Soundcore P31i

The Soundcore P31i true wireless earbuds deliver Hi-Res LDAC audio, 52dB adaptive ANC, and an absurd 50 hours of battery life for a fraction of what you'd pay for big-name rivals. Call quality is excellent and the IP55 rating adds durability, but there's no multipoint connection and the connection chimes are a minor pain. Overall, they're a steal for anyone who prioritizes sound and noise cancelling on a budget.

If you're hunting for true wireless earbuds that punch way above their price, the Soundcore P31i from Anker should be on your radar. They pack features you'd normally only find on earbuds costing two or three times as much: Hi-Res LDAC audio, adaptive noise cancelling that cuts out up to 52dB of background racket, spatial audio, and a staggering 50 hours of total battery life with the case. The spec sheet reads like a mid-range flagship, but the street price often sits comfortably under $100, and we've spotted them as low as $36 at some retailers. For anyone who wants premium sound and ANC without the premium price tag, these are seriously tempting.

Fit and comfort are solid for most ears, though the 70th percentile comfort score tells us they might not disappear quite like some stem-style buds. Still, the IP55 water resistance means you can sweat through a workout or get caught in light rain without worry. The six-microphone array and AI noise reduction promise crystal clear calls, and in our testing, they live up to that claim. The P31i also throws in a real-time translation feature for over 100 languages, which is a neat party trick if you travel a lot or work in multilingual settings.

Is the Soundcore P31i good for commuting? With 52dB of adaptive ANC and a snug seal, most engine rumble and subway noise just melt away. The transparency mode keeps you aware when needed, so you won't miss announcements. All this, wrapped in a compact case that supports wireless charging, makes them a no-brainer for daily carry.

The P31i absolutely nails sound quality. The 11mm dynamic drivers, paired with LDAC support, deliver rich detail and a satisfyingly wide soundstage that Hi-Res Audio fans will appreciate. Bass is punchy but never bloated, and the treble has a nice sparkle without turning harsh. In our database, sound performance sits in the 97th percentile, putting it up there with earbuds that cost significantly more. The companion app's hearing test and customizable EQ let you tailor the sound to your own ears, which is a rare bonus at this price.

Noise cancelling is another highlight. The adaptive system automatically adjusts the level of cancellation based on your environment, and with a maximum reduction of 52dB, it's one of the most aggressive ANC setups we've seen in budget earbuds—89th percentile, bordering on best-in-class. Wind noise reduction for calls works surprisingly well too, thanks to those six mics and AI smarts. Battery life is laughably good: 10 hours from the buds alone (8 with ANC on) and 50 hours total from the case. A 10-minute quick charge nets you 3.5 hours, so you'll never be stuck without music.

Pricing for the P31i is all over the map, ranging from $36 to a baffling $799 depending on the seller. We recommend grabbing them from Amazon directly, where they frequently settle in the $50–$70 range. At that level, the combination of LDAC, boss-level ANC, and 50-hour battery life makes almost everything else look overpriced. You'd have to step up to something like the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro at nearly triple the cost to get noticeably better noise cancellation and a more polished multipoint experience. For sheer bang-for-buck, the Soundcore P31i is one of the best deals in audio right now.

Stacked against its popular rivals, the P31i holds its ground and then some. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is another budget darling with solid ANC and app support, but it lacks LDAC and can't touch the P31i's 52dB of noise reduction. The JBL Live Beam 3 sounds great and has a more comfortable stem design for some users, but its battery life falls well short of the P31i's endurance. Meanwhile, Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro deliver a more seamless experience for Galaxy phone owners with auto-switching and 360 audio, but you'll pay a steep premium for that ecosystem lock-in. The SoundPEATS H3 and TOZO Crystal Pods are cheaper but lose out in sound refinement and ANC effectiveness. If you don't need multipoint and can live with chimes instead of voice prompts, the P31i is the most well-rounded option here.

Skip the P31i if you absolutely need multipoint connection to bounce between a phone and computer seamlessly—look at the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or the JBL Live Beam 3 for that. If you strongly prefer voice prompts over beeps and chimes, or if you want the most refined transparency mode on the market, you'll probably be happier spending more. And while the fit works for most, the 70th percentile comfort score hints that some ear shapes won't get that locked-in feeling, so if all-day wear is your top priority, try them somewhere with a good return policy first.

The Soundcore P31i is a rare breed: budget earbuds that don't feel like compromises. You get flagship-level sound, ANC that actually works, and battery life that outlasts most long-haul flights. The app adds real value with that hearing test and EQ, and call quality is shockingly good. The lack of multipoint connection and the annoying chimes might bug a few power users, but those are minor trade-offs at this price. If you want the absolute best noise cancelling or a more premium build feel, you'll have to spend a lot more. For everyone else, these are an easy recommendation.