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 EPOS PC38X delivers superior sound quality, comfort, and an exceptional microphone, making it an excellent choice for gaming and calls. It also offers a wide soundstage that enhances the immersive experience for music and TV. However, it lacks wireless connectivity and noise cancellation, limiting its use in noisy environments and on the go. In contrast, the Soundcore Life Q20 features active noise cancellation and wireless functionality, making it more suited for air travel and exercise. It also has a long battery life and is more portable, but it doesn't match the EPOS PC38X in sound quality and versatility for different media. If budget is a major factor, the Q20 offers good value for its price point, while the PC38X is an investment better suited for focused listening environments and critical use. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.5
7.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
10.0
5.2
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
10.0
4.9
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
4.7
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
9.0
5.3
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$139
$60
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The EPOS PC38X and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the EPOS PC38X and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
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 EPOS PC38X or the Soundcore Life Q20
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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
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
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
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
