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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple AirPods Max offers high-quality sound, noise cancellation, and a premium build quality, but at a significant cost. If budget is a key consideration, the Soundcore Life P3 provides good value with decent sound quality, active noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit at a far lower price point. Consider the AirPods Max if you're heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and require seamless integration with Apple devices. If you need something for casual listening and don't mind sacrificing some sound quality and build for affordability, the Soundcore Life P3 is a solid choice. 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 Max
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life P3
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
7.3
5.7
The Apple Airpods Max is good for music, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.1
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
5.9
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
9.1
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Life P3 is excellent.
Battery
21.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life P3 has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$50
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Soundcore Life P3 costs $50.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.1
The Apple Airpods Max and Soundcore Life P3 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.5
The Apple Airpods Max and Soundcore Life P3 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Max to have excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life P3 has very good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Soundcore Life P3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Soundcore Life P3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 35 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Soundcore Life P3
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Tom's Guide
Alex Bracetti | July 2021
"Anker continues its trend of stealth releases, recently dropping the Soundcore Life P3 out of nowhere. This product essentially replaces the disappointing Life A2 NC as the brand’s flagship ANC model under $100. It comes with bassy audio and enough features to give even the best noise-cancelling earbuds pause."
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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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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,800
Recommendations made
18,570
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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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