Soundcore A20 Specs: Small Size, Huge Vibes

Let’s talk about the Soundcore A20 earbuds. These little gadgets from Anker are designed with one main goal in mind: helping people enjoy audio at night without the hassle of bulky headphones. They’re small, they’re packed with features, and they aim to fit into your ears comfortably no matter how you sleep. But what’s really under the hood? This article breaks down the specs of the Soundcore A20, keeping it real and straightforward, like a chat with a friend who’s already tried them out. No fluff, just the facts, everything from how long the battery lasts to what the app can do, all laid out in a way that’s easy to follow.

What Are the Soundcore A20 Earbuds?

The Soundcore A20 earbuds aren’t your typical earbuds. They’re made by Anker’s Soundcore brand, a crew known for solid audio gear that doesn’t break the bank. These buds are specifically crafted for nighttime use, whether that’s streaming a podcast for some evening vibes or playing sounds to cover up a noisy neighbor. They’re tiny, way smaller than most earbuds out there, and come with a bunch of fit options to keep them snug in your ears. At $149.99 in the US and £119.99 in the UK, they sit in a mid-range price point, often dipping lower during sales on Amazon or Soundcore’s site.

The Basics of the Design

The A20s are all about keeping things compact. They’re housed in a round, beige charging case that slides open (which takes a minute to get the hang of because the arrow’s tiny). The earbuds themselves are lightweight, with soft silicone tips and wings that swap out for different sizes. You get three wing sizes and seven tip options, some sealed for better noise blocking, others with more airflow. The idea is to let you tweak the fit so they don’t bug you, even if you’re rolling around in bed all night.

How They Compare Size-Wise

Put them next to something like Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, and the difference is obvious. The A20s are noticeably smaller, mostly because they skip active noise cancellation (ANC) tech. Compared to other sleep-focused earbuds like the Philips Kokoon or Quieton 3.1, they’re in the same ballpark for tininess, though the AirPods bulk up with extra hardware. Smaller size means less pressure on your ears, which is a big deal if you’re a side sleeper.

Battery Life: How Long Do They Last?

Battery life is a standout spec for the Soundcore A20. These earbuds are built to keep going through the night, and they deliver on that front with some solid numbers.

The Numbers Straight Up

• Sleep Mode: Up to 14 hours on a single charge at 50% volume. With the case, that stretches to 80 hours total.

• Bluetooth Mode: 10 hours on one charge, with the case adding another 55 hours.

• Quick Charge: Plug them in for 10 minutes, and you get about 2 hours of playback.

In real-world use, streaming music from Spotify at half volume during the day clocks in just over 9 hours. The case’s battery lasts so long, about a week with regular nighttime use, that running out mid-sleep isn’t really a worry. You can check each earbud’s battery level in the Soundcore app, which is handy for keeping tabs.

Charging Setup

The case uses a USB-C port on the back, and it comes with a short USB-C to USB-A cable. Short as in, “you’ll probably need an extension if your outlet’s far” short. There’s no wireless charging option, but the cable does the job fine for a quick top-up.

Sound and Features: What You Hear and How It Works

The A20s aren’t just about staying in your ears, they’ve got some audio tricks up their sleeve, plus a few extras that make them more than basic earbuds.

Audio Quality Breakdown

The sound coming out of these buds is solid for what they’re made for. They’ve got decent bass, clear mids, and highs that don’t screech, all thanks to Soundcore’s tech like BassUp and a custom EQ in the app. If you’re switching from high-end daytime headphones like Sony’s WF-1000XM4, you’ll notice less punch and warmth. But compared to other sleep earbuds, like SleepPhones or Philips Kokoon, the A20s hold their own with richer sound and more volume. They’re not audiophile-grade, but for bedtime listening, they get the job done.

Two Modes to Play With

The earbuds run in two modes, controlled through the Soundcore app:

1. Bluetooth Mode: Streams anything from your phone, Spotify, YouTube, audiobooks, you name it. Uses Bluetooth 5.3 for a stable connection.

