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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for superior sound quality and active noise cancelling, the Sony WF1000XM4 would be the better choice; they provide a more immersive listening experience and are well-suited for air travel where noise cancellation is a priority. However, if battery life and value for money are more important to you, consider the Soundcore Life P3, which also offers active noise cancelling, albeit with a lower overall sound quality. The P3 is also lighter and has a longer battery life when including the charge from the case. On the other hand, WF1000XM4 has better build quality, low latency support, and an app that offers audio controls customization, which can be important if you like to tailor the sound to your preferences. 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 WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life P3
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
9.0
5.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.7
5.1
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
10.0
5.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The Soundcore Life P3 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is very good.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life P3 has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$220
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Sony WF1000XM4 has a price of $220 and the Soundcore Life P3 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.6
5.1
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Soundcore Life P3 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
6.0
5.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Build Quality
8.9
8.8
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Soundcore Life P3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Sony WF1000XM4 and the Soundcore Life P3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WF1000XM4 | Soundcore Life P3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$220 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2021 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.1/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 9 Hours | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 35 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Soundcore Life P3
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Alex Bracetti | July 2021
"Anker continues its trend of stealth releases, recently dropping the Soundcore Life P3 out of nowhere. This product essentially replaces the disappointing Life A2 NC as the brand’s flagship ANC model under $100. It comes with bassy audio and enough features to give even the best noise-cancelling earbuds pause."
Get a great deal on the Sony WF1000XM4 or the Soundcore Life P3
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
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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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