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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Soundcore Life Q30 headphones could be a better choice if you prioritize comfort for extended listening, desire active noise cancelling for noisy environments, and appreciate having wireless functionality coupled with a foldable design for portability. Their sound quality is suitable for a variety of content, and they offer an app for customization. However, for activities like gaming or watching TV, the Steelseries TUSQ earbuds may be the preferred option due to their lower latency; they also boast a more secure fit for exercise and a robust build with cable ear hooks, but lack wireless capability and active noise cancelling. 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
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.1
7.6
The Steelseries TUSQ and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music, though the Steelseries TUSQ is somewhat better.
Gaming
5.3
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
5.4
7.3
The Steelseries TUSQ is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.7
6.0
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Steelseries TUSQ is only fair.
Battery
44.0 Hours
N/A
The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life. The Steelseries TUSQ does not have a battery.
Cost
$80
$99
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Soundcore Life Q30 has a price of $80 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $99.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
4.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Steelseries TUSQ are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Steelseries TUSQ both have very good build quality.
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How the Soundcore Life Q30 and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Soundcore Life Q30 | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $99 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Soundcore | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2020 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 44 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.7 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 263 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Soundcore Life Q30
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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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Soundcore Life Q30 or the Steelseries TUSQ
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.
About Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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
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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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