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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If precise audio reproduction is key for you, the Etymotic ER2SE would be an excellent choice, albeit at a higher price. They offer great sound isolation and detail, ideal for audiophiles who enjoy listening to music in quieter settings. However, the Soundcore Life Q20, while less expensive, provides active noise cancellation and is more comfortable for long listening sessions, making them suitable for travel and noisy environments. The Q20s also offer wireless convenience and are better for varied use, such as movies and casual music listening, whereas the Etymotics' wired connection and focus on audio fidelity cater to a more niche, critical listening audience. 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 Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
6.2
5.2
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.7
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
4.9
The Etymotic ER2SE and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER2SE to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is very good.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 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 | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
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 Etymotic ER2SE or the Soundcore Life Q20
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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