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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize noise cancellation and premium sound quality, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II may justify the higher cost. They offer superior active noise cancellation, which is ideal for travel or noisy environments, and typically deliver richer audio experiences. However, if you're seeking good value for money, the Soundcore Life Q20 offers decent noise reduction and sound quality at a more affordable price, though it might not match Bose's performance levels. Additionally, consider the form factor: the Bose is earbuds, which might be more comfortable for prolonged use, while the Soundcore is an over-ear design that could be better for passive noise isolation and may be more durable. 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.7
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
6.2
5.3
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Battery
7.0 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has 7 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$199
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has a price of $199 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
9.2
8.0
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.4
7.0
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Soundcore Life Q20 are both good for music.
Gaming
5.5
5.2
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
4.9
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is very good.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | 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 | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 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 | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | September 2023
"Bose’s flagship wireless earbuds were never going to be cheap, but the question was whether they’d be competitive in an area of the market where rivals have never been more capable. The fact that the company has not only managed to implement a successful redesign, but also push the envelope for noise-cancelling and sound quality in such a highly competitive category simultaneously is truly impressive."
Soundcore Life Q20
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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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or the Soundcore Life Q20
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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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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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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