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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Edition XS offers superior overall sound quality and a significantly better soundstage, making it ideal for serious music enthusiasts seeking an immersive audio experience, especially at home. They feature an open design, which means they don't isolate noise well but contribute to their wide, open sound. However, they lack the convenience of wireless connectivity and aren't suitable for use in noisy environments or during workouts, due to their size and open-back design. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q20 is more versatile with active noise cancelling, wireless capabilities, and a foldable design for better portability. This headphone also has a considerably longer battery life for on-the-go use and ranks higher for air travel and exercise, despite having a less expansive sound quality. If you're looking for a cost-effective, all-rounder headphone for various environments, including commuting, traveling, and casual listening, the Soundcore Life Q20 is the more suitable option. 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 HifiMan Edition XS
- Very good for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.0
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
7.4
5.2
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
4.7
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
9.5
5.3
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class 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 HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$269
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
4.9
The HifiMan Edition XS and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The HifiMan Edition XS and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Edition XS and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
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 HifiMan Edition XS or the Soundcore Life Q20
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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