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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.6
Review updated Oct 17, 2023 at 02:45 pm
Latest change: Writing modified Jan 09, 2024 at 03:29 pm
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Picture
6.5
Neutral Sound
7.8
Commute/Travel
6.9
Sports/Fitness
7.3
Office
5.6
Wireless Gaming
6.7
Wired Gaming
6.7
Phone Calls
These headphones were replaced by the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are budget-friendly over-ear headphones. They stand out from the pack, thanks to their noise cancelling (ANC) system, which has three different noise isolation settings, so you can find one that's best suited for the environment around you. They also have a companion app, which offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you customize your listening experience, and support handy features like multi-device pairing.

Our Verdict

6.5 Neutral Sound

TheĀ Anker Life Q30 are just okay for neutral sound. Out-of-the-box, they have an excited, v-shaped sound profile that delivers intense thump and boom, which isn't the most suitable for fans of a flat, neutral sound. Their treble delivery can also vary depending on the fit and seal, and their soundstage feels closed-off and not very spacious. That said, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets so you can adjust their sound to your liking.

Pros
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
Cons
  • Poor passive soundstage.
7.8 Commute/Travel

TheĀ Anker Q30 are good for commuting and travel. They have an outstanding noise cancelling system and can reduce the rumble of bus or plane engines around you. They're comfortable, decently well-built, and offer over 44 hours of continuous battery life, which is good for long travel days. However, they're a bit bulky, making them harder to take with you on the go.

Pros
  • Outstanding noise isolation performance.
  • Comfortable fit.
Cons
  • Leak some audio at high volumes.
6.9 Sports/Fitness

The Anker Q30 are over-ear headphones, so they may not be the best choice for sports and fitness. They're bulky, making it hard to take them with you on the go, and they can fall off your head with moderately intense movement. They also don't have an IP rating for dust or water resistance, but that's to be expected since they're over-ears. That said, they're comfortable.

Pros
  • Comfortable fit.
Cons
  • Can fall off of your head with high-intensity movement.
7.3 Office

TheĀ Anker Life Q30 are decent for office use. They're comfortable and have long continuous battery life, which will last through multiple workdays before they need recharging. They also have a powerful active noise cancelling feature that helps reduce office chatter around you. On the downside, they leak audio, so if you're listening to music at a high volume, those around you can hear it.

Pros
  • Outstanding noise isolation performance.
  • Comfortable fit.
  • Supports multi-device pairing.
Cons
  • Leak some audio at high volumes.
  • Mediocre overall mic performance.
  • Poor passive soundstage.
5.6 Wireless Gaming

The Anker Q30 aren't compatible with Xbox or PlayStation consoles. While you can use them with Bluetooth-enabled PCs, their latency is too high to be suitable for gaming.

6.7 Wired Gaming

TheĀ Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are decent for wired gaming. Although you can use them wired with their 1/8" TRS video, you can only receive audio and can't use their integrated mic to chat with teammates. However, they're comfortable, and their excited sound can help emphasize sound effects like explosions in your gameplay.

Pros
  • Comfortable fit.
Cons
  • Poor passive soundstage.
6.7 Phone Calls

TheĀ Anker Life Q30 are alright for phone calls. Their integrated mic does a fair job recording your voice, although it can sound thin and a little dull. It struggles to separate your voice from background noise, though. Thankfully, they have an active noise cancelling feature that can reduce a lot of background noise around you.

