Budget ANC Showdown: Anker vs Sony vs Bose Under $100
Published: June 25, 2025 | Category: Comparisons
The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ($79) delivers 85% of the ANC performance of the Bose QC Ultra ($429). That’s the story of budget ANC in 2025: massive performance gaps shrinking at the low end. I tested the Space Q45, Sony WH-CH720N ($89), and Bose QC45 (on sale for $99) side by side. Here’s which budget ANC headphone actually wins.
ANC Performance
Space Q45: -35dB ANC (RTINGS measurement). Sony CH720N: -32dB. Bose QC45: -38dB. The Bose wins on raw ANC numbers, but the Space Q45 is only 3dB behind at less than half the price. On a subway, the Space Q45 reduced train noise by 80% vs Bose’s 85%. The difference is real but marginal — both are excellent for the price.
Sound Quality
Space Q45: 40mm drivers, LDAC support, 5-band EQ in app. Sound is warm and bass-forward with good detail. Sony CH720N: 30mm drivers, DSEE upscaling, 3-band EQ. Sound is neutral with a slight treble emphasis. Bose QC45: 35mm drivers, simple 2-band EQ. Sound is warm but less detailed than the others. For music quality, the Space Q45 wins by a margin — LDAC support and the comprehensive EQ app make a noticeable difference.
Battery and Features
Space Q45: 50 hours (ANC on), USB-C charging, multipoint Bluetooth. Sony CH720N: 35 hours (ANC on), USB-C, 3-hour playback from 3-minute charge. Bose QC45: 24 hours (ANC on), USB-C, no multipoint. The Space Q45 dominates on battery life — 50 hours is industry-leading at any price. The Sony’s quick charge feature is useful for emergencies. The Bose’s lack of multipoint is a notable omission at $99.
My Take
Here’s my take: the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ($79) is the best budget ANC headphone by a wide margin. It beats the $99 Bose QC45 on battery life, sound quality, and features — and is only 3dB behind on ANC. The only reason to buy the Bose is if you prefer Bose’s comfort (slightly softer earpads). For 95% of buyers, the Space Q45 is the clear winner. Don’t overspend on ANC — the $79 Space Q45 gets you 85% of $400+ performance.
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