Soundcore's popular budget headphones have finally received a follow-up — with a price hike

• Soundcore Space 2 have been announced at MWC in Barcelona
• Bigger battery and improved ANC
• $130 / £130 (around AU$250) is price hike over predecessors

We were pretty impressed by the Soundcore Space One, and even more by the Space One Pro, which members of the TechRadar team have used constantly since release. Three years since the originals came out, a new model has landed.

The Soundcore Space 2 are now here, unveiled at the mobile tech conference MWC 2026 by parent company Anker.

These new contenders aren't true contenders for our best cheap headphones list any more though, because they've seen a price increase over the old model. They'll go for $129.99 / £129.99 (about AU$250), compared to the old model's $99 / £99 (about AU$180), so let's hope the upgrades are worth it.

Soundcore Space 2: the two clear upgrades are stamina and ANC

There are two clear upgrades present on the spec sheet of the Soundcore Space 2.

First up, the claimed battery life has seen a boost: the cans now last for 70 hours of listening, or 55 if you turn ANC on. Given that super-long battery lives are now a common trait in affordable cans, any upgrade in this department is welcome.

Next, Soundcore has promised upgrades to its Active Noise Cancellation software, which can now apparently wipe out louder noise, as well as lower-frequency sounds.

Some other upgrades seem to be changes to the wear detection, which is just as well because that was one of our biggest gripes with the original pair, and an improved listening test.

Beyond that, you're looking at 40mm drivers, soft memory foam cups and availability in three different color options: white, black and green.

So, no massive upgrades here, but a few tweaks which could create an improved package overall, and we'll have to test them to find out. Perhaps a Space 2 Pro will bring more sweeping changes when we get to wear them.

The best noise cancelling headphones for all budgets

➡️ Read our full guide to the best noise cancelling headphones
1. Best overall:
Sony WH-1000XM6
2. Best mid-range:
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
3. Best under $100/£100:
1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51
4. Best under $60/£50:
Soundcore Q30

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