Pros
  • Outstanding noise isolation performance.
  • Supports multi-device pairing.
Cons
  • Leak some audio at high volumes.
  • Mediocre overall mic performance.
  • 6.5 Neutral Sound
  • 7.8 Commute/Travel
  • 6.9 Sports/Fitness
  • 7.3 Office
  • 5.6 Wireless Gaming
  • 6.7 Wired Gaming
  • 6.7 Phone Calls
  1. Updated Jan 09, 2024: The following test group has been updated following TB 1.6: Bluetooth Connection. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
  2. Updated Jan 09, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
  3. Updated Oct 17, 2023: We've refreshed this review's text, ensuring it's up to date and accurate.
  4. Updated Sep 29, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Anker Soundcore Space One Wireless in Case.
  5. Updated Aug 18, 2023: We've retested Weighted Harmonic Distortion to check whether there's high distortion at max volume.
  6. Updated Nov 28, 2022: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless in Imaging.
  7. Updated Sep 30, 2022: We have lowered the Build Quality score from '7.5' to '7.0' due to user reports of breakage and low durability over time.
  8. Updated Sep 15, 2022: We have added a note to 'Build Quality' as some users have reported that their units' headbands break with continuous use.
  9. Updated May 06, 2022: We've tested the headphones' frequency response when the ANC is on vs off. However, there hasn't been a change in our results.
  10. Updated Mar 23, 2022: Based on user feedback, we have changed the results of 'Power-Saving Feature' from 'No' to 'Auto-Off Timer'. These headphones will turn off if they're inactive for some time and are disconnected from a Bluetooth source. However, they won't turn off at all if they're still connected to a Bluetooth source, even if there's no audio playing.
  11. Updated Feb 17, 2022: Tested ANC support when used wired. Updated 'Noise Isolation', 'Battery', and 'Wired' text.
  12. Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
  13. Updated May 12, 2021: We've tested these headphones for 'Breathability' and updated the 'Portability' measurements.
  14. Updated Jan 29, 2021: We've corrected the ANC mode in Test Settings.
  15. Updated Jan 18, 2021: Review published.
  16. Updated Jan 13, 2021: Early access published.
  17. Updated Dec 16, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
  18. Updated Dec 10, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  19. Updated Nov 02, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Anker Life Q30 are available in three color variants: 'Black', 'Midnight Blue', and 'Sakura Pink'. We tested the Black variant, and you can see their label here. We expect all color variants to perform similarly to our model. If you encounter another variant, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Headphones

The Anker Life Q30 are the next generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless. Unlike their predecessor, these budget-friendly over-ears come with a hard pouch to help protect the headphones when you're on the go and have a companion app with features like a graphic EQ and presets to help tweak their sound. Their active noise cancelling performance is outstanding, too, and beats competitors like the TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless.

Check out our recommendations for the best noise cancelling headphones, the best noise cancelling headphones under $100, and the best travel headphones.

Sony WH-XB910N Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless and the Sony WH-XB910N Wireless have different strengths. While both headphones support multi-device pairing, the Anker have a somewhat more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and they can block out significantly more ambient noise. However, the Sony are more comfortable and better built.

Skullcandy Hesh ANC Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are better headphones for commuting than the Skullcandy Hesh ANC Wireless. The Anker are better built and more comfortable, and their active noise cancelling feature has a significantly better performance. They also have a longer continuous battery life, can be paired with up to two devices at a time, and have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets to help you tweak their sound. However, the Skullcandy have a more stable fit.

Wyze Noise-Cancelling Headphones Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless and the  Wyze Noise-Cancelling Headphones Wireless have different strengths, and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Anker come with a hard case and their adjustable ANC feature can cut down a superior amount of ambient noise around you. Their integrated mic also offers a somewhat better overall performance and they have a longer continuous battery life. However, the Wyze have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life and their default sound profile is more neutral, which some users may prefer. 

Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless and the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless are very similar headphones with slight differences. While both headphones are comfortable, the Q30 have a better ANC performance. However, the Q35 have a better overall mic performance and support LDAC codec for high-quality audio, which some users may prefer.

Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless are slightly better over-ears than the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. The Q45 are better-built, are less prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, and leak less audio at high volumes. They also have an adaptive ANC system instead of three ANC presets. However, the Q30 are able to block out slightly more bass range noise, which can be handy for reducing bus and plane engine rumbles. 

Anker Soundcore Space One Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are a better deal than the Anker Soundcore Space One Wireless. While both headphones share similarities like LDAC support, the Life Q30 are more comfortable, come with a sturdy carrying case to help protect them from damage on the go, and have a significantly better noise isolation performance. However, the Space One are better built.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are the next generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless and are slightly better than their predecessor. The Q30 come with a hard case. They have a significantly better noise isolation performance and longer-lasting battery life. They're also compatible with the Anker Soundcore app, which allows you to customize their sound profile with a graphic EQ and presets. However, the Q20 are more stable and have a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless are better headphones than the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, feel better built, and have a better-balanced sound profile right out of the box. Their active noise cancelling feature can reduce more noise around you, and they have an auto-off timer to help conserve their battery life when not in use. That said, the Anker have a longer continuous battery life.

