These innovative earbuds from Anker’s Soundcore line stand out with their ability to transform from secure workout companions to open-ear designs, a feature I found myself using repeatedly during testing. While they may not top my list of all-time favorites, the Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro offer a unique dual-mode experience that blends situational awareness with immersive listening.
Design and Adjustability
The core innovation lies in the adjustable positioning of the earpiece relative to its stabilizing loop. Users can slide the connector through five distinct settings, shifting the driver from deep in-ear placement to a position hovering outside the ear canal. The first two settings activate active noise cancellation (ANC) for focused sessions, while the last two enable open-ear mode for environmental awareness. The middle option provides a hybrid in between.
This mechanism proves intuitive in practice. During runs along busy streets, I switched to open mode to stay alert to traffic, then closed it for quieter park paths. Cycling to the gym kept them open for safety, sealing them shut once inside. The transition happens smoothly without removing the buds, even mid-stride.
However, the design shows signs of being a pioneering effort. The thin silicone loop lacks rigidity, leading to noticeable wobbling during intense activities, particularly in ANC mode. Each bud weighs 11g, making them heavier than most open-ear competitors, which amplifies the movement. They never dislodge, but the sensation distracts.
The tip-less, AirPods-inspired ends contribute to other issues. In open mode, they sit closer to the ear than true open designs, limiting ambient sound intake. In ANC mode, without a seal, noise cancellation struggles, allowing external noises to seep through easily—I could hear keyboard clicks over music. Sound leakage is prominent too, especially outdoors, so nearby gym-goers might catch your playlist.
Controls consist of physical buttons that click satisfyingly in open mode but require extra force in ANC mode, sometimes pushing the bud deeper instead of registering the press. The earpiece material attracts lint and dust easily, complicating quick cleanups after pocket storage or drops.
The charging case measures large for hook-style buds at 109g total weight but includes useful touches like an LED charge indicator and wireless charging support.
Sound Quality and ANC Performance
Equipped with 11.8mm drivers, Bluetooth 5.1, Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, and LDAC codec support, these buds deliver capable audio. Initial impressions in a quiet setting with ANC on revealed good instrument separation and detail, a pleasant surprise for fitness-focused earbuds.
Yet the default Soundcore Signature EQ preset skews toward a distorted V-shape, boosting treble while muting bass and mids. Tracks like Uncle Kracker’s “In A Little While” suffered from grating guitar tones, and The War and Treaty’s “Five More Minutes” chorus clashed with overly sharp highs. Switching to the Balanced preset or genre-specific options flattens the profile, restoring clarity and balance.
Maximum volume reaches loud levels, especially with the Volume Booster preset, which adds punch for noisy environments. However, the Intelligent Noise Cancellation mode interferes by dynamically altering sound, causing volume dips or profile shifts—disable it for consistency.
ANC activation ties to the in-ear positions but underperforms without tips, offering only marginal reduction in ambient noise. The difference between modes feels minimal, and auto-adjustments can cap volume unexpectedly during workouts.
Battery Life and App Features
Soundcore claims 7 hours in open mode and 5 hours with ANC; my tests exceeded these slightly, providing reliable endurance for extended sessions. The app enhances usability with customizable controls, a low-latency game mode, Spatial Audio, and an eight-band EQ. Manual ANC toggling overrides automatic behavior, and pairing with Android devices proved swift, though occasional stutters occurred.
Pricing and Verdict
Unveiled at CES 2026 and launched shortly after, the Aerofit 2 Pro retail for $179.99 / £179.99 (about AU$350, though availability in Australia lags). Early discounts of $30 in the US and £10 in the UK make them more appealing, positioning them as premium open-ear options.
The adjustable form factor justifies experimentation, but persistent issues with stability, ANC efficacy, and default sound hold them back from elite status. At full price, they demand tolerance for tweaks; discounted, they shine as a novel choice for versatile fitness audio.
Buy if: You want earbuds that adapt between open and sealed modes for varied activities.
Don’t buy if: You prioritize rock-solid fit, strong ANC, or out-of-box audio perfection.
I evaluated the Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro over two weeks, pairing them with an Android phone for runs, gym workouts, cycling, and daily use via Spotify, YouTube, and Prime Video. This testing draws from experience with numerous open-ear and fitness audio products.
