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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 will generally offer superior sound quality and build, ideal for an audiophile who demands high fidelity audio and durability. However, you're paying a premium for the brand and its higher-end materials. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Soundcore P20i may hit the sweet spot with decent performance and features without breaking the bank. Keep in mind that they might not match the audio quality and material sophistication of the Bowers & Wilkins. If you want top-notch sound and can afford it, opt for the Bowers & Wilkins. If you prefer to save money and still get satisfactory quality, go for the Soundcore. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the Soundcore P20i.
Advantages of the Soundcore P20i
- Good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.3
7.3
The Soundcore P20i is good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
4.7
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore P20i are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
7.0
The Soundcore P20i is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the Soundcore P20i costs $30.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
6.4
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore P20i are both only fair for music.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore P20i are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Soundcore P20i to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
Soundcore P20i
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Dig into reviews and images
Critic Reviewer
Ranbir Sen | May 2023
"I would recommend the Soundcore P20i Earbuds to everyone who loves music and would like to own comfortable pair of earbuds with a great range of sound quality. I would recommend users who buy this device use the right comfortable ear tips as per your ear design."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Soundcore P20i
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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