14 Nov
Blog

Anker PowerHouse II 800 Review: A Camper’s Best Friend

Anker PowerHouse II battery pack for charging various devices.

Anker PowerHouse II 800

RRP $ 700.00

“The PowerHouse II 800 is characterized by the fact that it can charge several small devices for short trips outside the network. ”

advantages

  • Solar friendly

  • Extra built-in LED lighting

  • Lots of USB ports

disadvantage

  • Strong but awkward handle

Anker is well established in the phone backup battery space and I've enjoyed some of their models for years. However, after a couple of camping trips laden with a dozen portable packs to keep my (and my friends') phones well charged, I was eager to streamline things with a clunky powerhouse like the Anker PowerHouse II 800.

Out of the box

This 777 watt hour battery has enough plugs to charge a number of devices at the same time. Two AC plugs are available for your larger devices, while four USB-A ports and two 60-watt USB-C ports can power your phones and tablets. There is also a DC car power outlet that you might use for an air mattress pump.

As for the charging inputs, the PowerHouse II supports 800 solar modules with an output of up to 120 W. It also benefits from the maximum power point tracking, which dynamically optimizes the battery to make the most of the variable input current from solar panels. I was able to plug an old Goal Zero Nomad 13 solar panel into the DC slot and charge it well, but after sitting on my balcony for two and a half days of sunshine, the PowerHouse barely clocked 3%. You will likely need some large solar panels to charge that bad boy in a reasonable amount of time.

Anker PowerHouse III backup battery on the table.Simon Sage / Digital Trends

With the socket outlet, you can always juice the PowerHouse II 800 the old-fashioned way. If you want to put in a little more power, you can also plug the supplied USB-C cable into the wall.

draft

The PowerHouse II 800 positions itself as a rough product thanks to its reinforced corners. We're dealing with electronics, so in general you don't want to stand in the rain with your cell phone while charging, but as far as water protection is concerned, the AC plugs and the DC car plug are well covered. The only complaint is that the connections are not well positioned for plugs that are angled 90 degrees towards the ground wire. Anchoring these silicone flaps over the plug instead would have prevented additional wear.

Anker PowerHouse III backup battery.Simon Sage / Digital Trends

The handle at the top is sturdy, stiff and has a good grip. It is badly needed for something that weighs 18 pounds. However, the handle breaks up the profile of the box, making packing difficult. So if you put something on it during your road trip or in your closet in the off-season, you put strain on that handle and generally make storage awkward. You are also losing prime real estate to your devices. Many other power plants in this category have their handles built into the corners of the case themselves to avoid such problems.

The front LCD display gives you all the relevant information you need, including total charge, estimated remaining life, time to full charge, current frequency and power, and temperature warnings. Below that are three hardware buttons with which you can activate each of the main areas independently of one another. Unfortunately, there is no companion app to monitor these things.

Performance characteristics

It is probably wrong to see the PowerHouse II 800 as a proper home backup solution. It's specifically rated not to support devices over 500W such as microwaves, toasters, or hairdryers. The most aggressive test I put this battery on was plugging in my desktop PC and plasma TV to watch some YouTube videos.

The PowerHouse II 800 appears to be intended for weekend camping trips with multiple people needing to charge their phones.

The draw fluctuated between 460W and 500W, which gave me a little over an hour of charge. My dreams of rough off-grid individualism shattered, I took a more modest test the next day. This time, I just had my laptop and external monitor plugged in, and they worked perfectly all day. Anker estimates that with a fully charged PowerHouse II 800 you can get 55 phone charges, 19 tablet charges, or 10 laptop charges.

The maximum power of 60 W on the USB-C connectors is not as high as it could be. Many power plants have a more powerful USB output that is able to keep more powerful laptops running. As it stands, you'll have to settle for one of the standard AC slots. You will also see more and more power plants with wireless charging on top for added convenience. For what it's worth, Anker uses its PowerIQ 3.0 charging technology over USB-C, which is compatible with Apple, Samsung and Qualcomm fast charging standards.

