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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a tight budget, the Sony MDR-ZX110 might be appealing as they're significantly less expensive. They are wired on-ear headphones that deliver fair sound quality and are foldable for easy carrying, but they have poor comfort, and they lack features like active noise cancelling (ANC) and wireless connectivity. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q30 costs more but offers many additional features, including very good build quality, excellent comfort, ANC, wireless and wired modes, and a much longer battery life. They also offer a better experience for air travel and in noisy environments, thanks to their superior noise isolation. If you can stretch your budget, the Soundcore Life Q30 provides a more versatile and comfortable listening experience, especially if you're interested in using them for travel or in noisy places. 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 MDR-ZX110
- The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the Soundcore Life Q30.
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
7.1
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Gaming
5.9
5.3
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
3.0
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q30 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.3
4.8
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Soundcore Life Q30 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
6.9
5.4
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair 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 Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Sony MDR-ZX110 does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$10
$80
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Sony MDR-ZX110 has a price of $10 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
6.0
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
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How the Sony MDR-ZX110 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony MDR-ZX110 | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$10 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2015 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 3.9/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 119.9 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sony MDR-ZX110
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Audio.org
Audio.org | December 2022
"My opinion about Sony MDR ZX110 is they are the best budget headphones of Sony with top-class sound. Clear vocals, great bass, and balanced sound with low sound distortion. The treble could be sharper, but it's ok. 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers give clear and precise audio, and an inline remote with a mic give decent call quality. Closed-Back Design also helps to improve sound performance."
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 MDR-ZX110 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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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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