How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want the lowest latency and the best transparency mode for mobile gaming, choose TOZO NC9; if you need real-time translation and hi-res LDAC audio, choose Anker Soundcore P31i. Both are sub-$100 true wireless earbuds that punch well above their weight, but they chase very different buyers — one is built for fast, lag-free play, the other for travel, calls, and language barriers. Here's the honest breakdown.
• TOZO NC9 — biggest strength: 60 ms audio latency plus IPX8 waterproofing and a 60-hour total battery with an LED case display. That combination is rare at this tier.
• TOZO NC9 — biggest trade-off: No LDAC or hi-res certification, and the app EQ ecosystem is fun but not audiophile-grade.
• Anker Soundcore P31i — biggest strength: Real-time AI translation across 100+ languages, LDAC/Hi-Res certified sound, and adaptive ANC rated to 52 dB.
• Anker Soundcore P31i — biggest trade-off: Higher latency focus (no low-latency spec listed) and a heavier case (59 g vs. 33.2 g), so it's less of a gaming-first pick.
• Best for mobile gaming → TOZO NC9.
• Best for travel, calls, and translation → Anker Soundcore P31i.
The NC9 is the pick when you're gaming on your phone and you actually care about sync. TOZO lists a 60 ms audio latency figure, which is the single most important spec here — it's the number that decides whether footsteps and gunshots land where your thumbs expect them. Pair that with Hybrid ANC rated to 45 dB and you've got a set that can mute a noisy commute without cutting you off from the world when you flip on Transparent Mode.
Battery is the other headline. TOZO claims 60 hours total with ANC off, 40 hours with ANC on, plus 14 hours single-use (ANC off) and 10 hours (ANC on). The charging case has an LED display so you can see remaining charge at a glance — small thing, but it's the kind of detail that matters when you're mid-raid and don't want to guess. A 1.5-hour charge time gets you back to full. The 10 mm dynamic drivers with TOZO's OrigX Acoustic 2.0 tuning lean bass-forward, which fits action games and hip-hop well. Six ear-tip sizes and an ergonomic shell mean you can wear them through a long session without pressure.
Where the NC9 falls short: no LDAC, no hi-res certification, and the frequency response tops out at 20 kHz — fine for gaming and streaming, less impressive if you're chasing lossless audio. The 32-ohm impedance means it's easy to drive, so any phone handles it. It's also IPX8, which is the higher waterproof rating of the two, so sweat and rain are non-issues.
Buy the NC9 if: you want the best transparency mode gaming headphones for mobile gaming, you want rotatable-feeling comfort that stays put during long sessions, and you value a visible battery readout. Skip it if: LDAC and hi-res audio are non-negotiable for you.
The P31i is a different animal. Anker's pitch is Real-Time Adaptive Noise Cancelling rated to 52 dB — it detects your surroundings and adjusts the level automatically. That's a genuinely useful feature on a plane or a train, because you're not fiddling with a slider every time the cabin noise changes. The 6 AI-enhanced mics with a wind-noise reduction algorithm are aimed squarely at people who take calls outdoors.
The marquee feature, though, is real-time AI translation across 100+ languages. If you travel for work or study a language, this is the reason to pick the P31i over almost anything else at this tier. Pair that with LDAC and Hi-Res Audio certification, an 11 mm driver, and a 40 kHz frequency response, and you've got a set tuned for detail and nuance rather than pure thump. Spatial Audio rounds out the media experience.
Battery is solid but slightly behind: 10 hours per charge, 50 hours total, dropping to 8 hours and 40 hours with ANC on. A 10-minute quick charge gives 3.5 hours, which is genuinely handy. Full charge takes 3 hours. The case is 59 g with an 800 mAh battery. Connectivity is Bluetooth 6.1, the newer spec, and the body uses plastic, rubber, and silicone for a grippier feel.
Trade-offs: the P31i is heavier, there's no low-latency figure listed (so I wouldn't call it a gaming-first set), and it's IP55 — splash-resistant, not submersible like the NC9's IPX8. The 14.2-ohm impedance is very low, so it's easy to drive but can be sensitive to source noise.
Buy the P31i if: you travel, take a lot of calls, want translation, and care about hi-res audio. Skip it if: mobile gaming latency is your top priority.
• Best for mobile gaming → TOZO NC9. The 60 ms latency figure is the deciding spec.
• Best transparency mode for gaming → TOZO NC9. Transparent Mode plus IPX8 makes it safer and more sweat-proof.
• Best for calls in wind → Anker Soundcore P31i. Wind-noise reduction plus 6 AI mics.
• Best for travel and translation → Anker Soundcore P31i. 100+ languages, adaptive 52 dB ANC.
• Best for audiophile listening → Anker Soundcore P31i. LDAC, Hi-Res, 40 kHz.
• Best battery and charge speed → TOZO NC9. 60 h total, 1.5 h full charge.
• Best waterproofing → TOZO NC9. IPX8 vs. IP55.
• Best for newer Bluetooth → Anker Soundcore P31i. Bluetooth 6.1 vs. 5.3.
For mobile gaming specifically, I'd buy the TOZO NC9. The 60 ms latency, IPX8 rating, 60-hour battery, and LED case display line up exactly with what a phone gamer needs — and the transparency mode is the one I'd actually use between matches. The P31i is the better all-rounder for travel, calls, and hi-res listening, and its translation feature is genuinely unique. But if gaming is the job, the NC9 is the tool. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since both shift around.
For mobile gaming, the TOZO NC9 is the stronger pick thanks to its 60 ms latency spec. The P31i doesn't list a low-latency figure, so it's less predictable for fast-paced games.
Does the Soundcore P31i really translate languages in real time?
Yes — Anker lists real-time AI translation across 100+ languages. It's the standout feature and the main reason to choose the P31i over the NC9.
On paper, the P31i wins at up to 52 dB adaptive ANC versus the NC9's 45 dB. The NC9's advantage is its transparency mode and IPX8 waterproofing, not raw cancellation depth.
The TOZO NC9, at 60 hours total (ANC off) and 40 hours (ANC on), versus the P31i's 50 hours total and 40 hours with ANC on. The NC9 also charges faster at 1.5 hours.
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