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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Rode NTH-100 is a pricier option that offers slightly better overall sound quality and a more durable build but is strictly wired with no wireless capability and lacks active noise cancelling. The Soundcore Life Q30, on the other hand, is more wallet-friendly, has good sound quality, and includes both wireless and wired connectivity along with active noise cancelling, which can be beneficial for travel and in noisy environments. With a significantly longer battery life, the Q30 stands out for extended use without the need to charge as often as you would with a wired-only 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 Rode NTH-100
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.1
The Rode NTH-100 is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Gaming
6.5
5.3
The Rode NTH-100 is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.8
The Rode NTH-100 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
7.7
5.4
The Rode NTH-100 is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Rode NTH-100 does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$80
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Rode NTH-100 has a price of $149 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.8
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Rode NTH-100 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Rode NTH-100 and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the Rode NTH-100 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Rode NTH-100 | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Rode | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2022 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 349.2 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Rode NTH-100
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Kizito Katawonga | March 2023
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
Soundcore Life Q30
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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 Rode NTH-100 or the Soundcore Life Q30
About Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
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.
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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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