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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds offer superior overall sound quality, feature active noise cancelling, wireless use, and an ear-friendly form without stems making them more comfortable. They are optimized for both Android and Apple devices and have a companion app for customization. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q20 headphones also support wireless and wired connections, have a foldable design which makes them more convenient to carry, and provide a good battery life. They are less expensive but do not provide the same sound quality, comfort, or advanced features such as optimization for different operating systems and app-based controls. If you prioritize high sound quality, comfort, and advanced features, and your budget allows, you might lean towards the Sony WF1000XM4. If price is a major concern and you are looking for decent performance without the premium features, the Soundcore Life Q20 could be a suitable option. 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 WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.0
7.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Phone Calls
6.7
4.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
10.0
4.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
6.0
5.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Battery
9.0 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$220
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Sony WF1000XM4 has a price of $220 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
8.9
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality, though the Sony WF1000XM4 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.6
5.2
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for gaming.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 and Sony WF1000XM4 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Sony WF1000XM4 and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WF1000XM4 | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$220 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2021 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.7/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 9 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 | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 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 | 5.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
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 WF1000XM4 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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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