Headphones / Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT vs Soundcore Space One
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT vs Soundcore Space One
Soundcore Space One
LDAC and a 40-hour ANC battery for under $100 — the budget value pick.
Wins overall by 1.6 points
Quick Verdict
The Soundcore Space One takes this by a clear 1.6 points. LDAC and a 40-hour ANC battery for under $100 — the budget value pick. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT only makes sense if it wins on a category you care about more than the total.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT and Soundcore Space One are both closely matched headphones models, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is $11 cheaper than the Soundcore Space One ($89 vs $99.99). On Noise Cancelling, the Soundcore Space One leads (7.5 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On Features, the Soundcore Space One leads (8.0 vs 4.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. On Travel, the Soundcore Space One leads (8.5 vs 5.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. Overall, the Soundcore Space One scores 7.8/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 6.2/10 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT. 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 | Soundcore Space One |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.00 | $99.99 |
| Release Year | 2022 | 2023 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | Not applicable — this model has no active noise cancelling | 40 |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 60✓ | 55 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 10 | 3.75✓ |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Weight (g) | 216✓ | 260 |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 40 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | None | Adaptive hybrid ANC with adjustable strength and an automatic mode |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | Not published by Audio-Technica | 3 |
| Foldable | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black, White, Blue |
Category Scores
Battery
The Soundcore Space One is marginally ahead, 9.2 to 9.0. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if playtime, standby, and charging speed is your priority.
Noise Cancelling
The Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 7.5 against 2.0 — a 5.5-point margin on how well ambient noise is blocked. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort
The Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 7.8 against 7.0 — a 0.8-point margin on clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Sound Quality
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is marginally ahead, 7.8 to 7.5. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if driver performance, tuning, and detail is your priority.
Call & Mic Quality
The Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.5 — a 1.5-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 Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 8.5 against 5.0 — a 3.5-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 Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-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 Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.2 — a 1.3-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.5 — a 0.5-point margin on build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity. If that is what you are buying for, the Soundcore Space One does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Soundcore Space One leads clearly here, 8.0 against 4.0 — a 4.0-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…
- • You want to spend less — it's $11 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is professionals.
Choose the Soundcore Space One if…
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Soundcore Space One scores 7.5/10 here (how well ambient noise is blocked).
- • Features matters most to you — the Soundcore Space One scores 8.0/10 here (app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras).
- • Travel matters most to you — the Soundcore Space One scores 8.5/10 here (foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips).
- • Call & Mic Quality matters most to you — the Soundcore Space One scores 7.0/10 here (voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls).
- • Value matters most to you — the Soundcore Space One scores 9.5/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
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
Soundcore Space One
Pros
- +LDAC hi-res codec support at a sub-$100 price
- +40 hours with ANC on beats every flagship here
- +Full 8-band EQ and hearing personalisation
- +Folds properly and comes with a case
Cons
- −Plastic build feels its price
- −ANC is good for the money but well short of Bose or Sony
- −No USB-C audio playback, charging only
- −No IP rating
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT or Soundcore Space One better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Soundcore Space One 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 Noise Cancelling, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT or the Soundcore Space One?+
The Soundcore Space One scores higher on Noise Cancelling (7.5/10 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked.
Which is better for Features, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT or the Soundcore Space One?+
The Soundcore Space One scores higher on Features (8.0/10 vs 4.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras.
Which is better for Travel, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT or the Soundcore Space One?+
The Soundcore Space One scores higher on Travel (8.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips.
Which is better for Call & Mic Quality, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT or the Soundcore Space One?+
The Soundcore Space One scores higher on Call & Mic Quality (7.0/10 vs 5.5/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls.
Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT worth the price difference over the Soundcore Space One?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is the cheaper option at $89 versus $99.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Noise Cancelling.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is the better fit if you mainly care about professionals. The Soundcore Space One is the better fit for commute or travel.
What's the warranty on the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT vs the Soundcore Space One?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT ships with a 12-month warranty; the Soundcore Space One 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
Marshall Major V — $149.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.