Anker Soundcore by Anker P25i True-Wireless Earbuds Review

With build quality in the 94th percentile, the $25 Anker P25i is arguably the toughest bud for the money. You trade that for average sound (36th percentile) and no noise cancellation. Perfect if you need a durable, reliable pair for active use and are on a tight budget.

At $25, the Anker Soundcore P25i is a budget earbud that punches above its price tag in a few key areas. It scores in the 94th percentile for build quality, which is a huge deal for a product this cheap. That means it feels more solid than almost anything else in its class. You also get Bluetooth 5.3, which lands in the 72nd percentile for connectivity, so pairing is reliable and stable.

But you're making some serious trade-offs to hit that $25 price. Sound quality sits in the 36th percentile, and there's no active noise cancellation to speak of. The battery life is just okay at 10 hours per charge, putting it in the 44th percentile. So, it's a story of exceptional toughness and decent connectivity, wrapped around a fairly average audio experience.

Let's talk numbers. The build quality is the star here, ranking in the 94th percentile. In our database, that means it's built like a tank compared to other budget buds. The IPX5 rating means sweat and rain won't faze it. Connectivity is solid too, with Bluetooth 5.3 putting it in the 72nd percentile for stable, low-latency connections.

Now, the audio. The 10mm drivers deliver sound, but it's firmly in the 36th percentile. You get 22 preset EQs via the app to tweak it, but you're not getting the detail or balance of more expensive models. The mic quality is right in the middle of the pack at the 53rd percentile, so calls are clear enough. Battery life is a 10-hour playtime per charge, which is below average (44th percentile), but the case gives you a total of 30 hours.

For $25, you're getting a lot of hardware toughness and modern connectivity. The build quality percentile is what you'd expect from buds twice the price. Where you save money is on the audio components and features like ANC. If your top priority is a bud that won't break and connects reliably without spending much, the P25i is a compelling deal. If sound quality is king, you'll need to spend more.

Stacked against the giants, the difference is stark. The Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra will obliterate the P25i in sound (think 90th+ percentile) and ANC, but they cost over $200. The P25i wins on pure durability and price. Against other budget options, its 94th percentile build and Bluetooth 5.3 are standout features. The trade-off is that you'll get better sound from something like an older model Soundcore Liberty or EarFun Air around the $50 mark, but you might sacrifice some of that tank-like construction.

Skip these if you're an audio snob or a frequent commuter. The 36th percentile sound score means you're getting basic audio, not a rich, detailed experience. And with a commute score of just 32.9/100 and no ANC, these will do nothing to silence a noisy bus or train. Look at models with higher sound percentiles and actual ANC, even if it means spending more.

The Anker Soundcore P25i is a no-brainer if you need a ultra-durable, reliable pair of beaters for the gym or yard work and don't want to spend more than $30. The 94th percentile build is its superpower. But if you care about rich sound or blocking out your commute, its 36th percentile audio and lack of ANC are real limitations. For the price, it excels at being tough, not at being an audiophile's dream.