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 an immersive audio experience, the Rode NTH-100M's superior sound quality makes them the better choice; however, for a more budget-friendly option, the Soundcore Life Q30 offers good value with competent performance. The Rode has a detachable boom microphone, which is a major feature for clear vocal communication, making it suitable for professional or gaming use, while the Soundcore lacks this. If noise cancellation is a priority for travel or office use, the Soundcore has this feature and the Rode does not. In terms of build and comfort, the Rode is heavier, which could affect long-term wear comfort compared to the lighter Soundcore. Furthermore, the Rode is a recent release with likely improvements in design and materials, while the Soundcore is older and may not have the latest technology. 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-100M
- Very good for music
- Best in class 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
8.2
7.1
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Gaming
8.9
5.3
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
9.5
5.1
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.8
The Rode NTH-100M is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
7.7
5.4
The Rode NTH-100M 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-100M is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Rode NTH-100M does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$189
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Rode NTH-100M has a price of $189 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Rode NTH-100M and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Rode NTH-100M and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Rode NTH-100M | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$189 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Rode | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | 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 | 9.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9/10 | 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 | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 349.2 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Rode NTH-100M
See more
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
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 Rode NTH-100M 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Rode NTH-100M vs. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
VS
Compare Rode NTH-100M vs. Sony WF1000XM3
VS
Compare Rode NTH-100M vs. Jabra Elite Active 75t
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q30 vs. Beats Studiobuds
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q30 vs. Soundcore Space A40
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q30 vs. Raycon The Everyday Earbuds
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
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
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
