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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Sundara are premium over-ear open-back headphones offering exceptional sound quality, suitable for critical listening but they require a dedicated amplifier for optimal performance. They’re not ideal for noisy environments due to their open-back design which leaks sound and doesn’t isolate noise well. On the other hand, the Soundcore P20i are budget-friendly in-ear headphones with a closed-back design for better noise isolation, making them more versatile for use in different environments. The P20i also offer integrated microphone functionality, which the Sundara lack. If sound quality is your primary concern and you're okay with investing in additional equipment, the Sundara are an excellent choice; however, for everyday use, portability, and affordability, the P20i would be more practical. 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
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore P20i
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.3
6.4
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
4.7
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore P20i is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
7.0
The HifiMan Sundara 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 HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$30
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Soundcore P20i costs $30.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Soundcore P20i has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
7.2
7.3
The Soundcore P20i and HifiMan Sundara are both good for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.9
5.0
The Soundcore P20i and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 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 | N/A | 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 | 8.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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 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 HifiMan Sundara or the Soundcore P20i
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
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