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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Life Q20, consider that the Skullcandy offers better overall sound quality and has higher ratings for comfort and built-in controls. It also has a slight edge in noise isolation, which is beneficial for air travel or noisy environments. However, the Soundcore Life Q20 excels in battery life, offering significantly longer playtime, and has a sturdier build quality. Both have active noise cancelling and similar scores for calls and video; select Skullcandy if you prioritize sound and control comfort, but consider Soundcore for longer battery life and durability, especially if it's available at a lower price point. 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 Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has no clear advantages over the Soundcore Life Q20.
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Good for music
Key differences
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
5.8
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for TV and video, though the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is somewhat better.
Battery
23.0 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$135
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has a price of $135 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $50.
Build Quality
7.0
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Soundcore Life Q20 to be good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
5.6
5.2
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.3
4.9
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
8.7
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Life Q20 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Skullcandy Hesh ANC | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$135 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Skullcandy | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 23 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.6 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
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 Skullcandy Hesh ANC or the Soundcore Life Q20
About Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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