ActiveSoundcore C40i review: More comfort, less battery – a fair trade?The Soundcore C40i delivers a balanced sound and improved comfort, but its minimal upgrades over the C30i might leave budget-conscious buyers questioning the value.When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)T3 VerdictThe Soundcore C40i delivers solid audio, improved comfort, and great value with its open-ear design. However, minimal upgrades over its predecessor and shorter battery life make it less appealing to existing users. A decent budget pick for athletes, but newcomers might find better value elsewhere in the competitive headphone market.Reasons to buy+Excellent value for money+Well-rounded sound profile+Optimal battery life+Customisable EQ+Physical buttons are easy to operateReasons to avoid-No ANC-Somewhat bulky design-Charging case could be more compact-Not a lot of changes since the predecessorWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveSoundcore C40i review: More comfort, less battery – a fair trade?The Soundcore C40i delivers a balanced sound and improved comfort, but its minimal upgrades over the C30i might leave budget-conscious buyers questioning the value.When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)T3 VerdictThe Soundcore C40i delivers solid audio, improved comfort, and great value with its open-ear design. However, minimal upgrades over its predecessor and shorter battery life make it less appealing to existing users. A decent budget pick for athletes, but newcomers might find better value elsewhere in the competitive headphone market.Reasons to buy+Excellent value for money+Well-rounded sound profile+Optimal battery life+Customisable EQ+Physical buttons are easy to operateReasons to avoid-No ANC-Somewhat bulky design-Charging case could be more compact-Not a lot of changes since the predecessorWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The Soundcore C40i delivers a balanced sound and improved comfort, but its minimal upgrades over the C30i might leave budget-conscious buyers questioning the value.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)T3 VerdictThe Soundcore C40i delivers solid audio, improved comfort, and great value with its open-ear design. However, minimal upgrades over its predecessor and shorter battery life make it less appealing to existing users. A decent budget pick for athletes, but newcomers might find better value elsewhere in the competitive headphone market.Reasons to buy+Excellent value for money+Well-rounded sound profile+Optimal battery life+Customisable EQ+Physical buttons are easy to operateReasons to avoid-No ANC-Somewhat bulky design-Charging case could be more compact-Not a lot of changes since the predecessor
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
T3 VerdictThe Soundcore C40i delivers solid audio, improved comfort, and great value with its open-ear design. However, minimal upgrades over its predecessor and shorter battery life make it less appealing to existing users. A decent budget pick for athletes, but newcomers might find better value elsewhere in the competitive headphone market.Reasons to buy+Excellent value for money+Well-rounded sound profile+Optimal battery life+Customisable EQ+Physical buttons are easy to operateReasons to avoid-No ANC-Somewhat bulky design-Charging case could be more compact-Not a lot of changes since the predecessor
T3 VerdictThe Soundcore C40i delivers solid audio, improved comfort, and great value with its open-ear design. However, minimal upgrades over its predecessor and shorter battery life make it less appealing to existing users. A decent budget pick for athletes, but newcomers might find better value elsewhere in the competitive headphone market.
T3 Verdict
The Soundcore C40i delivers solid audio, improved comfort, and great value with its open-ear design. However, minimal upgrades over its predecessor and shorter battery life make it less appealing to existing users. A decent budget pick for athletes, but newcomers might find better value elsewhere in the competitive headphone market.
Reasons to buy+Excellent value for money+Well-rounded sound profile+Optimal battery life+Customisable EQ+Physical buttons are easy to operateReasons to avoid-No ANC-Somewhat bulky design-Charging case could be more compact-Not a lot of changes since the predecessor
Reasons to buy+Excellent value for money+Well-rounded sound profile+Optimal battery life+Customisable EQ+Physical buttons are easy to operate
Excellent value for money
Well-rounded sound profile
Optimal battery life
Customisable EQ
Physical buttons are easy to operate
Reasons to avoid-No ANC-Somewhat bulky design-Charging case could be more compact-Not a lot of changes since the predecessor
No ANC
Somewhat bulky design
Charging case could be more compact
Not a lot of changes since the predecessor
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityAudio performanceBattery life and chargingVerdictAlso consider
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityAudio performanceBattery life and chargingVerdictAlso consider
Soundcore C40i deals
$99.99$89.99ViewDeal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
$99.99$89.99ViewDeal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
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$99.99$89.99View
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$89.99
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Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
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TheBose Ultra Openis currently my favourite running headphones. They aren’t designed specifically for sports but work perfectly for exercise. One downside of the Ultra Open is that it’s quite expensive, which might deter athletes on a budget from trying them out.
Enter the Soundcore C40i. Sporting a similar open-ear design, the C40i costs a third as much as theBoseUltra Open and has a decent sound profile, physical control buttons, dual connectivity and more.
Soundcore C40i review
Price and availability
The Soundcore C40i was launched in October 2024 and is available to buy now atAnker US,Anker UKandAnker AUfor a recommended price of $99/ £99/ AU$149.99. It’s also available at third-party retailers such asAmazon. It comes in one colour, Graphite Grey.
The buds are more expensive than the Soundcore C30i, its predecessor, which sells for $69.99/ £59.99/ AU$99.99. More interestingly, the C30i comes in two colours, Clarity Black and Radiant White.
