A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a pair of headphones primarily for home use, especially for listening to music, the Philips Fidelio X2HR would be a better choice due to their superior overall sound quality, soundstage, and comfort. However, they are open-back and wired, meaning they do not provide sound isolation and are less portable. On the other hand, if you need headphones that can double for travel and offer features like noise cancellation, the Soundcore Life Q20 might suit you better. They are closed-back, provide good noise isolation, and have active noise cancelling – plus, they are wireless and more affordable. The tradeoff is that their sound quality isn't as high as the Fidelio X2HR’s. 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR
- 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
7.0
5.2
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
4.7
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
5.3
The Philips Fidelio X2HR 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The Philips Fidelio X2HR does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$140
$60
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has a price of $140 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
4.9
The Philips Fidelio X2HR and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Philips Fidelio X2HR and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Philips Fidelio X2HR | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$140 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Philips | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2014 | 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 | 7.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 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 | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 390 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Philips Fidelio X2HR
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
Soundcore Life Q20
See more
Dig into reviews and images
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 Philips Fidelio X2HR or the Soundcore Life Q20
About Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Philips Fidelio X2HR vs. EPOS PC38X
VS
Compare Philips Fidelio X2HR vs. Skullcandy Hesh ANC
VS
Compare Philips Fidelio X2HR vs. "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q20 vs. Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q20 vs. JBL Live Free NC+
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q20 vs. JBL Tune Flex
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,500
Recommendations made
18,525
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
