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 April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize convenience and features suitable for exercise, the JBL Live Flex 3 earbuds are a better fit; they're sweatproof, have ear/head detection, and their case supports wireless charging. However, if you prefer over-ear comfort for long listening sessions and require active noise cancelling for quieter experiences during air travel or in noisy environments, the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones would be ideal. The JBL earbuds offer a premium price with a smart charging case that provides touch control and a display, but if budget is a concern, the Soundcore offers a more wallet-friendly option with similar sound quality and very good microphone and build quality. 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 Flex 3
- Very good for music
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
7.1
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
4.8
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Flex 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
10.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 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 Flex 3 has a price of $216 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.3
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.2
5.1
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.7
5.4
The JBL Live Flex 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 Flex 3 are both very good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the JBL Live Flex 3 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Flex 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 | 8.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 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 | 40 | 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
See more
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 Flex 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.
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
123,800
Recommendations made
18,570
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
