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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and exercise use, the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) would serve you best; they are also optimized for Apple devices, support wireless charging, and are sweatproof. However, if you're seeking better sound quality, noise isolation, and a longer-lasting battery, the Soundcore Space Q45 headphones are superior. They also have active noise cancelling and an app equalizer for sound customization. Both products perform similarly for general music listening, calls, and meetings, but for gaming and TV, you might notice latency issues with both, where the wireless nature could introduce slight delays. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Space Q45
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Phone Calls
7.6
4.9
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
5.9
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Soundcore Space Q45 is very good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
41.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Space Q45 has 41 hours of battery life.
Cost
$179
$130
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Soundcore Space Q45 costs $130.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Space Q45 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.1
7.1
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Soundcore Space Q45 are both good for music.
Gaming
5.4
5.4
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Soundcore Space Q45 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.5
5.6
The Soundcore Space Q45 and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Soundcore Space Q45 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Soundcore Space Q45 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $130 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 41 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Soundcore Space Q45
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Riley Ballantyne | June 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a great pair of active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, and the $150 USD price tag only sweetens the deal. Unlike many mid-tier wireless headphones, the Q45 microphone system rejects quite a bit of background noise, making this a great work headset too."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Soundcore Space Q45
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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