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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Philips SHP9500 offers excellent comfort and sound quality, excelling in music listening, and TV and video with an open-back design that enhances soundstage but leaks sound and lacks noise isolation, making them less ideal for noisy environments or commuting. In contrast, the Soundcore Life Q20 features active noise cancelling and better portability due to its foldable design and longer battery life, which is useful for air travel or exercise. The Q20 also has wireless capability and microphone quality adequate for calls. Your choice should consider whether you prioritize sound quality and comfort for home use (Philips SHP9500) or versatility and noise cancellation for on-the-go use (Soundcore Life Q20). 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 SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.2
7.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
7.2
5.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
4.7
The Philips SHP9500 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
9.0
5.3
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent 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 SHP9500 is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
4.9
The Philips SHP9500 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls.
Cost
$48
$50
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Philips SHP9500 has a price of $48 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $50.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Philips SHP9500 and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality.
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How the Philips SHP9500 and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Philips SHP9500 | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$48 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Philips | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2013 | 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 | 7.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Philips SHP9500
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphones Lab
Brian Stone | April 2020
"You can’t go wrong with the Philips SHP9500 for their price. Their audio quality is superb, and the fact that you can use them for just about anything you can think of makes them well worth your money"
Soundcore Life Q20
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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 SHP9500 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.
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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
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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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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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