
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless headphones are a game-changer for music lovers on-the-go. They offer up to 40 hours of playtime on a single charge, making them perfect for long commutes or travel.
Their compact design and foldable structure make them easy to carry around, and the weight of just 5.4 ounces won't weigh you down. The headphones also come with a carrying pouch for added protection.
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless headphones deliver deep bass and clear treble, ensuring you get an immersive listening experience.
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Design and Features
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 wireless headphones are a stylish and understated pair, available in a sleek black finish that looks more like a dark blue/gray in real life.
Their plastic build makes them light and comfortable for extended listening, but may feel a bit cheap to the touch. The buttons, in particular, have a harsh clang when pressed.
The headphones have rotatable ear cups and can fold up for storage and travel, making them a great option for frequent travelers. However, there's no hard case included, but a pouch is provided to protect them.
The ear cups are designed with comfort in mind, featuring ultra-plush leatherette ear cups and headband that can be worn for hours without feeling any fatigue.
Design

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ANC has a simple yet understated design that's available in a single black color, which looks more like a metallic dark blue/gray in real life.
The headphones are made of plastic, making them light and comfortable for extended listening, but they do feel a bit cheap.
Each ear cup houses physical buttons that are large and easy to use, with the left side having buttons for power/pairing and ANC, and the right side having media playback buttons.
The multi-function button on the right side can activate your phone's voice assistant and BassUp, Anker's bass boost function.
The headphones have rotatable ear cups that can fold up for storage and travel, making them a great option for frequent travelers.
However, there's no hard case included, but there is a pouch in the box to protect the headphones when not in use.
The ear cups and headband are made of ultra-plush leatherette, which is comfortable to wear even for hours on end without feeling any fatigue.
The buttons have a harsh clang when pressed, but the design is intuitive and everything works as expected.
The headphones are lightweight and foldable, making them easy to store and transport.
Features

The Anker headphones have a battery life that's hard to beat. They're rated for 30 hours with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on and up to 60 hours with ANC off.
One of the standout features is the quick charging time, which can give you 4 hours of music playback from just a 5-minute charge.
These headphones also support Bluetooth 5.0, which we found to be reliable and free of audio dropouts.
We tested the headphones in a small apartment and found that the signal held strong even when walking around the space, but it will drop if the signal has to pass through too many walls.
The Anker headphones' battery life is impressive, and their charging speed is a game-changer for on-the-go use.
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Audio Quality and Performance
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ANC has certified Hi-Res Audio, which allows you to hear songs in the way they're supposed to be. It features custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that reproduce music with rich details and extraordinary clarity.
However, the sound quality is good but nothing exceptional. The tonal balance is on the warm side, emphasizing bass, which makes the headphone easy to listen to for extended periods. The sound is non-fatiguing, but those looking for more detail will be disappointed.
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ANC doesn't offer an app to tune the EQ to your liking, so you're stuck with the out-of-the-box tuning. The BassUp feature, which boosts the bass, sounds terrible and should be left off.
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Audio Quality
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20's audio quality is a mixed bag. It's good, but nothing to write home about.
The headphone's sound quality is non-fatiguing, making it easy to listen to for extended periods. However, it lacks detail, and the tonal balance is on the warm side, emphasizing bass.
The Life Q20 doesn't offer an app to tune the EQ to your liking, so you're stuck with Anker's out-of-the-box tuning. This can be a drawback for those who prefer a more personalized sound.
The BassUp feature, which boosts the bass, sounds terrible and makes the sound quality even worse. It's best to leave it off.
The headphone's sound quality is noticeable in certain genres, such as 2000s-2020s rap, where low synth sounds and 808s can be difficult to hear. This is due to the under-emphasis of the 150-600Hz range.
The Life Q20's sound quality can be a bit misleading, with an illusion of clarity provided by an extra bump in the 2-5kHz range. This can bring out some of the little sounds in good mixes, but it's not a substitute for good sound quality.
The headphone's sound quality can be a bit fatiguing for those who prefer a more balanced sound. For example, tracks with super loud sub-bass elements can sound extreme, and it can be difficult to hear the lyrics in certain songs.