Anker PowerHouse III backup battery.Simon Sage / Digital Trends

The perfect use case for the PowerHouse II 800 seems to be weekend camping trips with multiple people needing to charge their phones. If something really hammers home outdoor use, it's not one, but two built-in LED lights. A little guy can provide a focused beam of light while the wide one at the back has a nice diffused light that would fill a tent perfectly. The little light includes an SOS mode that can come in handy when you're left on an island with no beer late at night and need to signal friends across the lake.

Our opinion

The expectations I had of my first power plant were somewhat ambitious. I was hoping that something like this could keep my refrigerator running in the event of a breakdown, but I would have known better if I had taken a closer look at the box. The PowerHouse II 800, priced at US $ 700, is distinguished by the fact that it can charge multiple small devices for short off-grid trips.

Aside from a few minor design tweaks, the PowerHouse II 800 is small and light enough to be thrown in the trunk for a weekend getaway. Even if it doesn't have the capacity to keep household appliances running, such a power source in the closet can certainly help keep your personal electronics running in the event of prolonged power outages. Good connectivity for solar panels and additional integrated lighting make it a natural companion for outdoors.

Is there a better alternative?

The market for mid-range power plants is huge. The last powerhouse we looked at was the Jackery Explorer 1000. It has a couple of USB slots for an extra power plug and has a larger capacity which is perfect with its higher price. EcoFlow products include in the $ 700 range Companion apps and expandable capacitiesthat are gimmicks, but definitely catch the eye.

How long it will take?

The lifespan of lithium-ion batteries is around 3 to 5 years, but this may depend on usage. For something this season, I would expect it to last a little longer. Anker suggests charging the PowerHouse II 800 every 3 months to preserve its lifespan.

Should you buy it?

If you are looking for something that will enhance your everyday portable battery, the PowerHouse II 800 is a great choice. It lacks some of the bells and whistles you'll find on other power plants in its class, but nothing significant.

Editor's recommendations



10 Sep
Blog

Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2 Review: Good, But Puzzling

Anker Spirit Dot 2 earbuds

Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2

"The Spirit Dot 2 offers the winning combination of good sound and affordability."

  • Secure fit

  • Excellent passive noise reduction

  • Solid bottom end

  • Average characteristics overall

  • Limited touch controls

One of my biggest and perhaps only complaints about the Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 was the design of the ear hook. It's not that putting these hooks over your ears is uncomfortable as they fit nicely. When compared to traditional true wireless earbuds, the ear hook style is a far less appealing option.

The $ 80 Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2 is the company's answer to people wanting the value of the Spirit X2 in a more compact package. Features may not be quite the same, but the Dot 2 has the preferred earbud design at the same price as the Spirit X2.

Is that enough? Time to find out.

Out of the box

There is nothing special about the packaging of the Spirit Dot 2 or any of the accessories inside other than the fact that the packaging they come in is very similar to the Spirit X2 so I had to double check and make sure I did grabbed the right buds. This should of course be coordinated with Anker's uniform color scheme.

Anker Spirit Dot 2 earbudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Aside from the buds and their charging case, the Spirit Dot 2's package includes four additional pairs of earplugs, two pairs of “Airwings” (or ear fins), a USB-C cable, and the standard documentation. For what it's worth, I stuck to the earplugs and ear fins that the Spirit Dot 2 came with. However, your mileage and ears may vary. So it's nice of Anker to offer different options at this price.

The Spirit Dot 2 connects to your mobile device like you are used to from most real wireless earbuds. When you pull them out of the charging case, the automatic pairing function is activated. All you have to do is find them in your phone settings and connect. In addition to the Bluetooth 5 technology supported by these buds, the Spirit Dot 2 has two transmitters that allow each earbud to be individually connected to your phone, according to Anker. The company says this can result in up to 30 percent lower latency. While I can't specifically prove this statistic, I can say that I didn't experience any significant latency issues when watching YouTube or TikTok clips on my phone.

design

I wouldn't call the Spirit Dot 2 the smallest buds I've ever put in my ears – at first glance, that honor might go to the 1More Colorbuds – but they're certainly small and significantly less vigorous than a pair like that Edifier TWS NB. It is a vague way of assessing the size of these buds, but without access to weight specifications, it is the best I can offer.

