Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds Review: Budget Earbuds With Big Bass and Smart Features

Quick Summary

The Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds are entry-level earbuds that punch above their price class. They combine oversized 10 mm drivers for impactful bass, Bluetooth 5.3 for a stable connection, and up to 30 hours of total playtime with the charging case.

Key highlights include:

10 mm dynamic drivers tuned for big, energetic bass
30 hours of total battery life (around 10 hours from the earbuds plus 20 hours from the case)
Bluetooth 5.3 with reliable pairing and low-latency Game Mode (via app)
IPX5 water resistance, suitable for workouts and light rain
Dual microphones with AI noise reduction for clearer calls
22 EQ presets plus custom EQ and control remapping in the Soundcore app
Compact case with attached lanyard for easy carrying

For listeners who prioritize strong bass, long playtime, and app customization at around $19.99, the P20i stand out as one of the more feature-complete options in the budget segment.

Detailed Analysis

Design and Build Quality

The Soundcore P20i follow a familiar, stem-style in-ear design. The earbuds are lightweight and shaped to sit securely in the ear canal without feeling bulky. The plastics are matte and practical rather than premium, but the overall finish is solid and consistent for this segment.

The charging case is compact and notably includes a built-in lanyard loop and strap, which makes it easy to clip to a bag, keys, or belt loop. This small touch gives the P20i a clear portability advantage over many similarly priced rivals that still rely on a plain, pocket-only case.

With an IPX5 rating, the earbuds can handle sweat and splashes, making them viable for workouts, commutes in light rain, and general everyday use. The case itself is not water resistant, so it should be kept dry.

Audio Performance

At the core of the P20i’s sound are oversized 10 mm dynamic drivers tuned for a bass-forward signature.

Bass: Emphasis is clearly on low frequencies. Bass is punchy and elevated, adding a sense of energy to pop, EDM, and hip-hop. Sub-bass presence is good for the price, though not as tight or controlled as you’d find on higher-end Soundcore models.
Mids: Vocals and instruments are generally clear but sit slightly behind the boosted bass. On particularly bass-heavy tracks, lower mids can feel a bit overshadowed. For podcasts, audiobooks, and vocal-centric music, switching to a more neutral EQ preset in the app helps.
Treble: Treble is present and reasonably crisp without being overly sharp. Detail is adequate for casual listening; you’ll hear cymbals and higher-frequency effects, but with less refinement than mid-range earbuds.

Overall, the P20i deliver a fun, consumer-friendly V-shaped sound: boosted bass, slightly recessed mids, and a touch of sparkle up top. For their price tier, the impact and loudness are impressive, especially once you tailor them via the EQ presets.

App Support and EQ Customization

One of the P20i’s standout features is full integration with the Soundcore app, which is unusual at this price level.

In the app, you can:

Choose from 22 EQ presets (e.g., Bass Booster, Podcast, Acoustic, Classical)
Create a custom EQ curve to fine-tune bass, mids, and treble
Remap touch controls (e.g., play/pause, track skip, volume, voice assistant)
Enable Game Mode to reduce latency for video and casual mobile gaming
Use Find My Earbuds, which plays a sound from the earbuds to help you locate them nearby

This software layer substantially extends what you can get out of the hardware. If the default bass-heavy tuning isn’t to your taste, a few minutes in the app can bring the sound closer to neutral or prioritize clearer vocals.

Connectivity and Latency

The P20i use Bluetooth 5.3, which brings solid connection stability and power efficiency. Pairing is straightforward: once connected to a device, the earbuds reconnect quickly when you open the case.

In typical use:

Signal remains stable in line-of-sight situations such as open offices, public transport, and home use.
Dropouts are rare unless you are in environments with heavy wireless congestion.

Latency is already acceptable for general video playback, and turning on Game Mode in the app further reduces delay, making lip-sync on streaming video and casual gaming more comfortable, though serious competitive gamers may still perceive some lag.

Call Quality

The earbuds feature two microphones paired with AI-based noise reduction. In practice:

Voice pickup indoors is clear and intelligible for work calls, online classes, and casual chat.
Background noises like keyboard typing and low ambient hum are moderately reduced.
Outdoors, the system cuts some environmental noise (such as traffic), but strong wind and very loud environments can still interfere.

