Anker Soundcore V20i Review | 2 Years of Daily Use

Anker Soundcore V20i Review

I've owned a lot of headphones. Multiple pairs of multi-hundred-pound over-ears, in-ears, the lot. These are the ones I actually use every day.

(Watch shown above is the G-Shock GW-M5610U. Read my review here.)

Comfort

The V20i are open-ear earphones that sit on the outside of your ear rather than going into it. This form factor is incredibly comfortable as there is nothing inside your ear canal to cause pressure or discomfort over time.

I often wear just one while using my PC at home, and it's so comfortable I forget I have it on. I've gone to get in the shower only to spot them in the bathroom mirror. I've also gone to bed with it on more than once, only realising as I lay down.

Two years of daily use and I've never once found them to cause any discomfort whatsoever. RRP is £50, but can often be found on sale for around £35 (as of writing this review they're currently 34% off on Amazon at £32.99), this is an incredible value for the comfort and performance you get.

Sound

Impressive for what they are. Open-ear designs have an automatic disadvantage due to the physical form factor, and therefore they will never sound as good as a good pair of in-ears. That said, the sound is clear and pleasant. Slightly thin at times, but absolutely fine for music, videos, and long gaming sessions.

At maximum volume there's some noise bleed. Nothing that caused me any issues in an office, but worth knowing.

The microphone punches above its price. I've had unprompted comments on my microphone quality during work calls.

Build and battery

Charges over USB-C. In two years of daily use, I charge it every few weeks or so.

The case has taken some hits, but the build quality is solid throughout. Although the wear on the plastic case is quite visible, the marks are all superficial and the case still functions perfectly.

Nothing rattles or creaks, and the hinges and magnetic connections are the same as day 1.

Bluetooth is also rock solid. Pairing is effortless, stability is excellent, latency isn't an issue for gaming or video. Typical Anker, it just works.

The cons

Sound is slightly thin, which is a consequence of the form factor rather than a flaw in the execution. The case could also stand to be a bit smaller. It's pocketable, but there's room to trim it.

Neither changes the bigger picture.

Verdict

I own Anker plugs, cables, multiple powerbanks, and three different pairs of their headphones (These, the q30 and the p20i). The brand has never let me down, I'm always impressed by the quality, especially given the price points.

These have had more actual use than every expensive pair I've owned combined. It's not always about sound quality on paper. Sometimes usability wins.

At this price, they're hard to argue with.