How to Turn On Noise Cancelling on Anker Soundcore Space Headphones
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is one of the most valuable features on modern wireless headphones — and Anker's Soundcore Space series puts it front and center. But knowing exactly how to activate it, and understanding what affects how well it works, makes a real difference in your experience.
What Is ANC and How Does It Work on Soundcore Space Headphones?
Active Noise Cancellation uses built-in microphones to sample ambient sound around you, then generates an opposing audio signal to cancel that noise before it reaches your ears. On the Soundcore Space lineup — including models like the Space One, Space Q45, and Space A40 — this happens in real time and can be adjusted in intensity.
This is distinct from passive noise isolation, which is simply the physical seal the ear cups or ear tips create against outside sound. ANC works on top of that physical barrier, targeting low-frequency continuous sounds like airplane engines, HVAC systems, and road noise especially well.
How to Turn On Noise Cancelling: The Main Methods
Soundcore Space headphones offer several ways to activate ANC, depending on your specific model. 🎧
Method 1: Physical Button or Touch Control
Most Soundcore Space over-ear models include a dedicated ANC button on the ear cup. A single press typically cycles through modes:
- ANC On (active noise cancellation active)
- Transparency Mode (lets ambient sound in)
- Normal Mode (ANC off, no transparency)
On in-ear models like the Space A40, the control is usually a touch-and-hold gesture on one earbud. Check your specific model's quick-start guide, as the gesture assignment can vary.
Method 2: The Soundcore App (Recommended for Full Control)
The Soundcore app (available for Android and iOS) gives you significantly more granular control over noise cancellation than the physical button alone.
Within the app, you can typically:
- Switch between ANC modes — including options like "Transportation," "Outdoor," and "Indoor" presets that optimize the cancellation algorithm for different noise environments
- Adjust ANC intensity — some models let you dial cancellation strength rather than simply toggling on/off
- Enable Adaptive ANC — on supported models, this automatically detects your environment and adjusts the ANC level accordingly
- Customize which gesture or button triggers ANC
Connecting via the app also ensures your firmware is up to date, which can meaningfully affect ANC performance.
Method 3: Voice Assistant Shortcuts
Some Soundcore Space models support voice commands through a paired Google Assistant or Alexa integration. Depending on your setup, you may be able to say a command to toggle ANC — though this is model-dependent and requires prior configuration in the app.
ANC Modes Explained
| Mode | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| ANC – Transportation | Targets low rumble, engine noise | Planes, trains, buses |
| ANC – Outdoor | Handles wind and street noise | Commuting, walking |
| ANC – Indoor | Filters office hum, HVAC | Open offices, cafés |
| Transparency | Amplifies external sound | Conversations, awareness |
| Normal | No active processing | Quiet environments |
Not every Soundcore Space model offers all of these modes. The higher-tier models in the Space lineup tend to have more granular presets, while entry-level options may only offer a simple ANC on/off toggle.
Factors That Affect How Well ANC Works for You
Even with ANC fully enabled, your results will vary based on several variables:
Fit and seal — ANC performs best when the ear cups or ear tips form a consistent physical seal. Poorly fitting earbuds or worn-out ear cushions reduce the baseline isolation that ANC builds on. If ANC feels weak, fit is the first thing to check.
Noise type — ANC is most effective against steady, low-frequency sounds. It's less effective against sudden sharp sounds (voices, clapping, keyboard clicks) because those transient noises are harder for the cancellation algorithm to predict and counter.
Environment — Extremely loud or chaotic environments will push the limits of any consumer ANC headphone. ANC doesn't create silence; it reduces noise. Expectations matter here.
ANC mode selection — Using the wrong preset (e.g., "Indoor" on a loud commute) means the algorithm is tuned for the wrong sound profile. Matching the mode to your environment is a simple adjustment with a noticeable effect.
App version and firmware — Anker periodically releases firmware updates that refine ANC algorithms. Running outdated firmware can mean you're missing performance improvements that are already available.
Battery level — ANC is a power-intensive feature. Some headphones reduce ANC effectiveness as battery drops below a certain threshold to preserve playback time. 🔋
A Note on Transparency Mode
It's worth understanding Transparency Mode separately from ANC — they're opposites, not variations of the same feature. Transparency uses the external microphones to intentionally pipe in outside sound, making it easier to hear your environment without removing your headphones. If you accidentally activated Transparency instead of ANC, that would explain why you're hearing more rather than less.
The cycling behavior of the physical button (ANC → Transparency → Off) catches people off guard when they're new to the headphones.
Where Individual Setups Diverge
The steps above cover the core mechanics — but how ANC behaves day-to-day depends on your specific model, how you wear your headphones, which app settings you've configured, and the kinds of environments you're actually in. Someone using the Space Q45 on a daily train commute with the Transportation preset dialed in through the app will have a very different experience than someone using the Space A40 in a noisy gym with default settings. Getting the most out of ANC means understanding those variables in the context of your own routine.