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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize having the latest technology and features, such as a smart charging case with an LED touch display, and you need earbuds for exercising or air travel with high portability, the JBL Live Beam 3 is a great choice, especially with its higher comfort and sweatproof certification. However, if you're looking for over-ear headphones with a longer battery life and the convenience of a detachable cable, the Soundcore Life Q30 could be better, and it comes at a lower price. Both offer very good noise isolation and build quality, but the JBL has LDAC support, which is essential for high-quality audio over Bluetooth, and they are optimized for both Android and Apple, whereas the Soundcore lacks these features. Keep in mind, neither is ideal for gaming or watching TV due to lower scores in those areas. 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 Q30
- The Soundcore Life Q30 has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Beam 3.
Key differences
Music
7.8
7.1
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
4.8
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
12.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.3
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.2
5.1
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.6
5.4
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 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 Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Beam 3 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Beam 3 | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 12 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.7 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 | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 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 | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Soundcore Life Q30
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Live Beam 3 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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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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