A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your priority and you often find yourself in noisy environments, the Soundcore Life Q30 with active noise cancelling will offer you a better listening experience. However, if you are looking for something more compact and exercise-friendly, the water and dust resistant Soundcore P20i would be a more suitable choice due to their size and fit. The Q30's over-ear design provides comfort for extended listening, but they are bulkier, making them less portable than the more travel-friendly P20i earbuds. The Life Q30 have a longer battery life which is ideal for extended use without frequent recharging, while the P20i will require charging more regularly but offer the convenience of a charging case. If budget is a concern, the P20i might be more appealing, being significantly less expensive. Remember that the Life Q30's over-ear design may provide a more immersive soundstage, but the P20i's stemmed earbud design supports easier access to controls and microphones for calls. 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 Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
Advantages of the Soundcore P20i
- Good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.1
6.4
The Soundcore Life Q30 is good for music, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
7.3
The Soundcore P20i is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
5.4
7.0
The Soundcore P20i is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.7
6.5
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Battery
44.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life. The Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$80
$30
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Soundcore Life Q30 has a price of $80 and the Soundcore P20i costs $30.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Soundcore P20i has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.0
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Soundcore P20i are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
4.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Soundcore P20i are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Soundcore Life Q30 and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Soundcore Life Q30 | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Soundcore | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2020 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 44 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.7 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 263 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Soundcore Life Q30
See more
Dig into reviews and images
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."
Soundcore P20i
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Critic Reviewer
Ranbir Sen | May 2023
"I would recommend the Soundcore P20i Earbuds to everyone who loves music and would like to own comfortable pair of earbuds with a great range of sound quality. I would recommend users who buy this device use the right comfortable ear tips as per your ear design."
Get a great deal on the Soundcore Life Q30 or the Soundcore P20i
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Soundcore Life Q30 vs. Beats Studiobuds
VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q30 vs. Soundcore Space A40VS
Compare Soundcore Life Q30 vs. Soundcore Life P3VS
Compare Soundcore P20i vs. Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
VS
Compare Soundcore P20i vs. Skullcandy Dime 2VS
Compare Soundcore P20i vs. Creative Labs Zen AirVS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
153,800
Recommendations made
23,070
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
