A Budget ANC Headphone That Punches Above Its Weight

The Anker Soundcore Q20i is one of the most popular budget headphones on Amazon — and for good reason. With active noise cancellation, bass-boosted sound, long battery life, and a comfortable fit, the Q20i offers features usually found in headphones twice the price.

But are they actually good? And are they worth buying in 2025?

Here’s my full review after testing them for work calls, commuting, and daily use.

🎧 Quick Summary: Are the Anker Q20i Worth It?

Yes — if you want affordable ANC headphones with strong battery life and punchy bass, the Anker Q20i are one of the best options under £50.

They are great for:
✔ Commuting
✔ Office work
✔ Gym / walking
✔ Watching films
✔ Working from home
✔ Students

They are not ideal for:
✘ Audiophiles
✘ Anyone wanting premium ANC (Sony/Bose level)
✘ People who prefer a neutral sound signature

🔥 Key Specifications

• Active Noise Cancellation: Hybrid ANC
• Battery Life: Up to 40 hours ANC on / 60 hours ANC off
• Fast Charging: 5 mins = 4 hours playback
• Bluetooth: 5.0
• App Support: Soundcore app (EQ + ANC modes)
• Weight: 268g
• Driver Size: 40mm
• Charging: USB-C

⭐ Design & Comfort

The Q20i look and feel like a more premium headphone than you’d expect at this price.

What stands out:

• Soft memory-foam earcups
• Adjustable headband with metal reinforcement
• Lightweight at under 270g
• Good clamp force without being tight

You can wear these for 3–4 hours straight with no discomfort.

🎶 Sound Quality

If you like punchy, energetic sound — you will like these.

Sound Profile:

• Strong bass (enhanced by BassUp mode)
• Clear vocals
• Decent treble
• Wide soundstage for the price

For films, pop, EDM, rap, and gaming?
Excellent.

For classical and neutral listening?
A bit bass-heavy.

The Soundcore app lets you customise EQ presets, which significantly improves clarity if BassUp feels too strong.

🔇 Noise Cancellation

This is where the Anker Q20i really stand out for the price.

ANC Performance:

• Reduces engine noise on buses/trains
• Removes low-frequency rumble
• Quietens background chatter
• Not as strong as Sony/Bose, but very good for under £50

The transparency mode is also surprisingly natural.

🔋 Battery Life

One of the Q20i’s strongest features.

• 40 hours with ANC
• 60 hours without ANC
• USB-C Fast Charge:
  5 mins = 4 hours playback

If you commute daily, you’ll only charge these once a week.

🎤 Call Quality

Mic quality is solid:

• Clear for phone calls
• Good for Teams/Zoom
• Background noise reduction is decent but not perfect

For work-from-home or office calls, they perform better than most budget headphones.

📱 Soundcore App

The free Soundcore app gives you:

• Fully customisable EQ
• ANC/transparency control
• Firmware updates
• Sound presets

This is a massive win at this price point.

👍 Pros & Cons

✔ Pros

• Great value for money
• Good ANC for the price
• Long battery life
• Comfortable for long sessions
• Bass-heavy, fun sound
• Custom EQ via app
• Fast charging
• Solid build quality

✘ Cons

• Bass can be too strong for some
• ANC struggles with high-frequency noise
• No auto-pause when removing headphones
• Plastic build (expected at this price)

🆚 Anker Q20i vs Q30 — Which Should You Buy?

Feature	Q20i	Q30
ANC	Good	Better
Comfort	Very Good	Excellent
Sound	Bass-heavy	More balanced
App features	Good	Better
Price	Lower	Higher

If you want better ANC and balanced sound → choose the Q30.
If you want best value under £50 → the Q20i wins.

🔀 Alternatives to Consider

1. Anker Soundcore Q30

Better ANC, better comfort, more premium.

2. JBL Tune 760NC

Great mid-range ANC headphones at a slightly higher price.

3. Sony WH-CH720N

Lightweight, excellent comfort, good ANC (but pricier).

🧠 Who Are the Anker Q20i Best For?

Ideal for users who want:

• An affordable ANC headphone
• Big bass and fun sound
• Long battery life
• Comfortable design
• A reliable pair for commuting/work

Not ideal for:

• Audiophiles
• People who need premium ANC
• Users wanting multipoint Bluetooth

⭐ Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Anker Q20i?

Yes — the Anker Soundcore Q20i are one of the best-value budget ANC headphones available in 2025.
They deliver impressive sound, solid ANC, and exceptional battery life at a price that’s hard to beat.

If you want a reliable, everyday pair of headphones without spending £150+, the Q20i are a fantastic choice.