Soundcore P31i vs Space A40: Which Should You Buy?

PR / Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability can change.

The Soundcore P31i vs Space A40 comparison is unusually close. Both are noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds with LDAC, long manufacturer-rated battery life, six-microphone call systems and Soundcore app support. The deciding differences are not simply “new versus old”: P31i emphasizes a newer stem design, a published up-to-52 dB ANC claim and IP55 protection, while Space A40 offers a compact rounded design, multipoint and wireless case charging.

Quick answer: buy the Soundcore P31i if you prioritize the newer model, stronger published ingress protection, stem-style controls and Soundcore’s up-to-52 dB ANC claim. Buy the Space A40 if you prefer compact earbuds, need two-device multipoint, or want to place the case on a wireless charger.

Methodology: This is a specification-based buying guide, not a hands-on review. Features were checked against Soundcore’s official US product and support pages on September 2, 2026. Amazon.com product identity and availability were checked on the same date. ANC and battery numbers are manufacturer claims under the brand’s conditions and are not directly comparable laboratory results from SEFP Journal.

Soundcore P31i vs Space A40: key differences

The table reveals why neither model is an automatic winner. P31i has the more protective IP rating and a newer published ANC headline. Space A40 counters with convenience features that remain valuable: wireless charging and two-device multipoint. Both support LDAC, but Space A40 cannot use LDAC and multipoint simultaneously according to Soundcore’s support guidance.

ANC: do not compare 52 dB and 98% as if they were the same test

Soundcore promotes P31i with noise reduction “up to 52 dB.” Space A40 is marketed as reducing up to 98% of noise on commutes. Those are different units and may come from different methods, frequencies and test setups. A 98% claim does not prove that Space A40 beats P31i, and a 52 dB maximum does not mean every outside sound becomes 52 dB quieter.

Both models use adaptive ANC, which is intended to adjust processing to the surrounding noise. Results will depend heavily on tip seal, ear shape and the sound itself. Low, steady engine or HVAC noise is generally a more suitable ANC target than speech or sudden high-frequency sounds. Because we did not perform matched measurements, this guide does not declare a laboratory ANC winner.

For a buyer choosing from published specifications, P31i has the more recently emphasized ANC system and the clearer dB headline. Space A40 remains a credible commuter model, especially when its other advantages—compactness, wireless charging and multipoint—matter more than chasing a single marketing number.

Sound quality and LDAC

Both earbuds support LDAC for higher-bandwidth Bluetooth audio on compatible devices. P31i’s official materials pair LDAC and Hi-Res support with 11 mm titanium-coated drivers. Space A40’s official page describes a double-layer diaphragm design, HearID personalization and up to 22 EQ choices.

LDAC is most relevant to compatible Android phones and suitably encoded audio. Soundcore’s Space A40 support page says LDAC is available on Android 8.0 or later and is enabled in the Soundcore app. It also notes that activating LDAC disables multipoint. That tradeoff matters if you want to stay connected to a phone and laptop at once.

Codec and driver specifications cannot tell you which tuning you will prefer. Ear-tip seal, EQ, recording quality and personal taste can outweigh the component list. We therefore treat sound character as a preference instead of inventing claims about bass, detail or soundstage without a controlled listening test.

Battery life and charging

Both models publish a maximum of up to 10 hours from the earbuds and 50 hours with the case in their headline battery specifications. For P31i, Soundcore separately lists up to 8 hours from the buds and 40 hours total when ANC is on. Space A40’s US specification table lists 10/50 hours but does not present that figure as a directly matched ANC-on comparison.

Space A40 has two charging conveniences. First, its official quick-charge claim is up to four hours from a 10-minute charge, compared with up to 3.5 hours for P31i. Second, the A40 case supports wireless charging as well as USB-C. P31i’s official page checked for this comparison does not list wireless charging, so we do not claim that it has the feature.

Manufacturer maximums are useful for relative orientation, not a guaranteed daily result. Higher volume, LDAC, ANC, calls, temperature and battery age can shorten playback. If charging flexibility matters more than the newest model, Space A40 has the clearer advantage.

Calls, multipoint and device switching

Both products publish six-microphone AI-assisted call systems. That is a feature parity point on paper, not proof that they sound identical in wind or traffic. Microphone placement differs between the stem-style P31i and compact Space A40, and firmware processing matters. We have not conducted matched call recordings, so no subjective call-quality winner is assigned.

