Buzz
DESIGN, COMFORT, AND BATTERY LIFE
Anker’s Soundcore has amassed a massive fanbase in a short time, and it's no wonder why. Beyond excellent marketing and packaging, Soundcore knows how to present its products. Previous releases like Soundcore Life P2, Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro, Soundcore Spirit Dot 2, Soundcore Life A1, Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro, and Soundcore Life P3 all had superb build quality – looking and feeling more expensive than they actually are.
The Soundcore Life P2 Mini is no exception – it's beautifully designed and crafted for a $40 pair of earbuds. The matte black oval-shaped charging case exudes durability, with a glossy black strip to add a touch of class, and a snap-shut lid that's satisfyingly secure. Three LED lights on the front indicate the remaining battery of the case, capable of charging the earbuds fully three times before needing a new power source via USB-C.
The earbuds themselves have a stubby design, but much shorter than the Life P2 and Life P3. That's good – they look better in your ears. They're matte with a glossy back in the middle and the top part of the body connected to the ovoid ear tip that we see on many wireless earbuds. It's no wonder people opt for this shape: it's easy to get a snug and comfortable fit with these buds. They also block out some ambient noise, although they're not at noise-canceling levels. The Life P2 Mini is IPX5 water-resistant, meaning it can withstand sweat and rain while you're on the go.
The battery life of the in-ear headphones is excellent, providing up to 8 hours of playtime on a single charge.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTION
Unlike pricier models in its range, the Life P2 Mini doesn't support an impressive Soundcore app, meaning the controls and features you have on the buds are all you'll get. The controls are straightforward:
- Double tap L or R to play/pause music
- Hold R button to skip to the next song
- Hold L button to go back to the previous song
- Triple tap R to switch between EQ modes (standard, treble, and bass)
- Triple tap L to activate voice assistant
The touch controls don't respond to a single touch, so accidental touches rarely occur. The downside is you can't adjust the volume directly from the earbuds. This model doesn't support noise-canceling mode, Transparency mode, or low latency like pricier Soundcores.
Unfortunately, there are no voice prompts to announce the next EQ balance. Instead, EQ changes are confirmed with a gentle beep. If you don't have a trained ear, it can be difficult to know which EQ you're on.
The P2 Mini features a robust Bluetooth connection, reaching up to 9-10 meters from your device and performing effectively even in areas with crowded wireless connections. You can effortlessly switch between using one or both earbuds, such as charging one earbud while using the other.
SOUNDCORE LIFE P2 MINI SOUND QUALITY: BASS
A unique selling point of the Life P2 Mini is its three EQ modes that you can switch directly from the earbuds. Unfortunately, unless you're a big bass enthusiast, it's more about quantity than quality.
In standard mode, the Life P2 Mini introduces you to prominent mid-bass when playing music for the first time. It carries this thick Soundcore signature thump: not particularly fast or accurate, but it still provides a strong sensation as its beats linger. Each bass note resonates a bit. The sub-bass isn't overly deep or detailed, but there's plenty of bass and sub-bass to make the sound full at lower levels.
At higher frequencies, things become a bit more challenging. While mid-range instruments like guitar and piano play individually and exhibit relatively detailed nuances, they get overshadowed when Soundcore plays higher notes.
The Life P2 Mini doesn't handle upper mid and high frequencies very well. The sound is clear enough but vocals lack natural warmth. Singers often sound thinner, higher than average. When a higher-pitched female or male voice enters a song, the sound immediately turns metallic and thin. This is also the case with brighter instruments, such as violins and flutes: they've been stretched too thin—not sounding overly sharp or loud, but too metallic. A bit harsh.
That's with standard sound. Tap the right earbud three times and you'll switch to the ported sound mode, which reduces bass intensity and expands mid and high tones even further—allowing more of that metallic edge. A signature tone may suit podcasts, but only throws music balance off.
Another triple tap activates the Bass mode, and that's where most folks will likely stay. This mode brings down the highs a notch, making the upper mids and trebles less forward and much less harsh—though still slightly. Additionally, the Life P2 Mini enhances bass further. Even deeper, fuller, and darker sound. Still not much differentiation between mid and sub-bass and the mid-bass doesn't play as fast or detailed as on some of Soundcore's more affordable models. However, the bass is now mighty—pure bass lovers will feel right at home. Heck, it might even resonate in singer-songwriter tracks.
Bass mode boosts mid-bass (emphasizing darker electronic tones in modern dance genres) and adds warmth to the sound. Additionally, the Life P2 Mini maintains decent mid-range detail and clear separation from left to right in sound, and the Bass mode saves time throughout the day.
It's a misconception to think the Soundcore Life P2 Mini is an all-around great device with three different EQ modes, but if you're a bass enthusiast, you can also enjoy the abundant Bass sound that the P2 Mini throws at you.
ASSESSMENT
The Soundcore Life P2 Mini will satisfy bass lovers the most, but its features, sound quality, and call clarity don't reach the standards of the brand's pricier models.
