The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 wireless headphones have a sleek and modern design with a comfortable over-ear fit. They come in black or blue color options and have a sturdy, yet lightweight build.
If you want active noise cancellation (ANC) on a tight budget, this is the headset you should acquire. It is simple and straightforward. The fact that this headset does not have any cutting-edge capabilities and has an old-fashioned USB connector may be disappointing, but it is a really good value for the money.
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Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Review
8.1, Our Rating – 7.7. User Rating
- Incredible Sound Loved by 20 Million+ People
- Hi-Res Audio: Custom oversized 40 mm dynamic drivers produce Hi-Res sound. Life Q20 active noise canceling headphones reproduce music with extended high frequencies that reach up to 40 kHz for extraordinary clarity and detail.
- Reduce Ambient Noises By Up to 90%: Our team of engineers conducted more than 100,000 tests in real-life scenarios to fine-tune Life Q20’s 4 built-in ANC microphones and digital active noise cancellation algorithm. As a result, the hybrid active noise cancellation can detect and cancel out a wider range of low and mid-frequency noises such as cars and airplane engines.
- 100% Stronger Bass: Our exclusive BassUp technology conducts real-time analysis of the low frequencies to instantly strengthen the bass output. Double press the play button when listening to bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop for an amplified listening experience.
- 40-Hour Playtime*: Up to 40 hours of non-stop playtime in wireless active noise cancellation mode (at 60% volume) is extended to an enormous 60 hours in standard music mode. A single charge gives you enough juice to listen to over 600 songs or soundtrack multiple long haul flights. And when you’re in a rush, charge Life Q20 active noise canceling headphones for 5 minutes and get 4 hours of listening.
Pros:
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit for extended wear
- Long battery life
- Good sound quality
- Affordable price point
Cons:
- Slightly small ear cups
- Mediocre mic quality for phone calls
- No high-end codec support (No app)
Active Features Anker Soundcore Life Q20
- Battery Type – Rechargeable
- Continuous Battery Life – 32.3 hrs
- Charge Time – 1.8 hrs
- Power-Saving Feature – No
- Audio While Charging – No
- Passive Playback – Yes
- Charging Port micro-USB
- App Support – No
These headphones have excellent battery life and performance overall. Even though they may not last as long as stated, they do last somewhat longer than the ones they replaced and charge in a shorter amount of time, which is a great improvement. Since they do not have any mechanisms that save power, their battery will run down if you neglect to switch them off when they are not in use.
Bluetooth
- Bluetooth Version – 5.0
- Multi-Device Pairing – No
- NFC Pairing – No
- Line Of Sight Range – 247.00 ft (75.29 m)
- PC Latency (SBC) – 362 ms
- PC Latency (aptX) – N/A
- PC Latency (aptX HD) – N/A
- PC Latency (aptX-LL) – N/A
- iOS Latency – 93 ms
- Android Latency – 69 ms
In terms of Bluetooth compatibility, these headphones hold up well. They lack features like multi-device connection and NFC, unlike more recent headphones like the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. The latency is also fairly high on personal computers. Thankfully, on both iOS and Android, their latency is far reduced, allowing you to view movies with little lag, albeit they still may not be ideal for gaming. The TREBLAB Z2 Wireless is a great alternative to these headphones since they provide a comparable listening experience while also supporting aptX-LL for a lower-latency connection.
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
- Non-BT Line Of Sight Range – N/A
- Non-BT Latency – N/A
- These wireless headphones from Anker are called the Soundcore Life Q20.
Wired
- Analog Audio – Yes
- USB Audio – No
- Detachable Yes
- Length 4.10 ft (1.25 m)
- Connection – 1/8″ TRS
- Analog/USB Audio Latency – 0 ms
In addition to its Bluetooth connectivity, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is also compatible with passive playback when linked with a regular 1/8″ TRS audio cable. Inconveniently, you can’t talk into the mic if it’s plugged in.
PC Compatibility
- Analog – Audio Only
- Wired USB – No
- Non-BT Wireless – No
How is Anker Soundcore Life Q20?
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones are easy to use and comfortable to wear for extended periods. They have simple on-ear controls that allow you to adjust volume, skip tracks, and activate noise cancellation.
The Life Q20 is utilitarian. This inexpensive pair of ANC headphones don’t contain cutting-edge features or software. Instead, the headphones provide. The Soundcore Life Q20’s bottom buttons control basic operations without applications. No more, no less.
The plush cushioning doesn’t push on your pinna or cause friction, despite the cans’ small shape. The Life Q20 is comfy for hours. If the weather is bad, remove them to air them. Otherwise, expect amusing sweat accumulation and grody pads.
The Life Q20 does not support multipoint, although switching devices is easy. Unpair the headphones from one device before connecting them with another. If you need Bluetooth multipoint headphones, there are several at this price.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 controls: how?
