Ever since I got my hands on my first pair of Anker earbuds, I've always been overhyped to pick up what Soundcore had next in the bag. With the rise of earbuds that do not go into the ear, Soundcore was able to give us one of the best-fitting clip-on earbuds on the market.

In this review, we will examine the Anker Soundcore C40i, assessing its pros and cons, and determining if it's a good buy compared to its more affordable alternatives, such as the Soundpeats Pearl Clip Pro and the Tozo Open Earring.

What's in the box

Anker is generally known for its stylish packaging. Right from my first Soundcore product, I've always had an eye for the next packaging. The packaging of the Soundcore C40i was stylish and quite modern.

In the box, you'll find the signature Soundcore earbuds manual, a card for scanning to download the Soundcore app, the earbuds and case, the owner's manual, a USB Type-C charging cable, and clips to help if the fit feels loose.

Design

The design of the Soundcore C40i was quite impressive. It was one of the first that fit perfectly at first glance. I was impressed by how good-looking this was. I like how the main earbuds have a curvy look, although they appear to be made of plastic, but not cheap plastic, either.

Although Soundcore could have done a better job at this, considering that cheaper alternatives like the Soundpeats Pearl Clip Pro were well detailed and made with multiple materials, the Soundcore C40i was made out of a single blend of plastic. But it does feel premium.

The case on hand was an effortless carry-on, whether with or without the earbuds inside. It felt really lightweight, and I hardly noticed it in my pockets during transit. However, there was also a flaw regarding the case.

The case also had a plastic feel. Since these earbuds were made in late 2024, we expect them to have a premium feel. For the average user, that shouldn't be an issue. The earbuds were also very light, but we'll discuss that when we get to the topic of fit and comfort.

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Fit and comfort

The fit of the Soundcore was mild, although the grip of the Soundcore C40i was quite impressive and one of the best I've had. I tend to experience a little irritation after prolonged use, but it was on the back of my ears.

Although the primary purpose of these earbuds was not to cause discomfort by going into the ears, this purpose was defeated due to the irritation I felt around my ears. It was due to the tight grip.

Aside from the irritation, the fit was okay and exceptionally durable, as I could use it for walks around the estate and also go on small runs without it falling off, not really something that the Pearl Clip Pro could brag about. In that aspect, we give Anker flowers. It's perfect for individuals who visit the gym, runners, cyclists, and even everyday individuals.

The Soundcore C40i also comes with an additional clip, which helps to tighten the grip should the earbuds become loose or if the individual has small ear canals. This is actually thoughtful because, in all the clip-on earbuds I’ve had, none of them actually had these additional clips.

For the Soundpeats Pearl Clip Pro, I actually had a bad experience after prolonged usage. The grip was quite loose, and there was little to be done about it. In a nutshell, the Soundcore C40i has an excellent grip but lacks comfort in terms of irritation.

Spec sheet

• 12 mm x 17 mm drivers: This ensures better audio output and quality, although these earbuds lacked volume and bass during testing.

• AI-enhanced calls: The microphone of these earbuds performed remarkably well for taking calls and even minor audio recordings. It's a great one when it comes to AI-enhanced calls and microphones.

• Case-free pairing: Since not many people pay attention to pairing, this feature doesn’t make a significant difference. However, these earbuds support pairing even without the case.

• Multipoint connections: Now a standard feature on modern earbuds, multipoint connections enable you to connect to more than one device at a time, which is particularly useful for individuals who have multiple mobile devices.

• IPX4 water resistance: These earbuds feature standard IPX4 water resistance, which is sweat and splash-proof, making them excellent for rainy seasons and minor water splashes.

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Sound quality

The sound quality of the Soundcore C40i is not something to be proud of. I was actually disappointed with the sound quality these earbuds produced compared to the Soundpeats Pearl Clip Pro. This is not a good competitor.

The Soundcore C40i did not meet my expectations when playing music. It lacked bass and tended to pick up a lot of background noise. However, with a few tweaks in the Soundcore EQ app, I was able to achieve better sound quality by switching to the surround sound option. But the first sound output from unboxing was nothing short of unimpressive.