2. Sleep Mode: Plays up to four pre-loaded sounds (think white noise or rain) stored on the earbuds. You can turn your phone off, and they’ll keep going.

Switching between modes is simple, and in sleep mode, the audio kicks in as soon as you pull them from the case. The catch? You’re limited to four sound files in sleep mode, and they can’t be your own audio, only what’s in the app’s library.

Noise Blocking Without ANC

No active noise cancellation here, but the A20s lean on a “4-Point Noise Masking System.” That’s a combo of dual-layer ear tips, sound masking, and volume control to cut down outside noise. Testing shows they don’t block much without audio, think 2/10 for loud snoring. Add in app sounds like brown noise or rain at 70% volume, and they can hit 10/10 for lighter noises like moderate snoring or music next door. For heavy stuff (say, 65-decibel snoring), even max volume struggles to fully mask it without being louder than some folks might prefer. Foam earplugs might edge them out for pure silence, but with audio, the A20s hold up well.

App Sound Options

The Soundcore app offers a bunch of sounds:

• Presets: White, pink, brown noise, plus stuff like “Snore Mask 1” or “Train.”

• Custom Mixes: Combine up to three sounds (e.g., rain + river + crickets) and tweak their volumes.

• Tune Feature: Adjusts the tone, soft makes it bassier, which helps with low-frequency noise.

You can save your mixes and send them to the earbuds for sleep mode. The loops are short, but layering sounds hides that pretty well.

Extra Features in the Mix

• Tap Controls: Double or triple tap to adjust volume or skip tracks. Customizable in the app, though triple taps can be hit-or-miss.

• Alarm: A personal in-ear alarm that won’t wake up anyone else. Works even in sleep mode without a phone connection.

• Find Device: Makes each earbud beep if you lose one in the sheets.

• Smart Switch: Switches to sleep sounds when it thinks you’re out (based on movement), but the sleep tracking’s shaky, so it’s not always spot-on.

Comfort and Fit: Can You Sleep With Them?

Comfort’s a big deal with earbuds meant for sleeping, and the A20s put a lot of effort into getting it right.

How They Feel

The earbuds use soft silicone for everything that touches your ear, tips, wings, the works. Soundcore calls it an “Air Wing” design with a 3D ergonomic shape to spread pressure evenly. Testing shows they’re fine for back sleeping (9/10 comfort) and pretty good for side or front with a soft pillow (9/10). On a firmer memory foam pillow, they drop to 8/10, still decent, but you might feel them a bit more. Compared to bulkier options like AirPods Pro 2 (5/10 on a feather pillow), they’re way easier to live with.

Staying Put

The wings and tips keep them secure. They don’t fall out during the night, even with tossing and turning. Swapping sizes is a bit fiddly, takes some tugging, but worth it to find the right combo. If they feel loose, Soundcore suggests trying bigger tips or softer pillows to avoid connection issues.

Side Sleeper Notes

Side sleepers might notice slight pressure with harder pillows, and some folks hear a rustle when the buds rub against fabric. Switching to a softer pillow or adjusting your head angle usually sorts it out.

The App: What’s It Like to Use?

The Soundcore app ties everything together, but it’s not the simplest tool in the shed.

Main Functions

It handles sound selection, mode switching, battery checks, and feature tweaks. You can build custom sound mixes, set tap controls, or turn on the alarm. It’s got a lot going on, which is great once you figure it out, but the layout’s a little cluttered, think multiple menus to find the equalizer.

Sleep Tracking Reality

The app tracks sleep using a MEMS sensor for movement and position. It logs how long you’re in “deep sleep” and how often you roll over. Problem is, it’s not super accurate, mistakes lying still for being asleep and misses stuff like REM stages. Compared to a device with heart rate tracking (like Eight Sleep), it’s off by 30-40 minutes on sleep start times. Most folks skip it and just use the audio features instead.

