Soundcore A20i True Wireless Earbuds: Long-Lasting Audio on a Budget

Looking for an affordable pair of true wireless earbuds with decent battery life? The Soundcore A20i may fit the bill. Part of Anker’s audio brand Soundcore, these earbuds pack surprising audio performance and customization into a budget-friendly package. Let’s take a closer look in this review.

Overview

The Soundcore A20i True Wireless Earbuds are an entry-level pair of true wireless earbuds available in black, purple and white color options. Featuring Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, these lightweight earbuds are designed for portability and all-day wear.

Design & Comfort

The Soundcore A20i True Wireless Earbuds have an understated design that focuses on ergonomics and lightweight comfort. At just 1.44 ounces, they are easy to wear for extended periods. The charging case is compact with a build-in lanyard, making it pocketable and portable.

Sound Quality

While audio performance out of the box is just average, the Soundcore A20i True Wireless Earbuds can be tailored to your taste with the Soundcore app’s 22 EQ presets. Bassheads will enjoy the BassUp mode which significantly amplifies low end. With some EQ tweaking, the 6mm drivers deliver clean mids and highs with a surprising amount of detail and resolution. The sound quality rivals more expensive earbuds once customized to your preference.

Call Quality

The Soundcore A20i earbuds are equipped with two microphones and utilize an AI algorithm to enhance call clarity. This technology effectively isolates your voice from background noise, ensuring that you are heard clearly even in bustling environments. Users have reported positive experiences with call quality, noting that their voices are transmitted with clarity and minimal background interference.

Noise Isolation:

Being an in-ear earbud, the Soundcore A20i True Wireless Earbuds provides passive noise isolation that helps block out ambient sound. While not active noise cancellation, the noise isolation is effective at reducing external noise like traffic or chatter in public areas. The tighter the earbud seal, the better the isolation effect.

Single Earbud Mode

The Soundcore A20i earbuds support single earbud mode, allowing you to use either the left or right earbud independently. This feature is particularly useful when you want to conserve battery life or stay aware of your surroundings by keeping one ear free. You can seamlessly switch between using both earbuds and a single earbud without any interruption in audio playback.

Soundcore App

The Soundcore app enhances the functionality of the A20i earbuds. It allows you to:

• Customize EQ Settings: Choose from 22 preset EQs or create your own custom sound profile.
• Adjust Touch Controls: Personalize the touch controls on each earbud to your liking.
• Locate Your Earbuds: Use the “Find My Earbuds” feature to help you locate your earbuds if they are lost or misplaced.
• Update Firmware: Keep your earbuds up-to-date with the latest firmware for optimal performance.

Connectivity

The Soundcore A20i earbuds utilize Bluetooth 5.3 for a reliable and stable wireless connection. Pairing is quick and hassle-free. While the Bluetooth range is standard, providing a consistent connection within approximately 30 feet, some users have reported occasional connectivity drops. Overall, the wireless performance is generally reliable for most users.

Controls

The A20i earbuds feature intuitive touch controls for managing music playback, calls, volume adjustment, and activating your voice assistant. The controls are customizable through the Soundcore app, allowing you to tailor them to your preferences. You can personalize single, double, and long-press gestures on each earbud. The touch panels are generally responsive, although some users find the sensitivity a bit finicky initially.

Seamless Pairing

One of the standout convenience features of the Soundcore A20i earbuds is their seamless pairing process. Upon opening the charging case for the first time, the earbuds automatically enter pairing mode, making it easy to connect them to your device. Once paired, the earbuds will automatically reconnect to the last paired device whenever you take them out of the case, eliminating the need for manual re-pairing each time. This streamlined process saves you time and effort, ensuring you can start listening to your music or taking calls without any hassle.

Gaming Mode

The Soundcore A20i earbuds offer a dedicated gaming mode that aims to reduce audio latency, providing a more synchronized audio-visual experience during gameplay. While it might not completely eliminate lag, users have reported a noticeable improvement in audio syncing when the gaming mode is activated, making it a valuable feature for mobile gamers.

Battery Life

Battery life is a highlight, with 9 hours of playback on the buds themselves and an additional 19 hours from the charging case. That’s a total of 28 hours, putting the Soundcore A20i True Wireless Earbuds near the top of its class. A quick 10-minute charge gives you an extra 2 hours of playtime as well.

Water Resistance

With an IPX5 rating, the Soundcore A20i True Wireless Earbuds can withstand splashes, sweat and light rain. While not fully waterproof, they are suitable for outdoor use and workouts. Just don’t submerge them fully in water.

Detachable Lanyard

Adding to the convenience and portability of the Soundcore A20i earbuds is the included detachable lanyard. This handy accessory allows you to attach the charging case to your bag, keys, or belt loop, ensuring that your earbuds are always within reach. The lanyard adds a touch of personalization and practicality to the overall design.

Use Cases:

The Soundcore A20i True Wireless Earbuds are perfect for:

• Listening to music, podcasts, and audiobooks on the go
• Taking phone calls hands-free
• Working out at the gym
• Traveling light without compromising on audio
• Gaming wirelessly with low latency
• Wearing for extended periods thanks to the lightweight comfort

Value:

With premium features like customizable sound, long battery life, a pocketable charging case and comfortable design, the Soundcore A20i True Wireless Earbuds are an unbelievable value at only $29.99. You’d be hard pressed to find another pair of true wireless earbuds with this build quality and audio performance at this price point. If you’re looking for budget-friendly wireless earbuds that can punch above their weight, the Soundcore A20i True Wireless Earbuds should be at the top of your list.

Verdict

The Soundcore A20i True Wireless Earbuds are an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a feature-packed and customizable audio experience. Their impressive battery life, comfortable fit, and customizable sound make them stand out in their price range. While they lack active noise cancellation and occasional connectivity issues have been reported, the overall value proposition is undeniable.