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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is typically more expensive than the Soundcore Life P3, it offers a higher overall sound quality and better noise isolation, making it more suitable for environments where audio fidelity and quiet are desired. However, if budget is a significant consideration, the Soundcore Life P3 provides good sound quality and features such as active noise cancelling at a lower price point. The Life P3 also has a longer battery life than the Pi5 S2 and a more compact earbud size, which may be important for extended use or portability. Neither have low latency, so if you're looking to use earbuds for gaming or watching TV, these may not be the best fit. Both support AAC codec, and are sweatproof and dustproof, making them good for exercise. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the Soundcore Life P3.
Advantages of the Soundcore Life P3
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
6.7
5.7
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair for music, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The Soundcore Life P3 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life P3 has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$80
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the Soundcore Life P3 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.1
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Life P3 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.1
The Soundcore Life P3 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
5.9
The Soundcore Life P3 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
5.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Life P3 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.9
8.8
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Life P3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Soundcore Life P3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Soundcore Life P3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | 35 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
Soundcore Life P3
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Dig into reviews and images
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."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Soundcore Life P3
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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