Ankers newest noise-cancelling headphones, the Soundcore Life Q20, are an absolute delight.
And I didnt think they would be.
Weve revieweda lot of Anker gear in the past.
Its a company we know and trust.
However, the Soundcore Life Q20 is priced atjust $59.99(or52 in the UK).
Typically, when buying a pair of noise-cancelling cans, you dont get much for less than $80.
Spend less than that, and youll start encountering significant compromises.
These over-ear headphones are almost perfect (for the price).
Theyre comfortable and well-constructed.
And they also sound good.
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On the sides of the earcups, youll find a smattering of buttons.
Some of these allow you to adjust the volume and control playback.
Others let you turn the ANC.
Another serves as the power button and enables you to pair the headphones to a smartphone or a tablet.
At the bottom of the headphones, theres a MicroUSB port for charging and a 3.5mm socket.
The earcups are rimmed with soft memory foam, and theyre comfortable to wear for prolonged periods.
During my testing period, I used them non-stop during my typical 10-hour working days.
They didnt feel hot or get sweaty.
This isnt a deal-breaker for me.
Soft cases are smaller, which is ideal given the amount I travel.
They make it easier to shove the headphones into a rucksack or satchel.
It helps that Im not particularly concerned about the SoundCore Life Q20 breaking.
Performance
Anker touts the Soundcore Life Q20 as having 40 hours battery life.
In my testing, this estimate matched up with reality.
This makes them an ideal choice for any road warriors who spend long hours on trains and planes.
Its more than a match for even the noisiest of jet engines or screeching exhausts.
I used this to place several voice calls, and seldom had any issues in being understood.
That said, my luck fared better when speaking from quieter environments, like my home office.
Sound performance was good.
As is the case with virtually all Soundcore headphones, it has a sound profile that emphasizes lower notes.
This adds prominence to bass-heavy tracks like Billy Eilishs Bad Guy, which is dominated by a thumping bassline.
Although theres a little sibilance, highs and lows are reproduced reasonably faithfully.
Who is the Soundcore Life Q20 for?
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is perhaps the best entry-level pair of noise-cancelling headphones money can buy.
Theyre cheap, and they tick all the boxes, with very few downsides.
The noise cancelling is reasonably performant.
The sound quality is excellent.
The microphone is good enough for calls.
Its battery is exceptionally enduring.
And, perhaps most crucially, theyre comfortable to wear.
You canget the Soundcore Life Q20 on Amazon for $60 in the US, or52 in the UK.
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