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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-27 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Anker Soundcore — biggest strength: Deep app customization, with 22 EQ presets, adjustable touch controls and a "Find My Earbuds" feature that makes a misplaced bud emit noise.
• Anker Soundcore — biggest trade-off: It's an in-ear design with passive noise cancellation only, so it relies on the seal rather than active circuitry to block sound.
• XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 — biggest strength: A featherweight semi-in-ear shape (3.8 g per bud) paired with large 14.2 mm titanium-coated drivers and a 37-hour total playtime figure.
• XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 — biggest trade-off: Fewer EQ options (5 presets plus a custom profile) and a semi-in-ear fit that won't isolate as firmly as a sealed in-ear tip.
• Who each is for: Pick the Anker Soundcore if you want to tinker with sound and controls; pick the XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 if you want all-day lightness, dual-device pairing and a bigger driver.
The Soundcore P20i leans hard into personalization. Its 10 mm dynamic drivers are tuned for boosted bass, which suits pop, hip-hop and electronic music where low-end punch matters more than flat accuracy. The real differentiator is the soundcore app: you get 22 preset EQ options, including a signature BassUp setting, plus a gaming mode for lower-latency in-game audio. You can also remap the touch controls and use "Find My Earbuds" to make a lost bud chirp. That's an unusually deep toolkit at this tier.
Battery is stated as 10 hours on a single charge and 30 hours with the case, and a 10-minute top-up is quoted at 2 hours of playtime. The case is compact, lightweight and has a lanyard so you can clip it to a bag or keys rather than dig for it in a pocket. Two microphones plus an AI algorithm handle calls, and Bluetooth 5.3 keeps the connection stable in crowded places. A single-earbud mode kicks in automatically when you remove one bud.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants to shape their own sound signature, values a secure in-ear seal, and likes the idea of a case they can clip on. Who should skip it: if you dislike the plugged-up feeling of in-ear tips, or you want the absolute lightest possible bud, this isn't the shape for you. The 16 ohm impedance and 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range are standard-fare on paper — the appeal here is the software, not exotic specs.
The Redmi Buds 8 Active takes the opposite approach: less fiddling, more comfort. The semi-in-ear shape rests in your ear without deep insertion, and at 3.8 g per bud you can genuinely forget you're wearing them through a commute or a full workday. The trade-off is honest — semi-in-ear designs don't seal the ear canal, so you lose some passive isolation compared to a tipped in-ear model. If you want to stay aware of traffic or a coworker tapping your shoulder, that's a feature, not a flaw.
Audio comes from 14.2 mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers — noticeably larger than the Anker's 10 mm — and Xiaomi positions them for balanced, detailed sound. You get 5 preset EQ modes plus the option to build a custom profile, which is less granular than 22 presets but covers the basics. The 32 ohm impedance also means these buds ask a bit more of a source, though for phone listening that's rarely a practical issue.
Battery is quoted at 7 hours in the buds and 37 hours total with the case, with the same 10-minutes-for-2-hours quick charge promise. Bluetooth 5.4 is the newer standard here, and multipoint lets you stay connected to two devices at once — phone and laptop — and switch between them. An IP54 rating covers sweat and light rain, so workouts and drizzly walks are fine. Dual beamforming mics with an AI algorithm reduce background chatter and wind noise, with lab validation quoted at wind speeds up to 6 m/s.
Who should buy it: commuters, remote workers juggling two devices, and anyone who finds in-ear tips uncomfortable. Who should skip it: if you need maximum isolation on a loud train or plane, the semi-in-ear fit won't seal out as much noise.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for total playtime → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 (37 hours with case vs 30 hours on the Anker).
• Best for sound customization → Anker Soundcore (22 EQ presets plus control remapping vs 5 presets plus a custom profile).
• Best for all-day comfort and light weight → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 (3.8 g per bud, semi-in-ear, no deep insertion).
• Best for a secure in-ear seal → Anker Soundcore (in-ear design with passive noise cancellation).
• Best for multipoint and the newest Bluetooth → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 (Bluetooth 5.4 with dual-device connection vs 5.3 single-device pairing).
• Best for workouts and wet weather → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 (IP54 sweat and light-rain resistance).
• Best for finding a lost bud → Anker Soundcore ("Find My Earbuds" makes a misplaced bud emit noise).
• Best for a bigger driver → XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 (14.2 mm titanium-coated vs 10 mm).
In my opinion, the XIAOMI Redmi Buds 8 is the pick for most people. The semi-in-ear shape, 3.8 g weight, 37-hour total playtime, IP54 rating and Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint line up almost perfectly with how most of us actually use earbuds — commuting, working and switching between devices. I'd only steer you to the Anker Soundcore if you specifically want a sealed in-ear fit and love dialing in your own EQ; the 22 presets and app controls are genuinely the better toolkit for tinkerers, and the 10-hour single-charge figure is stronger. Both are sound choices — the deciding factor is fit and how much control you want.
FAQ
how to make wired earbuds stay in ear
Fit is about the tip and the angle, not force. Try different tip sizes, seat the bud so the cable runs down and slightly forward, and loop the cable over the top of your ear to take the weight off the bud. A gentle twist as you insert helps the tip seal without pressure.
Apple's wired buds use a hard, unsealed shape, so they sit rather than plug. Rotate them so the stem points down and slightly forward, keep the cable slack (clip it to your shirt if you can), and avoid tugging. If they still slip, a foam or silicone tip cover changes the fit more than any technique.
how to put earbuds in your ear
Pull your ear gently up and back with your opposite hand to open the canal, then slide the bud in at a slight angle and release. Don't jam it — a light seal beats a deep push. Semi-in-ear models like the Redmi Buds 8 just rest in the outer ear with no insertion at all.
how to keep earbuds in ears
Match the shape to the task: in-ear models with the right tip stay put better during exercise, while semi-in-ear designs rely on a light, natural rest. Keep cables from snagging, clean tips regularly so they grip, and re-seat the bud after you sweat heavily.
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See also: CHENRUIDA Clip vs Acjohtin Open Ear Headphones, Spigen Rugged Armor Shockproof vs LDSXAY Beats Powerbeats Pro, JLab JBuds Pro Signature vs WUYUEGE Clip, Samudgate Mini vs SHIJIAET Open Ear Bone