Over-Ear
JLab JBuddies ANC
62Average
$37
Full review dataJLab JBuddies ANC vs Soundcore Q30: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Soundcore Q30 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Soundcore Q30 - Great overall at around $50.
Over-Ear
Soundcore Q30
78Great
$50
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
JLab JBuddies ANC
Sound6.0
Noise cancelling5.0
Battery8.0
Calls5.0
Value7.0
Soundcore Q30
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.0
Calls6.0
Value9.0
Specifications
| Spec | JLab JBuddies ANC | Soundcore Q30 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $37 | $50 |
| HearWiki score | 62 / 100 · Average | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | - | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Driver size | 40mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 16Hz-40kHz (AUX), 20Hz-20kHz (Bluetooth) |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 85 dB/mW | 95 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | 9.1 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 50 h | 40 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 40 h | 60 h |
| Full charge time | 180 min | 120 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 4 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | 2-mic ENC | Yes |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Voice assistant | yes | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 227 g | 260 g |
| Water resistance | No water resistance rating | none |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | - | dual noise-detecting microphones with hybrid ANC |
| Microphone | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
JLab JBuddies ANC
The JLab JBuddies ANC are budget-friendly over-ear headphones aimed at younger listeners, offering both wireless and wired use with active noise cancellation. They feature a long-lasting battery, Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint, and a built-in volume limiter for safer listening levels. While lightweight and foldable for travel, they lack any water resistance and have a relatively low sensitivity rating.
- Pro:Long battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:Affordable price for ANC and wireless features
- Pro:Foldable design and lightweight for portability
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:Low sensitivity may require higher volume on some devices
- Con:Charging time is fairly long at three hours
Soundcore Q30
The Soundcore Life Q30 are a budget-friendly pair of over-ear wireless headphones that offer impressive value. They combine strong active noise cancellation with excellent battery life and a customizable sound via an app, making them a standout choice for cost-conscious buyers. While the build and controls are not premium, their performance for the price is hard to beat.
- Pro:Excellent battery life with ANC on
- Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation
- Pro:Customizable EQ via companion app
- Con:Default sound is bass-heavy
- Con:Plastic build feels less durable
- Con:Controls are basic and not very refined
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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