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·
For a versatile experience, the active noise cancelling and longer battery life of the Soundcore Life Q30 make it suitable for air travel and longer listening sessions, but it's heavier and bulkier than the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick, which has a more open design, possibly leading to less noise isolation but a more natural listening experience. The Ear Stick boasts low latency, making it ideal for gaming and calls, and is superior in portability, but they may not be as comfortable for extended wear as the cushioned over-ear design of the Q30. If price is a concern, the Ear Stick is the less expensive option. 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 Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.1
7.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 is good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
5.3
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.6
5.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
4.8
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
7.5
5.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$80
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has a price of $99 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick 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
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | "Nothing" Brand | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2022 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.2 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 22 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 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 Stick
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | December 2022
"If the Ear (stick) fits your ears, its light weight means you can easily wear it until the unimpressive battery life totally drains. The IP54 rating of the buds lends some confidence that it’ll survive some light abuse too. Finally, for the person who only wears earbuds at their desk, the Nothing Ear (stick) with its decent microphone could offer a reasonable Zoom meeting solution."
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 Stick 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
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
