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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE offers superior overall sound quality with excellent noise isolation, making them suited for individuals who prioritize audio fidelity and ambient noise reduction. However, they are not wireless, may be less comfortable due to the ear-plug like fit, and do not have a microphone for calls. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life P3 has good sound quality with active noise cancelling and a comfortable design. They are wireless with a longer battery life and have a built-in microphone for calls, but may not match the audio precision of the ER2SE. If portability, convenience for calls, and exercising are key concerns, the Soundcore Life P3 would 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 Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life P3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
5.7
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Gaming
6.2
5.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
5.9
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Battery
N/A
7.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life P3 has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Soundcore Life P3 costs $50.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.1
The Soundcore Life P3 and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE and Soundcore Life P3 are both excellent for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER2SE to have excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life P3 has very good build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Soundcore Life P3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Soundcore Life P3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 35 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
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 Etymotic ER2SE or the Soundcore Life P3
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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
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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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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