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless

The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable and feel better-built. They also have a more neutral sound profile right out-of-the-box, and a better companion app. However, the Anker have longer-lasting continuous battery life and three different ANC modes to better-isolate the kind of ambient noise around you.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are better over-ears than the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. The Bose are more comfortable, a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and a slightly better noise isolation performance. They also have a better battery performance too. However, the Anker have a more customizable sound profile as their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets.

Razer Opus Wireless 2021

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless and the Razer Opus Wireless 2021 have different strengths. While both headphones are comfortable, the Razer are better-built, have more consistent audio delivery, and their default sound profile is more neutral, which some users may prefer. Their battery performance is better, and you can use them wired with full audio and mic compatibility. However, the Anker have a slightly better noise isolation performance, and their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking. They also support multi-device pairing, meaning you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone at the same time.

Razer Opus X Wireless

The Razer Opus X Wireless are somewhat better headphones than the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. The Razer have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and a longer continuous battery life. However, the Anker offer a significantly better noise isolation performance, have multi-device pairing, and their companion app offers a graphic EQ alongside presets. 

Sony WH-H910N/h.ear on 3 Wireless

The Sony WH-H910N/h.ear on 3 Wireless and Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless each have their advantages, so one may suit you better than the other depending on your needs. The Sony have a more stable fit, a less bass-heavy default sound profile, an auto-off timer to conserve the charge when not in use, and leak less audio. Meanwhile, the Anker can connect to two devices at once, block out far more ambient noise, take less time to charge while offering over 40 hours of continuous playback time, and deliver audio more consistently.

Razer Opus Wireless 2020

The Razer Opus Wireless 2020 are better headphones than the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. The Razer feel better-built, and have a more neutral sound profile right out-of-the-box. They can also isolate more noise around you and have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when they're not in use. However, the Anker offer different settings for their ANC and can be paired with up to two devices at a time.

Sony WH-XB900N Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are better than the Sony WH-XB900N for most purposes. The Anker have a much better noise isolation performance, a longer continuous battery life, and support multi-device pairing. However, the Sony have a much more comfortable and stable fit.

Beats Solo Pro Wireless

The Beats Solo Pro Wireless and the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are casual-use headphones with different strengths. The Beats are better-built, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and leak less audio. However, the Anker have a more comfortable fit, a better battery performance, and their ANC has a significantly better noise isolation performance. You can also customize their sound profile using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets, and you can pair them with up to two devices at a time.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless and the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless have different strengths, and you may prefer either pair. The Anker have an ANC feature and block out much more ambient sound, so they're more suitable for purposes like commuting. On the other hand, the Audio-Technica have longer battery life. Their sound profile is also much more neutral, which some may prefer to the Anker's bass-heavy sound, but you can customize both headphones' sound profiles in their companion app.

Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are better headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless. The Anker are more comfortable and better built, and have an outstanding active noise cancelling feature. They also have a companion app that offers a graphic EQ and presets and support multi-device pairing and NFC pairing.

Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless

The AnkerSoundcore Life Q30 and the Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless have different strengths and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Anker are more comfortable. Their active noise cancelling (ANC) feature does a significantly better job of reducing background noise around you and they have longer-lasting continuous battery life. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ on top of presets. However, the Plantronics have a more stable fit and a neutral sound profile right out-of-the-box. They also leak less audio.

JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless and the JBL VIbe 100TWS True Wireless have different strengths, and you may prefer either one. The Anker are over-ears with a comfortable fit, a superior noise isolation performance, and a significantly longer continuous battery life. They also have a companion app that allows you to adjust their sound to your liking, and they support multi-device pairing. However, the JBL are in-ears that are more portable, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their fit is more stable.

TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are better headphones than the TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Anker ones have a significantly better noise isolation performance, better battery life, and a companion app that offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their performance to your liking. However, the TREBLAB headphones are better-built, and support aptX and aptX HD codecs, which is good if you want to listen to high-quality audio.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic

The Anker Q30 look very similar to the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless. They have a simple design with a black satin finish. With this generation, a small logo in gold is found on both ear cups, making it look a little more refined. They also come in 'Midnight Blue' and 'Sakura Pink' if you prefer a more colorful look.

