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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR offers superior noise isolation and overall sound quality, making it ideal for detail-rich music and environments where you want to completely block out outside noise. However, it may be less comfortable over long periods and isn't designed for exercise. In contrast, the Soundcore Life Q20 provides good active noise cancelling and is more comfortable for extended wear, plus it has wireless capabilities with a long battery life, making it versatile for different settings like commuting or travel. The ER4XR is a premium priced earbud whereas the Soundcore Life Q20 is more affordable, but if microphone quality is important, the Q20 has an integrated mic while the ER4XR does not. Additionally, if you plan to use them for TV or gaming, the latency with the Q20 might be lower due to its wireless feature, but this isn't specified. Keep in mind, the ER4XR's sound quality may be higher than the Q20's. 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 ER4XR
- 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
8.0
7.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
6.2
5.2
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
4.7
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
5.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
4.9
The Soundcore Life Q20 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is very good.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 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 ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
Soundcore Life Q20
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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 Etymotic ER4XR 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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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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