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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WH-CH520 offers better overall sound quality, longer battery life, and higher comfort, making it a good choice for long listening sessions, especially for music and gaming. However, the Soundcore Life Q20 has superior noise isolation, which could be crucial if you plan to use them in noisy environments or during air travel. The Soundcore also provides the flexibility of a wired connection. So, if you prioritize quiet listening and wired option, go for the Soundcore, but if you value sound quality, battery life, and comfort at a lower price, opt for the Sony WH-CH520. 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-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
7.0
The Sony WH-CH520 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both good for music, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.8
5.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.7
4.9
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
4.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
8.2
5.3
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
52.0 Hours
32.3 Hours
The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$40
$43
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Sony WH-CH520 has a price of $40 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $43.
Build Quality
7.0
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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How the Sony WH-CH520 and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WH-CH520 | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$40 | $43 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.8/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 52 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.9 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 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 | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 147.41 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
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-CH520 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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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