Noise cancellation is a massive leap over the Pro 2, with many calling it the best ANC on the market and beating rivals like Bose QC Ultra and Sony XM5/XM6
New foam-hybrid tips give a noticeably more secure, comfortable fit that stays in during workouts and doesn't fall out like earlier generations
Fuller, richer sound with deeper bass and more clarity than the Pro 2, especially once EQ/adaptive settings are dialed in
Owners complain about
New V-shaped sound signature pushes treble and bass while gutting the mids, which many describe as harsh, sibilant, or fatiguing compared to the more balanced Pro 2 tuning
Fit is inconsistent across ears: a meaningful group finds them painful, ill-fitting, or prone to loosening/falling out with sweat, even after trying multiple tip sizes
Many owners returned the Pro 3 and went back to the Pro 2, saying the older model sounds better or fits better and the upgrade wasn't worth it
✓iPhone owners who want the best-in-class ANC for flights, commutes, and city noise
✓Gym-goers and runners who need a secure, sweat-resistant fit that stays locked in
✓Upgraders from AirPods Pro 1 or 2 chasing a noticeably deeper, more isolating noise-cancelling jump
✓Android users who just want reliable earbuds without needing full Apple ecosystem features
Skip it if
Audiophiles sensitive to treble who dislike the V-shaped, bass/treble-boosted, mids-recessed tuning
People with smaller or oddly-shaped ear canals who can't get tips to seal without pain or falling out
Get the Soundcore Space A40 if
✓Budget shoppers wanting solid ANC and battery life without a premium price
✓Side sleepers who need small, low-profile buds that stay comfortable overnight
✓People with small ear canals who struggle to get a secure fit elsewhere
✓Owners willing to run custom EQ or chase firmware updates for better bass
Skip it if
Bass-heads expecting punchy low end straight out of the box
Buyers who need long-term durability, given reports of battery fade and single-ear failure
What Soundcore Space A40 owners think
Most owners who stick with the Space A40 point to the fit and the battery as the reasons why, calling them comfortable enough to sleep in and able to run for days between charges, with ANC and overall value rounding out the appeal at this price. A meaningful minority pushes back hard on the sound, describing bass that is thin or absent, especially before certain firmware updates, and ranking the tuning behind other Soundcore models like the Liberty 3 Pro and 4NC. A smaller group also reports batteries fading within a year or two, sometimes down to one working bud, plus scattered complaints about fit and inconsistent ANC. The split lands along expectations: buyers focused on comfort and battery come away satisfied, while anyone chasing bass or long-term reliability tends to leave disappointed.
What Apple AirPods Pro 3 owners say
“Yea, I compared them to my xm5 (over ear headphones)… and not kidding, the ANC is better, and so are the low ends and bass. It’s actually insane”
“They are great for the price one of the ones I miss most (I lose a lot of buds) and have a soft spot for. Extremely ergonomic fit, and the NC isn’t bad either.”
“It’s probably the most comfortable in-ears I’ve ever worn before, and I liked that they kinda went against the grain by having a more neutral sound out-of-the-box”
“These were definitely not the best choice in earbuds. Sound and ANC are pretty bang average for the price. The only good thing about them really is the battery life, even the fit is poor on me.”
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Soundcore Space A40: frequently asked questions
Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Soundcore Space A40 better?
Real owners lean toward the Apple AirPods Pro 3: 51% of 343 owners recommend it, vs 31% of 61 for the Soundcore Space A40.
Who should get the Apple AirPods Pro 3?
Owners point the Apple AirPods Pro 3 at iPhone owners who want the best-in-class ANC for flights, commutes, and city noise, and gym-goers and runners who need a secure, sweat-resistant fit that stays locked in.
Who should get the Soundcore Space A40?
Owners point the Soundcore Space A40 at budget shoppers wanting solid ANC and battery life without a premium price, and side sleepers who need small, low-profile buds that stay comfortable overnight.
What do owners complain about?
The most-cited downside of the Apple AirPods Pro 3 is new V-shaped sound signature pushes treble and bass while gutting the mids, which many describe as harsh, sibilant, or fatiguing compared to the more balanced Pro 2 tuning. For the Soundcore Space A40, it's bass is thin, washed out, or missing entirely for many owners, especially before certain firmware updates.