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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize saving money and need something for lighter use like casual music listening, the JBL 510BT would be a suitable choice; however, they lack the comfort and noise isolation found in the Soundcore Life Q30, which may be important for longer sessions or noisier environments. The Soundcore Life Q30 offers better overall sound quality, comfort, and active noise cancelling, which are ideal for focused listening or air travel, but they come at a higher price. Both are wireless, but only the Q30 has wired capability, which can be a backup for when the battery runs out. The Q30 also has a longer battery life, making them more suitable for extended use without frequent charging. If your use involves a lot of calls, the Q30's superior mic quality may be a deciding factor. Both are foldable, enhancing their portability, but the JBL 510BT is lighter, which might be preferable for carrying around. Decide what features are most important for your needs: price, sound quality, comfort, noise isolation, and battery life. 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 JBL 510BT
- The JBL 510BT has no clear advantages over the Soundcore Life Q30.
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.2
7.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 is good for music, while the JBL 510BT is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
4.8
The JBL 510BT and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL 510BT is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Battery
38.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The JBL 510BT has 38 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$80
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL 510BT has a price of $30 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
6.5
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality, while the JBL 510BT has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.3
The JBL 510BT and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and JBL 510BT are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.5
5.4
The JBL 510BT and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the JBL 510BT and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL 510BT | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 38 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 158.7 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
JBL 510BT
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | September 2023
"The JBL Tune 510BT is affordable and compact, making it a great companion for a commute, so long as you don't need active noise canceling. If you wear glasses or have ear piercings, the on-ear design might not be comfortable, since the ear cups will squish your ears."
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 JBL 510BT or the Soundcore Life Q30
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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
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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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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