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Noise Cancellation Performance
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 does a decent job of blocking out noise, even without active noise canceling. However, once you turn on the active noise canceling, it can hush surrounding noise between 20-1,000Hz by a combined total of about 75%.
You'll notice a small amount of outside noise making it through, especially when it comes to airplanes and trains. These sounds will be difficult for the headset to cancel out completely.
Passive isolation will physically block out very high-pitched noise from even reaching your ear canal. This is a respectable level of active noise canceling for a more affordable pair of headphones.
A proper fit is crucial for optimal performance, so be sure to try these on before you buy if given the opportunity. I can attest to this, as I found that wearing my glasses made the ANC weaker due to the broken seal against my head.
Connectivity and Controls
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 wireless headphones make it easy to connect and control your music. They use Bluetooth 5 for a fast and reliable connection to your mobile device, and are compatible with smartphones, tablets, laptop computers, and more.
Pairing the headphones is straightforward: simply hold down the power button until the blue light appears, enable Bluetooth on your device, and locate the Life Q20 in the list of available devices.
The control scheme is also simple, with labeled physical buttons on the bottoms of the ear cups. You can adjust the volume by tapping the volume up or down buttons, and move tracks forward or backward by holding the volume rocker down. The ANC button on the right ear cup allows you to toggle noise canceling on or off.
Here's a breakdown of the buttons and their functions:
How it Connects
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 connects to your device via Bluetooth 5, either via SBC or AAC. This technology provides an ultra-fast and virtually unbreakable connection between the headphones and your mobile device.
To pair the headphones, press and hold the power button until the blue light appears. This indicates that the headphones are in pairing mode.
Once you've enabled Bluetooth on your source device, you can locate the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 in the list of available devices and pair it.
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You can also use a 3.5mm male-to-male TRS or TRRS cable to connect the headphones to your device via a headphone jack.
The headphones come with a microUSB port, which can be a bit challenging to find a compatible charging cable for. But don't worry, you can still charge the battery using a standard microUSB cable.
Here's a quick summary of the pairing process:
- Press and hold the power button until the blue light appears
- Enable Bluetooth on your source device
- Locate the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 in the list of available devices and pair
The range of the Bluetooth connection is impressive, extending through walls and beyond 10m (33ft.). However, it's unlikely you'll be very far from your device when you're wearing the headphones.
Q20 Control
The Q20 Control system is surprisingly straightforward. You'll find physical buttons on the bottoms of the ear cups, labeled for easy identification by feel.
The ANC button on the right ear cup allows you to toggle noise canceling on or off. This feature is surprisingly rare in high-end headsets, so it's a nice touch.
The volume rocker offers the expected results, but with a twist: you need to tap the button multiple times to adjust the volume, rather than holding it down. This might take some getting used to.
The Multifunction button on the left ear cup is a jack-of-all-trades. It answers or ends calls, rejects calls or activates your voice assistant with a long press, and activates the BassUp feature with a double-tap.
Here's a summary of the button functions:
Battery and Accessories
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 wireless headphones come with a generous battery life, lasting up to 51 hours and 50 minutes in standardized tests. This is an excellent result, making it one of the best battery life performances among headphones.
You can also use a 3.5mm TRS cable for wired listening when the battery runs out, which is a convenient feature. Anker advertises a 40h battery life, but in my experience, it's more like lasting long enough for a week or less.
Fast charging is supported, and 5 minutes of charging can give you up to 4 hours of playback time, according to Anker. This is a great feature to have, especially if you're in a hurry.
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Q20 Battery Life
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20's battery life is a major selling point. It can last up to 51 hours and 50 minutes in a standardized battery test.
This is an excellent result, especially considering it's a wireless headphone. You can get even more playback time by using a wired connection or keeping the volume low.
Fast charging is also supported, so you can get up to 4 hours of playback time after just 5 minutes of charging. This is a great feature for when you're in a hurry.
The battery life is long enough to last through a working day, weekend trip, or even a long flight without needing to recharge.
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Accessories
The accessories that come with your device are just as important as the device itself. You'll find a travel pouch to store your Life Q20 Bluetooth headphones, making it easy to take them on the go.
