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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize noise isolation and longer battery life for extensive use, the Soundcore Life Q20 with its active noise cancelling and a much longer battery life could serve you well, especially during air travel. However, the Sony Linkbuds, despite being more expensive, offer an open design that might suit you if you want to remain aware of your surroundings. They are also more portable, have better soundstaging for a broader sound experience, and include app features that allow customization. For exercise, the Linkbuds' sweatproof certification and ear-detection make them a more suitable choice, albeit with a shorter battery life. 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 Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Phone Calls
6.8
4.9
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
4.7
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, 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 Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$178
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Sony Linkbuds has a price of $178 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $50.
Build Quality
9.3
8.0
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality.
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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 Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
5.2
The Sony Linkbuds and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.4
5.3
The Sony Linkbuds and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Sony Linkbuds and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony Linkbuds | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2022 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.9/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 17.5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.3/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
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 Sony Linkbuds or the Soundcore Life Q20
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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.
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.
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