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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value exceptional sound clarity and detail for critical listening and don't mind a higher price, the Focal Elex is the better choice. However, if you're looking for headphones with good noise cancellation, wireless capabilities, and a more accessible price point, the Soundcore Life Q20 could be more suitable. The Elex, being a high-fidelity option, excels in natural sound reproduction, but lacks the convenience features like a microphone, Bluetooth, and active noise cancellation found in the Q20. Consider the Q20 if you travel frequently or listen in noisy environments, but choose the Elex for pure audio quality at home or in quiet settings. 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 Focal Elex
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
7.0
The Focal Elex and Soundcore Life Q20 are both good for music, though the Focal Elex is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.9
5.2
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
4.9
The Soundcore Life Q20 and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q20 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
4.7
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
5.3
The Focal Elex is very good 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 Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
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 | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Focal Elex
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Dig into reviews and images
Golden Sound
Golden Sound | October 2021
"The Focal Elex are an excellent pair of headphones for the money and a great all-rounder that will suit many tastes. They’re an easy recommendation for anyone looking for something comfortable, well built, that looks good, and will work with just about any genre."
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 Focal Elex or the Soundcore Life Q20
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
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.
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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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