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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize active noise cancelling and comfort for long periods of use, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are superior, particularly for air travel and exercise due to their stable fit and impressive noise isolation. However, they are more expensive and have a shorter battery life compared to the Soundcore Life Q30, which offer better value and a significantly longer battery life, along with a detachable cable which adds to their versatility. The Soundcore Life Q30, being over-ear headphones, also generally provide a more immersive sound experience and are less likely to fall out compared to earbuds. 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- The Soundcore Life Q30 has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Key differences
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.8
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
6.2
5.4
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Battery
7.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has 7 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$199
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has a price of $199 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
9.2
8.0
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.4
7.1
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music.
Gaming
5.5
5.3
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is very good.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | September 2023
"Bose’s flagship wireless earbuds were never going to be cheap, but the question was whether they’d be competitive in an area of the market where rivals have never been more capable. The fact that the company has not only managed to implement a successful redesign, but also push the envelope for noise-cancelling and sound quality in such a highly competitive category simultaneously is truly impressive."
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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or the Soundcore Life Q30
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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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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