ConsFirst / Noise-cancelling headphones / Compare
Soundcore Space One vs JLab JBuds Lux ANC
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we report. Learn more
The short answer
Soundcore Space One ranks higher (#3 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on noise cancelling, comfort. JLab JBuds Lux ANC wins on call quality.
The biggest complaint about the Soundcore Space One is callers hear you poorly; for the JLab JBuds Lux ANC it's anc is only modest. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Soundcore Space One | JLab JBuds Lux ANC | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in noise-cancelling headphones | #3 | #4 |
| Price tier | $ | $ |
| Type | Noise-cancelling | Noise-cancelling |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 8% | 7% |
| Overall score | 3.8 | 3.6 |
| Sound | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Noise cancelling | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Comfort | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Call quality | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Battery | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Durability | 3.0 | 3.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $150 · $$ $150–300 · $$$ over $300. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Soundcore Space One
- Callers hear you poorly
Wirecutter says voices sound compressed, distant and 'reedy', and get ducked in strong gusts. Tom's Guide lists weak call quality and found voices muffled indoors and out. SoundGuys disagrees, saying the mics do an excellent job of blocking background noise.
- Plastic build, and some units fail
Amazon's summary says durability is mixed, with some owners reporting them breaking almost immediately and some saying the ANC doesn't work at all. Low-star Walmart reviews describe cheap materials that broke, a pair that stopped powering on after four months, and random static. SoundGuys scores build 6.5, and there's no water-resistance rating. Wirecutter, by contrast, hasn't seen build complaints and notes an 18-month warranty.
- Fiddly buttons and a jumpy wear sensor
Wirecutter says the buttons are small and take practice to find by feel. Tom's Guide calls the control scheme outdated and the design very cumbersome. Low-star Walmart reviewers say music stops with the slightest movement at the gym.
JLab JBuds Lux ANC
- ANC is only modest
SoundGuys calls the noise cancelling 'somewhat weak', measuring 10-20 dB below 700 Hz (roughly 50-75% of low-frequency noise). A Walmart reviewer bought two pairs and says one had no noise cancelling at all. Tom's Guide and Amazon owners, by contrast, praise the ANC.
- Mic and pairing glitches
In SoundGuys' reader poll, most voters rated the mic only 'Okay' (43%) or 'Good' (40%), and the reviewer says it's not great against wind. Low-star Walmart reviews describe mics that callers couldn't hear, an iPhone that wouldn't pair, and audio that stopped after a few seconds on Windows 11.
- Bare-bones extras and so-so durability
Tom's Guide lists no wear detection, no carry case and no LDAC. SoundGuys notes no IP rating, limited button customization, heat build-up and hair snagging in the band slider. Amazon's summary says durability is mixed, with some owners reporting them breaking.
Who should pick which
Pick the Soundcore Space One if
Strong ANC on a roughly $100 budget
Charging about once a week (40 hours with ANC)
Glasses wearers (pliable foam keeps the seal)
Skip it if: You make lots of calls in noisy places; You want workout headphones (no water resistance); You want a hard carrying case
Pick the JLab JBuds Lux ANC if
Tight budgets (under $100)
Very long battery life
Wired lossless listening over USB-C
Skip it if: You fly often and want maximum ANC; You need a case or water resistance; You take calls outdoors in the wind
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.