Durability and Little Details

The A20s are built to last through nightly use, with a few quirks worth knowing.

Build Quality

The case and earbuds feel sturdy, with a smooth finish. They’ve survived an accidental dip in water (dried out and still kicking), though there’s no official waterproof rating. The short charging cable’s a minor annoyance, barely long enough to reach a nightstand outlet.

What’s in the Box

You get:

1. The earbuds

2. Charging case

3. USB-C cable

4. Three wing sizes

5. Seven tip pairs (sealed and breathable)

6. User guide

It’s all straightforward, with enough options to play with for a good fit.

How They Stack Up

Here’s where the A20s sit compared to other gear:

• Vs. AirPods Pro 2: No ANC, smaller size, better for side sleeping, longer battery.

• Vs. Philips Kokoon: Similar comfort, better sound, more app features.

• Vs. Foam Earplugs: Less noise blocking without audio, but you get sound options.

• Vs. SleepPhones: Equal comfort, richer audio, less bulky than a headband.

They carve out a spot for folks who want audio at night without the fuss of bigger headphones or the silence of earplugs.

Alternative to Consider

Ozlo Sleepbuds®

An amazingly restful and peaceful sleep every night, free from distractions and noise, is the greatest gift you can give!

What are Ozlo Sleepbuds?

Ozlo is a science-driven, one-stop-shop for the best sleep of your life. Unlike other headphones and earbuds, our tiny Sleepbuds® are engineered to be super comfy, even for side sleepers, while blocking out sleep-disrupting sounds.
Sleepbuds® play audio for up to ten hours, letting you enjoy our noise-masking tracks or stream anything you like, including audiobooks, podcasts, white noise, and YouTube.

The Ozlo Difference

At Ozlo, we're dedicated to helping you achieve the best sleep possible through innovative audio solutions. Our company, founded by three former Bose engineers, focuses on creating products that not only help you fall asleep, but stay asleep throughout the night.

Ozlo Sleepbuds® simply don’t feel like other earbuds. Sleepbuds stay in place even when you toss and turn. The tiny earbuds, with their comfortable silicone tips and anchor-in-place wings, are designed for all-night comfort, no matter your sleeping position. Sleep on your back, side, or whatever works for you, and Ozlo Sleepbuds® will remain in place throughout the night.

Key Highlights

• Founded by three former Bose engineers with extensive experience in audio tech
• Sleepbuds® actively mask unwanted sounds like snoring, traffic, and environmental noises with calming, science-backed audio.
• Ultra-soft silicone tips designed to support every sleeping position, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.
• Up to 10 hours of continuous use with extra charges from the Smart Case.
• Built-in biometric and environmental sensors offering personalized sleep reports
• Personal alarm gently wakes you without disturbing your partner

Learn More

Conclusion

So, there you have it, the Soundcore A20 earbuds in all their tiny, feature-packed glory. They’re built for folks who want audio at night without dealing with clunky headphones, and they mostly deliver on that promise. With a battery that lasts ages (14 hours in sleep mode, 80 with the case), sound that’s pretty darn good for bedtime, and a fit that’s comfy even for side sleepers, they’ve got a lot going for them. The app’s a bit of a puzzle at first, and the sleep tracking isn’t something to bank on, but those are small hiccups in an otherwise solid setup. For $149.99 or £119.99, they’re a practical pick for anyone who likes streaming podcasts or masking noise for nighttime vibes, nothing fancy, just a reliable little buddy.

They stack up nicely against other options too, like the AirPods Pro 2 or Philips Kokoon, especially if you value size and battery life over active noise cancellation. Whether they’re the right fit depends on what you’re after, silence chasers might still lean toward foam earplugs, but for audio lovers, the A20s bring a lot to the table without overcomplicating things. It’s all about keeping it simple and functional, and that’s where these buds shine.

FAQs