If you want a workout earbud with adjustable tips, wingtip options, and a way to hear nearby sounds, choose Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170; if you need active noise cancellation and longer battery life for workouts and commutes, choose Anker Soundcore. For working out, my pick is Samsung when awareness and a more adjustable in-ear fit matter most; Anker is the stronger match when blocking distractions is the priority.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170: Up to six hours of battery life per charge, three ear tip and wingtip sizes, and Ambient Aware; the trade-off is that its case adds seven hours, less total listening than Anker’s stated 50 hours.
• Anker Soundcore Space A40: Active noise cancellation that adjusts to surrounding noise, up to 10 hours per charge, and up to 50 hours with the case; the trade-off is that its noise-blocking focus may not suit workouts where hearing surroundings is important.
• Sound and controls: Samsung lists AKG-tuned sound and Ambient Aware. Anker lists bass, clear mids, bright treble, LDAC mode, and app-based controls.
• For exercise: Samsung specifically offers splash resistance for sweat and splashes. Anker’s listed features emphasize noise cancelling and battery life rather than water resistance.
• Choose Samsung if you want adjustable ear tips and wingtip sizes plus more awareness of nearby sounds.
• Choose Anker if you want longer stated battery life and adaptive active noise cancellation for listening in distracting places.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170 make sense for someone who wants compact, true wireless earbuds with a practical workout feature set. They offer up to six hours of listening on a charge, with another seven hours from the case. Samsung also specifies splash resistance, so sweat and incidental splashes are part of the intended use—not a reason to treat them as waterproof.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-23 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
Fit options are a useful distinction. Three sizes of adjustable ear tips and wingtips come with the earbuds, giving you more ways to find a secure-feeling fit than a single fixed tip. Ambient Aware lets you control how much surrounding sound you hear, with a quick mode for things such as traffic or announcements. That makes the Samsung a more natural fit for outdoor walks, gym sessions, or errands where awareness matters.
I’d skip the Samsung if your main goal is to reduce surrounding noise or stretch listening time between charges. Its listed battery figures are well below Anker’s, and Ambient Aware is not the same feature as active noise cancellation. The Samsung is the more sensible pick for workouts where fit adjustment and hearing nearby sounds take priority over quiet isolation.
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is aimed at listeners who want extended playtime and active noise cancellation. Its noise cancelling system detects surrounding sounds and automatically adjusts, while the earbuds are rated for up to 10 hours on a charge and up to 50 hours with the case. A 10-minute fast charge is stated to provide up to four hours of listening.
Sound is another part of its appeal on paper. Anker describes strong bass, clear mids, and bright treble, and lists LDAC mode for Hi-Res Audio Wireless sound. The design is described as lightweight and ergonomic, with app customization. If you exercise indoors, commute, or listen somewhere noisy, the combination of adaptive noise cancellation and longer battery life may be more useful than Samsung’s ambient-sound feature.
The trade-off is that the Space A40’s standout feature is noise reduction, not letting more of the environment through. That may be less suitable for outdoor workouts near traffic if you want to remain aware of your surroundings. The product details also do not list water resistance, so I would not assume it offers Samsung’s stated splash resistance.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for hearing nearby sounds during a workout → Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170. Ambient Aware is designed to let you control how much surrounding sound you hear.
• Best stated total battery life → Anker Soundcore Space A40. Anker lists up to 50 hours with the case, compared with Samsung’s six hours from the earbuds plus seven from the case.
• Best for adjustable fit options → Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170. It includes three sizes of ear tips and wingtips.
• Best for a short charge top-up → Anker Soundcore Space A40. A 10-minute charge is stated to provide up to four hours of listening. Samsung’s description says a 15-minute wireless recharge can add up to 1.7 hours.
• Best for splash resistance during workouts → Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170. It is described as splash resistant for sweat and spills; Anker’s listed features do not specify water resistance.
• Best for app customization and LDAC mode → Anker Soundcore Space A40. Those features appear in its product details, while Samsung’s listed differentiators are Ambient Aware and fit options.
• Best for kids who need workout earbuds → Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170, with an important caveat. Its adjustable tip and wingtip sizes may be useful for dialing in fit, but the supplied details do not establish that it is designed specifically for children. Fit should be checked carefully.
Searches for the best hi-fi stereo clip-on earbuds for workout or active noise cancelling clip-on earbuds for workout may point to a different kind of design than either of these products. Both are in-ear wireless earbuds, not clip-on earbuds. Between these two, the key question is whether you want awareness and splash resistance or noise cancelling and longer stated battery life.
My Verdict
I’d choose the Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170 for a workout where a more adjustable fit, splash resistance, and awareness of nearby sounds matter.
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 has the clear edge in stated battery life and active noise cancellation, so I’d choose it for quieter indoor exercise or listening beyond the gym.
For my workout pick, though, Samsung’s feature mix is the more practical match when I want to stay conscious of my surroundings.
Samsung is the more straightforward fit for workouts where splash resistance and awareness of nearby sounds matter. Anker may suit indoor exercise better if you want active noise cancellation and longer stated battery life.
The listed feature is Ambient Aware, which lets you control how much surrounding sound you hear. The product details do not specify active noise cancellation.
Anker lists up to 10 hours per charge, compared with up to six hours for Samsung. With the case, Anker lists up to 50 hours total, while Samsung lists an additional seven hours from its case.
Both are wireless in-ear earbuds. Samsung is described as splash resistant and includes Ambient Aware; the Anker details emphasize active noise cancellation but do not specify water resistance. For outdoor exercise, consider whether you want to hear your surroundings, and do not assume either product is suitable for conditions beyond its stated features.
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