Don't get me wrong, I know these earbuds were not designed to block out background noise, but during testing, they still fell short of my expectations. And for the fact that it costs more than the regular clip-on earbuds…

Which leads me to ask the question, is Soundcore currently selling its name rather than good earbuds these days? Considering that it comes with the standard SBC and AAC codecs, like the Soundpeats Pearl Clip-on earbuds, I was honestly disappointed.

Battery

The battery of the Soundcore C40i was actually quite impressive. For context, I used it for three days without charge, after a full charge. On a general note, the battery of the Soundcore C40i was a good experience.

Although Soundcore boasts 7 hours of playtime on each earbud and 21 hours with the case, this wasn’t a lie. Although I was not impressed by the sound quality of the earbuds, the battery life exceeded my expectations.

Even at high volumes, the battery held up. In cases where I had to use these earbuds for watching movies, I didn't notice a significant battery drop, even after 1.5 hours of movie time. This proves that it has a considerable battery life, which is quite rare for clip-on earbuds.

Bluetooth connectivity and range

The Soundcore C40i connects via Bluetooth 5.4, and to be honest, it was such a pleasant experience. The connection process was significantly smoother compared to the Soundpeats Pearl Clip Pro; there was no hassle during the initial connection.

Let’s not forget that this runs on Bluetooth 5.4, which is the latest standard available on most earbuds now. It delivers low latency, a seamless Bluetooth experience, and supports multipoint connections, a great, handy feature for individuals with multiple mobile devices. This saves you the stress of having to pair it with your devices every time you switch between them.

The range, on the other hand, was remarkable. I could use these earbuds in the living room while my phone was charging in the studio, without experiencing any interruptions. This is great for individuals who prefer not to walk around with their phones at home.

In a nutshell, the Bluetooth and range of the Soundcore C40i are remarkable.

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Call and media playback quality

With active AI ENC mics on both clip-on earbuds, the calling experience was great. I did not experience situations where people on the other end couldn’t hear what I was saying, regardless of whether I was in a noisy environment or at home.

The AI ENC mics performed exceptionally well. They were responsive, filtered noise effectively, and recorded good audio when needed.

Media playback quality was also excellent. I did not experience lag when scrolling through social media or watching movies on Netflix and other streaming platforms. Combined with Bluetooth 5.4, the experience was exceptional.

Controls and app support

The controls of the Soundcore C40i are okay, but the fact that the button is at the back of the earbuds is a downside for me. Most earbuds today come with touch controls, not a button at the back.

Aside from that, I like how responsive the controls were. They responded instantly, which was good.

Left ear:

• Single press: play and pause

• Double press: next

• Press and hold: volume down

Calls:

• Single press: answer

• Double press: decline

Right ear:

• Single press: play and pause

• Double press: next

• Press and hold: volume down

Calls:

• Single press: answer

• Double press: decline

The app experience was also excellent. The app was responsive and easily connected to the earbuds, unlike the PeatsAudio app for Soundpeats.

What really caught me was Soundcore’s customizable in-app EQ. It significantly improved the sound quality of these earbuds, transforming them from mediocre to great. Another feature that impressed me was the customizable button options. This allows you to set a button to your preferred action, a game-changer in the earbuds space.

Pros and cons of the Soundcore C40i

Pros

• More stylish and modern packaging
• Very lightweight and easy to carry
• Has excellent grip, perfect for running and cycling
• AI ENC microphones for better call quality
• Extra clips for additional grip
• Very strong battery life
• Premium plastic look
• Customizable EQ and button controls on the Soundcore app
• Very good Bluetooth and range
• Low latency for media playback and gaming

Cons

• The case feels cheap and is made out of plastic
• Irritation around the back of the ears after prolonged use
• Very poor sound quality and picks up background noise
• Physical buttons at the back of the earbuds
• Expensive compared to better alternatives like the Pearl Clip Pro

Should you buy the Soundcore C40i?

If sound quality is not a major concern for you or if you can work with the surround sound effect and the Soundcore app's EQ, then the Soundcore C40i is the best choice for you. Every component of the Soundcore C40i is solid, and considering it has a much better grip than its competitors, it’s a go-to option.

Aside from that, the Soundcore C40i is a great pick.

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