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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize top-tier sound quality, comfort, and noise isolation for activities like air travel and want robust build quality with the flexibility of both wireless and wired connections, you may lean towards the Sony WH-1000XM5 despite the higher cost. However, the Soundcore Life P3 tend to be a better value with strong noise isolation, water resistance for exercise, a compact form factor for portability, and a lower price point; but keep in mind, they have earbud form factor which might not be as comfortable for long periods, and the sound quality won’t quite match the Sony’s. Both have active noise cancelling, but Sony's is more effective, and they both offer app-based customizations, although the Sony has a significantly longer battery life for extended listening sessions without a charge. 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 WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Soundcore Life P3
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
8.2
5.7
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Battery
40.3 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life P3 has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$398
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a price of $398 and the Soundcore Life P3 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.6
5.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life P3 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.5
5.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life P3 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-1000XM5 to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.8
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life P3 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life P3 are both excellent for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.8
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life P3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Soundcore Life P3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Soundcore Life P3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$398 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 40.3 Hours | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3.5 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 35 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Soundcore Life P3
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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 WH-1000XM5 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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