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones have on-ear controls that allow you to adjust volume, skip tracks, and activate noise cancellation. They also have a built-in microphone for making phone calls. Once synced to your phone or computer, the Soundcore Life Q20’s control method is simple. The bottoms of the ear cups have designated physical buttons, and no gesture controls or applications. When wearing headphones, you can’t see the labeling, but it’s simple to figure out by feel.
| Button | Tap | Long press | Double-tap |
| ANC button | N/A | Toggle ANC | N/A |
| Volume up button | Volume up | Track forward | N/A |
| Multifunction button | Answer/end call | Reject call/voice assistant | BassUp feature |
| Volume down button | Volume down | Track backward | N/A |
The ANC button on the bottom of the right ear cup lets you turn off or fully engage noise cancellation. Bose’s most expensive headphones, such as the QuietComfort Earbuds II and 45 don’t allow ANC off. The volume rocker also works, but you must touch it many times to modify settings instead of holding it down. Holding the volume rocker will advance or rewind the music instead.
Where do I plug in my Anker Soundcore Life Q20?
The Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity of the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones allows for a cordless experience. The Anker Soundcore Life Q20, like other current wireless earbuds, uses Bluetooth 5 to link to your music player or phone, and it supports SBC and AAC audio codecs. A 3.5mm male-to-male TRS or TRRS cable may also be used to connect your smartphone to a set of headphones.
The Soundcore Life Q20’s battery is recharged through a micro USB connector, which is both unusual and inconvenient. There’s certainly nothing wrong with it, but it may be difficult to track down a suitable charging cord in the modern world. This is generally the place where I inform folks about utilizing a magnetic cable with a port insert, but there isn’t enough room in the recess of the ear cup—so that’s not an option with these headphones.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 battery life?
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 performed well in our standardized battery test, lasting 51 hours and 50 minutes. This headphone has one of the greatest battery life. As usual, headphones usage affects battery life. Increased usage or volume may decrease battery life. If you listen quietly or use wired headphones, your headphones should last longer.
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones can last 40 hours without noise cancellation and 30 hours with it. Due to their bigger batteries, over-ear headphones usually outperform cordless earphones. Nevertheless, batteries limit product lifespan. If your Life Q20 battery dies, you may listen via a 3.5mm TRS connection.
How well does the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 cancel noise?
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones feature great noise cancellation for their pricing. They block a lot of ambient noise, making them perfect for travel or loud situations. My spectacles disrupt the seal against my skull, which weakens the ANC on the train. Removing the specifications solves this, but I prefer another solution. If possible, try them on before buying. Fit is important with headphones.
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 seals your skull well, so it blocks out a lot of noise even without active noise canceling (ANC). Nonetheless, the headphones will reduce 20-1,000Hz noise by 75%. Higher-pitched noise will be blocked via passive isolation. For beginners, this is a good outcome.
This is a decent ANC for cheaper headphones, although some ambient noise will go through. This headset will struggle to block out aircraft and trains. Nonetheless, it beats passive headphones. If this performance isn’t adequate, make sure your ANC headphones fit properly—this may occasionally affect their performance.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 sound?
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide crisp, balanced sound. These may lack bass response for certain users. Due to the high-frequency concentration, reverb or “air” effects may be more noticeable than on conventional headphones. Post Malone’s Circles effects will be easier to hear.
But I don’t like the Soundcore Life Q20’s sound, it has several commuter-friendly features. In a bus or train, many headphones over-emphasize sub-bass sounds because it’s impossible to reduce. The sounds we’re most sensitive to are between 2-5kHz, so a little more bump here gives the song clarity. It’s an illusion, but this focus brings out some of the small noises we’re used to hearing in excellent mixes, like a guitar pick striking strings or a drumstick hitting a snare. We expected these headphones to fail.
Can you make phone calls with the Anker Soundcore Life Q20?
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones may be used for making and receiving phone calls since they have a microphone. Nevertheless, the mic isn’t great, so some people may have trouble hearing well. But before you get in headfirst, ask yourself some hard questions.
We were pleasantly delighted by the Life Q20’s call quality in a quiet environment, so if that’s how you plan on using it, you shouldn’t be disappointed. Nevertheless, much like other headphones, this pair isn’t fantastic at blocking out background noise like wind or office chatter. So, you need just be aware that the sound quality will be diminished in noisy environments.
How about an alternative to the Anker Soundcore Life Q20?
If you like the sound quality of the Anker headphones but don’t like the design compromises that they make, the Monoprice BT-600ANC might be a good alternative. While the sound isn’t quite as high-quality as the original, this product does address one of the major issues with the Life Q20. The Monoprice headphones employ the more commonplace USB-C charging connector, so you won’t have to go on a wild goose chase to find a cable that may work.
If you can wait a little longer and spare the cash, the Sennheiser HD 450BT delivers superior sound quality for just $50 extra (less if renewed). A lot of pressure is exerted on the listener’s head by this model, so be sure you can handle it before purchasing.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer exceptional noise cancellation, high-end codec support, and excellent mic quality. If you’re on a tighter budget, the TaoTronics SoundSurge 85 headphones are a good alternative with similar noise-cancellation capabilities.
Q: Are the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones waterproof?
A: No, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones are not waterproof and should not be exposed to water or moisture.
Conclusion
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are wireless headphones with great noise cancellation, a long battery life, and a comfy over-the-ear design at a low price. Even if they do, The Anker SoundCore Life Q20 is one of the most alluring low-priced Bluetooth headsets we’ve tried due to its excellent sound, comfortable fit, and battery that lasts for days. The inclusion of active noise suppression is a nice touch, but the subpar audio quality through the headset’s wired connection was disappointing. Nevertheless, the BassUp mode is too dominant and is best left turned off.
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