Anker Spirit Dot 2 earbudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Probably the most comparable buds to the Spirit Dot 2 are the Google Pixel Buds 2. Both use similar ergonomic shapes with ear fins to position them securely in your ear. The Spirit Dot 2 are a bit more voluminous and therefore put more pressure on my ears. However, the secure and comfortable seal of the Spirit Dot 2 exactly reflects my experience with Google Pixel Buds 2. The more expensive Google product offers more comfort when listening over a longer period of time.

Although Anker recommends these buds for various purposes such as training, sports, or travel, at the time of this review I was unable to test the Spirit Dot 2 due to the poor air quality in my area. I did take them for a few walks and a handful of home workouts, however, and they held up well during these activities.

The Spirit Dot 2 have no buttons, but opt ​​for touch controls only. This works, but in limited capacity. You can play, pause and skip tracks, answer and end calls, and activate your voice assistant with a series of taps and presses – and all of these controls work as advertised. However, the Spirit Dot 2 does not contain a volume control. Anker redirects you to the "connected device" to adjust the volume in the buds manual. That may be fine if I'm taking the train during a commute (before 2020, of course), but the last thing I want to do when I'm jogging is unzipping my belt pouch, pulling out my phone, and turning up the volume. For my taste, the controls on the Spirit Dot 2 are a command that isn't fully functional, and that's an issue at this price point too.

The charging case, by the way, is a medium-sized jar with Anker's logo embedded over a lid that slides out to reveal the buds. I didn't originally plan to mention it as it seemed mostly unspectacular. But after getting through a round of chewing from a curious pup, I felt compelled to vouch for the sheer robustness of the case.

properties

I've pointed out the discrepancy between the Spirit X2 and the Spirit Dot 2 before, and I'm here to tell you that those differences are actually very real. Again, the Spirit Dot 2 offers the preferred design, but they find it difficult to compete with their counterparts with earhooks overall.

Anker Spirit Dot 2 earbudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Spirit X2 has a battery life of nine hours per charge and a total playback time of 36 hours if the charging case is taken into account. In comparison, the Spirit Dot 2 offers only 5.5 hours of play time per charge and a total of 16 hours. That's better than the Google Pixel Buds 2, and since I've given the similarly priced 1More Colorbuds and their six-hour battery a pass, I'm reluctant to do the same with the Spirit Dot 2. But with buds like the $ 40 SoundPeats Truengine SE, or with the $ 30 JLab Go Air offering six or five hours of playtime, the bar will soon change for that price.

The IP68 weather resistance of the Spirit X2 protects the ear hook buds from being completely submerged in up to 2 meters of water for no more than 30 minutes. With the Spirit Dot 2, they can be immersed up to a meter deep with an IPX7 rating. This is better than most of the other budget buds we checked out at Digital Trends. This means that the Spirit X2 have full dust protection, which the Spirit Dot 2 lacks.

Both the Spirit X2 and the Spirit Dot 2 have Anker's "SweatGuard technology", which is essentially a coating of the buds that is supposed to offer more protection against sweat. Again, I don't think I've tested these buds long enough to tell how well this feature works, but I think it's important to mention as it's clear that Anker is at least making the extra effort to make his Make products work up a sweat. friendly.

Audio quality

In terms of the sound quality of the Spirit Dot 2, I thought there was a lot to like here, but also plenty of room for improvement.

Anker Spirit Dot 2 earbudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Spirit Dot 2 has smaller drivers than the Spirit X2, 8 mm versus 12 mm. However, both pairs feature Anker's BassUp technology which, according to Anker, uses an algorithm to analyze and amplify the bass. While they didn't quite produce the "wow" factor that I experienced with the Spirit X2, the Spirit Dot 2 are certainly powerful earbuds when it comes to the low end. My personal workout playlist contains everything from Big Sean and Eminem's No Favors to Granger Smith's Backroad Song. While I thought the Spirit Dot 2 was crowding the lower end of the latter, these buds generally have solid bass that will please most bass-loving fitness junkies.

