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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value active noise cancellation and portability, Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds may be worth the higher price as they are known for their excellent noise-canceling capabilities in a truly wireless form. However, if you're on a tight budget and want a comfortable set of over-ear headphones with good sound quality and decent noise cancellation, the Soundcore Life Q30 is a more economical choice. Keep in mind that the Sonys offer a more premium build quality and brand prestige, while the Soundcore provides better value and longer battery life. Consider how important wireless convenience and noise cancellation are to you compared to cost savings and battery life. 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 WF1000XM3
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- The Soundcore Life Q30 has no clear advantages over the Sony WF1000XM3.
Key differences
Phone Calls
8.2
5.1
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.7
4.8
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$180
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Sony WF1000XM3 has a price of $180 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM3 has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.5
7.1
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music.
Gaming
5.6
5.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.4
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Sony WF1000XM3 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Sony WF1000XM3 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WF1000XM3 | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$180 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2019 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.2/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3.5 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 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 | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 9 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony WF1000XM3
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
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 WF1000XM3 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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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