Anker SoundBuds Lite Bluetooth Headphones Review

Anker is expanding their SoundBuds line of accessories with the SoundBuds Lite necklace-style earbuds. So how do they compare to other earbuds?

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Sound Quality

The sound quality on the SoundBuds Lite does not disappoint. As is typical with eartips that “seal” to your ear canal, these earbuds have great bass response. Mids and highs also come through very clear and are not drowned out by the bass. These are noise cancelling earbuds, so they would not be ideal if you’re using them in traffic or a busy area where you need to be aware of your surroundings.

Comfort

This is a matter of personal preference, but I’m not a huge fan of necklace-style earbuds as I don’t like the movement of the necklace while I’m running. These would be fine for lifting weights at the gym, doing chores around the house or simply listening while working at the office.

There are several eartips included that allow you to find the perfect fit for your ears. There are also tips with “wings” that help the earbuds stay more secure to your ear for when you’re listening while active. I found the eartips to be very soft and comfortable, even during extended wear (over an hour).

Features

The SoundBuds Lite contain most of the features we’ve come to expect from Bluetooth headphones. The earbuds have a mic built-in to the necklace and allow you to take phone calls while you’re wearing them. However, since they seal to your ear canal, your own voice may sound like you’re “underwater” and may make long phone calls feel awkward.

The IPX5 water resistance protects the earbuds against sweat and rain, but the earbuds are not completely waterproof and cannot be submerged in water. This is typical of most Bluetooth earbuds.

The controls on the necklace are easy to use. The Play button can be used to play and pause the music as well as answer an incoming phone call. Holding down the Play button for one second will invoke Siri or Google Assistant. Pressing the + and - buttons will increase and decrease the volume, respectively, while holding down the + and - buttons for one second will skip forward and rewind a track.

These earbuds use Bluetooth version 4.1 provides improved battery life and greater sound quality compared to earlier Bluetooth standards.

Charging the earbuds takes about 1.5 hours. As is common with most accessories, there is no wall charger included with the earbuds. However, the charging cable can be connected to a computer USB port or your phone’s wall charger. The SoundBuds Lite accept a 500mA maximum input, so a larger charger will not charge them faster than a standard computer USB port would. When the LED turns blue, the earbuds are fully charged.

Battery Life

The larger necklace allows for a larger battery compared to many other Bluetooth earbuds, giving up to 10 hours of music. Most other earbuds provide only about 4-5 hours due to the smaller battery.