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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you primarily value portability and convenience, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds might be the better option, as they are both smaller and often less expensive than the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones. While both offer noise cancellation, the JBL earbuds are more suited to an on-the-go lifestyle where compactness is key. On the other hand, if you're looking for longer battery life and potentially more comfortable over-ear wear for extended periods, along with slightly better sound quality, the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones could be a better choice despite being somewhat more expensive. 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 Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.1
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
4.8
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$80
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.0
5.3
The Soundcore Life Q30 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | 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 | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Live Free NC+
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Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
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 Free NC+ 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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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
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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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