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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and active noise cancelling for immersive music listening and air travel, the Apple AirPods Max are superior. They also provide a more premium build and better controls. However, they are heavy and pricier, with shorter battery life. Conversely, the Soundcore Life Q20 offers great value, being significantly more affordable with longer battery life and decent noise isolation, making them suitable for everyday use and exercise. They lack the AirPods Max's higher sound quality, comfort, and app-related features. Choose AirPods Max for top-tier quality at a high cost or Life Q20 for budget-friendliness with good performance. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Max
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- The Soundcore Life Q20 has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods Max.
Key differences
Phone Calls
6.6
4.9
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
4.7
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
8.7
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is very good.
Battery
21.0 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Soundcore Life Q20 are both good for music.
Gaming
5.5
5.2
The Apple Airpods Max and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.3
The Apple Airpods Max and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Soundcore Life Q20
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2022
"As far as headphones that cost under $100 go, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a really solid option. Like any good tool, it does the job well without much guff, and it’s affordable to boot. Sure: it’s not going toe to toe with any of the higher-end models of ANC headphones out there—but the headphones do well enough for commuters that it’s a good stand-in if you were never planning on spending a bunch of money anyway."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Soundcore Life Q20
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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