Over-Ear Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5
8.6/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$239.99at Amazon
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1 / 12Anker Soundcore
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
noise cancelling & sound
7.5/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling7.5
0.010.0
At 7.5, its noise cancelling beats 21% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 58 of the 239 we've cataloged.
3.9/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall3.9
1.05.0
At 3.9, its audio quality beats 37% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 43 of the 239 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling · Audio quality
Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
46.58 hAbove average46.58 h
11 h100 h
above average for over-ear headphones — based on 156 of 239 we've cataloged.
Charging Method
USB-CMost commonUsb-c88%Micro usb9%Others3%
Usb-c is the most common — on 88% of the 138 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).
Bluetooth Version
5Most common5.029%5.326%5.216%5.411%
5.0 is the most common — on 29% of the 147 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).
Weight
260 gBelow average260 g
133 g420 g
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 196 of 239 we've cataloged.
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 46.58 h
- Charging Method
- USB-C
- Full Charge Minutes
- 120 min
- Battery Life Anc On
- 44.18 h
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 5
- Bluetooth Codec
- AAC
- Multipoint Devices
- 2 devices
- Headphone Jack
- Yes
- USB Charging
- Yes
Design
- Weight
- 260 g
- Color Options
- Black
- Ear Pad Type
- Memory foam
- Foldable
- Yes
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
Build
- Material Chassis Primary
- Plastic
- Material Ear Cups
- Memory foam
- Material Headband
- Aluminum
Features
- Companion App
- IOS + Android
- Control Type
- Physical buttons
- Eq Customization
- Full parametric EQ
- Auto Pause
- No
Microphone
- Count
- 2
- Microphone
- Yes
- Noise Reduction Type
- Passive noise isolation
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Ambient Mode
- Standard
- Driver Count
- 1
- Driver Size
- 40 mm
- Frequency Response
- 16-24000 Hz
- Frequency Response High Hz
- 24000 Hz
- Frequency Response Low Hz
- 16 Hz
- Frequency Response Signature
- V-shaped
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Active
Identity
- Model Number
- A3028
Release
- Date
- 2020-09
- Msrp Usd
- 80 USD
- Year
- 2020
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Anker Soundcore Life Q30SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 8.1 |
| 25 | 15.7 |
| 32 | 19.4 |
| 40 | 17.0 |
| 50 | 15.9 |
| 63 | 13.9 |
| 80 | 12.7 |
| 100 | 11.7 |
| 125 | 10.5 |
| 160 | 7.2 |
| 200 | 3.3 |
| 250 | 1.6 |
| 315 | 1.9 |
| 400 | 2.1 |
| 500 | 3.0 |
| 630 | 2.3 |
| 800 | 1.6 |
| 1000 | 0.1 |
| 1250 | 3.1 |
| 1600 | 4.0 |
| 2000 | 7.2 |
| 2500 | 9.4 |
| 3150 | 7.1 |
| 4000 | 5.9 |
| 5000 | 7.8 |
| 6300 | 8.4 |
| 8000 | 18.3 |
| 10000 | 11.3 |
| 12500 | 7.0 |
| 16000 | 4.1 |
| 20000 | -9.1 |
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 1.9 |
| 26 | -1.8 |
| 33 | -0.3 |
| 41 | -0.5 |
| 52 | -1.4 |
| 65 | -1.2 |
| 82 | -1.7 |
| 103 | -2.2 |
| 130 | -2.9 |
| 163 | -3.3 |
| 205 | -5.0 |
| 259 | -5.5 |
| 325 | -0.3 |
| 410 | 1.2 |
| 516 | 2.6 |
| 613 | 4.7 |
| 772 | 9.6 |
| 972 | 13.6 |
| 1220 | 17.1 |
| 1540 | 19.2 |
| 1940 | 25.3 |
| 2440 | 40.5 |
| 3070 | 39.3 |
| 3870 | 45.9 |
| 4870 | 39.2 |
| 6130 | 38.9 |
| 7720 | 42.2 |
| 9720 | 36.6 |
| 12200 | 30.7 |
| 15400 | 33.1 |
| 19400 | 34.5 |
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -3.9 |
| 26 | -9.7 |
| 33 | -5.6 |
| 41 | 1.3 |
| 52 | 7.1 |
| 65 | 9.9 |
| 82 | 13.7 |
| 103 | 17.1 |
| 130 | 18.7 |
| 163 | 20.3 |
| 205 | 17.5 |
| 259 | 16.4 |
| 325 | 16.6 |
| 410 | 13.7 |
| 516 | 5.4 |
| 613 | 6.2 |
| 772 | 14.6 |
| 972 | 18.0 |
| 1220 | 16.7 |
| 1540 | 18.5 |
| 1940 | 22.7 |
| 2440 | 36.1 |
| 3070 | 40.9 |
| 3870 | 42.6 |
| 4870 | 43.2 |
| 6130 | 39.6 |
| 7720 | 36.1 |
| 9720 | 36.8 |
| 12200 | 30.6 |
| 15400 | 33.3 |
| 19400 | 34.4 |
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
4.5
2.5
4.8
3.9
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›SOUNDGUYS rating
Reviewed byChase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerReviewed February 2024
7.6/ 10
RecommendedNoise cancelling7.5
Isolation6.4
Battery life9.9
Comfort & fit8.0
Connectivity7.5
Design7.0
The verdict
With good sound, active noise canceling, and battery life, these are some of the best-value headphones on the market. If you have a budget of $100, don't hesitate to buy the Anker Soundcore Life Q30.
✓What we like
✓Price
✓Noise canceling
✓Battery life
✕What could be better
✕No touch controls
✕No dust or water resistance
✕EQ presets not very effective
Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Don't buy the JBL Charge 6. Buy these three speakers insteadThe JBL Charge 6 is a solid speaker, but these three alternatives may be worth buying instead.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSoundcore, please bring this feature back to earbudsEarbud cases don’t need flashy screens or gimmicks. One of the most useful features I’ve tested is way simpler: a built-in phone stand.
Adam BirneyManaging Editor288 people rated the Soundcore Liberty 5 microphone – here's what they saidWe asked, you told us: see how the Soundcore Liberty 5 microphone is rated by the people.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerThese budget earbuds have better battery life than the AirPods Pro 2We tested these new budget earbuds in our SoundGuys testing lab, and they stand out in one key metric compared to AirPods.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerCan $100 earbuds sound better than $300 earbuds? We ran tests to find out.We compared the Soundcore Liberty 5 with the Sony WF-1000XM5 to see if a higher price tag gets you better sound.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerThese have better ANC than AirPods – and they cost lessWe just tested the latest budget wireless earbuds to come through our lab, and they beat the AirPods 4 in one key area.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help you
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributor
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSoundcore, please bring this feature back to earbudsEarbud cases don’t need flashy screens or gimmicks. One of the most useful features I’ve tested is way simpler: a built-in phone stand.Adam BirneyManaging Editor288 people rated the Soundcore Liberty 5 microphone – here's what they saidWe asked, you told us: see how the Soundcore Liberty 5 microphone is rated by the people.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerThese budget earbuds have better battery life than the AirPods Pro 2We tested these new budget earbuds in our SoundGuys testing lab, and they stand out in one key metric compared to AirPods.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerCan $100 earbuds sound better than $300 earbuds? We ran tests to find out.We compared the Soundcore Liberty 5 with the Sony WF-1000XM5 to see if a higher price tag gets you better sound.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerThese have better ANC than AirPods – and they cost lessWe just tested the latest budget wireless earbuds to come through our lab, and they beat the AirPods 4 in one key area.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore Over-Ear Headphones
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