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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones provide a premium experience with higher overall sound quality and exceptional noise isolation, making them ideal for immersive listening and air travel. They are also more comfortable, have a longer battery life, and feature advanced codec support with LDAC for high-quality audio over Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Life Q30 lacks. However, the Life Q30 offers similar soundstage, a foldable design for easier transport, and a significantly lower price. Both are suitable for general music listening, calls, and casual TV or video consumption, but if budget is a concern, the Life Q30 offers solid performance at a much lower cost. If you value top-notch sound and noise cancellation and don't mind the price, the WH-1000XM5 might be the better choice for you. 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 Q30
- The Soundcore Life Q30 has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
4.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Cost
$398
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a price of $398 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
8.8
8.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.6
5.3
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.5
5.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.8
5.4
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-1000XM5 to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is very good.
Battery
40.3 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
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How the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$398 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.6/10 | 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 | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 40.3 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3.5 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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 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 WH-1000XM5 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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