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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your priority and you want a budget-friendly option, the Moondrop Nekocake may be more appropriate, though it's less versatile than the Soundcore Life Q30. The Nekocake is ideal for casual music listening and is suitable for exercise, but it might not perform as well during gaming or watching TV due to lower soundstage and imaging scores. The Soundcore Life Q30, while more expensive, offers a better experience for calls and meetings with higher mic quality, provides active noise cancelling for travel, and has customizable app controls, which Moondrop Nekocake lacks. Additionally, the Q30's over-ear design tends to be more comfortable for longer periods, and its battery life significantly surpasses that of the Nekocake. If versatility in different environments and user experience features are priorities, the additional cost for the Q30 could be justified. 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 Nekocake
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
5.7
7.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 is good for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
4.6
5.3
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for gaming, though the Soundcore Life Q30 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
6.1
5.1
The Moondrop Nekocake is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
4.8
The Moondrop Nekocake is 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 Moondrop Nekocake is good.
Battery
3.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$39
$80
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Moondrop Nekocake has a price of $39 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
5.0
5.4
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Moondrop Nekocake and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the Moondrop Nekocake and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Nekocake | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$39 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | 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 | 5.4/10 | 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 | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Moondrop Nekocake
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
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 Nekocake 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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