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Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2
The trend of open earbuds continues to gain momentum. It’s only been a year since the original Anker Soundcore AeroFit earbuds were released, but now the AeroFit 2 open earbuds have launched with a significant design change. Has Soundcore managed to improve the compromised sound quality of the open style with its new design? Let’s get into this Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 review and take a listen.
Editor’s note: this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
With their adjustable design, listeners with larger or smaller ears who are looking for a pair of open earbuds will benefit from being able to position the driver of the AeroFit 2 accordingly.
What’s it like to use Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2?
As mentioned, The Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 open earbuds offer a complete redesign compared to the original AeroFit. The most significant design difference is the new adjustable ear hooks. While the original AeroFit open earbuds use a one-size-fits-all approach, the AeroFit 2 open earbuds use an adjustable design, although it makes them slightly bulkier. Offering four different positions, you can adjust the piece that contains the driver to sit closer or further away from your ear canal.
As with any hook-shaped open earbud, I recommend putting them on in a rotating motion over the top of your ear. However, the touch controls on these earbuds are extremely sensitive. Attempting to make fit adjustments while music plays almost always results in an accidental command registering. You’ll want to get in the habit of getting them in place on your ears before cueing up your tunes.
We also see a change in protection from the elements. The original AeroFit open earbuds feature an IPX7 water resistance rating, allowing them to be submerged in water up to a meter for 30 minutes. However, the new AeroFit 2 open earbuds feature an IP55 protection rating. This means they have added protection against dust but are no longer submersible in water for an extended period. That said, they can still resist splashes of water, sweat, and potentially an accidental dip into the pool.
The Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 operate via touch controls. Below is a breakdown of how they operate in stock form. You’ll notice only a few commands are pre-programmed, so you’ll need to use the Soundcore app if you want to add volume controls, for example.| Action | Left earbud | Right earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Action Single tap | Left earbud None | Right earbud None |
| Action Double tap | Left earbud Next track / Answer call | Right earbud Play / Pause |
| Action Triple tap | Left earbud None | Right earbud None |
| Action Long press | Left earbud None / Decline call | Right earbud None / Decline call |
Should you use the Soundcore app for the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2?
I recommend downloading and installing the Soundcore app to get the most out of the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 open earbuds. It allows you to modify your touch controls and, more importantly, gives you access to some EQ options. You’re offered a variety of presets to choose from, or you can dive into the customizable graphic EQ and make your own.
How do the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 connect?
The Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 connect to your device via Bluetooth 5.4, offer multipoint connection, and support the SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. While it’s great that these earbuds provide a higher bit-rate listening option for Android users, considering the sound quality trade-offs that come with the open design, it will be tough to notice a difference. I wouldn’t consider it a major selling point.
Pairing the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 is easy and follows the usual steps as outlined below:
- Open the charging case lid with the AeroFit 2 earbuds inside
- Open Bluetooth settings on your device
- Select “Soundcore AeroFit 2”
- Download and install the Soundcore app to take further control of the AeroFit earbuds.
How long does the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 battery last?
Hold up! Something’s missing: Anker advertises 10 hours of playback off a single charge and 42 hours with charging case top-ups. Our battery tests are ongoing; check back soon for official results.
Anker states that 10 minutes of charging will yield 4 hours of playback.
How well do the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 block out noise?
The Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 open earbuds do not block out any noise, which, as mentioned, is the entire goal of the open design. Without a seal around the ear canal, environmental noise can enter your eardrums uninterrupted, allowing you to keep your awareness levels up. In this case, that’s a good thing! You’ll hear everything from a knock at your door when working from home to an approaching car while jogging downtown.
It’s also worth mentioning that since the open design does not offer passive isolation or block out noise, it’s extremely important to watch your volume levels when using open earbuds. If your surrounding environment starts to get loud and noisy, you may be tempted to turn up the volume to compensate, but as you may already know, this always comes with the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. If you need to block out the world around you while out and about, check out our list of the best noise canceling earbuds.
How do the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 sound?
The Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 has a typical sound associated with the open design. Most users will want to experiment with the EQ presets in the Soundcore app.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
The chart below shows how the sound of the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.
The compromises of the open design are apparent when looking at the AeroFit 2 open earbuds MDAQS results. Without the ability to produce enough low-end frequencies that most listeners prefer and the driver being placed outside the ear canal, the AeroFit 2 earbuds end up with an overall score of 1.8. While it’s not great, it’s important to remember that these earbuds aren’t designed with an immersive, detailed listening experience in mind.
Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the headphones reproduce the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).
Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.
Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning: how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.
See here for an explanation of MDAQS, how it works, and how it was developed.
Reviewer’s notes
Editor’s note: this review uses a hover-enabled glossary to describe sound quality based on a consensus vocabulary. You can read about it here.
Objective Measurements
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Compared to our headphone preference curve, our testing shows that the AeroFit 2’s frequency response is still severely compromised in all but a small section of the midrange. This is a perfect example of the sonic trade-offs that come with the open design. Without any sort of seal around the ear canal, the earbuds simply can’t produce a satisfying amount of low-end. Remember to have reasonable expectations if you’re new to this style of earbuds; they’re designed with a single purpose in mind. If you’re keen on a more immersive listening experience for your workouts and aren’t concerned about staying aware, take a look at our list of best earbuds for working out.
Bass Boost EQ Preset
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Well, at least the Bass Boost preset is trying. With this EQ preset engaged, we see a bump from 100Hz to 200Hz. Although it isn’t reflected in our measured frequency response, while this preset does help with low-end response, I noticed it also masks some treble frequencies, making my music rather muffled or “woofy” sounding.
Classical EQ Preset
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Ow. Here, we see almost 20dB of additional treble boosted at roughly 5kHz and 7kHz. As my colleague Harley Maranan said, “That sounds like it could hurt.” While we all like a bit of “shimmer” to the string section when listening to classical music, this preset redefines “ear piercing.”
Acoustic EQ Preset
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When the Acoustic EQ preset is engaged, we see a further reduction in both the mid-range and low-end. Again, this is not ideal. This preset is entirely unusable to my ears.
Can you use the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 for phone calls?
You can take phone calls or chat with friends on FaceTime while connected to the AeroFit 2 earbuds, and you get a decent performance in ideal conditions. Take a listen to our examples below to get an idea of what to expect.
Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
How does the microphone sound to you?
Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 microphone demo (Office conditions):
Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 microphone demo (Street conditions):
Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 microphone demo (Windy conditions):
Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 microphone demo (Reverberant space):
While the AeroFit 2 earbuds aren’t especially great at rejecting background noise in our simulated office environment, the voices remain relatively clear and upfront. They also hold up in our simulated windy conditions test. It’s not perfect, but there is enough clarity to hear the voices, at least.
Should you buy the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2?
If you’re new to the world of open earbuds and interested in trying them out, with their $99 price tag, the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 are one of the more affordable options out there. The adjustable design is also a welcome addition over the outgoing model. Everyone’s ears are differently shaped. If you think or know that you have smaller or bigger ears, you don’t have to stress about fit issues with the AeroFit 2; you can simply move the driver closer to your eardrum if you want to hear a little more or further away if you want to hear a little less of your music.
As previously mentioned, the first job of open earbuds is to allow outside noise to enter your eardrums. Keeping this in mind and recognizing that you’re not in for a detailed and immersive listening experience is the first step to enjoying the benefits of open earbuds like the AeroFit 2. That said, if you’re willing to shell out a bit more money, there are better-sounding options.
What should you get instead of the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2?
If you’re still keen on the open design and are okay with spending a little more cash, consider the Nothing Ear (Open). ($149 at Amazon) These earbuds are some of the best-sounding open earbuds that we’ve tested. You can learn more about the Nothing Ear (Open) in the video below:
It’s also worth mentioning some users find the unsealed design of the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation or Galaxy Buds3 (iOS or Android device, depending) provide a decent halfway point between in-ear and open earbuds.
While the driver sits in your ear canal, they don’t feature ear tips. This means a less intense seal and some environmental noise to still make its way into your eardrums. You’ll get better bass response and have the option of engaging ANC when commuting, not to mention Transparency mode to help you stay aware. They are, however, a more expensive option, and Transparency can amplify sound like wind noise if you’re running with these earbuds.
Frequently asked questions
No. The Soundcore AeroFit 2 earbuds are an open earbud that places the driver outside your ear canal.
Yes, with their IP55 water resistance rating and open design, the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 are good for working out.
Yes, the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 can connect to your laptop via Bluetooth connection.
Yes, the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 earbuds will work with both an iPhone and Android.
Yes, the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 earbuds charging case offers wireless charging.
Yes, the Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 offers multipoint connection.