Space A40 officially supports connection to two Bluetooth devices at once. That is useful for people who move between a work laptop and phone. The limitation is explicit: LDAC and multipoint cannot be active together. Decide whether codec bandwidth or seamless device switching matters more during your workday.

P31i’s checked US page lists Bluetooth 6.1, but a newer version number alone does not guarantee a better connection. Phone hardware, software, distance and radio congestion all influence stability. Since the official page checked did not provide a sufficiently clear P31i multipoint claim, this article does not assume one.

Fit, controls and durability

P31i uses stems, which can be easier to locate with a finger and may feel more familiar to people moving from AirPods-style earbuds. Space A40 places its touch surfaces on a compact rounded shell. Neither shape is universally more comfortable; ear anatomy and tip choice decide the result.

The objective durability difference is the published IP rating. P31i is IP55, which includes limited dust protection and protection against water jets under the relevant standard. Space A40 is IPX4, covering splash resistance but publishing no dust grade in the “X” position. P31i is therefore the safer specification choice for dusty workouts or more demanding outdoor use. Neither should be used for swimming or treated as waterproof.

Which should you buy?

Buy Soundcore P31i if:

• You want the newer Soundcore model and its adaptive-ANC platform.
• You prefer a stem-style shape and controls.
• You want IP55 rather than IPX4.
• You care about Soundcore’s published up-to-52 dB ANC claim.
• You want LDAC, six microphones and a 10/50-hour headline battery specification in one package.

Buy Soundcore Space A40 if:

• You prefer compact, rounded earbuds without stems.
• You want a wirelessly rechargeable case.
• You regularly switch between a phone and laptop using multipoint.
• You want HearID and the official selection of up to 22 EQ presets.
• You find it at a substantially better live price and do not need P31i’s higher IP rating.

Value: check the live price difference

Space A40 is an older model but still has a strong feature set, so sale pricing can make it especially attractive. P31i is easier to justify when the price gap is modest and you value its IP55 rating, newer design and published ANC platform. This article intentionally avoids a fixed dollar amount because Amazon pricing, coupons, sellers and stock can change quickly.

When checking Amazon, confirm the model name, color, seller, condition and return terms. The buttons in this guide point to the P31i listing with ASIN B0FNWCQ1CY and the new black Space A40 listing with ASIN B0B1LPNDGF, both using SEFP Journal’s Amazon.com Associate tag.

Soundcore P31i vs Space A40 FAQ

Which is newer, Soundcore P31i or Space A40?

P31i is the newer product. Newer does not make every feature better: Space A40 still offers wireless charging and confirmed two-device multipoint.

Does Soundcore Space A40 support LDAC?

Yes. Soundcore provides official instructions for enabling LDAC in its app on compatible Android devices. Soundcore also states that multipoint is disabled while LDAC is active.

Does Soundcore P31i have wireless charging?

Wireless charging was not listed on the official P31i US product page checked for this comparison. Space A40 explicitly supports wireless case charging.

Which has better battery life?

Both publish headline maximums of up to 10 hours from the earbuds and 50 hours with the case. P31i additionally publishes up to 8/40 hours with ANC on. Because the brands’ displayed conditions are not presented as an identical side-by-side test, actual runtime should not be inferred from the headline alone.

Which is better for workouts?

P31i has the stronger published ingress rating at IP55, versus IPX4 for Space A40. Fit remains personal, and neither model is intended for swimming.

Is P31i’s ANC better than Space A40?

Soundcore publishes different metrics—up to 52 dB for P31i and up to 98% less noise on commutes for Space A40. These numbers should not be compared directly. A controlled same-condition test would be required to establish a performance winner.

Final verdict

The Soundcore P31i is the safer recommendation for buyers who want the newer all-rounder, a stem design and IP55 protection. It combines adaptive ANC, LDAC, six microphones and long published battery life without depending on an older product generation.

The Space A40 is not obsolete. Its compact shape, wireless charging and two-device multipoint can be more useful than P31i’s newer badge. If those conveniences match your routine—or the live price is notably lower—Space A40 can be the smarter purchase.

Official sources and related guides

• Soundcore P31i official product page
• Soundcore Space A40 official US product page
• Soundcore support: enable LDAC on Space A40
• Soundcore P31i vs P20i
• Soundcore P31i vs P30i vs P40i
• Soundcore P31i vs Liberty 4 NC