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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Etymotic ER4XR and the Soundcore Life P3 depends on what you prioritize. If exceptional sound isolation and wired audio quality are key for you, and you're willing to spend more, the Etymotic ER4XR is your pick. However, if you're looking for a good balance between price and performance with additional features like wireless connectivity, active noise canceling, app equalization, and touch controls, the Soundcore Life P3 is a compelling option at a lower price point. The P3 also offers better battery life with wireless charging, which can be crucial for on-the-go use. 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 ER4XR
- 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
8.0
5.7
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Gaming
6.2
5.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
5.9
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
5.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Battery
N/A
7.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life P3 has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Soundcore Life P3 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
5.1
The Soundcore Life P3 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR 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 ER4XR to have excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life P3 has very good build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Soundcore Life P3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Soundcore Life P3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 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 ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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 ER4XR 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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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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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Recommendations made
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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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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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