Soundcore Q20i vs Sony WH-CH720N: Which Should You Buy?
Soundcore's long-battery budget ANC pair against Sony's lighter headphones with the WH-1000XM5 processor.
soundcore soundcore by Anker Q20i Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling
Sony Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
Side by side
| soundcore by Anker Q20i Hybrid Active | Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | See on Amazon → | See on Amazon → |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.6 | ★★★★★ 4.5 |
| Review count | 77,829 | 16,570 |
| Brand | soundcore | Sony |
| Highlights |
|
|
Our verdict
Pick the Soundcore Q20i if battery life comes first: its spec lists up to 40 hours with ANC on and 60 hours off. Pick the Sony WH-CH720N if you want the lighter headphones (about 192g against 246g), Sony's processor and its app. Both support multipoint per their listings and neither offers a high-end codec, so the choice is mostly battery against weight and brand.
Which one is for you?
- Commuters and long-haul travellers who want the longest battery with ANC and a foldable design. Read our full look at the soundcore by Anker Q20i Hybrid Active →
- People wearing headphones all day who want the lightest weight and Sony's app and call microphones. Read our full look at the Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling →
Battery and weight
iFixit lists the Soundcore Q20i at up to 40 hours with ANC on and up to 60 hours with ANC off, at 246g. Sony's spec page lists the WH-CH720N at up to 35 hours with noise cancelling on and up to 50 hours with it off, at about 192g.
So the Q20i lasts roughly five hours longer with ANC on, and the Sony is about 54g lighter. Sony's listing also quotes 60 minutes of playback from a 3 minute charge.
Noise cancelling and sound
The Q20i uses hybrid active noise cancelling with four microphones and 40mm drivers, with a BassUp mode and an AUX mode for wired listening. The Sony uses dual noise sensors and an Integrated Processor V1 that its listing says comes from the WH-1000XM5, with 30mm drivers.
Driver size alone does not predict sound quality, and we could not find independent measurements for either model, so do not treat the headline numbers as a verdict on ANC strength.
Connection, codecs and app
Sony's spec page lists Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC and AAC, so iPhone users get AAC. Soundcore's Bluetooth version and codec list did not appear consistently in the sources we opened, so check before buying if codecs matter to you. Both listings advertise multipoint.
Both have an app. Soundcore's offers EQ and modes, and Sony's Sound Connect adds a 5-band EQ and DSEE upscaling.
Who should skip both
If you want true flagship ANC or LDAC, neither is the model. For smaller budget pairs see our JBL Tune 520BT vs Sony WH-CH520 page.
Questions people ask
Which has longer battery life, Soundcore Q20i or Sony WH-CH720N?
The Q20i: up to 40 hours with ANC on against Sony's 35 hours.
Is the Sony WH-CH720N lighter than the Q20i?
Yes. Sony lists about 192g, while iFixit lists the Q20i at 246g.
Does the Sony WH-CH720N support multipoint?
Its listing text describes pairing two Bluetooth devices at once. The Sony spec page we opened did not mention multipoint.
Do these headphones support LDAC or aptX?
Sony's spec lists SBC and AAC only. The Q20i sources we opened did not list a high-end codec.
Can I use the Soundcore Q20i wired?
Yes. The listing mentions an AUX mode for plugging in with a cable.
Sources
Prices are pulled live from Amazon.
Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in Headphones, Earphones & Accessories or see the whole Electronics department. New to the category? Start with our buying guide.