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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your top priority, Google Pixel Buds A Series offer better overall sound and mic quality, making them suitable for calls and music. Conversely, if you value comfort and active noise cancelling for long periods of use or air travel, the Soundcore Life Q20 headphones are a better option. The Pixel Buds are optimized for Android and have features like a hands-free Google Assistant experience, but the Life Q20 gives you the advantage of both wireless and wired listening, longer battery life, and better noise isolation, which is beneficial for loud environments. Keep in mind that while the Pixel Buds are sweatproof, the Life Q20 is not; however, the latter's over-ear design may be more comfortable for extended periods. 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 Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.4
7.0
The Soundcore Life Q20 is good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
8.6
5.2
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.5
4.9
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
4.7
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.3
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
7.4
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Cost
$58
$60
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Soundcore | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
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 Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Soundcore Life Q20
About Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
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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