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Wireless earbuds · Anker

Soundcore P20i review

A research-led verdict on the Soundcore P20i: who it suits, what the published specs mean in practice and where it falls short.

8.2/10 Typical price: £20–£35 Last updated: 6 November 2026
Soundcore P20i product image
Soundcore P20i. Image is illustrative; check the retailer for the exact model and finish.
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Verdict

The Soundcore P20i is the pair to buy when the budget is the point. Anker has been making inexpensive earbuds for long enough that the basics are no longer a gamble: Bluetooth 5.3, a 10 mm driver, IPX5 water resistance and a claimed 30 hours of total playtime with the case. Those are the numbers that matter at this price, and they are competitive rather than merely adequate.

The 10 mm driver gives the P20i a fuller low end than the tiny drivers common in cheap buds, which makes pop music and podcasts sound less thin. The case is plastic and feels it, but it is small enough to live in a pocket, and USB-C charging means one cable for everything. What you give up is the stuff that costs money: there is no active noise cancellation, no wireless charging and no multipoint pairing. The app offers an equaliser, but it is basic. Call quality is fine indoors and less impressive in wind.

The P20i is not trying to be a premium product, and that is why it works. It is a spare pair, a gym pair, a first pair for a teenager or a pair to keep in a bag for the commute you did not plan for. If you want silence on a train, save for the Sony. If you want a capable pair of wireless earbuds for the price of a takeaway, this is the sensible pick. The lack of multipoint is the one omission that will annoy people who switch between a laptop and a phone, but at this price it is a fair trade.

What we like

  • Very low price for the feature set
  • 10 mm drivers give a fuller sound than most budget buds
  • Up to 30 hours total playtime with the case
  • IPX5 water resistance and Bluetooth 5.3

What we do not

  • No active noise cancellation
  • Case feels plasticky
  • App EQ is basic
  • No wireless charging

Key specifications

Active noise cancellationNo
AppSoundcore app with EQ
Battery10 h buds; 30 h with case (manufacturer)
Bluetooth5.3
ChargingUSB-C
Driver10 mm dynamic
MultipointNo
Water resistanceIPX5

Figures are manufacturer claims unless stated otherwise. We do not present them as independent measurements.

Best for

  • Buyers who want a spare pair for commuting or the gym
  • Anyone who loses earbuds often and wants a low-cost replacement
  • Students who want decent sound without spending £100+

Skip if

  • You need active noise cancellation on a train or plane
  • You want premium call quality in windy conditions
  • You prefer a metal or premium-feeling case

Buying questions

Is the Soundcore P20i worth it?

At a typical price of £20–£35, the Soundcore P20i is aimed at buyers who want a spare pair for commuting or the gym. If that describes you, it is worth considering. Skip it if you need active noise cancellation on a train or plane.

What are the main drawbacks of the Soundcore P20i?

The main compromises are no active noise cancellation; case feels plasticky; app EQ is basic; no wireless charging. None of them is unusual for this category and price band, but they are the reasons to think twice before buying.

Who should skip the Soundcore P20i?

Skip it if you need active noise cancellation on a train or plane; you want premium call quality in windy conditions; you prefer a metal or premium-feeling case. The wireless earbuds roundup compares it with the alternative we cover.

Soundcore P20i vs Sony WF-1000XM5 — the head-to-head for this category.

Wireless earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM5

9.2/10·£220–£280

The WF-1000XM5 is Sony's flagship earbud, and the spec sheet explains why it costs what it does.

Read the review