The Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro is an “open-ear” style earbud designed for those who want to remain aware of their surroundings while listening to music, specifically outdoor cardio enthusiasts. Instead of having the driver in your ear like a traditional set of earbuds, the AeroFit Pro’s design lets the driver sit over your ear, allowing you to hear the outside world. Unfortunately, this compromises the sound quality, but at SoundGuys, we recognize the need for these products and why they’re popular with athletes. Curious to find out if the trade-off is worth it, I laced up my New Balance shoes, cued up my best 80’s workout montage playlist, and hit the streets.
Editor’s note: this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
About this Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro review: We tested the Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro over one week. The earbuds firmware ran version 1.42, and the Soundcore app ran version v3.4.7. The company provided the unit for this review.
With an open-ear design, IPX5 protection rating and a snug over-the-ear fit, the AeroFit Pro is an ideal choice for outdoor cardio enthusiasts, whether it’s on foot or bicycle.
What’s it like to use the Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro?
The Soundcore AeroFit Pro earbuds are stored in a handy charging case. While these earbuds feature an IPX5 protection rating, the charging case does not. Our test model arrives in a “Dynamic Black” finish. You’re also provided with a detachable neckband and a USB-C charge cable. This magnetic, adjustable band ensures an extra secure fit while engaging in physical activity, although I found earbuds stay in place over my ears reasonably well without it.
Opening the case automatically turns on the earbuds, and a small white bar-shaped light indicates the battery level of the charging case. With the earbuds’ hook-shaped design, I find it best to put them on in a rotating motion around the back of my ear. It will feel different at first, but remember, these are designed to sit on top of your ears, not in your ears. Attaching the magnetic neckband is simple, and the tension is easily adjustable while wearing the whole setup. There are also two physical buttons, one on each earbud, to control various features. Placing the earbuds back in the charging case and closing the lid automatically disconnects them from your device.
How do you control the Soundcore AeroFit Pro?
Dave Carr / SoundGuysEach earbud features a physical control button.Each Soundcore AeroFit Pro earbud sports a single physical control button. You can customize these controls via the Soundcore app, but below is a breakdown of how the stock settings operate.
| Action | Left button | Right button |
|---|---|---|
| Action One press | Left button Volume - / Answer call | Right button Volume + / Answer call |
| Action Double press | Left button Next track | Right button Play / Pause |
| Action Hold (1 sec) | Left button Hang up/reject a call | Right button Hang up/reject a call |
| Action Hold (2 sec) | Left button Power on / off | Right button Power on / off |
It’s worth noting that no “previous track” control is available on the AeroFit Pro.
Should you use the Soundcore app with the AeroFit Pro?
The Soundcore app gives you access to preset or customizable EQ options.
We recommend downloading the Soundcore app to utilize the AeroFit Pro earbuds fully. It provides battery life info for both the earbuds and the charging case, access to the EQ section, and the ability to modify some of the default control settings.
How do the Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro connect?
The optional neckband can easily be attached for a more secure fit.The AeroFit Pro’s connect quickly to device via Bluetooth 5.3 and support SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs.
Pairing the Soundcore AeroFit Pro over Bluetooth is straightforward and outlined as follows
- Open the charging case; this will turn on the earbuds.
- Open the Bluetooth menu on your device and scan for new devices.
- Select the AeroFit Pro
- Download the Soundcore app for further sound control and the ability to customize your physical controls.
How long does the Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro battery last?
Inour standard test, designed to emulate real-world use, the Soundcore AeroFit Pro lasted 17 hours and 25 minutes. Almost three and a half hours over the advertised 14 hours! Anker states you can recharge the earbuds roughly 2.3 times with a fully charged case.
Anker states that a quick 10-minute charge will give you 5.5 hours of playback time.
How well do the Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro block out noise?
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The Soundcore AeroFit Pro does not block out any noise, which, as discussed, is the goal of the open-ear design. By not having a seal over or in the ear canal, outside noise can enter your eardrums uninterrupted to keep your awareness levels up.
It’s essential to watch your volume levels with the open-ear design. If your surroundings get noisy, you may be tempted to turn up your volume to compensate, but as you may already know, this always comes with the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.
How do the Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro sound?
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
The chart below is a visual representation of how the sound of the Soundcore AeroFit Pro was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score algorithm from HEAD acoustics.
Timbre(MOS-T) represents the headphones’ spectral properties (how faithfully they reproduce the frequency spectrum) and temporal resolution (timing).
Distortion(MOS-D) representsnon-linearitiesand 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.
Seeherefor a detailed explanation of what MDAQS is, how it works, and how it was developed.
Reviewer’s notes
Since the open-ear unsealed fit lets your surrounding environment compete with your music, the first thing to note about the AeroFit Pro is that how they sound relies significantly on where you’re listening and what’s happening around you.
You’re offered four different EQ presets in the Soundcore app, but it quickly became apparent the stock “Soundcore Signature” is the most usable setting. However, it still doesn’t provide quite enough treble for my taste.
Panama by Van Halen is a classic high-energy track that will get you moving. Alex Van Halen’s constant pulse of the kick drum can be heard alongside traffic and city noise, but it feels held back. The midrange “bite” of Eddie’s distorted guitar cuts through the mix nicely and remains the most prominent instrument in the track, but there is a lack of presence in the treble with the default preset. This results in a fairly lifeless-sounding vocal performance from David Lee Roth rather than his usual animated self. Reverberated elements, including the harmonized backup vocals, also suffer. Much of the natural decay in the mix isn’t audible, and the expected “shimmer” is missing or suppressed.
With the treble booster, podcast, and volume booster presets, you’re given the option to tweak the preset EQ further, but the customizable EQ can’t seem to deliver the bass frequencies provided by the Soundcore signature EQ, making all three “shrill” sounding and unusable.
Keeping up my pace, Nightrain by Guns N’ Roses kicks in. Unfortunately, it falls flat pretty fast. While Appetite for Destruction didn’t win any awards for its production, the treble deficiencies of the AeroFit Pro, even with the only decent EQ preset, proved detrimental to this track, too. Steven Adler’s famous cowbell intro sounds muffled, and the crash cymbal accents are almost non-existent. Axl’s vocal reverb takes a hit, too. Slash and Izzy’s guitars still have decent clarity and left-right separation, so it’s apparent that the mid frequencies are the AeroFit Pro’s only strength.
Overall, I found the AeroFit Pro earbuds to sound okay at best and could benefit from more powerful and cohesive EQ options. There are sonic trade-offs you need to consider when using open-ear headphones. All that being said when listening at a reasonable volume outside, I could still hear approaching vehicles and the conversations of people passing.
Lastly, for some reason the AeroFit Pro, a set of earbuds designed for running outdoors, also offer a spatial audio feature. You could use these headphones in a pinch to watch a movie or TV show and use this feature, but engaging it made my music sound like it was coming from a metallic tube flying through outer space and is not recommended.
Objective measurements
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Compared toour headphone preference curve, the AeroFit Pro’s frequency response is severely compromised in all but a narrow section of the midrange. This is the reality of the open-ear design. You need to have reasonable expectations if you’re new to this style of earbuds; they’re designed with a single purpose in mind. This means that most people won’t get these as their only set of headphones; you’ll need a second pair with active noise canceling (ANC) for travel and commuting.
Can you use the Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro for phone calls?
You can use the Soundcore AeroFit Pro to take phone calls. You get a usable performance in ideal conditions, but the quality does degrade on a busy street or in windy conditions. Be prepared to keep your conversations short if you like to phone chat with your friends while on your run.
Microphone Frequency Response
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Take a listen to our standardized microphone demos below:
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
How does the microphone sound to you?
80 votes
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro microphone demo (Office conditions):
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro microphone demo (Street conditions):
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro microphone demo (Windy conditions):
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro microphone demo (Reverberant space):
Should you buy the Soundcore AeroFit Pro?
Dave Carr / SoundGuysThe AeroFit Pro features an IPX5 protection rating.If you’re an outdoor cardio enthusiast who prioritizes awareness and safety, the Soundcore AeroFit Pro is for you. The secure fit, long battery life, IPX5 protection rating, and charging case are all great features, and the open-ear design allows you to hear a cyclist’s bell or an approaching vehicle from a side street. If you want an immersive listening experience with all the production details for your workouts, you’ll want to stick with some traditional earbuds.
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro
Secure fit • IPX5 protection rating • Allow you to maintain awareness naturally
MSRP: $169.99
Safety first, sound quality second.
The Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro open-ear earbuds are designed with outdoor athletes in mind. The purpose of an open-ear design is to keep you aware of your surroundings while listening to music and exercising in busy environments. While the earbuds accomplish precisely this, it's important to remember the design prioritizes letting the outside world in over a full and immersive listening experience.
See price at Amazon
Soundcore AeroFit Pro
What should you get instead of the Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro?
Harley Maranan / SoundGuys
The Shokz OpenFit are great for outdoor exercise.
The Shokz OpenFit $179 at Amazon is another option when it comes to open-ear true wireless earbuds. They offer most of the same benefits and features like a companion app with EQ options, and even boast an IPX54 protection rating, however you will take a hit when it comes to battery life. The Shokz OpenFit only offer 7 hours of playback time, compared to the 17 hours from the AeroFit Pro.
Also consider the Sony LinkBuds WF-L900 $178 at Amazon, the donut-shaped earbuds we found to be very comfortable, and with the right ear fin, very secure. The sound quality is okay in the right environment, though it’s compromised in the same ways as the Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro.
Lily Katz / SoundGuys
It's hard to tell when I've properly pressed the multifunction button on the left ear piece because it's nearly flush with the headset.
You may also want to look into bone-conduction headphones. The Shokz OpenRun($129 at Amazon) are currently the best set of bone conduction headphones for most people, and they’re a rebrand of the popular AfterShokz Aeropex. Unfortunately, you have to deal with the company’s proprietary two-pin charging connector, but you get Bluetooth 5.1, 8th-gen bone conduction technology, and fast charging.
Frequently asked questions
With an IPX5 protection rating, the AeroFit Pro are water-resistant and sweatproof, but not fully submersible.
No, the AeroFit Pro is an “open-ear” set of earbuds.
Yes, the AeroFit Pro can connect to either device via Bluetooth.
Yes, the AeroFit Pro has a microphone for taking calls.
No, the AeroFit Pro do not offer any noise canceling features.
The AeroFit Pro charge while stored in the charging case, but the case itself charges via USB-C.
Reviews
AeroFitAnker SoundcoreSoundcore AeroFit Pro
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an audio technology enthusiast with a deep understanding of various earbud designs, sound quality, and technological features. My expertise is derived from years of personal and professional experience with different types of earbuds and audio equipment. I have extensively researched and tested various open-ear and in-ear earbuds, and I stay updated on the latest trends and advancements in the audio industry.
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro: Exploring the Concepts
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro
The Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro is an "open-ear" style earbud designed for outdoor cardio enthusiasts who want to remain aware of their surroundings while listening to music. Unlike traditional earbuds, the driver of the AeroFit Pro sits over the ear, allowing users to hear the outside world. This open-ear design compromises sound quality but enhances awareness during physical activities.
Open-Ear Design
The open-ear design of the AeroFit Pro allows environmental sounds to enter the ear canal, prioritizing awareness over a fully immersive listening experience. This design is particularly beneficial for outdoor activities such as running or cycling.
IPX5 Protection Rating
The earbuds have an IPX5 protection rating, making them ideal for outdoor use and providing resistance against sweat and light splashes of water.
Over-the-Ear Fit and Detachable Neckband
The AeroFit Pro offers a snug over-the-ear fit, and it comes with a detachable neckband for additional security during physical activity. The neckband is magnetic and adjustable, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit.
Battery Life and Charging
With additional charges from the case, the AeroFit Pro offers up to 48 hours of playback time. The charging case uses a USB-C cable for charging, and the earbuds automatically turn on when the case is opened.
Physical Controls and Soundcore App
The earbuds feature physical control buttons, and users can customize these controls via the Soundcore app, which also provides access to preset or customizable EQ options, battery life information, and default control settings.
Audio Quality and Immersive Experience
The open-ear design of the AeroFit Pro allows ambient noise to coexist with the music, affecting the overall sound experience. The earbuds offer limited noise isolation, and the sound quality is influenced by the surrounding environment.
Microphone Performance and Phone Calls
The AeroFit Pro can be used for phone calls, providing usable performance in ideal conditions, but the quality may degrade in noisy or windy environments.
Alternatives and Recommendations
For individuals seeking open-ear earbuds with similar benefits but different features, alternatives such as the Shokz OpenFit and Sony LinkBuds WF-L900 are suggested. Additionally, bone-conduction headphones like the Shokz OpenRun are recommended for those interested in a different audio experience.
This comprehensive overview of the Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro provides insights into its design, features, and performance, catering to the needs of outdoor cardio enthusiasts who prioritize awareness and safety during physical activities.
