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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and use during exercise, the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless earbuds are a superior choice due to their sweatproof design and high portability. However, if noise isolation for travel or a comfortable over-ear design is more important to you, the Soundcore Life Q20 headphones offer better active noise cancelling and comfort. Keep in mind the JBL earbuds also provide better build quality and are more suitable for calls due to their higher mic quality. Both options support wireless use but only the Soundcore Life Q20 comes with a detachable cable for wired listening. The JBL earbuds are more budget-friendly, making them a cost-effective choice if price is a major factor. 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 JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Good for gaming
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
7.3
5.2
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.8
4.9
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
4.7
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
6.9
5.3
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair.
Battery
8.3 Hours
32.3 Hours
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless has 8.3 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$50
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless has a price of $30 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $50.
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Key similarities
Music
6.6
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Soundcore Life Q20 to be good for music, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.9/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 8.3 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.1 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 16 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
LaFonda | April 2023
"The Vibe Beam earbuds may not be a sleek as other earbuds in the price range, such as the equally priced Vibe Buds, but they sound great, have a long battery life, and come with an equalizer. And if you just need a solid pair if earbuds to get you through your commute, these will do the trick. I have no complaints here."
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 JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless or the Soundcore Life Q20
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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
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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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