7.5
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.58 lbs
Clamping Force
0.9 lbs

They're comfortable headphones. Like the Wyze Noise-Cancelling Headphones Wireless, they feel lightweight and don't clamp too tightly on the head. The headband padding feels thin and can become uncomfortable when worn for long listening sessions.

7.5
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Decent
Feedback Decent
Call/Music Control Yes
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control No
Channel Mixing
No
Noise Cancelling Control On/Off
Talk-Through
On/Off
Additional Controls Voice Assistant

These headphones have a good control scheme that's easy to use. Only the right ear cup has a touch-sensitive surface, but most of the controls are physical buttons located on the bottom of both ear cups. While the buttons are clicky and there are voice prompts for the different ANC settings, there aren't beeps for most of the other commands.

On the left ear cup:

Power button:

  • Press and hold: Turns headphones on or off. Holding this button beyond turning the headphones on enters Bluetooth pairing mode.

NC button:

  • Single press: Cycles through three noise cancelling settings: 'ANC', 'Transparency', which allows you to listen to audio while staying aware of what's going on around you, and 'Normal', which is its off mode.

On the right ear cup:

Play/Pause button:

  • Single press: Plays and pauses audio. Also answers and ends calls.
  • Press and hold: Activates voice assistant.

Volume rocker:

  • Single press (on the '+'): Raises the volume.
  • Single press (on the '-'): Lowers the volume.
  • Double press (on the '+'): Skips to the next track.
  • Double press (on the '-'): Skips to the previous track.

Touch-sensitive surface:

  • Touch and hold: Activates transparency mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings without pausing your audio.

5.9
Design
Breathability
Avg.Temp.Difference 7.2 Ā°C

These over-ears aren't very breathable, but that's on par for their design as they cover the entire ear. As a result, they trap heat, which makes your ears feel warm over time. You can also sweat more if you're wearing them for long periods or during physical exercise.

6.2
Design
Portability
L 6.9" (17.5 cm)
W 6.8" (17.3 cm)
H 1.7" (4.3 cm)
Volume 80.00 inĀ³ (1,310.96 cmĀ³)
Transmitter Required No

Over-ears like these headphones aren't very portable. They're bulky, and while the ear cups can swivel to lay flat and come with a hard case to help protect them, they still take up some room in a bag or backpack.

7.5
Design
Case
Type Hard case
L 8.9" (22.6 cm)
W 7.4" (18.8 cm)
H 2.3" (5.8 cm)
Volume 152.00 inĀ³ (2,490.82 cmĀ³)

Unlike the Anker Soundcore Space One Wireless, these over-ears have a good hard case. It has a zipper so that it fully closes, and there's a small section inside so that you can store its cables. It'll protect your headphones from minor water exposure and accidental drops.

7.0
Design
Build Quality

The Anker Q30 have a decent build quality. They're mostly made of plastic and silicone-like materials, which makes them feel sturdy. There's also faux-leather padding on the headband and cups and a metal plate in the headband. They feel dense enough to survive a few accidental drops without getting damaged. However, some users have reported that their units' headbands cracked or broke over time, which points to issues with the build quality's durability. We haven't noticed this issue with our unit, though. Some of our team also use these headphones as their daily drivers, and they haven't encountered this either, so your experience may vary. However, if you have experienced this problem, please let us know in the forums. If you're looking for better-built Anker headphones, try the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless instead.

6.5
Design
Stability

These over-ears have a fairly stable fit. While they won't move if you're working at your desk, they can fall off your head with more intense head movements. On the upside, their wireless design eliminates the risk of a cable snagging on something and pulling the headphones off your head.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • Anker Soundcore Life Q30 headphones
  • 1/8" TRS audio cable
  • USB-C charging cable
  • Hard case
  • Manuals

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
5.91 dB
Treble Amount
-0.28 dB

The Anker Q30 have an excited, v-shaped sound profile. The bass delivers intense thump and rumble, while the treble adds sparkle and brightness to your mix. This sound is well-suited for genres like rock and pop, which benefit from added bass and treble to make tracks sound exciting and dynamic. While some users may find this sound profile overtly bass-heavy, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets to help tweak their sound.

