‘I’ve used these £20 earbuds every single day for two years – I want them to AirPods’
My Anker Soundcore P20i Wireless Earbuds have accompanied me on every holiday so I can listen to my favourite songs and podcasts with crystal clear sound quality wherever I am
The wireless earbuds come with a matching charging case available in a range of colours(Image: Catherine Addison-Swan)
There’s one thing I never go on my summer holidays without: a good pair of headphones. And if, like me, you can’t relax on the beach without music or a podcast playing, I’ve found one pair of wireless earbuds that rivals the top tech brands for a fraction of the price.
I have used my Anker Soundcore P20i Wireless Earbuds more or less every day for the last two years since I first bought them in the summer of 2024. I was pushed to make the purchase after my last pair of cheap wired earbuds packed in – but even when I had decided to make the upgrade to wireless, I wasn’t about to spend a small fortune on something small enough to lose so easily.
When I spotted the P20i Wireless Earbuds on Amazon for less than £20 (they’re currently priced at £19.99) and saw the thousands of five-star reviews from fellow shoppers, I thought they would be a decent enough budget-friendly option for my upcoming holiday. But when they arrived and I got to try them out, I was so impressed by their quality that I had to go back on Amazon and check I hadn’t accidentally ordered a £100 pair.
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Two years on, and these earbuds are still performing just as well as the day I first wore them. The sound quality is second-to-none, with no muffled or tinny notes in sight – even when I crank up the volume as loud as it will go, as I’m fond of doing. In fact, their crystal clear quality has given me a fresh appreciation for all my favourite songs.
What’s more, there’s practically zero sound leakage, something that used to be a constant concern given my aforementioned preference for listening to music at high volumes. This makes them perfect for travel or use in public spaces, as I needn’t worry about bothering anyone nearby.
Get the Anker Soundcore P20i Wireless Earbuds
These earbuds come with a matching charging case and have a battery life of up to 30 hours, making them ideal for travelling with.
And on the other side, the P20i Wireless Earbuds excel at blocking out external noise too. Their comfortable, secure fit ensures they shut out surrounding sounds almost entirely, allowing me to become completely immersed in my favourite music, podcasts or audiobooks; this is so effective that I even use them without anything playing as earplugs on occasion.
Speaking of their fit, one thing that always put me off the concept of wireless earbuds was the worry that they’d slip out of my ears while I was out and about, never to be seen again. But I’ve never had to give this a moment’s thought with these buds, which fit snugly in my ears and remain secure and comfortable for hours on end without requiring any readjustment.
How do they compare to the big brands? Prior to buying, I was curious whether the likes of Apple and Bose were worth their premium price tag, and tried a couple of pairs owned by friends, but I was less impressed with them than I am with my P20i Wireless Earbuds.
The wireless earbuds come with a matching charging case available in a range of colours(Image: Catherine Addison-Swan)
I found that Apple AirPods felt awkward in my ears – and comfort was a non-negotiable considering their price, with the newest AirPods 4 starting at £119. I tried out over-ear headphones too, but after borrowing a pair of Bose QuietComfort Headphones from a family member, I felt I couldn’t justify that £230 price tag – and I’m glad I didn’t make the spend, as I ended up being more impressed with the sound from my Anker Soundcore pair.
All that being said, I have to admit that the Anker Soundcore P20i Wireless Earbuds aren’t completely perfect. While their accompanying charging case is sleek and stylish, the lack of an LED battery indicator – a feature that I’ve spotted on other budget-friendly wireless earbuds sold on Amazon – is definitely a design oversight.
Without it, there’s no way to know when a charge is needed until the earbuds themselves give me a low battery alert. Although it’s worth noting that this is not an issue that crops up often thanks to their long battery life.
The built-in microphone is another element that has room for improvement. While it’s just about adequate for handling calls, the sound quality can sound rather muffled and when I’m outdoors, ambient noise like wind or passing vehicles can make it difficult for whoever’s on the other end to hear me clearly.
But with all of this in mind, after testing out far pricier models owned by friends and family I can genuinely say I still favour my £20 pair. And it’s definitely a bonus that I could purchase several replacements for the cost of one pair of Apple AirPods.
