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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality sound reproduction and noise isolation, the Etymotic ER4XR is superior but comes at a higher cost. They offer a more neutral sound and excellent passive noise isolation due to deep ear insertion; however, they might be less comfortable and lack features such as a microphone. Alternatively, the more affordable Soundcore P20i offers good sound quality and added features like wireless connectivity, a built-in microphone, and sweatproofing, making them a versatile option for exercise, calls, and general use. They are also more comfortable for extended wear but do not isolate noise as well as the Etymotics. 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 podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore P20i
- Good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
7.3
The Soundcore P20i is good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
4.7
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore P20i is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$25
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Soundcore P20i costs $25.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
5.0
The Soundcore P20i and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
7.4
7.0
The Etymotic ER4XR and Soundcore P20i are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR and Soundcore P20i both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $25 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4.5 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 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 Etymotic ER4XR or the Soundcore P20i
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
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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
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.
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