Headphones / Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
The reference M50x tuning, wireless — accurate sound, but no ANC.
Wins overall by 0.3 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.3 points separate them. The reference M50x tuning, wireless — accurate sound, but no ANC. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT and Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are both closely matched headphones models, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is $90 cheaper than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 ($89 vs $179). On Features, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads (6.0 vs 4.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. On Value, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT leads (8.2 vs 7.0/10) — features and performance relative to price. On Travel, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads (6.0 vs 5.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. Overall, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores 6.5/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 6.2/10 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.00 | $179.00 |
| Release Year | 2022 | 2021 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | Not applicable — this model has no active noise cancelling | Not applicable — this model has no active noise cancelling |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 60✓ | 50 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 10 | 10 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Weight (g) | 216✓ | 307 |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 45 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | Not published by Audio-Technica | Audio-Technica states dual beamforming mics; independent testing counted one |
| Foldable | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Battery
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on playtime, standby, and charging speed. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT and Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are level here, at 2.0/10 each. how well ambient noise is blocked is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Comfort
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is marginally ahead, 7.0 to 6.8. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions is your priority.
Sound Quality
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.8 — a 0.7-point margin on driver performance, tuning, and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call & Mic Quality
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 6.0 against 5.5 — a 0.5-point margin on voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Travel
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 6.0 against 5.0 — a 1.0-point margin on foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.0 — a 1.0-point margin on latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT leads clearly here, 8.2 against 7.0 — a 1.2-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 6.0 against 4.0 — a 2.0-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT if…
- • Value matters most to you — the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT scores 8.2/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • You want to spend less — it's $90 cheaper.
Choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 if…
- • Features matters most to you — the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores 6.0/10 here (app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras).
- • Travel matters most to you — the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores 6.0/10 here (foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips).
- • Gaming matters most to you — the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores 7.0/10 here (latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores 8.5/10 here (driver performance, tuning, and detail).
Pros & Cons
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Pros
- +Genuine studio-monitor tuning at $89
- +60 hours of battery
- +Multipoint at a budget price
- +Light at 216g
Cons
- −No active noise cancelling
- −No companion app and no EQ — Audio-Technica's app does not support this model
- −Bluetooth 5.0 is dated
- −Earcups rotate but do not fold for packing
- −No carry case
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Pros
- +The M50x sound signature, one of the most trusted references in audio
- +LDAC hi-res support
- +Largest drivers here at 45mm
- +Low-latency mode genuinely helps for video
Cons
- −No active noise cancelling at $179
- −Bluetooth 5.0 on a headphone still sold in 2026
- −Heaviest non-Apple option at 307g
- −The platform is now five years old
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT or Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Features, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores higher on Features (6.0/10 vs 4.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras.
Which is better for Value, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT scores higher on Value (8.2/10 vs 7.0/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Which is better for Travel, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores higher on Travel (6.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips.
Which is better for Gaming, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores higher on Gaming (7.0/10 vs 6.0/10) — latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage.
Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT worth the price difference over the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is the cheaper option at $89 versus $179. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Features.
What's the warranty on the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT vs the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT ships with a 12-month warranty; the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Premium Option
Beats Studio Pro — $349.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.