Quick Specs
Our Verdict
Ultra-budget noise-cancelling earbuds with adaptive ANC, LDAC, a comfortable lightweight fit and 7-hour-plus battery for around £20-£25 — a remarkable amount of earbud for the money, bar a cheap-feeling build.
How We Prepared This Review
Prepared by our editorial team using verified source material, product research, and a British-English editorial rewrite before publication.
- We review the working bundle for product facts, comparisons, and buyer-relevant tradeoffs before publishing.
- Non-English source material is translated into British English and rewritten into our house style without carrying over publication branding.
- Affiliate links and price references are handled separately from editorial judgements and never determine the verdict.
Affiliate links never determine our verdicts. Commercial relationships are disclosed separately from the editorial assessment, and we aim to keep buyer guidance clear, specific, and evidence-based.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Adaptive noise cancelling that is rare at the price
- Comfortable, stable, lightweight fit
- Over 7 hours battery plus ~4 case charges
- LDAC support and balanced default sound
- Capable mic and extra features for the money
Cons
- Somewhat cheap construction
- ANC does not match premium earbuds
Full Specifications
Key Features
Adaptive noise cancelling that is rare at the price
Comfortable, stable, lightweight fit
Over 7 hours battery plus ~4 case charges
LDAC support and balanced default sound
Capable mic and extra features for the money
The Anker Soundcore P31i are about as affordable as noise-cancelling earbuds get, often selling for around £20-£25, and their trick is packing pared-down versions of flagship features into that tiny budget. Adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC streaming, an app with EQ and even virtual surround all feature at a price where most rivals offer none of them. Independent laboratory testing rates them a standout in the budget bracket and good for travel, so long as you accept the compromises that come with the price.
Noise Cancelling and Sound
The headline feature is an adaptive ANC system — genuinely rare at this price. The test was clear that it does not compete with flagship earbuds, but it still does a decent job of cutting out external noise in the places it matters most, such as aircraft cabins and busy intersections. For the money, that is a real result. Sound is a strength too: the test found the default tuning more balanced than many budget competitors, and LDAC support means Android listeners can stream at higher quality, with a virtual surround mode on hand for a wider feel.
Comfort and Battery
Comfort is where the P31i punch well above their price. The test praised their very comfortable, stable and lightweight fit, which stays put and avoids the ear fatigue that spoils long journeys. Battery life is strong for such cheap buds, with over seven hours of continuous playback from the earbuds and roughly four more charges in the case — enough to cover a medium-haul flight or a full day out without reaching for a cable. A capable microphone and even an AI translation feature round out a surprisingly complete package.
The Compromise
Something has to give at this price, and the test pinpointed build quality: the construction feels somewhat cheap, with more plastic and less of the reassuring solidity of dearer earbuds. It is a fair trade for what you pay, and nothing that stops them working well, but it is worth knowing that the P31i prioritise features and comfort over a premium feel in the hand.
How It Compares
The Anker Soundcore P31i are the ultra-budget pick in our best wireless earbuds guide. They sit below the £40 Anker Soundcore Space A40, which adds stronger ANC and wireless charging, and the £99 Nothing Ear (3a), which steps up sound and features again. Within Anker's own range the Soundcore Liberty 4 offers more for more, while premium buyers should read our Technics EAH-AZ100 review to see what the very top of the market delivers. Check the price on Amazon
Verdict
The Anker Soundcore P31i are a remarkable amount of earbud for the money: adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC, a comfortable lightweight fit and seven-hours-plus of battery, all for around the price of a couple of takeaways. The cheap-feeling construction is the obvious concession, but at this price it is an easy one to forgive. If you want a genuine taste of premium features without spending premium money, they are among the best budget earbuds you can buy.
This review is based on independent laboratory testing rather than our own hands-on trial.
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