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 Audio Technica ATH M40X shines with excellent overall sound quality, making it a great choice for critical listening and studio work; however, they lack a built-in microphone and active noise cancelling (ANC). On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q20, while not matching the ATH M40X in sound fidelity, offers good noise isolation with ANC and a built-in mic, making them better suited for travel, calls, and everyday use. If you prioritize top-tier audio and have a slightly higher budget, go for the ATH M40X, but if you need versatile features like ANC and a mic at a lower price point, the Life Q20 is a compelling 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 Audio Technica ATH M40X
- Very good for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
7.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
7.0
5.2
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
4.9
The Soundcore Life Q20 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q20 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$60
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
4.7
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.2
8.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
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 Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Soundcore Life Q20
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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 Audio Technica ATH M40X vs. "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M40X vs. AKG K361
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M40X vs. Jabra Elite 4
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q20 vs. Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q20 vs. JBL Live Free NC+
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q20 vs. JBL Tune Flex
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
128,300
Recommendations made
19,245
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
