The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 and Sony WH-XB910N both stand out as highly popular mid-range noise-cancelling headphones on the market today. In this brief comparison, we’ll examine key features such as sound quality, battery life, and connectivity to see how these wireless headsets fare against each other. Let’s dive in.
- Battery Life: 30 Hours w/ ANC
- ANC: Good ANC
- Sound: Full and Bass-Heavy
- Cost: $$
- Battery Life: 40 Hours w/ ANC
- ANC: Great Performance
- Sound: Bassy and Exciting
- Cost: $
Table of Contents
Comparison Table: Soundcore Life Q30 vs Sony WH-XB910N
| Features | Sony WH-XB910N | Anker Soundcore Life Q30 |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Headphones | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Weight | 8.8 oz | 9.2 oz |
| Total Battery Life | 50 hours (30 w/ANC) | 60 hours (40 w/ ANC) |
| ANC Support | Yes | Yes |
| Wired Connection | Yes | Yes |
| Fast Charging | 10-min charge = 4.5 hours | 5-min charge = 4 hours |
| Charging Port | USB-Type C | USB-Type C |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Codec Support | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC |
| App Support | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Included Case | Yes | Yes |
Which Headphones Have Better Battery Life?
The Soundcore Life Q30 headphones offer superior battery life compared to the Sony WH-XB910N. The Q30 model packs an impressive 60 hours of total playback, including 40 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled. In contrast, the Sony headphones provide 50 hours of playback and 30 hours when ANC is active.
Both models support fast charging via USB-C ports – a critical feature for on-the-go users who need to top off their battery quickly. Once again, the Soundcore Life Q30 outperforms the Sony WH-XB910N. They offer 4 extra hours of battery life from just a 5-minute charge as opposed to Sony’s 4.5 hours per 10-minute charge. Additionally, a USB-C charging cable is included with both over-ear headphones.
You’ve heard the saying “Time is money”. Well, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 can save you money with its battery power. Either way, fast charging is a necessity nowadays. Forgot to charge while on an important trip? A few minutes are all you need. While these Sony headphones offer good battery life and solid fast charging, the Q30 is even better for travelers and commuters looking to maximize battery life.
Connectivity & App Support
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Sony WH-XB910N are on par in terms of Bluetooth capabilities. The former utilizes Bluetooth 5.0 versus the latter’s Bluetooth 5.2. Always consider versions when planning to purchase Bluetooth headphones. While a higher version can mean a more stable connection when using the headphones, these are both fairly recent Bluetooth releases.
A useful feature found in both pairs of headphones is support for Multipoint Bluetooth, allowing you to connect to two devices at once. This makes it easy to switch between your phone and computer without disconnecting. When it comes to wired use, either model can function passively with a 3.5mm headphone cable in case the battery runs out or for listening to uncompressed audio.
Companion app support is another shared strength, with both the Soundcore App and Sony Headphone Connect software available for Android and iOS. Both apps are extremely useful and polished. Additionally, these apps are jam-packed with extra features like customization of the headphones’s EQ and controls while maintaining user-friendliness.
Both headsets are equipped with AAC and SBC codec support. Additionally, the WH-XB910N is also LDAC-compatible. The LDAC codec allows for the streaming of higher-resolution wireless audio. Both headphones can also be paired with your preferred voice assistant. Having flexible connectivity capabilities expands the functionality of your headphones. Whether you want to optimize audio quality on the go or passively listen at your desk, both the Sony WH-XB910N and Soundcore Life Q30 offer flexible options. Overall, the Sony WH-XB910N has a slight edge in this area, but the Soundcore Life Q30 still performs well for a fraction of the price of Sony’s model.
Comparing Design: Sony WH-XB910N vs. Anker Soundcore Life Q30
The Sony WH-XB910N and Soundcore Life Q30 designs are fairly comfortable and lightweight for over-ear headphones. The Sony WH-XB910N weighs 8.8 ounces, while the Soundcore headphones are slightly heavier at 9.2 ounces. Both models are comfortable enough to be suitable for extended listening sessions thanks to sufficient padding on the headband and ear cups. The WH-XB910N offers a slightly more comfortable fit with thicker and more comfortable padding than the Q30, especially in the headband area. Aesthetically speaking, the Sony WH-XB910N has a somewhat sleek, minimalist design and is available in black, blue, or gray. The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 has a fairly understated design outside of the logo on each earcup. The Q30 is available in black, blue, and pink.
