Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless [Review]

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is an improved version of the Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless, with a few minor improvements. The former model had a huge headband that made them feel loose on individuals with smaller heads, but the Q20 has a narrower headband and should fit most people better. They also include a somewhat enhanced ANC function that does a better job of filtering out speech and separating out the low rumbling of bus or airline engines, though it still isn’t very good. Their V-shaped sound profile is energizing, making them an excellent option for pop or rock music. Unfortunately, instead of Life 2’s beautiful protective case, the Q20 now comes with a more basic carrying bag. On the plus side, their battery has improved marginally and now charges much faster, which is good.

Style

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 and the Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless are very identical in appearance. They feature the same simple style that appears to be adequate for a set of cheap headphones. The logo is now printed on the ear cup rather than being etched into the plastic, which is the sole difference between these and the prior version. While we have a black unit, they are also available in silver.

Comfort

These headphones provide a decent level of comfort. When their ear cups are significantly less cushioned than the previous generation, the difference is barely evident while wearing them, and they are just as comfy. They’re fairly light, and, unlike the Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless, their headband is a little smaller, so they’ll likely now suit folks with smaller heads.

Controls

These headphones have decent controls. Play/pause, call controls, track skipping, and volume controls are all available, just as they were in the previous edition. They still include a separate ANC button, as well as the option to use the centre button to activate bass boost. Overall, the controls are simple to use, and the physical buttons are clicky and offer useful feedback, but there’s no way to tell which bass setting you’re using.

Portability

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is about the same size as the previous edition, therefore it’s not the most convenient to transport. Fortunately, the ear cups swivel to rest flat and come with a simple carrying pouch.

Case

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 comes with a pretty simple pouch that isn’t quite as nice as the previous version’s protective cover. The bag features a cinch-tie to keep it closed, and the material should protect the headphones from minor splashes, however it won’t protect them from drops or bumps.

Build Quality

These headphones have a good build quality. They’re mostly plastic, like the SoundCore Life 2, but the headband is strengthened by a thin metal layer. The hinges are likely their weakest feature since they seem hollow and plasticky, but the headphones themselves seem sturdy and strong enough to withstand a few accidental drops or bumps without too much harm.

Stability

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a solid performer. They have a decent clamping force, so unless you have a very small head, they should stay in place throughout jogs or mild runs. Although their over-ear shape will certainly cause you to sweat more than normal, their somewhat smaller size over the previous edition means they should feel slightly more stable for most people.

Noise Isolation

The ANC functionality of the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is slightly enhanced over the previous generation. The ANC on these headphones is better against the low rumbling of bus or airline engines, but it’s still not as effective as other more costly choices like the Anker SoundCore Space NC in this category. On the plus side, these headphones perform a great job of filtering out background noise, making them a terrific choice for keeping noisy coworkers at bay. It’s worth noting that the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless and Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless, the following generations of these headphones, feature even stronger ANC performance.

Battery

The battery life of these headphones is excellent. While they don’t last as long as stated, they do last a little longer than the prior generation and charge faster, which is great. They don’t have any power-saving capabilities, so if you forget to switch them off, they’ll deplete your battery.

Bluetooth

The PC latency of these headphones is pretty high on a regular basis. Fortunately, their latency is substantially lower on both iOS and Android, so you should be able to view movies without too much of a lag, but they are still not ideal for gaming. The TREBLAB Z2 Wireless is a set of similarly-performing headphones that feature aptX-LL for a lower-latency connection.

Wired

While the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 connects through Bluetooth for wireless listening, they can also be linked by a normal 1/8″ TRS cable for passive playing, which is convenient. Unfortunately, the mic cannot be utilized when connected to the computer.

Sound Profile

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20’s V-shaped sound profile is highly enthralling. Their mid-range is well-balanced, but their bass-range is over-emphasized, resulting in a lot of extra thump and kick. This will certainly please EDM or hip-hop lovers, while their over-emphasized treble range will also suit pop and rock genres.

Bass Accuracy

These headphones have terrible bass accuracy. Despite the fact that the range is pretty even, with few huge, abrupt peaks or troughs, the entire range is over-emphasized. As a result, you’ll get bass with a lot of thump and punch.

Mid Accuracy

These headphones have great mid-accuracy. Almost the whole frequency range is flat, with the exception of a tiny bump in the high-mids, which will highlight lead instruments and vocals. Leads and vocals, on the other hand, should sound well-balanced and present overall.

Treble Accuracy

These headphones have good treble precision. Almost the entire spectrum is significantly exaggerated, resulting in some singers and lead instruments seeming harsh or piercing.

Imaging

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 has excellent imaging. Their group delay is almost totally below the audibility threshold, ensuring a tight bass and transparent treble reproduction, as shown by the GD graph. Our unit’s L/R drivers are likewise well-matched in every way, so items like footfall and instruments should be accurately placed and localised. It’s important to note that these findings apply just to our unit; yours may perform differently.

Leakage

These headphones have excellent leakage resistance. While they may leak a little sound at high volumes, it should be quite thin and shouldn’t annoy anyone around.

Verdict

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones are adequate for a variety of uses. Its sound profile is suitable for a broad range of genres, but its ANC isn’t the best for blocking out engine noise, buses, or planes, while it does a great job at filtering out background voice. Their battery life is excellent, with enough power to last almost a whole work week. They’re also really comfy, and you should be able to wear them for long periods of time without becoming tired of them.