With a solid bass foundation, the Spirit Dot 2 have decent clarity for their cost, even if the rest of a track is sometimes overshadowed by low notes. I think I prefer the sound signature of the 1More Colorbuds – which rely far less on the lower end for a more balanced, pleasant sound – but I don't think most folks with the Spirit will have much to complain about the audio quality of Dot 2 However, the Spirit X2 has aptX support, while the Dot 2 of the same price has no support. They support AAC and SBC codecs, but skipping aptX leaves a puzzling void on the Dot 2.

Perhaps the most underrated aspect of the Spirit Dot 2's sound is the passive noise reduction that the seal provides in your ear. It does a remarkable job of blocking your surroundings – my air purifier, blasting on a "turbo" about two meters away, went essentially inaudible – and serves as the basis for clear calls with the earbuds' built-in microphones. Anker seems to have the large insulation firmly under control, as the Liberty 2 Pro also has a very good seal. Sure, active noise cancellation is great when done well. However, for $ 80, it's hard to complain about how much sound these buds passively keep away from your ears.

Our opinion

These should have cost $ 60, or at least less than $ 80. Anker's pricing for these buds is puzzling as they lag significantly behind when compared to the Spirit X2 at the same price. While they sound great and come at an affordable price, which can prove to be a winning combination for many, it can be difficult to fully recommend them against the competition (including Anker's own line).

Are there any better alternatives?

The $ 100 1More Colorbuds sound better but aren't that well equipped for training. The Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 for $ 80 at the same price offers better features overall and comparable sound quality. but their ear hook design may be less desirable to some people. For half the price, the $ 40 SoundPeats Truengine SE offers a fascinating mix of convenience and sound quality, but it lacks bonus features like wireless (or fast) charging.

How long will they last?

The Spirit Dot 2 comes with an 18 month limited warranty, feels durable, and is solidly water resistant. In other words, they are well suited to persist for the foreseeable future.

Should you buy it?

If features you can forego to take advantage of the in-ear style of the Anker Soundcore Spirit Dot 2, they're a great option. But if ear hooks aren't a deal breaker, the Spirit X2 are better across the board.

Editor's recommendations




28 Aug
Blog

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro Review: Giant Soundstage

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro Earbuds Review Earbuds 1

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro

"As with a personal concert, the Liberty 2 Pro can beat the best – and win."

  • Incredible audio quality

  • Solid call quality

  • Good battery life

  • Wireless charging

  • Excellent noise isolation

  • Special value

  • Bulky design

  • Fiddly buttons with no functions

I'm going to break our valuation tradition here and just come out and say it: The Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro are truly exceptional. If you've already considered these, then don't need to read any further: buy them.

But if you're wondering why I'm so in love with these particular buds, I have a lot to say. They're not perfect in all aspects, but if sound quality is paramount to you and you crave detail, balance, and a tremendous soundstage, you can't get better than the Liberty 2 Pro right now – especially not in its $ 150 price range .

No, that's not an exaggeration.

A luxurious box

The first time I pulled the Liberty 2 out of the shipping box, I let out an audible "wow". The product box is the prettiest I've ever seen of an audio product on my huge pile. Its triple style is covered in some sort of texture that feels like a high quality matte paper magazine. On the inside of the folding cover are stunning graphics of the company's audio hardware design. The two buds and the charging case are displayed behind a transparent plastic cover.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro earphones rating earphones 11 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/anker-soundcore-liberty-2- pro -earbuds-earphones-review-11-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5AAAAEAAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro Earphones Rating Earphones 12 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/anker-soundcore-liberty-2- pro -earbuds-earphones-review-12-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5AAAAAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro earphones rating earphones 13 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/anker-soundcore-liberty-2- pro -earbuds-earphones-review-13-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5AAEAEAAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro earphones rating earphones 14 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/anker-soundcore-liberty-2- pro -earbuds-earphones-review-14-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5AAAAAEAAThe box has a very satisfactory texture which hopefully can be seen here. Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Under this paper and plastic tub you will find a very large pile of paper documents (based on the excess paper that is also contained in the Spirit X2, this could just be a Soundcore thing), a charging cable and six (!) Additional silicone earbuds and two extra wings that help keep the buds in place when carried. The seven earplug sizes offered here are well above the industry average and certainly contribute to comfort (more on that later).

