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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering your emphasis on price, the Soundcore P20i is much less expensive than the Focal Elex and offers good value if you are on a budget. The Soundcore P20i are closed-back earbuds, making them portable and more suitable for use on the go. They feature active noise cancellation, which the Focal Elex lacks, making them ideal for noisy environments. On the other hand, the Focal Elex headphones, being open-back and typically pricier, provide a more natural and expansive soundstage for a more immersive listening experience at home or in quiet settings. Their open design, however, is not ideal for noisy environments as it allows sound to leak in and out. So, if you are seeking high-quality sound and don't mind spending more, the Elex might be your choice, but for noise cancellation and portability at a lower cost, the P20i would suit you better. 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
- Good for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore P20i
- Good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.4
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.0
The Soundcore P20i and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore P20i is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
4.7
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore P20i is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
7.0
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore P20i is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The Soundcore P20i is only fair for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$30
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Soundcore P20i costs $30.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.9
7.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Soundcore P20i to be good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Elex and Soundcore P20i both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | 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 | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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 P20i
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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 Focal Elex or the Soundcore P20i
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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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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