True Wireless
Realme Buds Air 2
68Good
$40
Full review dataRealme Buds Air 2 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.
Realme Buds Air 2
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling6.0
Battery6.0
Calls7.0
Value8.0
Soundcore P42i
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery8.5
Calls7.5
Value9.0
Specifications
| Spec | Realme Buds Air 2 | Soundcore P42i |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $40 | $71 |
| HearWiki score | 68 / 100 · Good | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2021 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 10 mm | 11 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Wireless | ||
| Wireless | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 6.1 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 6.1 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Latency | 88 ms | - |
| Wireless range | 10 m | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 5 h | - |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 4 h | 8.5 h |
| Battery incl. case | 25 h | 56 h |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 60 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 2 h | 10 min = 3.5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | feedforward | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | No |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | supported | yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.1 g | 4.4 g |
| Case weight | 34.5 g | 51 g |
| Water resistance | IPX5 | IP55 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 6 |
| Call noise reduction | Dual Mic ENC | AI noise reduction |
What reviewers said
Realme Buds Air 2
The Realme Buds Air 2 deliver solid hybrid active noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a useful transparency mode at a very accessible price. Their sound is well-rounded for everyday listening, and the low-latency mode helps with gaming and video. While they lack some premium extras like wireless charging or multipoint pairing, they offer strong value for budget-conscious buyers.
- Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
- Pro:Good call quality with dual mics
- Pro:Convenient transparency mode
- Con:No wireless charging support
- Con:No multipoint connection
- Con:Battery life is modest with ANC on
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.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.