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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want featherweight on-ear comfort with marathon battery life and easy everyday Bluetooth, choose Sony WH-CH520L; if you need active noise cancelling and a wired Hi-Res option for calls and commuting, choose Anker Soundcore Q20i. I'll break down which one actually fits how you'll use it — especially for calls — so you can stop second-guessing and just order.
• Sony WH-CH520L — biggest strength: up to 50 hours of battery life with a quick-charge top-up, in a light 310 g on-ear frame built for all-day wear.
• Sony WH-CH520L — biggest trade-off: on-ear pads and sound isolation instead of true active noise cancelling, and no wired jack for a cable fallback.
• Anker Soundcore Q20i — biggest strength: hybrid active noise cancelling with four mics, plus a 3.5 mm jack that unlocks Hi-Res certified audio in wired mode.
• Anker Soundcore Q20i — biggest trade-off: heavier over-ear build, and the ANC only works over Bluetooth — it pauses in AUX-in mode.
• Who each pick is for: Sony suits the light traveler and marathon listener who wants set-and-forget simplicity; Anker suits the commuter, remote worker and gamer who wants to mute the room and juggle two devices at once.
The WH-CH520L is the "put it on and forget it" pair. Sony rates the battery at up to 50 hours, and the quick-charge function gives you roughly 1.5 hours of listening from a 3-minute top-up. That combination matters more than it sounds: it means you can grab them on the way out the door with a dead battery and still have music for the commute. For anyone who charges devices grudgingly, this is the headline feature.
For calls, Sony built the microphone and noise cancelling into the ear cups, so you can answer and talk without pulling your phone out. The spec sheet lists "noise cancelling" here in the sense of call-side ambient noise reduction, not the active noise cancelling you'd get from a dedicated ANC pair — worth being clear about, because it's a common mix-up. The Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) restores high frequencies on compressed tracks, and you can tune the EQ in the Sony Headphones Connect app if the default tuning isn't your taste.
Buy it if you want maximum battery, minimal weight, and a no-fuss Bluetooth pair for music and the occasional call. Skip it if you fly a lot, work in a loud open office, or want the option of a wired connection — there's no headphone jack here, and on-ear isolation won't silence a plane cabin.
Anker Soundcore: Who It's For
The Q20i plays a different game: it's a hybrid active noise cancelling over-ear headphone. Four built-in mics work together to filter background noise — the spec sheet describes internal and external mics reducing up to 90% of ambient noise — which is exactly what you want in a packed office, on a crowded commute, or on a busy street. Note the caveat: ANC works in Bluetooth mode only and isn't available in AUX-in mode.
Battery is rated at 40 hours with ANC on and 60 hours in normal mode, and a 5-minute fast charge buys about 4 extra hours. So while it doesn't match Sony's 50-hour figure with ANC running, it still comfortably covers a week of commuting, and 60 hours without ANC is genuinely long.
For calls and hybrid work, the dual-connection feature is the standout. It stays linked to your laptop and phone simultaneously and switches audio automatically to whichever device needs you — so an incoming call doesn't force you to fumble with Bluetooth settings. The 3.5 mm jack and included AUX cable unlock Hi-Res certified audio for wired listening, and BassUp adds punchy low end in wireless mode. The soundcore app handles EQ presets, ANC/Normal/Transparency switching, and even built-in white noise. Memory foam cushions in soft protein leather are designed for long wear.
Buy it if you want to mute the world, switch between two devices, and keep a wired option in reserve. Skip it if you want the lightest possible pair, need ANC while wired, or dislike app-based control.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for noise cancelling → Anker Soundcore Q20i. Hybrid ANC with four mics versus Sony's isolation-only approach.
• Best for calls in noisy places → Anker Soundcore Q20i. The mic array and ANC work together to keep your voice clear; Sony's call noise cancelling helps, but it can't cancel the room the way ANC does.
• Best for all-day comfort at minimum weight → Sony WH-CH520L. 310 g on-ear with soft pads and an adjustable headband.
• Best for commuting and open offices → Anker Soundcore Q20i. Over-ear cups plus Transparency mode when you need to hear announcements.
• Best for switching between laptop and phone → Anker Soundcore Q20i. Dual connections switch automatically.
• Best for wired or Hi-Res listening → Anker Soundcore Q20i. 3.5 mm jack and AUX cable; Sony has no jack at all.
• Best for set-and-forget simplicity → Sony WH-CH520L. Voice control, Swift Pair/Fast Pair, and no app required.
In my opinion, the Anker Soundcore Q20i is the better buy for most people reading this, because active noise cancelling, dual-device switching and a wired Hi-Res option cover more real-world situations — especially if calls and commuting are your priorities. I'd pick the Sony WH-CH520L only if battery life and low weight outweigh everything else, or if you simply don't want to think about an app. If you're weighing cost, check the current price on Amazon for both before deciding, since that's the one variable that can flip this call. For a straight answer on the best headset for calls between these two, I'd hand it to the Q20i.
Is the Anker Soundcore Q20i better than the Sony WH-CH520L for calls?
For calls in noisy environments, yes — in my opinion. The Q20i's four-mic hybrid ANC actively reduces background noise, while the Sony relies on isolation and call-side noise reduction without active cancellation.
You can. It connects over Bluetooth, supports dual connections for a laptop and phone, and the 3.5 mm jack lets you go wired with the included AUX cable — though ANC doesn't work in wired mode.
They're light enough (310 g) and comfortable for long wear, but they're on-ear, not flat, and there's no wired option. For calls at a desk or on the move they're fine; for lying on your side, neither of these is ideal.
Both use dynamic drivers, but the Q20i reaches 20 Hz–40,000 Hz and supports Hi-Res certified audio over the AUX cable, while the Sony covers 20 Hz–20,000 Hz with DSEE upscaling and app EQ. For wired, detailed listening the Q20i has the edge; for casual wireless listening, both are tunable to taste.
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