A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WF1000XM4 offers superior overall sound quality, a better comfort score, and more effective noise isolation; they're ideal for air travel and feature active noise cancelling, but have a lower mic quality score, which might not be as optimal for calls and meetings. Despite their premium price, they support high-quality LDAC codec and are sweatproof, making them suitable for exercise. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q30 is more affordable, with a decent score for overall sound quality and comfort, and a better microphone. They also offer a wired option and a remarkably long battery life, making them versatile for various activities, including book/podcast listening where they score higher than the Sony option. If affordability and call quality are priorities, consider the Life Q30, but for top-notch sound and active noise cancellation, the WF1000XM4 is the superior choice. 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 Q30
- The Soundcore Life Q30 has no clear advantages over the Sony WF1000XM4.
Key differences
Music
9.0
7.1
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Phone Calls
6.7
5.1
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
10.0
4.8
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
6.0
5.4
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Battery
9.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 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 Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
8.9
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality, though the Sony WF1000XM4 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.6
5.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Sony WF1000XM4 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Sony WF1000XM4 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WF1000XM4 | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$220 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 9 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 | 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 | 5.4/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 263 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 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 WF1000XM4 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
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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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