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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Moondrop Chu excels in overall sound quality and mic quality, making it a good option for music listening and calls but has no wireless capability. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q30 features active noise cancelling, longer battery life, and is wireless, useful for travel and noisy environments. If you prioritize sound quality and mic performance, especially at a lower cost, go for the Moondrop Chu. However, if you need wireless freedom, noise cancellation, and a foldable design for better portability, the Soundcore Life Q30 would better suit your needs despite the higher price. 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 Moondrop Chu
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.9
7.1
The Moondrop Chu and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music, though the Moondrop Chu is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.0
5.3
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.8
5.1
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.8
The Moondrop Chu is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
7.5
5.4
The Moondrop Chu is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Chu is only fair.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Moondrop Chu does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$22
$80
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Moondrop Chu has a price of $22 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Moondrop Chu and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the Moondrop Chu and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Chu | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$22 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 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 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | Integrated | |
Shopping
Moondrop Chu
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2022
"These budget buds put the pressure on those premium priced in-ear monitors to really justify the cost disparity. Offering excellent sound quality at any price, the Moondrop Chu is both a perfect entry into the audio enthusiast hobby, and an all around good pick for music fans."
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 Moondrop Chu or the Soundcore Life Q30
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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.
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.
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