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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For an immersive music listening experience with a premium build quality, the Beats Solo 3 would be a good choice, but keep in mind they may not be as comfortable for extended periods, and the microphone quality is average. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q30 offers significantly better comfort, superior mic quality for calls, and excellent active noise cancelling, which makes them ideal for air travel and noisy environments. The Soundcore also edges out in battery life and has an app that allows equalizer customization, but it is slightly heavier and larger in size. If price is a concern and you value comfort and noise cancellation over the prestige and sound signature associated with Beats, the Soundcore Life Q30 may 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 Beats Solo 3
- The Beats Solo 3 has no clear advantages over the Soundcore Life Q30.
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
6.3
7.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 is good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
4.8
The Beats Solo 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Cost
$117
$80
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.3
The Beats Solo 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.6
5.4
The Beats Solo 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
41.5 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
The Beats Solo 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
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 Beats Solo 3 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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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