Given the sturdiness of the box and the plastic tubs it contains, I can't agree with Anker when it comes to sustainability, but at least they seem to have given their all on the first impression. I've seen worse eco-friendly cardboard boxes that had a lot less impact. This box is so beautiful that I would like to keep it as long as I have the buds.

Chunky, bulky design

The Liberty 2 Pro has almost everything right outside of the design. Here, however, they stumble.

Let's start with the case: it feels a lot bigger than it needs to be, and the buds aren't sitting in it intuitively.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

That doesn't mean I think the case is big, but it is certainly one of the bigger ones I have on hand. It's bigger than the Master and Dynamic MW07 just because the sides are so dramatically rounded, but it's thankfully smaller than the Sony WF-SP800N and WF-1000XM3, both of which are almost obtrusively large. It's almost twice the size of the Jabra Elite 75t. I don't think I'd have such a big problem with the case if I didn't think it was made bigger for the design, not because it had to be. It seems to waste a lot of space, and the bottom of the case (where the battery appears to be) is so thin and relatively light that I just have to think that there is a better way to design it.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro earphones rating earphones 9 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn6.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/anker-soundcore-liberty-2- pro -earbuds-earphones-review-9-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5AAAAAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro Earphones Rating Earphones 10 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn7.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/anker-soundcore-liberty-2- pro -earbuds-earphones-review-10-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5AAEAEAAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Although the lid slides backwards satisfactorily, the buds are set particularly deep into the case and, oddly enough, sit in the holder. Most of the buds on the market snap down with either the earbuds (like the WF-1000XM3) or the antennas (like the Airpods). The Liberty 2 Pro are designed to sit on their side in their case, which makes taking them in and out a process that I need to actively think about to make sure I'm doing everything right. I've been using these for a few weeks now and every time I still have to play around with them.

Next, let's talk about the buds themselves: they're bulky.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

You won't notice their girth when you wear them, but they protrude significantly from your head and everyone around you will be very aware of the buds. They are impossible to ignore.

One final note: although the Liberty 2 Pro lets you pause / play / skip, turn it on and off, and answer / hang up calls, the button to do it is extremely small and poorly positioned. It's a tiny button on the top of the right earbud and reset. You certainly won't accidentally press this button, which is probably a nice perk, but it's a lot easier to control your phone or smartwatch.

This tiny button is no fun. Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

There's also no way to control the volume on the buds yourself, which is another nuisance. But since, due to the fiddly buttons mentioned above, I'll likely be using my phone to manage which song I'm listening to right now, that's probably not that big a deal.

Features and comfort

When the design doesn't get in the way, we can talk about the good things – and there are a lot of good things.

While they don't have as long battery life as their sport-loving brother, the Spirit X2, the Liberty 2 Pros have an excellent 8 hour battery life when you look at comparable performance-focused earbuds. Another three fees in this case increase the total listening time to 32 hours. They last at least as long as the Sony WH-1000XM3s, are better than the 19.5 hours you get from the Panasonic Technics TWS AZ70s, and far superior to the sad 14 hours of the Master and Dynamic MW07s. They don't match the 13 hours of the Sony WF-SP800N or the 9.5 hours of the RHA TrueConnect 2, but they beat the Jabra Elite 75T, which only took about 7 hours in our tests.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

After a charging time of just under 10 minutes, you also get 2 hours of listening time. The charging case is also compatible with USB-C and wireless Qi charging, which is impressive.