Specifications
Design and build quality
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
The Soundcore C40i has an open-ear design and clips onto the ear rather than sitting in the ear canal (e.g.,Sennheiser Momentum Sport) or resting on top of the ears (e.g.,Beats Solo 4). This allows much better airflow in the ears, making the buds more comfortable to wear over long periods.
The U-shaped design is made up of three parts. The part that sits over the ear canal houses the 12 x 17 mm ‘racetrack’ driver. I believe it’s called ‘racetrack’ because of its oblong shape and the little rim surrounding the titanium-coated diaphragm.
The other end of the buds contains the control unit with the physical push button. The tiny microphones, which help reduce noise during calls, are also located here. One of the key upgrades over the C30i is making these mics AI-powered to enhance call quality. I’ll discuss call quality in the section below.
Connecting the two is a thin bridge that houses a memory titanium wire. According to the brand, this can withstand 10,000 bends to ensure longevity. The addition of the titanium wire is the most significant improvement over its predecessor, which was criticised for its lack of flexibility.
The company included two pairs of silicone ear grips in the box for those who find the buds too loose. For me, it shows that the shape of the buds could be improved to mimic the Bose Ultra Open more. Those buds unfurl, so to speak, which provides a more secure fit no matter the ear shape.
The Soundcore C40i weighs only 5.4 grams (per bud), which makes them lighter than Bose’s Ultra Opens, which come in at 7g per bud. The charging case weighs 52g and, in my opinion, feels a bit bulky. I wonder if it would be easier to store the buds sideways in the case, making the overall design slimmer and, therefore, better suited to carry in a pocket.
Audio performance
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
Soundcore didn’t significantly change the sound of the C40i. The buds have the same-size driver, and the AI assist is only for calls, so expect a similar listening experience to the C30i. This isn’t negative news, though; the C40i sounds good.
They deliver a balanced audio profile, with clear midrange and high-frequency reproduction, though their open-ear design results in a less pronounced bass response compared to in-ear models.
That’s despite the effort to position the buds towards the ear canal to reduce sound leakage. The truth is that open-ear buds will always let more ambient sound due to their design, which means they sound quieter. Plus, the lack of passive isolation compromises the sound, too.
It goes without saying that this isn’t an issuespecificallywith the C40i – all open-ear buds suffer from this. The C40i does sound decent, though, even with these limitations.
Call quality received a bit of an AI boost. The new algorithm is said to filter out noises more effectively. Interestingly, the microphones are located on the back of the buds. I find it counterintuitive to pick up your voice, although the placement there works for filtering noise.
Call quality is okay, but nothing to write home about. Your voice sounds a bit distant, and the ambient caller sound is muted too much, making me feel like the other person hung up on me during calls. You want to allow a bit of static to come through to know the call is still live.
Battery life and charging
Left: Soundcore C20i; Right: Bose Ultra Open(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
Left: Soundcore C20i; Right: Bose Ultra Open
Left: Soundcore C20i; Right: Bose Ultra Open
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
The Soundcore C40i has a 70 mAh battery, providing a 7-hour battery life. Leaving them in the charging case between uses adds another 14 hours to the total combined battery life of 21 hours. There is no ANC, so unless you use the buds at maximum volume all the time, you can expect the C40i to last approximately as long as it says on the box.
The headphones have a quick charge function – 10 minutes on the charge gives you two hours of listening time. It takes around an hour to charge buds from 0 to 100 per cent, while the charging case’s 460 mAh battery requires a little over two hours to fully replenish.
Strangely, the C30i has a longer battery life; significantly longer, in fact. The buds can go for up to 10 hours, with the case adding another 20 hours. More interestingly, a quick charge adds three hours to the battery life, not two. Considering the C40i uses the same driver, not sure where the battery life goes on the new iteration.
Verdict
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
The Soundcore C40i offers a solid open-ear listening experience with a balanced sound profile, good battery life, and enhanced comfort thanks to its flexible titanium design. However, the improvements over the C30i are minimal, and the higher price may not justify the upgrade for everyone.
While it’s a good option for budget-conscious athletes seeking open-ear headphones, those prioritising battery life or seeking maximum value might still prefer the previous model. For newcomers to open-ear designs, though, the C40i remains a worthy contender.
A small note on the star rating: I would give the C40i 3.5 stars if we did half stars on T3, but alas, we don’t. And giving it the same number of stars as my colleague Mike did to the Bose Ultra Open feels unfair to the Bose. So, three stars it is.
Also consider
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: Shokz’s bone-conduction headphones offer a truly open-ear design with better situational awareness and comfort for outdoor activities. While they cost more than the C40i, they excel in durability and fit for running and cycling, though they lack the same audio clarity in midrange and bass.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Similar in design to the Soundcore C40i, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds provide better sound quality and a more secure fit for sports activities. However, they are significantly pricier, making them a premium alternative for those prioritising sound and brand reputation over cost.
Anker Soundcore Life P3: Another Soundcore model, the Life P3 offers better sound isolation, ANC, and a customisable sound profile at a similar price to the C40i. However, they don’t have the open-ear design, which some athletes might prefer for safety during outdoor activities.
Soundcore C40i: Price Comparison
$99.99$89.99ViewDeal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
$99.99$89.99ViewDeal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
$99.99$89.99View
$99.99$89.99View
$99.99$89.99
$89.99
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
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