Headphones / Sonos Ace vs Soundcore Space One
Sonos Ace vs Soundcore Space One
Sonos Ace
The best-built headphone here — but despite the name, it has no Wi-Fi.
Wins overall by 0.0 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.0 points separate them. The best-built headphone here — but despite the name, it has no Wi-Fi. The Soundcore Space One answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Sonos Ace and Soundcore Space One are both closely matched headphones models, and the Soundcore Space One is $299 cheaper than the Sonos Ace ($99.99 vs $399). On Value, the Soundcore Space One leads (9.5 vs 7.0/10) — features and performance relative to price. On Durability, the Sonos Ace leads (9.0 vs 6.5/10) — build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity. On Travel, the Soundcore Space One leads (8.5 vs 7.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. Overall, the Sonos Ace scores 7.8/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 7.8/10 for the Soundcore Space One, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Sonos Ace | Soundcore Space One |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $99.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2023 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30 | 40✓ |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | Sonos publishes only the 30-hour ANC-on figure | 55 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 3✓ | 3.75 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Weight (g) | 312 | 260✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 40 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC using an 8-microphone array; on/off only, with no user-adjustable intensity | Adaptive hybrid ANC with adjustable strength and an automatic mode |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 8✓ | 3 |
| Foldable | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Bass, treble, balance and loudness controls only — not a graphic or parametric EQ | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Soft White | Black, White, Blue |
Category Scores
Battery
The Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 9.2 against 8.0 — a 1.2-point margin on playtime, standby, and charging speed. If that is what you are buying for, the Sonos Ace does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on how well ambient noise is blocked. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort
The Soundcore Space One is marginally ahead, 7.8 to 7.5. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions is your priority.
Sound Quality
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on driver performance, tuning, and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call & Mic Quality
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Travel
The Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. If that is what you are buying for, the Sonos Ace does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.5 — a 1.0-point margin on latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 9.5 against 7.0 — a 2.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Sonos Ace does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 9.0 against 6.5 — a 2.5-point margin on build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Sonos Ace does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Sonos Ace if…
- • Durability matters most to you — the Sonos Ace scores 9.0/10 here (build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Sonos Ace scores 8.5/10 here (driver performance, tuning, and detail).
- • Your main use case is professionals.
Choose the Soundcore Space One if…
- • Value matters most to you — the Soundcore Space One scores 9.5/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • Travel matters most to you — the Soundcore Space One scores 8.5/10 here (foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips).
- • Battery matters most to you — the Soundcore Space One scores 9.2/10 here (playtime, standby, and charging speed).
- • You want to spend less — it's $299 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is students.
Pros & Cons
Sonos Ace
Pros
- +Best build quality here — aluminium and stainless steel, and it feels it
- +aptX Lossless plus USB-C lossless
- +TV Audio Swap with a Sonos soundbar is genuinely useful
- +List price has been cut from $449 to $399
Cons
- −No Wi-Fi — despite the Sonos name it cannot join a Sonos system or stream from the Sonos app, which surprises most buyers
- −TV Audio Swap requires you to already own a Sonos Arc
- −Heaviest non-Apple option at 312g
- −Only a four-slider EQ
- −Does not fold in for packing
Soundcore Space One
Pros
- +LDAC hi-res codec support at a sub-$100 price
- +40 hours with ANC on beats every flagship here
- +Full 8-band EQ and hearing personalisation
- +Folds properly and comes with a case
Cons
- −Plastic build feels its price
- −ANC is good for the money but well short of Bose or Sony
- −No USB-C audio playback, charging only
- −No IP rating
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Sonos Ace or Soundcore Space One better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Sonos Ace comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Value, the Sonos Ace or the Soundcore Space One?+
The Soundcore Space One scores higher on Value (9.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Which is better for Durability, the Sonos Ace or the Soundcore Space One?+
The Sonos Ace scores higher on Durability (9.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity.
Which is better for Travel, the Sonos Ace or the Soundcore Space One?+
The Soundcore Space One scores higher on Travel (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips.
Which is better for Battery, the Sonos Ace or the Soundcore Space One?+
The Soundcore Space One scores higher on Battery (9.2/10 vs 8.0/10) — playtime, standby, and charging speed.
Is the Sonos Ace worth the price difference over the Soundcore Space One?+
The Soundcore Space One is the cheaper option at $99.99 versus $399. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Value.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Sonos Ace is the better fit if you mainly care about professionals. The Soundcore Space One is the better fit for students.
What's the warranty on the Sonos Ace vs the Soundcore Space One?+
The Sonos Ace ships with a 12-month warranty; the Soundcore Space One ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT — $89.00
Premium Option
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) — $449.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.