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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value sound quality and better control options, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC could justify the higher price, with solid overall sound and built-in controls. However, the Soundcore Life Q30 offers superior battery life and app control features, including equalization and customization, which could be a better fit if you're looking for more personalized sound and longer usage between charges. Both have active noise cancelling and similar comfort scores. Call quality is better with the Life Q30, while Skullcandy is ahead in terms of use during travel. 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 Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
Key differences
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.8
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Battery
23.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$135
$80
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has a price of $135 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
7.0
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
7.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Soundcore Life Q30 to be good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
5.6
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.3
5.1
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.8
5.4
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.7
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Soundcore Life Q30 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Skullcandy Hesh ANC | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$135 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Skullcandy | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 23 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.6 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
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 Skullcandy Hesh ANC or the Soundcore Life Q30
About Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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