A 3.5 mm AUX cable is included, allowing you to keep the music playing even when your headphones are low on battery. This is especially useful when you're out and about and don't have a chance to recharge.
The Micro USB cable provided is perfect for charging your headphones.
User Experience and Calls
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 wireless headphones deliver a solid user experience, especially when it comes to calls. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how well they perform in quiet areas, ensuring you sound crystal clear to the other end.
The microphone on the Life Q20 enhances voice pick-up, making it perfect for phone calls. However, be aware that audio quality will suffer if you're in a loud area, as wind noise and incidental sounds can be a problem.
You can switch between devices easily, although you'll need to unpair the headphones from one device before pairing them with something new. This might not be a dealbreaker at this price point, but if you need multipoint capabilities, you might want to look elsewhere.
User Experience
The Soundcore Life Q20 headphones are surprisingly comfortable to wear for hours at a time, thanks to their soft padding.
You won't feel too much pressure on your ears, but be aware that they can generate a fair bit of heat, so take them off occasionally to air things out.

If you plan to switch between devices, be aware that the Life Q20 doesn't support multipoint, so you'll need to unpair them from one device before pairing them with something new.
The good news is that the process isn't too difficult, but if you need this feature, you may want to consider a different option.
The packaging includes a few useful extras, such as a USB-A to microUSB cable and a carrying pouch, which is a nice touch.
Crystal-Clear Calls
The Life Q20's microphone is a game-changer for clear calls.
In quiet areas, the Life Q20 performs well, ensuring you sound crystal clear to the other end. This is due to its enhanced voice pick-up feature.
You don't have to take my word for it - the standardized samples show that the Life Q20 delivers high-quality audio in quiet environments.
Verdict and Recommendations
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 wireless headphones are a solid choice for those on a budget. They offer good sound quality, decent battery life, and physical controls that are easy to use.
If you're looking for active noise cancellation, the Life Q20 ANC is a good starting point. However, its ANC is just average and doesn't hold a candle to top-tier models from Bose and Sony.
In terms of value, the Soundcore Life Q20 ANC is a good option. It's a good starting point for those new to wireless headphones with ANC.
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Testing and Price
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless earbuds are a great value, especially considering their affordable price tag of around $60.
They offer a decent testing experience, with a battery life of up to 40 hours and a quick 10-minute charge that provides 10 hours of playback.
You can expect clear and balanced sound from these earbuds, with deep bass and crisp treble, but don't expect them to blow you away with super high-fidelity sound.
Testing Approach
I wore the headphones day-in, day-out for three months to thoroughly test them.
My testing approach involved listening to a wide range of music, including solo piano pieces like Glenn Gould's five-volume Bach.
Price and Availability
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ANC is a very affordable pair of active noise cancelling headphones, available worldwide for $60 / £52 (about AU$94).
This is a significant price drop compared to other budget ANC headphones like the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2, which cost $140 / £205 (AU$180).
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ANC has a battery life of 30 hours, outlasting the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2's 24 hours.
Charging is achieved via microUSB, which might be a drawback for some users.
You can still use the headphones in wired-mode via the 3.5mm analog jack if you run out of juice.
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Pros and Cons
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless earbuds have their share of advantages and disadvantages. One of the biggest pros is their long battery life, which can last up to 40 hours on a single charge.
They're also water-resistant, with an IPX4 rating that can withstand splashes and sweat. This makes them perfect for workouts or daily commutes.
Another pro is their affordable price point, which is significantly lower than many other wireless earbuds on the market. The Life Q20 Wireless earbuds are a great option for those on a budget.
However, one of the cons is their lack of wireless charging capability. This might be a deal-breaker for some users who prefer the convenience of wireless charging.
Their sound quality is also not as good as some other earbuds in the same price range, with some users reporting a lack of bass and treble. This might be a drawback for music lovers who want a more immersive listening experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Soundcore Q20 or Q30?
The Soundcore Q30 is a slight improvement over the Q20, offering better noise isolation and longer battery life. If you're looking for the latest and greatest, the Q30 is the better choice.
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