
Soundcore P42i vs TOZO NC2: 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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Soundcore P42i | TOZO NC2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $71 | $40 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 66 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2026 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 9.2 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Wireless | ||
| Wireless | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 6.1 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 6.1 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | AAC, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| Wireless range | 10 m | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 10 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8.5 h | 6 h |
| Battery incl. case | 56 h | 42 h |
| Full charge time | 60 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 3.5 h | - |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | No |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | yes | yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.4 g | 4.8 g |
| Case weight | 51 g | 43 g |
| Water resistance | IP55 | IPX6 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 3 |
| Call noise reduction | AI noise reduction | ENC |
What reviewers said
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
TOZO NC2
The TOZO NC2 are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds that pack in hybrid active noise cancellation, wireless charging, and an IPX6 rating for around $40. They deliver an engaging sound signature and solid indoor call quality, though they require some compromises in refinement and feature flexibility. Overall, they're a competent choice for cost-conscious shoppers seeking everyday ANC performance.
- Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
- Pro:Engaging, lively sound profile
- Pro:Good indoor call quality with 3 mics
- Con:ANC cannot be turned off once activated
- Con:Battery life is modest at 5 hours per charge
- Con:No multipoint connection
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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