If you're looking for wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC) without spending a fortune, the Anker Soundcore Life P3 is a strong contender. Priced well below premium alternatives like the AirPods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM4, these earbuds deliver decent ANC performance, long battery life, and a customizable sound profile through a companion app.
They aren’t perfect—touch controls can be finicky, and the fit might not suit everyone—but for the price, they offer a lot. Here’s what you need to know before buying.
Key Features
1. Effective Active Noise Cancellation
The Life P3’s hybrid ANC system performs surprisingly well for its price range. It offers three adjustable modes:
Transport (focused on low-frequency noises like bus engines)
Indoor (for midrange sounds like office chatter)
Outdoor (general ambient noise reduction)
While it doesn’t match high-end ANC earbuds, it does a solid job muting background noise in most environments, making it a good choice for commuters or office workers12.
2. Long Battery Life
With ANC enabled, you get about 6 hours of playback per charge, extending to 35 hours with the charging case. That’s competitive for budget ANC earbuds. A quick 10-minute charge provides 2 hours of listening, and the case supports Qi wireless charging56.
3. Customizable Sound via App
The Soundcore app allows deep sound customization, including:
22 EQ presets (including BassUp for extra low-end punch)
Customizable touch controls
Ear tip fit test (to ensure proper seal for ANC)
The default sound signature leans bass-heavy, but the app lets you tweak it to your preference15.
4. IPX5 Water Resistance
While not fully waterproof, the Life P3 can handle sweat and light rain, making them suitable for workouts6.
5. Additional Features
Game Mode (reduces latency for mobile gaming)
Find My Earbuds (helps locate lost earbuds via the app)
Multiple color options (black, navy, sky blue, coral red, oat white)
What We Like
✅ Strong ANC for the price – Blocks out a good amount of noise, especially for commuting1.
✅ Long battery life – 6 hours with ANC, 35 hours with the case5.
✅ Highly customizable sound – The app provides extensive EQ adjustments2.
✅ Comfortable fit – Lightweight (4.9g per earbud) with multiple ear tip options3.
✅ Wireless charging support – A rare feature at this price point8.
What We Don’t Like
❌ Touch controls can be unreliable – Sometimes unresponsive or overly sensitive12.
❌ Fit may not be secure for everyone – Some users report earbuds loosening during movement1.
❌ Bass can be overpowering – The default sound profile favors low-end, which may not suit all music genres4.
❌ No wear detection – Music doesn’t pause when removing an earbud1.
Who Should Buy the Anker Soundcore Life P3?
✔ Budget-conscious listeners who want ANC – If you need noise cancellation but don’t want to spend $200+, these are a solid pick.
✔ Commuters and travelers – The ANC modes work well for buses, trains, and planes.
✔ Bass lovers – The default tuning and BassUp mode deliver punchy low frequencies.
✔ Gamers on a budget – The low-latency Game Mode helps with mobile gaming.
Who Should Skip Them?
✖ Those who prioritize call quality – While decent, the mic performance isn’t as strong as premium options.
✖ People who prefer a neutral sound – The bass-heavy tuning may not appeal to audiophiles.
✖ Those who need ultra-secure fit – If you have trouble with in-ear designs, these might not stay put during workouts.
Final Verdict
The Anker Soundcore Life P3 is one of the better budget ANC earbuds available. It delivers effective noise cancellation, long battery life, and a highly customizable sound experience—all for under $100. While it has some quirks (like inconsistent touch controls and a bass-forward sound signature), it’s a great option for casual listeners, commuters, and anyone who wants ANC without breaking the bank.
Where to Buy
🔗 Anker Soundcore Life P3 on Amazon
Alternatives to Consider
EarFun Air Pro 3 – Similar price, better call quality, but less customizable.
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC – A step up in ANC and sound, but slightly more expensive.
1More SonoFlow – Over-ear option with stronger ANC, but less portable.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly ANC earbud that doesn’t cut too many corners, the Anker Soundcore Life P3 is a compelling choice. Just be aware of its limitations—particularly the touch controls and fit—before committing.