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Baseus Bowie MC2 vs Soundcore C40i: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Baseus Bowie MC2 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Baseus Bowie MC2 - Outstanding overall at around $60.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Baseus Bowie MC2 leads on 5 of 6 measures.

  • Baseus Bowie MC2
  • Soundcore C40i
HearWiki score
81
73
Sound
7.7
7.5
Battery
9.3
6.6
Calls
7.0
7.4
Value
9.2
6.3
Price (USD)
$60
$88

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Baseus Bowie MC2 (2026) against Soundcore C40i (2024). The Baseus Bowie MC2 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.0 against 5.4 and Top codec LDAC against AAC.

  • Bowie MC220262 yr newer
  • C40i2024
What differsBowie MC2C40i

Platform

Bluetooth
6.0
5.4
Top codec
LDAC
AAC

Everyday features

Custom EQ
No
Yes
Water resistance
IP67
IPX4

Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Companion app.

Specifications

Bowie MC2C40i
Type
Open-Ear
Open-Ear
Price (USD)
$60
$88
HearWiki score
81
73
Released
2026
2024
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
11 mm dynamic
12 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
11 mm
12 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 40 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
22 Ω
Bluetooth
6.0
5.4
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Latency
38 ms
-
Battery life
13 h
7 h
Battery incl. case
60 h
21 h
Quick charge
10 min → 3 h
10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
No
No
ANC type
none
-
Transparency mode
No
-
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
No
Yes
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
touch
buttons
Weight
5.1 g
5.8 g
Case weight
52 g
-
Water resistance
IP67
IPX4
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Model code
A0102F00
-
Microphones
4
2
Call noise reduction
-
Yes

What reviewers said

Baseus Bowie MC2

The Baseus Bowie MC2 are open-ear clip-on earbuds that prioritize all-day comfort and a secure fit while delivering a rich, bass-forward sound signature. With LDAC support, multipoint connectivity, and a long 60-hour total battery life, they offer strong value for under $100. The IP67 rating and Bluetooth 6.0 make them a durable and versatile choice for daily use.

  • Pro:Excellent comfort and secure clip-on fit
  • Pro:Rich, bass-forward sound with LDAC support
  • Pro:Long battery life with charging case
  • Con:Sound lacks refinement and detail
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:No wireless charging support

Soundcore C40i

The Soundcore C40i offers a practical open-ear listening experience with solid audio quality and modern connectivity, including Bluetooth 5.4 and multipoint pairing. Its comfortable fit, IPX4 sweat resistance, and app-based customization make it a strong choice for workouts, though its battery life is modest and it lacks noise cancellation.

  • Pro:Comfortable open-ear fit suitable for exercise
  • Pro:Solid audio with good bass and clarity for the type
  • Pro:Reliable multipoint connection and Bluetooth 5.4
  • Con:Battery life is average at 7 hours per charge
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Only supports SBC and AAC codecs

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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