Portability is good for both over-ear models with designs that allow them to lie flat and fold. This makes it easier to pack either of the headphones into a backpack or the hard case that’s provided with each model. While neither model has a premium design like the Sony WH-1000XM4, they’re well built despite not using the highest-quality materials. As expected with the higher price tag, the Sony XB910N feels a little more durable and sturdy. Neither the Sony WH-XB910N nor the Soundcore Q30 are water-resistant.
Sony sticks with its signature right ear cup touch controls on the Sony WH-XB910N to control playback, volume, and calls much like its predecessor, the WH-XB900N. Power and ANC buttons live on the left ear cup. The ANC button cycles between ANC and transparency mode. This differs from the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 which uses mostly physical buttons to adjust audio, volume, ANC, and more. Holding your hand over the right ear cup temporarily activates transparency or ambient mode on both headphones. Those who don’t like touch controls may prefer the tactile feedback of the Life Q30 model.
Overall, both the Sony WH-XB910N and Anker Soundcore Life Q30 manage quality designs that offer some portability and well-implemented control schemes. While differences like controls and style may come down to preference, the Sony WH-XB910N does offer a slightly more sturdy and comfortable design.
Sony WH-XB910N Touch Controls:
- Swipe Forward – Skip to Next Song
- Swipe Back – Go To Previous Song
- Double Tap – Pause/Play Audio and Answer/End Call
- Swipe Down – Decrease Volume (hold to continue reducing volume)
- Swipe Up – Decrease Volume (hold to continue increasing volume)
- Cover Ear Cup – Activate Transparency Mode
Soundcore Life Q30 Physical Controls:
- Play/Pause:
- Press 1x: Play/Pause or Answer/End Call
- Press 2x: Activate Voice Assistant
- Hold: Rejects Phone Call
- Volume Buttons:
- Press + 1x: Increase Volume
- Press + 2x: Skip To Next Song
- Press – 1x: Decrease Volume
- Press – 2x: Go To Previous Song
Which ANC Headphones Sound Better?
Both the Sony WH-XB910N and Soundcore Life Q30 deliver unique listening experiences, albeit with slight differences. Sony’s signature Extra Bass WH-XB910N packs powerful, punchy, and rumbling low frequencies. This may be ideal for those who prefer bass-heavy headphones. Its strength is also its weakness, as some users will find the bass too boomy. While midrange and higher frequencies are somewhat accurate, there are few peaks. The bold EQ with elevated bass means vocals and instruments are sometimes muddied by lower frequencies.
The default sound profile of the Life Q30 is also very bass-boosted, though not at the same level as the Sony WH-XB910N. Those looking for some extra thump will appreciate this, but the bass can sound a little bloated on certain tracks. Mid-range frequencies do sound accurate and present for realistic vocals and instruments. Slightly boosted treble results in brighter-sounding higher frequencies that attempt to balance out the bass. The result is a consumer-friendly, traditional V-shaped EQ.
Nevertheless, both have companion apps that allow users to tweak the sound quality to their liking. That includes complete EQ customization in addition to convenient EQ presets. The Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass headphones definitely deliver on their name with thudding bass, perfect for bass heads or energetic workouts. The default EQ of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 is bassy, but also closer to neutral. Those wanting a more balanced and nuanced listening experience may prefer the Life Q30’s sound quality. But bass heads who crave chest-thumping lows will absolutely love the Sony WH-XB910N’s bass out-of-the-box.
Do Sony WH-XB910N or Soundcore Life Q30 Have Better ANC?
The Sony WH-XB910N and Soundcore Life Q30 both offer active noise-cancelling to reduce ambient or background noise. Despite its affordable price tag, the Q30 offers excellent ANC capabilities. It excels at blocking low frequencies like passing train engines and higher frequencies like chattering coworkers. ANC on the Q30 headphones impressively competes with much more expensive options and is effective enough for frequent travelers and long commutes.
While the Sony WH-XB910N can’t match the active noise-cancelling performance of the Q30, it still offers good ANC overall. It’s particularly inferior by comparison to reduce the lowest frequencies such as droning engines that are frequent on commutes. The WH-XB910N does reduce midrange frequencies very well making it a good solid choice in the workplace. It’s overall noise-cancellation performance still pales in comparison to the Anker Soundcore Life Q30.
