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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize the convenience of wireless earbuds with robust sound and noise isolation for exercise, air travel, and daily use, the JBL Live Beam 3 with its Smart Charging Case and touch display controls would be suitable. However, if you prefer comfortable over-ear headphones with long-lasting battery and are okay with a fair sound quality without needing features like low latency for gaming or TV, then the more affordable Soundcore Life Q20 could be a better fit, also providing excellent noise isolation for frequent flyers. Keep in mind that the JBL offers advanced controls and is optimized for both Android and Apple, while the Soundcore offers simplicity and wired connectivity as well. 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 Live Beam 3
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.8
7.0
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both good for music, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
4.7
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
12.0 Hours
32.3 Hours
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.2
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.2
4.9
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.6
5.3
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 and JBL Live Beam 3 are both very good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Beam 3 and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Beam 3 | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 12 Hours | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Soundcore Life Q20
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2022
"As far as headphones that cost under $100 go, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a really solid option. Like any good tool, it does the job well without much guff, and it’s affordable to boot. Sure: it’s not going toe to toe with any of the higher-end models of ANC headphones out there—but the headphones do well enough for commuters that it’s a good stand-in if you were never planning on spending a bunch of money anyway."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Beam 3 or the Soundcore Life Q20
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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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.
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