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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Google Pixel Buds A Series are well-suited for calls and meetings, have a low latency mode making them good for gaming, and are optimized for Android use; they are also more portable and have better sound quality as compared to the Soundcore Life Q30. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones have active noise cancelling, longer battery life, and over-ear comfort which could be better for air travel and noise isolation, but are bulkier and do not have a low latency mode, potentially making them less ideal for gaming. 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 Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.4
7.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 is good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
8.6
5.3
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.5
5.1
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
4.8
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$58
$80
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
7.4
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Soundcore | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
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 Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Soundcore Life Q30
About Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
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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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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