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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality sound for music and podcasts and often use earbuds in noisy environments, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 with better sound quality and active noise cancelling would be a better choice despite its higher price. However, if you're looking for versatility with the option to use both wireless and wired connections, and longer battery life for extended use, the more affordable Soundcore Life Q30 is suitable. Keep in mind that the PI7 is more geared towards exercise with sweatproof features, while the Q30 offers a foldable design for easy storage with robust build quality for regular usage. 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 PI7
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
Key differences
Gaming
8.1
5.3
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
5.4
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
8.9
8.0
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality, though the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.8
7.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Soundcore Life Q30 to be good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
4.8
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 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 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 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) | 7 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7 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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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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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