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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you favor sound quality for music listening and a significantly longer battery life, the Marshall Major IV is superior; however, if you are looking for active noise cancelling and a headset that's better suited for air travel, the Soundcore Life Q20 may be a better option, and it's considerably more affordable. Both have similar comfort levels, but the Major IV has a better build quality and microphone, which can be important for calls and overall durability. Neither is optimal for gaming or TV due to average latency performance. 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 Marshall Major IV
- The Marshall Major IV has no clear advantages over the Soundcore Life Q20.
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Phone Calls
5.8
4.9
The Marshall Major IV and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
4.7
The Marshall Major IV is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.6
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
80.0 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$60
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Marshall Major IV has a price of $100 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
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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 Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
5.2
The Marshall Major IV and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.3
The Marshall Major IV and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Marshall Major IV and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality.
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How the Marshall Major IV and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Marshall Major IV | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Marshall | 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 | 6.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.8/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 80 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | 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 | 5.7/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 165 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Marshall Major IV
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Marshall Major IV shares quite a bit in common with its predecessor, but a key upgrade appears to be softer ear cushions. They make upgrading worth it. As a set of basic wired or wireless headphones the Major IV ticks most boxes by remaining easy to use, and fairly comfortable (at least, as on-ear headphones go)."
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 Marshall Major IV 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.
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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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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