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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If supreme sound quality and noise isolation are top priorities, especially for music and air travel, the Sony WF1000XM4 with its dynamic driver and advanced features like LDAC codec support would be the better choice. However, those looking for value and decent performance in various settings like gaming, TV and video, as well as calls and meetings, might find the Soundcore P20i more budget-friendly and satisfactory. The Soundcore P20i also offers sweatproof certification, which is ideal for exercise. Note that the Sony has a slight edge in battery life and offers wireless charging, which the Soundcore does not. 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 P20i
- Good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
9.0
6.4
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Gaming
5.6
7.3
The Soundcore P20i is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.7
5.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore P20i is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
10.0
4.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore P20i is poor.
TV and Video
6.0
7.0
The Soundcore P20i is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.5
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Cost
$220
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Sony WF1000XM4 has a price of $220 and the Soundcore P20i costs $30.
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Key similarities
Battery
9.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life. The Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Soundcore P20i to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
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How the Sony WF1000XM4 and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WF1000XM4 | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$220 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2021 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.1/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.7/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 9 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 4.5 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 P20i
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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 WF1000XM4 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.
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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
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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