Our Verdict
Decent for mixed-usage. The Anker SoundBuds Life are easy to use, and above-average comfortable. They're stable enough for jogging, have a long lasting battery life and an average sound quality sufficiently balanced for most users. Unfortunately, they won't be the best option for gaming and watching movies since they are Bluetooth-only headphones with no way to reduce latency. They also won't be the best sounding headphones for more critical listeners.
- Good battery life.
- Very low leakage.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Thin audio cables and bulky neckband.
Decent for neutral listening. They have a good and extend bass, a decent mid-range but a mediocre treble range that's a bit harsh and slightly lacking in detail. The bass somewhat overshadows the instruments and vocals in the mids although not by much. However, this does give them a slightly boomy sound that is emphasized by the slightly lacking treble range. Also, like most closed-back in-ears, they do not have the best soundstage so they will not be the ideal option for more neutral listeners.
Above-average for commuting. They're lightweight, easy to carry around and have a good control scheme. However, they do not block as much noise as some of the other in-ears we've tested so they won't be the best option for noisy commutes or flights.
Good for sports. The Anker SoundBuds Life have an around-the-neck design that's stable enough for running or jogging. They're also lightweight, portable, wireless and have an IPX5 rating. However, the in-ear tips do slide a bit in the ear canal during more strenuous activities, and the bulky neckband can sometimes pull the earbuds out of your ears, which won be ideal for more intense sports.
Above-average for office use. They don't block a lot of noise, but thanks to their incredibly low leakage, you can mask some of the office chatter by playing your audio at high volumes and not disturb others.
Below-average for gaming. They have a bit too much latency to be suitable for gaming. They also have no customization options, and although their mic is fairly decent, they are Bluetooth-only headphones that will not be compatible with your consoles.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Oct 05, 2018: Review published.
- Updated Oct 03, 2018: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Anker SoundBuds Life are a decent option for most use cases. They have a simple around the neck design that's comfortable, stable and easy to use. They also have a long-lasting 17-hour battery life that should be suitable for most use cases. Unfortunately, they do not isolate as well as other wireless in-ears and their build quality, though decent, feels a little cheaper than it looks especially when compared to some of the models below. See our recommendations for the best cheap earbuds, the best noise cancelling earbuds and in-ears, and the best wireless earbuds under $50.
The Anker SoundBuds Life are a better neckband headset than the Mpow Jaws 4.1 Wireless. The Anker have a much better build quality that looks and feels more premium, although their cables are still pretty thin and fragile. The Anker also have a much better-balanced sound and a longer lasting battery life. On the other hand, the Mpow are cheaper and have slightly better cable management. The Mpow also isolate better in noisy conditions, and their in-ear fit is a bit more comfortable to wear for long listening sessions than the Anker, although not by much.
The Jabra Elite 25e Wireless have about the same performance as the Anker SoundBuds Life. The Jabra are a bit more comfortable than the Anker thanks to their earbud-like fit and slightly more lightweight neckband. The Jabra also have a slightly better control scheme with a dedicated mic button. On the other hand, the Anker have an in-ear fit that's decently comfortable and more stable than the Jabra. The Anker also have a more premium look and feel with an IPX5 rating, which makes them the slightly better option for sports. However, their build quality is about the same overall. The Anker also sound slightly better, although not by much.
The Samsung U Flex Wireless are slightly better around-the-neck headphones than the Anker SoundBuds Life. The Samsung have a flexible neckband that will easily fit into your pockets. The Samsung also includes a better-balanced sound, a more durable design, and a lot more customization options, but only when connected to Samsung devices. On the other hand, the Anker offer a slightly better value for your money and have a better battery life that should last you long enough for most activities and use cases.
The Anker SoundBuds Life are better around-the-neck in-ears than the Sony WI-C400 Wireless. The Anker have a much better sound quality and a more premium and durable design despite their thin cables. The Anker also have a much better battery and latency performance when compared to the Sony. On the other hand, the Sony are more lightweight and have slightly better cable management. The Sony also support NFC, which makes pairing with mobile phones a lot easier.
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