The Sony WH-XB910N deliver good active noise-cancelling that’s comparable to many similarly-priced competitors. Those with more challenging environments (brutal commute, airplane travel, etc.) will benefit from the superior ANC performance of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30. Both noise-cancelling headphones have a transparency mode that allows you to let in ambient sounds). This feature is useful for added situational awareness when in public spaces.
Are Sony WH-XB910N or Soundcore Q30 Better Headphones In 2023?
When choosing between the Sony WH-XB910N and Soundcore Life Q30 noise-canceling headphones, it’s certainly a close call. Both deliver good connectivity and great app support. The price difference looms large as a deciding factor, with the WH-XB910N selling for almost twice as much.
If your priority is long battery life and the best noise-cancelling performance, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 makes a ton of sense. The Q30 headphones are ideal for budget shoppers and those looking for a companion during commutes or travel.
While the Sony WH-XB910N carries a higher price tag, the Extra Bass sound signature does offer a wildcard. Many will prefer the deep and punchy bass in addition to a sleeker design, better build quality, and LDAC support.
Feature Comparison: Soundcore Life Q30 vs Sony WH-XB910N
Headphone Type:
The Sony WH-XB910N and Soundcore Life Q30 are both over-ear headphones, which help provide a more immersive listening experience and comfortable fit. Over-ear headphones also tend to offer better noise isolation compared to on-ear models.
Weight:
The Sony WH-XB910N headphones weigh 8.8 oz, while the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones are slightly heavier at 9.2 oz. The minor difference in weight should not be very noticeable during wear. Both models are relatively lightweight.
Active Noise-Cancelling:
Both the Sony WH-XB910N and Soundcore Life Q30 headphones provide active noise cancellation technology to help block out ambient noise. This allows you to focus on your music or calls without distractions. ANC is especially useful in noisy environments like planes or commutes.
Passive Playback:
The Sony WH-XB910N and Soundcore Life Q30 both support passive wired playback when battery life runs out. This is useful when you need to continue listening to music but don’t have time to recharge.
Supported Codecs:
The Sony WH-XB910N supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs for high-quality audio over Bluetooth. The addition of LDAC provides the ability to stream lossless audio wirelessly. The Soundcore Life Q30 is limited to basic SBC and AAC codec support.
Fast Charging:
The Sony WH-XB910N offers very quick charging, with a 10-minute charge providing 4.5 hours of playtime. The Soundcore Life Q30 isn’t far behind, with a 5-minute charge giving you 4 hours of battery life. Both have impressive fast charging capabilities.
Charging Connection:
The Sony WH-XB910N and Soundcore Life Q30 both utilize the increasingly common USB-C connection for charging. USB-C charging is convenient and fast.
Bluetooth Connectivity:
The Sony WH-XB910N uses the latest Bluetooth 5.2 standard and has multipoint pairing. The Soundcore Life Q30 uses the slightly older Bluetooth 5.0, but still supports multipoint. Overall, the Sony has a slight edge in wireless connectivity.
Companion App Support:
Both models have companion apps that allow you to customize the sound with EQ presets. This level of customizability provides more control over your listening experience.
Included Case:
The Sony WH-XB910N and Soundcore Life Q30 both include a protective carrying case in the box. The case helps keep your headphones safe when traveling.
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 vs Sony WH-XB910N: FAQs
-
Do These Headphones Have Good ANC?
While both wireless headphones offer effective ANC, the Soundcore Q30 offers superior performance. You’re not going to find much better noise-cancelling performance than the Q30 at this price point.
-
Is The Soundcore Q30 Still Worth It In 2023?
Yes. They’re extremely affordable and have great functionality, app support, and battery life. Most importantly, they still provide excellent ANC performance that still rivals more expensive competitors.
-
Do These Headphones Have Apps To Change The EQ?
Both the Soundcore Life Q30 and Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have extremely good app support. That includes custom EQ, EQ presets, and much more. Additionally, the Sony Clear Bass setting allows users to separately adjust bass.
Keith Collins has been writing for over 15 years for various publications. He’s a lover of music, home theater, and excellent sound quality. His fondness for technology in addition to his non-stop curiosity fuels his writing ventures.