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 January 10, 2024·
If portability and versatility are important to you, consider the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) since they are earbuds with a smaller form factor, making them easy to carry and suitable for exercise. They also have better overall sound quality, a feature important for enjoying music, and lower latency, which could be better for gaming and videos. However, the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones are less expensive, offer a longer battery life, and have active noise cancelling, which may make them preferable for air travel and noisy environments. The Q30 also includes a wired option, in case you want to preserve battery life or your device doesn't support Bluetooth. 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2).
Key differences
Gaming
8.5
5.3
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.9
5.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.1
4.8
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
8.0
5.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.0
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) are both very good for noise reduction, though the Soundcore Life Q30 is somewhat better.
Battery
6.7 Hours
44.0 Hours
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$80
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has a price of $149 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
7.0
7.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) are both good for music.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | "Nothing" Brand | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.7 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3. | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8/10 | 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 | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.4 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) or the Soundcore Life Q30
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
Compare "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) vs. Rode NTH-100
VS
Compare "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) vs. Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
VS
Compare "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) vs. Antlion Kimura Duo
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q30 vs. Beats Studiobuds
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q30 vs. Soundcore Space A40
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q30 vs. Earfun Wave Pro
VS
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
