A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 offer better overall sound quality, a more immersive gaming experience, and better noise isolation, making them suited for both active lifestyles and air travel due to their sweatproof certification and lightweight design. They also have a longer battery life in the earbuds and support wireless charging. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q20 headphones have the advantage of being usable both wirelessly and with a wired connection, which could be a plus for devices lacking Bluetooth. They are also foldable for easier transport and offer a longer battery life for longer listening sessions. If you prefer AirPods with specific optimization for Apple devices and don't mind spending more for premium features like active noise cancellation and a more portable form, go for the AirPods Pro 2. Conversely, if the budget is a concern and you want the flexibility of wired and wireless use with good noise cancellation and don't require the additional features the AirPods Pro 2 offer, the Life Q20 might be the better choice. 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 Pro 2
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
8.4
5.2
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.8
4.9
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
4.7
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.3
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$199
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has a price of $199 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
7.0
7.0
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both good for music.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Pro 2 to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is very good.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Airpods Pro 2 and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro 2 | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.8/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.3 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro 2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app. If you own an iPhone, the new AirPods Pro is an obvious choice."
Soundcore Life Q20
See more
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 Pro 2 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple Airpods Pro 2 vs. Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
VS
Compare Apple Airpods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
VS
Compare Apple Airpods Pro 2 vs. Audio Technica ATH-TWX7
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q20 vs. JLab Go Work Wireless
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q20 vs. Razer Kraken
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q20 vs. JBL Tune Buds
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
95,000
Recommendations made
14,250
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.
Featured in
