Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless  Headphones Review

Reviewed May 17, 2021 at 09:50am
Writing modified Sep 29, 2023 at 02:04pm
Tested using Methodology v1.5 
Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless

Track

0.0
Neutral Sound 
0.0
Commute/Travel 
0.0
Sports/Fitness 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
0.0
Wired Gaming 
0.0
Phone Calls 

Track

 6

The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless are the next generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. Although they look and feel very similar to the previous generation, they now support LDAC codec, which is nice if you like to listen to high-resolution audio, and have an improved mic performance. However, their active noise cancelling (ANC) performance falls short of their predecessor and can perform more inconsistently depending on fit. On the upside, they retain a customizable sound profile thanks to their companion app and come with a few extra accessories like an audio cable with a built-in mic, carrying case, and an airplane adapter.

Our Verdict

0.0
Neutral Sound 

The Anker Life Q35 are fair for neutral sound. They have a bass-heavy sound profile which may be too boomy for some users. That said, they have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets, so you can adjust their sound to better suit your needs. While they're somewhat prone to inconsistent audio delivery, as long as you take the time to adjust their fit and positioning, you should be able to get a more consistent sound each time you wear them. However, due to their closed-back design, their passive soundstage doesn't sound very natural or immersive.

Pros
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
Cons
  • Disappointing passive soundstage.
0.0
Commute/Travel 

The Anker Q35 are good for commute and travel. They have over 44 hours of continuous battery life, a comfortable fit, and sturdy build quality. They also have an ANC feature, which can block out a great amount of noise around you, like the rumble of bus and plane engines. That said, they're a bit bulky, which may make them a bit harder to take with you on the go.

Pros
  • Great noise isolation thanks to ANC.
  • Comfortable and well-built.
Cons
  • Mediocre breathability.
0.0
Sports/Fitness 

The Anker Q35 are satisfactory for sports and fitness. They have a comfortable fit and, thanks to their wireless design, you don't have to worry about something snagging your headphones off your head while you move. That said, they may fall off during moderate physical exercise, can make you sweat as they have mediocre breathability, and lack an IP rating for water resistance, although we don't currently test for it.

Pros
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
  • Comfortable and well-built.
Cons
  • No IP rating.
  • Mediocre breathability.
0.0
Office 

The Anker Q35 are decent for office use. They have a comfortable fit, and their battery should last through long workdays without an issue. They also have ANC, so they can cut down ambient chatter around you, and support multi-device pairing with up to two devices at a time. However, they leak some audio at high volumes, so people around you may hear it.

Pros
  • Great noise isolation thanks to ANC.
  • Comfortable and well-built.
Cons
  • Disappointing passive soundstage.
  • Mediocre breathability.
0.0
Wireless Gaming 

The Anker Life Q35 are compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs. However, their latency is too high to be suitable for wireless gaming. They also can't be used wirelessly with PS4 or Xbox One consoles.

0.0
Wired Gaming 

The Anker Q35 are decent for wired gaming. They come with a TRS to TRRS cable with a built-in microphone, so you can use them wired on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox with full audio and mic compatibility. They also have a comfortable fit and a good overall mic performance. You can even customize their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

Pros
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
  • Good overall performing mic.
Cons
  • Disappointing passive soundstage.
  • No channel mixing.
0.0
Phone Calls 

The Anker Life Q35 are good for phone calls. They have a good recording quality so you're heard clearly, even in a moderately noisy environment. They also have ANC, which can block out a great amount of noise around you so you can focus on your call.

Pros
  • Great noise isolation thanks to ANC.
  • Good overall performing mic.
  • Comfortable and well-built.
Cons
  • Mediocre breathability.
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Sep 29, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Anker Soundcore Space One Wireless in Build Quality.
    2.  Updated Aug 09, 2023: We've retested these headphones to check for audio cutting out when used wired. We've updated Sound Profile, but our results haven't changed.
    3.  Updated Nov 28, 2022: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless in Noise Isolation.
    4.  Updated May 06, 2022: We've tested the headphones' frequency response when the ANC is on vs off. However, there hasn't been a change in our results.

    Check Price

    B09FPCZ318
    SEE PRICE
    Anker
    Frosted Pearl
    SEE PRICE
    Anker
    Obsidian Blue
    SEE PRICE
    Anker

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    Update 09/17/2021: Thanks to user feedback, we have added the 'Pink' variant to our review. Although we didn't test this variant, we expect them to perform similarly to our unit. 

    The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 come in two color variants, 'Blue' and 'Pink'. We tested the Blue variant and you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The Anker Q35 are the next generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. They have a similar look and design but now support LDAC codec for high-res audio. Compared to their predecessor, they have a better overall mic performance, but their active noise cancelling (ANC) performance has a more inconsistent performance depending on fit, and it still falls a bit short when compared to other mid-range models like the Razer Opus Wireless.

    Check out our recommendations for the best noise cancelling headphones under $200, the best noise cancelling headphones, and the best over-ear headphones.

    Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless

    Track

    The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless are the next generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless. Unlike the previous generation, the Q45 have an adaptive ANC system instead of three ANC presets, and overall, are significantly better at isolating you from ambient noise than their predecessor. Their headband padding is a bit thinner, and even though they're advertised to last 50 hours continuously, we measured just under 28 hours.

    Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless

    Track

    The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless and the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless are very similar headphones with slight differences. While both headphones are comfortable, the Q30 have a better ANC performance. However, the Q35 have a better overall mic performance and support LDAC codec for high-quality audio, which some users may prefer.

    Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

    Track

    The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless are better over-ears than the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable and better built. They have a significantly better performing ANC and an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when not in use. However, the Anker have a longer continuous battery life.

    Anker Soundcore Space One Wireless

    Track

    The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless are better over-ears than the Anker Soundcore Space One Wireless. The Life Q35 are more comfortable, come with a hard carrying case, making them feel more durable on the go than the Space One's cloth pouch, and have a better overall noise isolation performance. However, the Space One leak less audio.

    Show more 
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!

    Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.

    You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedOver-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedYes
    TransducerLockedDynamic

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.DifferenceLockedLock °C

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Build Quality

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Stability

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Distance
    LockedLock dB
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedYes
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB
    Noise Gate
    LockedLocked
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    PC Latency (SBC)
    LockedLock ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    LockedN/A
    iOS Latency
    LockedLock ms
    Android Latency
    LockedLock ms

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedN/A
    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    LockedLock ms

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

    Become a member to view the full test results and text of the reviews, as well as extra website features and tools with no ads.

    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked