Anker’s Soundcore range of both headphones and earphones continues to grow, with the newest VR P10 earphones offering a slim and feature-packed alternative for gamers. For those looking to take the weight off their heads during longer gaming sessions, the VR P10’s light and comfortable design makes this a breeze for connecting between multiple devices, be it PC, gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, and even VR headsets like the latest Meta Quest 2.
Design
Right out the gate, the VR P10 earphones score points for their slim design and snug fit. While they come with three types of silicone tips, including small, medium and large, I found the medium to be an adequate size on my first try. I only point this out because I rarely ever feel like I can get these in-ear options to fit right, let alone stay in. Thankfully, the twisting motion required to fit these in keeps these snug, and isolating background noises to a surprising degree. This also makes it a valid option for workouts, along with that nifty sweatproof IPX4 rating.
They’re each also fitted with their own battery life indicator on the stem of the earphone, meaning you can keep track of battery life at all times without the need to access the app via your phone or connected device. The case itself is sleek and flashy, with a rounded design and singular purple light up front to indicate your earphones status. The headphones also sit onto their designated points, rather than having to fiddle around to insert the stems into their own pockets, making taking them out feel just as seamless.
The case also holds the included USB-C dongle in its upper section under the lid, which admittedly took a little bit of digging to find at first. But given it also magnetically attaches to the top, is a really handy feature for when you’re on the go and between consoles and platforms. The overall design learns a little more into the gaming sphere with its RGB accents, but does a great job at blending in, by keeping the stems close to the ear and right in front of the earlobe.
Functionality & Sound
The VR P10 provides both USB-C and Bluetooth connections, the former of which is required for used on next-gen gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, while they are unfortunately incompatible with the Xbox Series X. They can indeed be used for PC, as the USB-C dongle helps reduce the latency associated with Bluetooth connected devices. It’s also incredibly sleek and even provides a USB-C passthrough so you don’t lose access to the port for additional usage, mainly handy for being able to charge the Meta Quest 2 while this dongle is connected.
The plug-and-go functionality also feels incredibly seamless, as the VR P10 earphones were immediately recognised on the PlayStation 5 and Meta Quest 2, where I spent most of my time. Bluetooth 5.2 is also available for regular listening on other smart devices like phones and tablets, with included support for SBC, LC3, and AAC codecs, helping them compress and deliver the best versions of various audio files.
The only gripe I had with general functionality and sound was the microphone quality. While it sounds clear enough, my voice simply sounded far too distant, meaning I had to speak up during certain multiplayer games. I don’t believe any background noises affected this quality, and can only imagine beyond this point that the slimmer design hinders my volume and tone from reaching that particular area above my earlobe.
Battery life is also solid, giving users around 6 hours of listening time, with a total 24 hours provided by the charging case. While USB-C charging will have these ready to go again in no time, the proposed battery life felt accurate, falling in line with the expected battery life for earphones in this particular price range.
Overall sound quality is solid, and the bass is surprisingly punchy, even if it means the mids get lost in the mix. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 left the best impression in terms of gaming, highlighting grenade explosions and flashbangs with extreme confidence, while distant footsteps were understandably lost in translation. The lack of any noise cancelling, even at this price point leads me to wonder if these notes would have been improved, but it’s still incredibly serviceable. Even when listing to music, maximum volumes rarely present any crackling or distortion, while maintaining that expected sound profile. Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s All The Stars seems to have taken the place of my go-to tester, and even this brought out some impressive bass.
Software
The standard Soundcore app returns with the VR P10 earphones and provides a wealth of options for tailoring and monitoring your sound experience. Be it choosing from Soundcore’s 20 pre-set EQ options or creating your own, there’s plenty of room for sound customisation. You can also change the touch controls on each earphone and even adjust the RGB lighting effects and colours, should the standard purple not suit. A Game and Talk mode can also be activated to take calls during gameplay, while the microphone can be disabled entirely on command.
The VR P10 earphones also feature a mode called Super Hearing, a dedicated gaming EQ designed to drown out more prominent sounds to enhance those lower notes like footsteps. While I appreciate the variety, this mode simply does not work as intended. It technically does highlight those lower notes, but simply diminishes the clarity of those louder notes, making everything sound muddy as a result. Overall, the Soundcore app makes functionality and customisation relativity easy and clear-cut, with plenty of room to manoeuvre your preferred EQ settings.
Verdict & Value
Anker’s Soundcore VR P10 earphones are a great choice for gamers looking for a slimmer alternative, featuring a unique design, decent sound quality and a wealth of customisable options via the Soundcore app. While it’s a little heavy on the bass and lacks any type of noise cancelling, they’re an incredibly comfortable and stable fit. It’s also worth noting that their slim and minimal fit makes them a great choice for VR gaming, be it shorter or longer sessions. The included USB-C dongle also provides a passthrough and low latency sound for gaming. Even though the RGB feels minimal, it still manages to set itself apart from many of the headphones at this price point. If you’re looking for a solid and light all-rounder to voice between multiple platforms, these are certainly worth considering.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Solid sound quality and decent bass; Sleek and comfortable design; Wealth of customisable options via Soundcore app
Lowlights: No noise cancelling; Microphone quality is inconsistent
Manufacturer: Anker
Price: A$179.99
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by Anker.