Soundcore has an excellent app that is compatible with the Liberty 2 Pros that allows you to convert the EQ from the standard sound profile (which is honestly pretty good) to one of 10 suggested calibrations by professional music producers, your own EQ, or a personalized one change a sound profile that is compiled based on a hearing test that you can perform through the app.

Personally, I enjoy making a custom EQ based on my own preferences, but it was interesting and even fun to try out my favorite songs with different calibrations from the industry pros. The personalized profile through the app felt kind of great, and the profile it created for me wasn't my favorite. I applaud the effort, but stick with the custom EQ.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Unfortunately, the Liberty 2 Pro doesn't have a sensor that detects when a bud is removed from your ears. Hence, you have to stop the music manually.

The Buds support a wide variety of codecs including aptX which is good to see.

Soundcore makes a solid argument that earbuds don't need active noise-canceling technology based on how good they are at noise isolation. When they are worn and playing music even at low volume, the sound is so well isolated that I could swear they had noise canceling. While they're not the best to wear on a plane with no music, they do a great job without the ANC.

This noise isolation means the buds will be quite snug against your ear. If you are particularly sensitive to pressure in your ear canal, it can make you feel tired. Personally, I like the fit. I use the smallest ear plugs and fins and they stay in my ears very well. I could wear them for hours without any problems.

Soundcore makes a solid argument that there is no need for active noise cancellation technology in earphones.

They aren't the most comfortable earbuds I've tested, but they strike a very good balance between comfortable and safe. I have a hell of a lot of time holding the Sony WF-1000XM3 in my ears and the very comfortable Master and Dynamic MW07s do a very poor job of isolating. For me, the Liberty 2 Pro are the goldilocks of this situation: They are exactly right.

Incredible soundstage

I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro has a wider, richer soundstage than any other earbud I've tested in 2020. You can keep up with the raw bass performance of the Jabra Elite 75T and have a deeper and more robust projection of that bass. Compared to our usual standard, the Sony WF-1000XM3, the Liberty 2 Pro offers a bigger sound and a stronger bass without losing details. The XM3s sound great, but they lack detail. The Liberty 2 Pro is both sturdy and detailed, which is surprising and impressive.

That's right, I think they sound better than an earbud that costs almost twice as much.

The Liberty 2 Pro are the closest thing to the professional over-ear studio monitors I've seen in an earbud.

While I really have to pause and listen carefully to find out the background details of Katy Perry's Daisies on both the Sony and Jabra, this is clear and obvious on the Liberty 2 Pro. In Hans Zimmer's No Time for Caution, I have the feeling of sitting in the Imax Theater and seeing Interstellar again for the first time.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

When I listen to music through Liberty 2 Pro, I feel like I'm in the middle of my personal theater with my favorite band playing just for me. Somehow, Anker Soundcore managed to give me all the details about lows, mids and highs that I crave while keeping my balance flawless. Even if I change the EQ so that the bass is as high as possible, it never overpowers any of the other levels. The detail is still there.

The Liberty 2 Pro are the closest thing to the professional over-ear studio monitors I've seen in an earbud. While studio monitors tend to be more neutral in their projection to maintain balance and bring out details, the Liberty 2 Pro somehow manages to give me the nice depth and warmth that is great for easy listening without sacrificing that balance and criticism to need detail. I can't get enough of the music these buds offer, the sound is so extraordinary.

If sound quality is most important to you, the Liberty 2 Pro are hard to beat.

For me, the Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro are the new standard.

Call quality

I am pleased to announce that the call quality with the Liberty 2 Pro is very good for both parties. Not only can I hear the other side of the conversation very clearly, but they can also hear me clearly. They're not the best for calling out of all of the earbuds we tested – the Apple AirPods Pro are better – but they do a great job.

