Published On: July 28, 2025

I Paid $20 for These Soundcore Earbuds—Now I Want a Second Pair

Published On: July 28, 2025
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I Paid $20 for These Soundcore Earbuds—Now I Want a Second Pair

I’ve been using the Soundcore P20i earbuds for a week now—and here’s why I think they’re a total steal.

I Paid $20 for These Soundcore Earbuds—Now I Want a Second Pair

  • Nemanja Grbic is a tech writer with over a decade of journalism experience, covering everything from AV gear and smart home tech to the latest gadgets and trends. Before jumping into the world of consumer electronics, Nema was an award-winning sports writer, and he still brings that same storytelling energy to every article. At HomeTheaterReview, he breaks down the latest gear and keeps readers up to speed on all things tech.

We’re flooded with pricey wireless earbuds these days, but sometimes the real gems are the ones that cost less than a pizza. That’s exactly how I’d describe the Soundcore P20i. On sale for $19.99 now at Amazon—half off their usual $39.99 price—they pack in more features than I expected and sound way better than they have any right to at this price.

The packaging is minimal and clean, which I expected, but once I pulled the earbuds out of the case, I was struck by how compact and lightweight everything felt. The case itself is small enough to toss into a pocket or bag without adding any bulk, and the earbuds are incredibly light—almost to the point where I forgot I was wearing them. They snap magnetically into the case with a satisfying click and feel sturdy enough to survive everyday use.

Soundcore P20i earbuds and charging case in black color.

Also worth noting: they come in a few fun colors (I went with black, but you’ll also find options like white, blue, and pink). It's a small thing, but that little bit of choice is rare at this price point.

One thing I didn’t expect was just how feature-packed the Soundcore P20i earbuds are. For under $40 (let alone under $20), you usually get the bare minimum. Not here.

Here’s what you’re getting:

  • Bluetooth 5.3 for fast, stable connections
  • 10mm dynamic drivers for deeper bass
  • Up to 10 hours of playtime per charge
  • 30 hours total with the case
  • Fast charging (10 minutes = 2 hours of use)
  • IPX5 water resistance (great for workouts and drizzles)
  • Access to the Soundcore app for EQ presets, touch customization, and more
  • A fun “Find My Earbuds” noise feature in the app

That last one saved me when I dropped one earbud between couch cushions. A loud chirp helped me track it down in seconds—lifesaver.

Man wearing Soundcore P20i earbuds.

Now to the most important part—how do they actually sound?

Out of the box, they’re tuned for bass. Big, thumpy, fun bass. If you listen to hip-hop, EDM, pop, or anything that benefits from low-end punch, you’ll likely be happy with the default tuning. That said, vocals and instruments can sound a bit recessed depending on the track.

That’s where the Soundcore app comes in. With 22 EQ presets (yes, really), I found myself toggling between “Treble Booster” and “Acoustic” depending on what I was listening to. The difference is noticeable, and I loved being able to tweak the sound without fiddling with system-level EQ settings.

I tested everything from Beyonce to Daft Punk to a few episodes of The Last of Us, and while they’re clearly not going to compete with high-end buds from Sony or Bose, the P20i held their own—especially for casual listening.

Soundcore P20i accessories.

I made a few phone calls to see how the built-in microphones held up. Indoors, they did fine—clear and intelligible, with no complaints from the person on the other end. Outside? That’s where things start to struggle a bit.

Wind and background noise can easily creep in, and voices get a little thin when things get chaotic. The mics do feature AI noise reduction, but let’s be real: this is a $20 product. You’re not buying these for crystal-clear Zoom calls in the middle of a busy street.

Still, for casual calls or voice memos, they’ll do the trick just fine.

One of my favorite things about the P20i is how comfortable they are. I wore them for a full afternoon while working from a coffee shop—no discomfort, no ear fatigue. The shallow fit means you won’t get that plugged-up sensation some earbuds cause, and they’re easy to take out without any weird twisting or pulling.

That said, the fit is secure, but not ultra-snug. If you're doing a hardcore workout or running, they might loosen up. But for walking, commuting, or just hanging out, they stayed in place for me.

The IPX5 rating is another bonus. I didn’t go running in the rain, but I did wear them during a sweaty bike ride—and they handled it with no issue.

Soundcore P20i earbuds in charging case.

Soundcore promises 10 hours on a single charge, and that’s not far off from my testing. I got around 9–9.5 hours listening at medium volume, and the charging case adds another 20+ hours. Even better? A 10-minute quick charge gave me enough juice to get through the rest of a podcast-heavy afternoon.

For travel, commutes, or just long listening sessions, this kind of endurance is impressive, especially when you remember the price.

So, are they worth it? At $39.99, the Soundcore P20i already feels like a value-packed product. But at $19.99? That’s almost too good to pass up.

You’re getting:

  • Solid sound with customizable EQ
  • Long battery life
  • Fast pairing and Bluetooth 5.3
  • Water resistance for active use
  • App support (a rarity in this price range)

Sure, they’re not perfect. The mic struggles in noisy environments, and there’s no active noise canceling. But you’re paying twenty bucks—not two hundred.

For casual use, daily commuting, or as a backup pair to toss in your gym bag or car, the Soundcore P20i is a no-brainer. I tested them expecting the usual compromises—and I still came away impressed.

If you want a pair of ultra-affordable wireless earbuds that don’t feel like a total compromise, grab the Soundcore P20i while they’re still $19.99 at Amazon. I did, and now I kind of want a second pair in a different color—just in case.

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