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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-03 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
These two are rarely bought for the same person. The HQ20 is essentially a study-and-travel tool for younger listeners, while the ZXQ Q1s Pro is a sport-first neckband aimed at adults. Below I break down what each design actually gives you, where each one falls short, and which one I'd hand my money to depending on the job.
• 1MORE HQ20 — biggest strength: 65 hours of playback with a 5-minute quick charge that adds 2.5 hours, plus 3-level automatic volume control that caps output at 85dB.
• 1MORE HQ20 — biggest trade-off: It's an on-ear, plastic, white headphone with passive noise cancellation only — no active ANC — and it isn't built to survive sweat.
• ZXQ Neckband Earbuds — biggest strength: Bluetooth 5.4 with a 10-metre range, 6 EQ modes, inline controls and an IPX5 sweat-resistant around-the-neck build.
• ZXQ Neckband Earbuds — biggest trade-off: 35 hours of playtime is less than half the HQ20's, and a 1.5-hour full charge is slower than a quick top-up.
• Buy the 1MORE HQ20 if you're shopping for a child, student or frequent traveller who needs volume limiting, glasses-friendly comfort and foldable portability.
• Buy the ZXQ Neckband Earbuds if you're an adult who wants in-ear buds that stay put during sport, with EQ tinkering and easy call handling.
The HQ20's whole identity is hearing protection. The 3-level automatic volume control keeps output from exceeding 85dB, and the noise-isolating ear cups are rated to cut background noise by around 60%. That combination matters more than it sounds: when outside noise drops, you don't instinctively push the volume up, so the cap actually holds in a noisy classroom or on a plane. For a parent, that's the feature doing the heavy lifting.
Everything else supports long, low-drama sessions. Weighing 181g with memory foam cushions and an adjustable headband, it's light enough to forget about, and the rotating ear cups are shaped to sit around glasses without pressing on the temples. The 65-hour battery means roughly two weeks of school use per charge, and a 5-minute top-up buys 2.5 more hours if someone forgets to plug it in. The 40mm dynamic drivers cover 20Hz–20,000Hz, which is plenty for e-learning apps, podcasts and music without distortion. The reinforced hinges are rated for 10,000+ folds, and a carrying pouch is included for backpack life. It pairs over Bluetooth 5 with iOS, Android, Chromebooks and tablets, and the built-in mic handles calls and voice assistants.
Who should buy it: parents buying for a child, students who wear headphones for hours of homework or online classes, and travellers who want one foldable pair that survives being thrown in a bag. Who should skip it: anyone who needs active noise cancellation, a wired option (there's no headphone jack), or a pair they can sweat through at the gym. It's also an on-ear design, so if you strongly prefer in-ear buds, this isn't that.
The ZXQ neckband solves a different problem: keeping earbuds with you and on you. The around-the-neck format means the buds hang from your collarbone when you pull them out, so there's no loose pair of true-wireless buds to lose between sets or on a run. The angled in-ear design is built to sit steady in the ear canal, and with six pairs of ear gels in the box you have a decent chance of finding a seal that holds.
On the tech side, Bluetooth 5.4 with a 10-metre range is the newer standard here, and the listed 60ms audio latency is a useful figure if you watch video on your phone — that's low enough that lip-sync issues are unlikely to be bothersome. The 10mm dynamic drivers, 32-ohm impedance and 97dB sensitivity mean the earbuds are easy to drive from a phone, and 6 EQ modes let you switch tone profiles with a single button press instead of digging into an app. Inline controls cover playback, volume and calls, and there's an integrated microphone for hands-free talking.
Battery is 35 hours per charge via USB-C, with a full charge taking about 1.5 hours. The IPX5 rating covers sweat and splashes, and the cord is silver-plated — a detail usually reserved for higher-end wired audio — with a soft, skin-friendly coating. The whole thing weighs 70g, and it ships with a fabric carrying case. The warranty is 1 year, and the age range is listed as adult.
Who should buy it: runners, gym-goers, cyclists and commuters who want buds that stay attached and survive sweat. Who should skip it: anyone buying for a young child — the HQ20's volume cap and kid-oriented design are the safer fit — and anyone who wants maximum battery life or a quick-charge rescue before a long trip.
• Best for battery life → 1MORE HQ20. 65 hours versus 35 hours is nearly double, and the 5-minute/2.5-hour quick charge is a genuine safety net.
• Best for fast charging → 1MORE HQ20. A 5-minute top-up beats a 1.5-hour full charge when you're walking out the door.
• Best for sport and sweat → ZXQ Neckband Earbuds. IPX5 sweat resistance and an around-the-neck fit that can't be dropped mid-run.
• Best for hearing protection and kids → 1MORE HQ20. The 85dB automatic cap and the 60% background-noise reduction are the deciding features.
• Best for newer Bluetooth → ZXQ Neckband Earbuds. Bluetooth 5.4 with a 10-metre range versus Bluetooth 5.
• Best for sound tweaking → ZXQ Neckband Earbuds. 6 EQ modes switched by a single button press; the HQ20 has no EQ modes listed.
• Best for travel and folding → 1MORE HQ20. Foldable hinges rated for 10,000+ folds and an included pouch.
• Best for glasses wearers and long wear → 1MORE HQ20. Rotating ear cups and memory foam cushions at 181g.
• Best for hands-free calls in both worlds → a tie. Both have a built-in mic and inline or on-cup controls; the ZXQ's inline controls are easier to reach mid-workout.
In my opinion, the 1MORE HQ20 is the better buy for most people reading this comparison, because it does the harder job: it protects a younger listener's hearing, runs for 65 hours, weighs only 181g, folds flat and handles calls. The only scenario where I'd pick the ZXQ is a personal one — if you're an adult who wants buds for running, lifting or sweaty commutes and you care about EQ modes and the newer Bluetooth version, the neckband is the more sensible tool. Decide which of those two people you are, then check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
Yes — that's clearly its design target. The 3-level automatic volume control keeps sound under 85dB, the ear cups reduce background noise by around 60%, and the age range is listed as kid. The 181g weight and glasses-friendly rotating cups help with long study sessions.
That's the point of the design. The angled in-ear shape is meant to sit steady in the ear canal, six pairs of ear gels let you dial in the fit, and the neckband means the buds can't fall to the ground if one works loose. IPX5 covers sweat and splashes.
The 1MORE HQ20 lasts longer — 65 hours versus 35 hours on the ZXQ. The HQ20 also charges faster in a pinch: 5 minutes gives about 2.5 hours of playback, while the ZXQ needs roughly 1.5 hours for a full charge over USB-C.
Both have a built-in microphone and on-device controls. The HQ20 handles calls through the ear-cup buttons and supports voice assistants; the ZXQ uses inline controls on the neckband for playback, volume and calls, which is handier when you're moving.
Neither offers active noise cancellation. The 1MORE HQ20 uses passive isolation from its ear cups, rated to cut background noise by about 60%, which is the closer thing to ANC here. The ZXQ relies on in-ear sound isolation from a good ear-gel seal.
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