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 April 10, 2024·
If budget is your primary concern and you are comfortable with wired earbuds, the Sony MDREX15AP would be a more economical choice, particularly suitable for listening to music and for TV and video due to excellent sound quality and imaging in these scenarios. However, the Soundcore P20i, being slightly more expensive, offers wireless connectivity and better build quality, along with sweat and dust resistance, making them better for exercise. The Soundcore also has a longer battery life, app-based customization, and a microphone integrated for calls, adding convenience and functionality for a range of uses outside of just listening to audio content. 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 MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the Soundcore P20i
- Good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.3
6.4
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Gaming
6.7
7.3
The Soundcore P20i is good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
3.5
5.0
The Soundcore P20i and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore P20i is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
4.7
The Sony MDREX15AP and Soundcore P20i are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Sony MDREX15AP is somewhat better.
TV and Video
9.3
7.0
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Soundcore P20i is good.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery. The Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$30
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Sony MDREX15AP has a price of $20 and the Soundcore P20i costs $30.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Soundcore P20i has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Noise Reduction
7.0
6.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony MDREX15AP to be good for noise reduction, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Sony MDREX15AP and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony MDREX15AP | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2014 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 3.1 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony MDREX15AP
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Soundcore P20i
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Critic Reviewer
Ranbir Sen | May 2023
"I would recommend the Soundcore P20i Earbuds to everyone who loves music and would like to own comfortable pair of earbuds with a great range of sound quality. I would recommend users who buy this device use the right comfortable ear tips as per your ear design."
Get a great deal on the Sony MDREX15AP or the Soundcore P20i
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
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
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
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