Anker Soundcore says they achieve the solid call quality through four microphones and uplink noise cancellation and voice isolation. I'm not familiar with their jargon or their technology, but I can say it works very well which makes these buds great not only for music but also for work.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Our opinion

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro earbuds may not be the prettiest buds out there, and their charging case is a bit cumbersome, but they make up for all of this with the best audio quality you can expect from true wireless earbuds. At $ 150, they not only dominate their price segment and beat the excellent Jabra Elite 75t and RHA TrueConnect 2, but they go even further and beat well beyond their weight class against buds that can cost twice as much. If sound quality is most important to you, the Liberty 2 Pro are hard to beat.

Is there a better alternative?

In all honesty, if audio quality is most important to you, no. We haven't found a better-sounding pair of buds for $ 150. Sound isn't everything, however. If you want to get closer but want to get smaller and more comfortable buds with a tiny charging case, the Jabra Elite 75t are great. The RHA TrueConnect 2, Happy Plugs Air 1 ANC, and Samsung Galaxy Buds + are also in the $ 150 range and are worth considering.

How long will they last?

Anker Soundcore offers an incredible 18 month guarantee on its products that is way above the norm. The build is solid too. I expect these will easily take several years.

Should you buy it?

Definitely yes. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro are standout headphones with the best high quality, detailed soundstage we've seen in real radio buds. You want her.

Editor's recommendations




26 Aug
Blog

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 Review: An Astonishing Value

Anker Soundcore SpiritX2 headphones

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2

"The Spirit X2 delivers on the promise of solid battery life, excellent weather resistance and booming bass."

  • Solid battery life

  • Excellent weather protection

  • Big bass

  • Great value for money

  • Unattractive aesthetics

  • Awkwardly positioned controls

On paper, the Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 sounds too good to be true. They are offered as headphones with flawless functions at a remarkably low price. In most similar cases, there is usually a serious unmentioned disadvantage somewhere on the line.

There are a few quirks with the $ 80 Spirit X2 headphones, but they're far from serious. Apart from these small flaws, the Spirit X2 lives up to the hype.

Out of the box

The packaging of the Spirit X2 opens in a binder style and shows headphones that are housed in a transparent plastic case next to the charging case. (I don't know if this was intentional or not, but after removing the headphones and case from the plastic shell, the remaining cutouts for the product are a dead alarm clock for the face of an angry clown.)

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Beneath the annoying clown compartment is a USB-C charging cable, a wholesome amount of extra earplugs and ear fins, and something that can only be characterized as an excessive amount of documentation. I'm everything for a company that makes sure I have everything I need to operate a device, but even by those standards, it seems like too much.

All you need is the quick start guide to get started and you can effectively set the rest of the documents aside. Step 6 in the booklet instructs you to put the headphones in the charging case and then open the case without removing the phones. They'll be put into pairing mode so you can find them in your mobile device's bluetooth settings and connect. This connection is supported by Bluetooth 5 technology by the way, which works exactly as I expected, with seamless connectivity and an exceptional range.

design

The most polarizing part of the Spirit X2 design will no doubt be the large ear hooks that swing upward and rock the back of your ears. In a world where true pint-sized wireless earbuds have taken the market by storm, the bulkier footprint these headphones take is likely to give them the nickname of the group's ugly duckling.

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

And I have to agree with that feeling: somehow it's you. From a purely aesthetic point of view, I found these headphones unattractive, at least when compared to a smaller pair of sporty earphones like the Urbanista Athens. Other than looks, I found the Spirit X2 very comfortable to wear, which is arguably more important. The hooks were tight around my ears but not restrictive. The ear fins and ear plugs fit snugly into the ear, but do not exert unnecessary pressure. The Spirit X2 has threaded the needle between comfort and function well, enabling a range of intense workouts and cardio sessions without having to adjust them.

The Spirit X2 has threaded the needle well between comfort and function.

The buttons on the headphones were functional, but ultimately not fun. You can change tracks, increase or decrease the volume, answer and reject calls and activate your preferred voice assistant by pressing one of the two buttons on either headset. As long as you wish, he will do what you ask him to do right. However, it takes a lot of getting used to and it doesn't help that the controls are clumsily attached to the top of the earhooks. I used to reach for my phone to control the headphones. This is usually not what you want to do during a gym workout or for the long term.

properties

If I am being completely honest after this section of the review you can easily stop reading and you will have all you need to know about the purchase of these headphones. Because if you can get on board with the earhook design, the Spirit X2's features are a worthwhile buy for just $ 80.

