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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and ease of use during exercise, the JBL Tune Flex earbuds could suit you better; they are lighter and feature a Low Latency Mode suitable for gaming. However, if you value comfort during long periods, such as air travel, and require effective noise isolation, the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones might be the better option, as they also provide a significantly longer battery life. For making calls, JBL might not be ideal due to poor mic quality, whereas Soundcore offers very good mic quality. The JBL is generally more tailored for exercise with sweatproof certification, while Soundcore's over-ear design offers enhanced comfort and noise isolation for stationary activities. 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 Tune Flex
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- The Soundcore Life Q30 has no clear advantages over the JBL Tune Flex.
Key differences
Gaming
8.5
5.3
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.3
5.1
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
4.8
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.4
The JBL Tune Flex is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Tune Flex is only fair.
Battery
6.5 Hours
44.0 Hours
The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 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 Tune Flex has a price of $60 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.1
The JBL Tune Flex and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The JBL Tune Flex and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Tune Flex and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune Flex | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 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 | 5.1/10 | 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) | 9 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Tune Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
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 Tune Flex 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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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