Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless  Headphones Review

Reviewed Aug 20, 2021 at 11:56am
Writing modified Jun 14, 2024 at 10:02am
Tested using Methodology v1.5 
Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless

Track

0.0
Neutral Sound 
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Commute/Travel 
0.0
Sports/Fitness 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
0.0
Wired Gaming 
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Phone Calls 

Track

 0

The Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless are the next generation of the Anker SoundCore Life P2 Truly Wireless. They have a more comfortable fit than their predecessor, and they also come with some new features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and compatibility with the Anker Soundcore app. Using the app, you can cycle between either 'ANC', 'Ambient', and 'Normal' modes, and you can also set the ANC to either 'Indoor', 'Outdoor', or 'Transport' mode. They have a bass-heavy sound profile out-of-the-box, and you can also use the graphic EQ and presets in the app to help customize their sound.

Our Verdict

0.0
Neutral Sound 

The Anker Life P3 are decent for neutral sound. Out-of-the-box, they have a bass-heavy sound profile that adds thump and rumble to your audio, which can be a bit overwhelming for listeners who prefer a more neutral sound. That said, the rest of the range is quite balanced, so vocals and lead instruments reproduce clearly. You can even use the graphic EQ and presets in the Anker Soundcore app to customize their sound.

Pros
  • Graphic EQ and presets.
Cons
  • Terrible passive soundstage due to in-ear design.
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Commute/Travel 

The Anker Life P3 are very good for commute and travel. Thanks to their adjustable ANC feature, they can block out the bass-heavy rumble of bus and plane engines and higher frequency sounds like chatter from other passengers. They have a comfortable fit suitable for long days on the go, and their portable design fits easily into your pockets. They only last a little over five hours with the ANC on, but their case offers some extra charges.

Pros
  • Amazing noise isolation.
  • Comfortable fit.
Cons
  • 5.7-hour continuous battery life.
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Sports/Fitness 

The Anker Life P3 are great for sports and fitness. They have a stable fit in your ears, so they shouldn't fall out during your workouts. They're also comfortable and breathable, meaning that you shouldn't sweat more than usual while wearing them. While their touch-sensitive controls are easy to use mid-workout, unfortunately, they have a limited control scheme, so you may need to use your phone to adjust their volume or skip to a previous track. Luckily, you can remap controls to your liking using their companion app.

Pros
  • Comfortable fit.
  • Stable enough for workouts.
Cons
  • Limited control scheme out of the box.
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Office 

The Anker Life P3 are satisfactory for office use. They're comfortable enough to wear during long days at work, and their ANC feature can help block out ambient sounds like coworkers chatting around you as well as the hum of nearby computer equipment. While they only last for over five hours off a single charge, you can recharge them using their portable case that holds around four extra charges. Unfortunately, their microphone performance isn't very impressive, so they may not be ideal for making calls at the office.

Pros
  • Amazing noise isolation.
  • Comfortable fit.
Cons
  • 5.7-hour continuous battery life.
  • Mic makes voice sound thin and unnatural.
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Wireless Gaming 

The Anker Life P3 are compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs. However, their latency is likely too high to be suitable for gaming.

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Wired Gaming 

The Anker Life P3 are wireless-only, so they aren't suitable for wired gaming.

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Phone Calls 

The Anker Life P3 are fair for phone calls. They have an integrated microphone that offers a mediocre recording quality, so your voice sounds thin and unnatural to whoever's on the other end of the line. That said, they should still be able to understand you, as long as you're calling from a quiet environment. On the upside, their ANC feature can help block out distracting background noises so you can focus on your call.

Pros
  • Amazing noise isolation.
Cons
  • Mic makes voice sound thin and unnatural.
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Jun 14, 2024: This review's Battery section now compares these earbuds to the Anker Soundcore P40i True Wireless.
    2.  Updated Sep 20, 2023: Added a comparison to the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless in the Bluetooth box.
    3.  Updated Mar 07, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the EarFun Air Pro 3 in Bluetooth.
    4.  Updated Dec 23, 2022: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 True Wireless in Bluetooth.

    Check Price

    Coral Red
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    Navy Blue
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    Oat White
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    Sky Blue
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    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The Anker SoundCore Life P3 come in 'Black', 'Navy Blue', 'Sky Blue', 'Oat White', and 'Coral Red'. We tested the 'Black' variant, but we expect all color variants to perform similarly. You can see the label for the model we tested here.

    If you come across another version, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The Anker SoundCore Life P3 are the next generation of the Anker SoundCore Life P2 Truly Wireless. These headphones are compatible with the Anker Soundcore app, which gives you access to many customization features, including a unique adjustable ANC feature, button remapping, and a graphic EQ and presets. They don't sit as deep in your ears as their predecessor, so they have a more comfortable fit.

    See our recommendations for the best wireless in-ears and earbuds, the best wireless earbuds under $100, and the best noise cancelling earbuds.

    Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless

    Track

    The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless are slightly better earbuds than the Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless. The Liberty 4 NC have a longer battery life and support 3D Surround Sound, a virtual soundstage feature available in the Anker Soundcore app. That said, both earbuds have the same level of customizability via the app, including a graphic EQ and presets, as well as onboard control configuration.

    Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless

    Track

    The Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless have a slight edge over the Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Space A40 have a longer continuous battery life and support multi-device pairing. However, for phone calls, you might prefer the Life P3, which captures your voice more accurately.

    Anker Soundcore P40i

    Track

    The Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless and Anker Soundcore P40i are both earbuds with a solid ANC system. The P3 deliver more consistent audio and leak less audio into the room. Meanwhile, both earbuds share similar in-app features like EQ and virtual surround sound, as well as an IPX5 rating against water splashes. One upside of the P40i is their continuous battery life, which is over nine hours compared to the P3's 5.7 hours of battery.

    Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 True Wireless

    Track

    The Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless and the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 True Wireless have different strengths and depending on your usage, you may prefer either one. Although both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the P3 have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC is able to block out a superior amount of background noise. However, the Liberty 4 support multi-device pairing, have a more robust companion app, and can access Anker's Spatial Audio for a more immersive audio experience.

    Show more 
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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedIn-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedTruly Wireless
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.DifferenceLockedLock °C

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Distance
    LockedN/A
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

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    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

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    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

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    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
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    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedYes
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
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    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes
    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB
    Noise Gate
    LockedLocked
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

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    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    PC Latency (SBC)
    LockedLock ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    LockedN/A
    iOS Latency
    LockedLock ms
    Android Latency
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedN/A
    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedN/A
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    LockedN/A

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    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

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