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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Sundara offers superior sound quality for music enthusiasts, especially those who are into critical listening due to its planar drivers and openness. Those often deliver a more accurate and spacious sound. However, these do not have active noise cancelling, making them less suitable for noisy environments like air travel. Conversely, the Soundcore Life Q20, which is significantly less expensive, provides good noise isolation with active noise cancelling, making them better for travel or office use. The Soundcore also has the advantage of wireless connectivity and a longer battery life, which adds to their convenience for everyday use. The choice hinges on whether you prioritize sound quality and are mostly in quieter environments (Sundara), or you need noise cancellation, wireless freedom, and a more budget-friendly option (Life Q20). 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 Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.3
7.0
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
7.2
5.2
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
4.7
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
5.3
The HifiMan Sundara 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 HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$50
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $50.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
4.9
The HifiMan Sundara and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.2
8.0
The HifiMan Sundara and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 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 | |
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 | 8.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Sundara
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
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 Sundara 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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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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