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The battery life, which according to Anker is nine hours per charge and a total of 36 hours with the supplied case, makes the Spirit X2 a bargain. While these statistics may not be entirely accurate – I came in about 8.5 hours on my first few charges, even though I was listening at a higher volume most of the time – they're still better than many, far more expensive earbuds. The Apple AirPods and Google Pixel Buds 2 are nowhere near those numbers, and the Jabra Elite Active 75t comes in 7.5 hours on a single charge and just 28 hours of total battery. Thanks to the quick charge function, with which you can play for 10 minutes for two hours, the Spirit X2 are an absolute budget battery champion.

The weather resistance IP68 protects the Spirit X2 from rain and complete immersion in up to two meters of water for a maximum of 30 minutes. Although Soundcore says these headphones are not suitable for swimming, showering, or exposure to pool or ocean water, this is still a solid rating for such an affordable product. The Urbanista Athens have IP67 protection, but are $ 50 more expensive.

At less than $ 100, I don't know if real wireless sports headphones with better features exist.

Soundcore also advertises its "SweatGuard technology", a "submarine structure and hydrophobic nano-coating" that helps ward off perspiration. I think it would take a longer period of testing to really assess how well the Spirit X2 compares to the effects of sweat compared to a traditional true wireless competitor, but having extra sweat protection is certainly not a bad thing, especially for this price.

Audio quality

Anker went to great lengths to market the low-end features of the Spirit X2. The company has integrated a technology called “BassTurbo”, which is inspired by the technology of high-end loudspeakers. Essentially, the technician positions "an acoustic chamber behind the (12mm) driver" to add low-end resonance. Put simply, it seems like a lot for $ 80 headphones, so of course I went straight to bass heavy tracks when I started listening to the Spirit X2.

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Holy cow.

I have regrets for doubting the Spirit X2's marketing team, even though my reservations about the frequency with which features are overrated held valid. It's refreshing to find cases where it doesn't and the Spirit X2 delivers.

From the throbbing bass in tracks like Childish Gambino's 3005 to the low notes in Lil Nas X's Panini, the Spirit X2 delivered far better results than I'd previously thought for under $ 100 earphones. By using the dual EQ on the Spirit X2 and activating the “BassUp” mode, these headphones really rocked when listening to bass-heavy music. I no longer lift the weight I used to be (thanks to pandemic) but if I were at a gym again I would want that kind of low end in my ears when pumping up for a bench press.

These headphones really rocked when listening to bass heavy music.

The Spirit X2 doesn't handle the rest of the frequency range nearly as well, but I'd say it's definitely passable for most people shopping in this price range. The Jabra Elite Active 75t or the Sony WF-SP800N certainly sound better overall, but at a much higher cost. If you also take into account the Spirit X2's aptX support and a dual microphone approach that ensures adequate call quality, these headphones are really a bargain.

Our opinion

The Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 doesn't have the tastiest design or the simplest controls. But they did promise exceptional battery life, full water resistance, and big bass in a $ 80 package – and, amazingly, they delivered.

Are there any better alternatives?

At less than $ 100, I don't know if real wireless sports headphones with better features exist. For $ 130, the Urbanista Athens comes very close in the equipment department, offers solid sound and a more pleasant design than real funk buds. If the price doesn't scare you, the Sony WF-SP800N has better battery life and active noise cancellation for $ 200.

How long will they last?

The Spirit X2 is backed by an 18 month warranty and more waterproof protection than most people know what to do. If you don't deep-sea diving with them, they should endure well into the future.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Don't let the earhooks and oddly placed controls put you off: The Spirit X2 is currently one of the best ratings for true wireless hearing and should be at the top of the list for anyone who can leave a few quirks behind.

Editor's recommendations