Nothing Ear (a) vs soundcore P20i: which should you buy?

Answer worked out Oct. 31, 2026

Nothing Ear (a) price: Checked Oct. 31, 2026

soundcore P20i price: Checked Oct. 30, 2026

Most people: get the soundcore P20i, because it works better with an iPhone.

On an iPhone: the soundcore P20i works better with your phone.

Neither one is clearly better for any one use.

I'm looking for
My phone

Nothing Ear (a) vs soundcore P20i

Nothing Ear (a)
NOTHING

Nothing Ear (a)

$59 at Amazon
soundcore P20i
SOUNDCORE

soundcore P20i

$22.99 at Best Buy
  1. Nothing Ear (a): 42.5 hrsBattery life−12.5 hrssoundcore P20i: 30 hrs
  2. Nothing Ear (a): Up to 42.5 hours with the case and 9.5 hours per charge, noise cancelling offBatterysoundcore P20i: Up to 30 hrs with the case; a 10-minute charge gives 2 hrs
  3. Nothing Ear (a): Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC; dual connection to 2 devices at onceConnectivitysoundcore P20i: Bluetooth 5.3
  4. Nothing Ear (a): Pinch controls for music, calls and noise cancelling, customizable in the Nothing X appControlssoundcore P20i: Tap controls, customizable in the soundcore app
  5. Nothing Ear (a): $59Price today$36.01 apartsoundcore P20i: $22.99
Nothing Ear (a)
Buy at Nothing$59
We may earn a commission.
soundcore P20i
Buy at Best Buy$22.99
We may earn a commission.
All the details

Key differences

  • Battery life: 42.5 hrs vs 30 hrs (both with case, ANC off)Nothing Ear (a): 42.5 hrs ConfirmedSourcesoundcore P20i: 30 hrs ConfirmedSource

From each maker's own specifications. A point is listed only when both makers state a figure and the two differ; a point either maker does not state is left out, never guessed. Two figures measured under different conditions are shown side by side, not compared.

Side by side

FeatureNothing Ear (a)soundcore P20i
BatteryUp to 42.5 hours with the case and 9.5 hours per charge, noise cancelling offUp to 30 hrs with the case
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDACBluetooth 5.3
ControlsPinch controls for music, calls and noise cancelling, customizable in the Nothing X appTap controls, customizable in the soundcore app
Works withiPhone and Android: the Nothing X app issoundcore app: 22 EQ presets, custom controls, gaming mode, Find My Earbuds
Case batteryUp to 42.5 hours with noise cancelling off, 24.5 hours with it on, earbuds and case togetherUp to 30 hrs with case
CaseCharging case with USB-C wired chargingCompact, lightweight charging case with a lanyard attached

Nothing Ear (a)

Buy at Nothing$59
Checked Oct. 30, 2026

We may earn a commission.

Works with your phone

iPhone
Works with limitsWorks
Android
WorksWorks

Sources

Nothingsoundcore
Nothing Ear (a) vs soundcore P30i