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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless could be the better choice if your priority is comfort as well as clear microphone quality for calls and meetings, making them well-suited for a professional environment. They also have a significantly longer battery life for extended use without frequent recharging. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q20 offers active noise cancelling, which can be great for travel or noisy environments. The Q20 might be more suitable for demanding audio tasks, as their overall sound quality and noise isolation are superior. Consider the JLab for work and long-term wear, and the Soundcore if you're seeking noise cancellation and better sound immersion at a somewhat lower cost. 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 JLab JBuds Work Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
8.8
5.2
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.3
4.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
4.7
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
5.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is poor.
Battery
60.0 Hours
32.3 Hours
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$79
$60
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has a price of $79 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.8
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Soundcore Life Q20 to be good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
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How the JLab JBuds Work Wireless and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JLab JBuds Work Wireless | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$79 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JLab | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 60 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 158 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
JLab JBuds Work Wireless
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | February 2022
"The JLab JBuds Work is an affordable headset-headphone hybrid that you can use to listen to music in stereo and communicate on video calls thanks to a retractable boom mic, and we particularly like its convenient mono and passive wired modes. You won't find any frills here like you will with the costlier Jabra Evolve2 65 or Plantronics Voyager 4220 UC, but for less than half the price, the JBuds Work is an effective lower-cost alternative."
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 JLab JBuds Work Wireless or the Soundcore Life Q20
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.
By the numbers
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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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