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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple AirPods Max offer superior sound quality and active noise cancellation, which could make them a better choice if you value a premium listening experience for music and calls. However, due to their higher price, they might not be the best choice if you're looking for value for money. The Soundcore Life Q30, on the other hand, offer very good sound and noise cancellation at a fraction of the cost, but may not match the overall performance and build quality of the AirPods Max. If you're on a budget and still want a satisfying audio experience with decent noise cancellation, the Q30 could be the better option. 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
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- The Soundcore Life Q30 has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods Max.
Key differences
Phone Calls
6.6
5.1
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
4.8
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
8.7
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is very good.
Battery
21.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.1
The Apple Airpods Max and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music.
Gaming
5.5
5.3
The Apple Airpods Max and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.4
The Apple Airpods Max and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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 Q30
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Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Soundcore Life Q30
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
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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.
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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