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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you are on a tight budget and primarily need wired headphones for listening to music, the Sony MDR-ZX110 would be a suitable choice; however, comfort and microphone quality are compromised. The Soundcore Life Q20, while generally more expensive, offers better comfort, build quality, and very good noise isolation, which makes them ideal for air travel. Additionally, the Q20 features active noise cancelling to help block out ambient sounds, and their over-ear design can enhance the overall listening experience. If wireless connectivity, longer battery life, and the convenience of built-in controls are important to you, go with the 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 Sony MDR-ZX110
- The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the Soundcore Life Q20.
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
7.0
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both good for music, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Gaming
5.9
5.2
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for gaming, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
3.0
4.9
The Soundcore Life Q20 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q20 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
6.9
5.3
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The Sony MDR-ZX110 does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$10
$60
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Sony MDR-ZX110 has a price of $10 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
6.0
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.3
4.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Sony MDR-ZX110 and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony MDR-ZX110 | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$10 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2015 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 3.9/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 119.9 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sony MDR-ZX110
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Dig into reviews and images
Audio.org
Audio.org | December 2022
"My opinion about Sony MDR ZX110 is they are the best budget headphones of Sony with top-class sound. Clear vocals, great bass, and balanced sound with low sound distortion. The treble could be sharper, but it's ok. 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers give clear and precise audio, and an inline remote with a mic give decent call quality. Closed-Back Design also helps to improve sound performance."
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 Sony MDR-ZX110 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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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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