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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony Linkbuds have an open design which doesn't isolate noise well, so they're not ideal for noisy environments but provide a more natural listening experience. They're smaller, potentially more comfortable for long-term wear, and better for use during exercise due to their sweatproof design. They also have a lower battery life compared to the Soundcore Life Q30. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones are bulkier but have superior noise isolation due to their closed design, making them suitable for air travel and similar scenarios. They offer longer battery life and the option for a wired connection, which could be beneficial if you forget to charge them. 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 Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.6
7.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 is good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.8
5.1
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
4.8
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, 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 Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$178
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Sony Linkbuds has a price of $178 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
9.3
8.0
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.3
The Sony Linkbuds and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.4
5.4
The Sony Linkbuds and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Sony Linkbuds and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony Linkbuds | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2022 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 17.5 | 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 | Yes | 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 | 9.3/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
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 Sony Linkbuds or the Soundcore Life Q30
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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
122,600
Recommendations made
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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.
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