For the price, the call performance is better than basic budget earbuds that lack any form of intelligent noise processing, though not on the level of premium noise-cancelling models.

Battery Life and Charging

The P20i deliver up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge, with the case extending total playtime to around 30 hours under moderate listening volumes.

Additional battery-related points:

A 10-minute fast charge can provide up to roughly 2 hours of playback, useful if you forget to charge before heading out.
Charging is via USB‑C on the case.
Battery life will vary depending on volume level, codec, and whether Game Mode is enabled, but the overall endurance is excellent for daily commuting and office use.

Comfort and Fit

The earbuds come with multiple sizes of silicone ear tips. Once sized correctly, most users should find:

A secure fit suitable for walking, commuting, and light workouts
A relatively low profile that doesn’t protrude excessively from the ear

The passive isolation is decent, helping reduce external noise like air conditioner hum or distant conversations, although there is no active noise cancelling (ANC). For long listening sessions, the lightweight build minimizes fatigue.

User Experience

Setup and Daily Use

Initial setup is simple:

Open the case to put the earbuds in pairing mode.
Select “soundcore P20i” from your device’s Bluetooth menu.
Install the Soundcore app if you want access to EQ, Game Mode, and other features.

Once configured, everyday use is largely frictionless:

The earbuds power on and connect automatically when removed from the case.
Touch controls allow quick access to playback and call handling.
The lanyard-equipped case is easy to grab or clip when heading out.

Some users may need a short adjustment period to avoid accidental touch inputs, but remapping or simplifying controls in the app can help.

For Different Use Cases

Commuting and daily listening: Strong bass and good isolation make them enjoyable on buses and trains. Battery life easily covers a round trip and more.
Work and study: The app’s EQ and clear mids (with a suitable preset) make podcasts, lectures, and calls comfortable to follow.
Fitness and outdoor activities: IPX5 water resistance and a secure fit make them suitable for gym sessions, jogs, and walks. The case is small enough to slip into a pocket or clip to a bag.
Gaming and video: With Game Mode enabled, latency is reduced to a level that most casual users will find acceptable for streaming and mobile games.

Pros

Punchy, bass-forward sound from 10 mm drivers
Robust battery life: up to ~10 hours per charge, ~30 hours with the case
Soundcore app support with 22 EQ presets and custom EQ
Customizable touch controls and Game Mode
Dual mics with AI noise reduction for clearer calls
Bluetooth 5.3 for stable wireless connectivity
IPX5 water resistance, suitable for workouts and light rain
Compact case with lanyard, highly portable
Great feature set for the price around $19.99

Cons

No active noise cancelling (ANC)
Bass emphasis can overshadow mids in default tuning
Plastic build feels functional rather than premium
Call quality struggles in very noisy or windy environments
No multi-device (simultaneous) Bluetooth connectivity
Touch controls can be triggered accidentally until you get used to them

Value Assessment

The Soundcore by Anker P20i occupy a competitive budget price bracket, and their value proposition is strong. For around $19.99, you get:

A bass-rich, fun sound signature that many casual listeners appreciate
Class-leading software support with extensive EQ options at this price tier
Long battery life that can comfortably cover several days of moderate use
Practical extras like IPX5 water resistance, Game Mode, and a lanyard-equipped case

When compared to many similarly priced true wireless earbuds that lack app support, have shorter battery life, or do not offer any call optimization, the P20i deliver more features and flexibility.

They are especially compelling for:

Budget-conscious buyers who still want an app with EQ control
Students and commuters who need long battery life and reliable connectivity
Listeners who prefer a bass-forward sound profile for modern genres

If you require premium build materials, advanced ANC, or multi-device connectivity, you may need to step up to higher-tier models. But within their class, the P20i provide a well-balanced mix of sound quality, features, and endurance.

Final Thoughts

The Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds are a strong reminder that budget earbuds no longer have to feel barebones. With bass-heavy 10 mm drivers, app-based customization, long battery life, and water resistance, they offer an experience that rivals or surpasses many competitors in the same price range.

They are best suited for listeners who:

Want fun, energetic sound rather than studio-level neutrality
Appreciate having an app to tweak EQ and controls
Need reliable all-day battery life and a compact, easy-to-carry case

If those priorities match your needs, the P20i are an easy recommendation as everyday wireless earbuds that deliver more than you would typically expect at their price point.