A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value a high-end audio experience and prefer over-ear headphones, the Focal Elex provides exceptional sound quality with an impressive soundstage, suitable for critical listening and enjoying music, but they're not ideal for exercise or travel due to their open-back design and lack of portability. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life P3, while offering reasonably good sound quality, comes with additional features like active noise cancelling, sweat resistance, and portability that make it versatile for a variety of uses including travel, exercise, and casual listening, all at a lower price point compared to the Focal Elex. 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 Focal Elex
- Good for music
- Very 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
7.7
5.7
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Gaming
6.9
5.1
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Soundcore Life P3 and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life P3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
5.9
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
TV and Video
8.3
5.5
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Soundcore Life P3 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
N/A
7.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life P3 has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Soundcore Life P3 costs $80.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Elex to have excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life P3 has very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Focal Elex and the Soundcore Life P3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Soundcore Life P3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | 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 | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Focal Elex
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Golden Sound
Golden Sound | October 2021
"The Focal Elex are an excellent pair of headphones for the money and a great all-rounder that will suit many tastes. They’re an easy recommendation for anyone looking for something comfortable, well built, that looks good, and will work with just about any genre."
Soundcore Life P3
See more
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 Focal Elex or the Soundcore Life P3
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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.
Featured in
