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·
If you prioritize active noise cancellation and overall sound quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds may be worth the extra cost. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option that still provides decent sound quality and active noise cancellation, though possibly less effective, the Soundcore Life Q20 can be a good choice. Consider the Bose for environments where noise is an issue and you need the best possible isolation, or if you're a frequent traveler. Opt for the Soundcore if you want to save money and can compromise on the level of noise cancellation and audio perfection. 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 Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.6
7.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
8.8
5.2
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.7
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
8.1
5.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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
Phone Calls
5.1
4.9
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
8.9
8.7
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Soundcore Life Q20 are both very good for noise reduction.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 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 | 21 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 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 | 6.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 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 Ultra Earbuds
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Sennheiser Momentum 4
VS
Compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
VS
Compare Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs. Grado GT220
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
127,400
Recommendations made
19,110
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
