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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats EP are wired on-ear headphones with a midrange price, often more expensive than the Soundcore Life Q30, and are known for better overall sound quality suitable for music listening but have no microphone, hence not ideal for calls. They lack active noise cancelling and are not as comfortable for long periods as the over-ear Soundcore Life Q30, which offer wireless connectivity, a notable feature for convenience. The Q30 also provides active noise cancelling which is beneficial for travel and noise isolation, an app with equalizer settings for sound customization, and a significantly longer battery life for extended listening sessions, making them a versatile choice for different activities at a lower midrange price. 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 Beats EP
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
7.1
The Beats EP is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Gaming
6.3
5.3
The Beats EP is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.2
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Beats EP are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q30 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
4.8
The Beats EP is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.4
The Beats EP is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats EP is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Beats EP does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$80
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
The Beats EP and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats EP and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats EP
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
Soundcore Life Q30
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Beats EP or the Soundcore Life Q30
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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