC) on budget models has gotten increasingly good, the Soundcore Space 2 deliver the best ANC I've ever encountered at this price point. At $130, they cost around a third of what you'd pay for a flagship pair from Bose or Sony. I was amazed at how great the Space 2 dampen the frustrating sounds in my life, and they're proof that you no longer need to spend big to get fantastic noise cancellation. They also feature a comfy design, great battery life, and convenient features like multi-point pairing and auto-pause sensors, further sweetening the deal. There are some compromises, like a lack of a hard case and lackluster controls, but if you're looking for serious noise killers without spending big, the Soundcore Space 2 headphones are the new bar to clear.The best noise cancellation you can get at this priceThe headphones do a remarkable job of quieting the world around you, with performance that beats anything we've tested in this price range.Ryan Waniata/Business InsiderThe Soundcore Space 2 headphones deliver class-leading ANC for the money. They easily outdo the original Space headphones, other pairs like Sony's WH-XB900, and one of my favorite Soundcore models ever, the Life Q30. They even hold their own against the pricey (and powerful) Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2. In my tests, the Ultra 2 still had an obvious edge (they're our pick for the best noise-canceling headphones), but I frankly didn't expect the Space 2 to perform so well.Soundcore says the Space 2's noise cancellation is optimized for low frequencies, and there's no question the headphones do a stellar job of suppressing sounds like HVAC noises and fans. While reviewing the headphones in my audio lab, I was instantly impressed by how well they eliminate powerful airplane drones from my go-to YouTube test video. Maybe just as impressive is how well the Space 2 performed in everyday circumstances, like my daily dog walk. Shifting from the transparency mode that lets in exterior sounds to noise-canceling gave a "Bose-like" vibe, as the headphones instantly eliminated everything from chirping birds to the din of traffic for an almost off-putting level of quietude. They're not quite as impressive for higher-register noises, like the buzz of my lawn mower or the machinery of the annoying construction site down the block, but even sounds like my wife's Zoom meetings take a major step back with noise canceling engaged — especially with a little music playing.The Space 2's transparency mode is more ho-hum, without the pristine, barely-there clarity of pricier headphones like Apple's AirPods Pro and Max, but again, it's pretty decent for the money. I had no trouble hearing exterior sounds, including my own voice, without feeling markedly cut off from the world around me.Audio performance is solid, with little to complain aboutSound quality is great for the money, though we suggest making a few minor EQ adjustments.Ryan Waniata/Business InsiderIn addition to standout ANC, the Space 2 headphones offer relatively accomplished sound quality with better clarity, detail, and overall instrumental definition than most rivals at their price, including their predecessor. Voices are present in the center of the mix, and you'll find some sweet instrumental moments, like the effortlessly golden guitar tones in songs like the Barr Brothers' "Even the Darkness Has Arms."Bass can occasionally overwhelm in hefty mixes (or poorly recorded ones), but dropping the lowest two frequency notches by a few clicks in the multi-band EQ evens things out nicely. At the other end of the spectrum, you're missing some sparkle and presence in the highest registers, but there's a keen click to cymbals and percussion, and I rarely had to strain to hear any softer elements. The Space 2's effortless warmth in the center of the sound balances things out for a pleasant and accessible listen.The headphones are slim and surprisingly stylishThe Soundcore Space One (left) next to the Soundcore Space 2 (right).Ryan Wanata/Business InsiderThough the Space 2 initially reminded me of the original Space One, a side-by-side comparison reveals some clever changes to the new pair. They're markedly slimmed down, with smaller earcups and slimmer arms (AKA yokes), now more reminiscent of Sony's old WH-1000XM4 headphone
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