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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WH-CH520 is a budget-friendly choice with high comfort and decent sound quality, suited for long gaming sessions and TV watching but less ideal for noisy environments due to moderate noise isolation. In contrast, the Soundcore Life Q30, while more expensive, offers superior noise cancellation, making them better for travel and focus in loud settings, and they come with a detachable cable adding to durability. Choose the Sony if cost and comfort are priorities, and Soundcore for better noise management and the versatility of a wired option. 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-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- The Soundcore Life Q30 has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-CH520.
Key differences
Music
7.6
7.1
The Sony WH-CH520 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.8
5.3
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.7
5.1
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
4.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
8.2
5.4
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
52.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$40
$80
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Sony WH-CH520 has a price of $40 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
7.0
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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How the Sony WH-CH520 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WH-CH520 | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$40 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.8/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 52 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.9 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 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 | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 147.41 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
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-CH520 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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Why trust us
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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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