These Entry-Level Soundcore Earbuds Are Under $40 Right Now

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The Soundcore P31i earbuds are down to $36.98 (originally $59.99), which is about as low as they’ve been, according to price trackers. At this price, most earbuds stick to the basics, so it’s unusual to see features like active noise cancellation and LDAC included here. That doesn’t mean they compete with premium pairs, but they do give you more to work with than you’d expect for under $40.

These earbuds are light, they fit well, and they don’t get uncomfortable after an hour or two, which isn’t always the case with cheaper earbuds. Battery life, too, holds up through a full day of use, with a little over seven hours on a single charge and extra top-ups from the case. The sound quality is better than expected for the price, though it leans toward bass-heavy tuning out of the box (you can tweak it in the app, but the app itself is not the most intuitive and takes some getting used to, notes this ZDNET review), and if you’re using a compatible device, LDAC support gives you the option for better audio quality.

There are also a few extras tucked in, like HearID for tuning the sound to your ears and an AI translation feature, though features like that feel more like a bonus than something you will use every day. As for its noise cancellation, it works, but expectations need to stay in check—it reduces steady background noise like engines and traffic, but it won’t match the isolation you get from more expensive earbuds. That lines up with its overall build, as well, which feels a bit basic compared to more expensive options.