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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your priority, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 earbuds offer superior audio but at a higher price. For frequent calls, though, the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones have a better mic. For longer use, the Life Q30 headphones offer significantly more battery life and are better suited for listening to books or podcasts. If active noise cancelling (ANC) is crucial, both provide this feature, but the Life Q30 headphones may offer better noise isolation due to their over-ear design. Consider the Pi5 S2 for their portability and suitability for air travel. 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 Q30.
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
Key differences
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
4.8
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
Battery
5.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$181
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
8.9
8.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
7.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Soundcore Life Q30 to be good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
5.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.6
5.4
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$181 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 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 | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 263 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 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Soundcore Life Q30
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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