True Wireless
QCY T18
68Good
$40
Full review dataQCY T18 vs Soundcore P42i: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Soundcore P42i comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Soundcore P42i - Great overall at around $71.
True Wireless
Soundcore P42i
78Great
$71
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
QCY T18
Sound6.5
Battery6.0
Calls6.0
Value7.5
Soundcore P42i
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery8.5
Calls7.5
Value9.0
Specifications
| Spec | QCY T18 | Soundcore P42i |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $40 | $71 |
| HearWiki score | 68 / 100 · Good | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2022 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 10 mm | 11 mm |
| Drivers per side | 4 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 6.1 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 6.1 |
| Codecs | SBC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Voice, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | 10 m | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 7 h | - |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8.5 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 56 h |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 60 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 3.5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | none | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | No |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Siri, Bixby | yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.65 g | 4.4 g |
| Case weight | 43 g | 51 g |
| Water resistance | IPX5 | IP55 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 4 | 6 |
| Call noise reduction | cVc ENC | AI noise reduction |
What reviewers said
QCY T18
The QCY T18 MeloBuds stand out as a budget-friendly true wireless option that brings seamless multipoint connectivity to the table, allowing easy switching between devices. While the sound quality and call performance are decent for the price, they don't quite reach the polish of more premium earbuds, making them a solid but not exceptional choice for cost-conscious buyers.
- Pro:Excellent multipoint connectivity for the price
- Pro:Compact and lightweight design
- Pro:Good battery life with the charging case
- Con:Call quality could be clearer
- Con:Sound tuning feels less refined
- Con:No wireless charging or transparency mode
Soundcore P42i
The Soundcore P42i is a budget-friendly true wireless pair that punches well above its weight, offering adaptive noise cancellation, LDAC support, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging in a comfortable, IP55-rated shell. With long battery life and a robust app suite, it delivers premium features without the premium price tag, making it an exceptional value pick for everyday listeners.
- Pro:Excellent value with premium features at a budget price
- Pro:Comfortable fit and strong adaptive ANC for the class
- Pro:Long battery life with convenient wireless charging case
- Con:Bass may not satisfy heavy bassheads
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky at times
- Con:Call quality is decent but not top-tier
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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