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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a premium option with excellent overall sound quality, great comfort, and superior active noise cancelling, making them ideal for air travel and focused music listening. They also provide long battery life and have an app to customize controls and equalizer settings. In contrast, the Soundcore Life Q20 is much more affordable and still offers good noise isolation, decent sound quality, and can fold for better portability, yet it may not be as comfortable for long periods and lacks app support for customization. If budget allows and high-quality sound and noise cancellation are a priority, go for Sony. If affordability and a compact design are more important, consider Soundcore. 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 WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Phone Calls
5.5
4.9
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.7
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Battery
40.3 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$398
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a price of $398 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
8.8
8.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.6
5.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.8
5.3
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-1000XM5 to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is very good.
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How the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$398 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.6/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 40.3 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3.5 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
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 WH-1000XM5 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.
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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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