We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-23 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a single pair that handles long calls and marathon listening sessions on one charge, choose Soundbot Behind; if you need workout earbuds with active noise cancelling and a waterproof, dustproof build, choose Anker Soundcore Sport X20. One is a behind-the-neck headset built for stamina and hands-free convenience. The other is a true-wireless sport earbud engineered for sweat, rain and deep bass. Here's how to pick between them.
• Soundbot Behind — biggest strength: behind-the-neck, wrap-around fit with up to 20 hours of music streaming and 25 hours of hands-free calling per charge.
• Soundbot Behind — biggest trade-off: it's an on-ear design with no active noise cancelling and Bluetooth 4, so it's not the most modern or the most isolating option.
• Anker Soundcore Sport X20 — biggest strength: IP68 waterproof, sweatproof and dustproof true-wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling, adjustable ear hooks and up to 48 hours total playtime via the charging case.
• Anker Soundcore Sport X20 — biggest trade-off: true-wireless earbuds mean two small pieces to keep track of, and the buds themselves run 12 hours before they need the case.
• Who the Soundbot Behind is for: anyone who wants one-piece, over-the-ear security and long call time for commutes, calls and gym sessions.
• Who the Sport X20 is for: anyone who wants sealed in-ear sound, noise cancelling and a rugged IP68 rating for hard, sweaty training.
The Soundbot Behind is a behind-the-neck wireless headset with a wrap-around, ergonomic frame that sits over the ear and around the neck. That design is the whole point: there are no loose buds to fumble with, and the lightweight build (91 g) is meant to stay snug while you move. The frame folds and the earcups swivel, so it's compact enough to toss in a bag between sessions. It's sweat resistant, so it's built for workouts, commutes and rides rather than desk-only listening.
Battery is where it stands out. Soundbot rates it at up to 20 hours of music streaming and 25 hours of hands-free calling, with a 3-hour charge time. If you take a lot of calls and don't want to think about charging midweek, that's a real advantage. It also has built-in voice command support, so on supported phones you can trigger Siri or Android voice control, manage calls and skip tracks from the on-ear controls without pulling out your phone. Wireless range is rated up to about 33 feet, and there's a 3.5 mm jack plus a cable as a wired fallback — useful when you'd rather not use Bluetooth at all.
Who should buy it: commuters, call-heavy users, and anyone who likes the security of a one-piece headset that sits around the neck instead of inside the ear. It's also a good fit if you want a wired option as backup and a foldable frame for travel. Who should skip it: if you need active noise cancelling to block gym noise or traffic, or you want a sealed in-ear fit with deep bass isolation, this isn't that product. The noise control field is "None," and Bluetooth 4 is an older generation than the Sport X20's Bluetooth 5. If those matter most to you, look at the Anker.
The Anker Soundcore Sport X20 is a pair of true-wireless in-ear workout earbuds with rotatable, extendable ear hooks. The hooks adjust up to 30 degrees of rotation and 4 mm of extension, so you can dial in how the bud sits in your ear — a genuinely useful feature for people whose ears don't play nicely with standard tips. It's a sealed in-ear design, which is the foundation for both the noise cancelling and the bass response.
On durability, this is the tougher of the two on paper. The Sport X20 carries an IP68 rating, meaning it's waterproof, sweatproof and dustproof — the kind of spec you want for rain runs, heavy sweat sessions and dusty outdoor training. It has active noise cancelling, so it can reduce steady background noise like gym equipment hum or traffic. The 11 mm dynamic drivers handle a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range, and Anker leans into "body-moving bass" with these. Bluetooth 5 gives you a more current wireless generation and a rated range of about 10 meters.
Battery is split between the buds and the case. The earbuds themselves are rated up to 12 hours, and the charging case adds up to 48 hours total, with a 580 mAh case battery. That's a big total number, but note the pattern: you're relying on the case for the long-haul figure, and the buds alone run shorter than the Soundbot's single-charge rating. Controls are touch-based on the earbuds.
Who should buy it: gym regulars, runners and outdoor trainers who want sealed in-ear sound, active noise cancelling and a rugged IP68 build. The adjustable hooks make it a strong pick if standard earbuds slip out on you. Who should skip it: if you'd rather not manage two separate buds and a case, or you want the longest possible single-charge listening time without a case in the loop, the Soundbot's behind-the-neck design will suit you better.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for battery on a single charge → Soundbot Behind (up to 20 hours of music, 25 hours of calls, no case required).
• Best for total playtime with a case → Anker Soundcore Sport X20 (up to 48 hours combined with the charging case).
• Best for waterproof and dust protection → Anker Soundcore Sport X20 (IP68; the Soundbot is sweat resistant rather than fully sealed).
• Best for call-heavy days and voice control → Soundbot Behind (25 hours of hands-free calling plus built-in voice command support).
• Best for a secure one-piece fit → Soundbot Behind (behind-the-neck, wrap-around frame, no loose buds).
• Best for adjustable in-ear fit → Anker Soundcore Sport X20 (30 degrees of rotation and 4 mm extension on the ear hooks).
• Best for wired backup → Soundbot Behind (3.5 mm jack and included cable).
• Best for modern wireless → Anker Soundcore Sport X20 (Bluetooth 5 versus Bluetooth 4).
In my opinion, the Anker Soundcore Sport X20 is the better pick for most people shopping for sports headphones in 2026. Active noise cancelling, an IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating, adjustable ear hooks and Bluetooth 5 make it the more capable training tool — especially if you sweat hard or train outdoors. I'd choose the Soundbot Behind instead if long single-charge battery and heavy call use matter more than isolation and ruggedness, since up to 25 hours of hands-free calling and a behind-the-neck fit are genuinely hard to beat for commute-and-call life. If you're still weighing it, check the current price on Amazon for both before deciding.
how to use sports headphones
Wear them so the fit is secure before you start moving, then pair over Bluetooth and use the on-device controls. On the Soundbot Behind, the wrap-around frame sits over the ear and around the neck with dedicated buttons for volume, tracks and calls. On the Sport X20, rotate and extend the ear hooks until each bud seals comfortably, then use the touch controls.
how to wear running headphones
For running, the goal is a fit that won't shift with every stride. The Soundbot Behind stays put because the frame wraps behind your neck and over your ears. The Sport X20 relies on its adjustable ear hooks — up to 30 degrees of rotation and 4 mm of extension — to lock each bud in place, and its IP68 rating means sweat and rain aren't a concern.
how to charge impact sport headphones
Charging depends on the model, so check the specific product. The Soundbot Behind is a rechargeable headset with a rated 3-hour charge time for up to 20 hours of music. The Sport X20 charges the earbuds in their case, and the case itself has a 580 mAh battery rated for up to 48 hours of total playtime.
how to pair jlab sport headphones
Pairing steps vary by brand, but the general process is the same: put the headphones in pairing mode, open your phone's Bluetooth settings, and select the device. For these two, the Soundbot Behind uses Bluetooth 4 with a range of about 33 feet, while the Anker Soundcore Sport X20 uses Bluetooth 5 with a range of about 10 meters — so keep your phone close during setup either way.
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