There is a noticeable difference in sound profile when using the ANC on and off. Although we tested these headphones with their ANC on, if you turn the ANC off, audio sounds a bit hollow and thin. However, it doesn't sound as bad as the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless when the ANC is off. To confirm this, we ran a few frequency response passes with the ANC on and off using a wired connection and Bluetooth. You can see our graph here. There's some difference in the low-bass, which is responsible for thump and rumble. There's also a dip between the low to mid-mid, which can thin as well as nudge vocals and lead instruments to the back of your mix. If you experience this issue, please let us know in the forums.

6.9
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.65 dB

These over-ears have an alright frequency response consistency. Their treble delivery varies depending on fit, positioning, and seal, so it's important to take the time to adjust their fit on your head to get the same listening experience each time you use them.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
4.9
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
8.54 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
10 Hz
Low-Bass
9.92 dB
Mid-Bass
10.45 dB
High-Bass
7.35 dB

Their bass accuracy is poor. It's overemphasized across the range, so tracks with a strong bassline, like Satisfaction by Benni Benassi, have heavy thump, rumble, and boom. All of this extra bass also makes mixes sound boomy and muddy.

8.2
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
2.4 dB
Low-Mid
3.37 dB
Mid-Mid
0.77 dB
High-Mid
0.65 dB

These over-ears have great mid accuracy. There's a bit of over-emphasis coming from the bass range into the low-mid, which results in a muddy sound in your mix. However, the rest of the range is flat and neutral, so vocals and lead instruments sound present and accurate.

7.2
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
4.12 dB
Low-Treble
1.19 dB
Mid-Treble
4.46 dB
High-Treble
3.62 dB

The Anker Life Q30 have fair treble accuracy. Almost the entire range is over-emphasized, resulting in bright vocals and lead instruments. Sibilants like S and T sounds are piercing, though. Treble delivery can vary depending on fit, positioning, and seal.

7.4
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
1.54 dB
Dips
1.52 dB

The peaks and dips performance is satisfactory. The headphones struggle a bit to control their sound profile. There's also a bit of a mismatch between the left and right drivers. A peak in the bass range affects the left driver slightly more than the right, resulting in a bit more punch and boom. A dip in between the high-bass and low-mid thins out vocals and lead instruments, while another dip between the mid to high-mid nudges these same vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix. A dip in the low-treble reduces the clarity of these same instruments, while a steep peak in the mid-treble makes sibilants piercing.

6.1
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.22
Weighted Phase Mismatch
58.08
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.47
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
2.68

We've tested several products from Anker and encountered some imaging issues, which can indicate the brand's overall quality control and ergonomics. Imaging can vary across units, though. Our unit's L/R drivers have high phase mismatch, causing inaccuracies in the stereo image. There's also a slight frequency mismatch, which can result in holes in the stereo image. That said, the L/R drivers are well-matched in group delay, ensuring tight bass and transparent imaging, as well as in amplitude, helping to balance the stereo image.

4.9
Sound
Passive Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
2.54 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
6.44 dB
PRTF Distance
7.8 dB
Openness
0.9
Acoustic Space Excitation
4.4

The Anker Q30 have a poor passive soundstage. While it's perceived as wide and natural, audio still sounds like it's coming from inside your head rather than from out in front of you. Also, due to their closed-back design, they sound less spacious than open-back headphones.

0
Sound
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
No
Speaker Modeling
No
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
No
Virtual Surround
No
7.8
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.211
WHD @ 100
0.133

The weighted harmonic distortion performance is good. All ranges fall within good limits, producing clean and pure audio at moderate volumes. At max volume, there's some distortion present in the right driver's bass range, and it's more noticeable when the ANC is on than off. However, we don't expect most users to encounter this issue, as listening to audio at such a high volume is very uncommon. It's also worth noting that most headphones have some distortion at max volume; we don't recommend using any headphones at max volume either, as it can negatively impact your hearing over time.

Sound
Test Settings
Firmware
1.8
Power
On
Connection
Bluetooth 5.0
Codec
SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz
EQ
Default
ANC
Transport
Tip/Pad
Default
Microphone
Integrated

These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when listening using these settings.

Isolation
9.1
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-25.33 dB
Noise Cancelling Yes
Bass
-22.37 dB
Mid
-17.89 dB
Treble
-34.93 dB

The Anker Life Q30 have fantastic noise isolation. With their active noise (ANC) feature set to the 'Transport' mode setting, they perform better than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless. They can reduce a significant amount of bass-range noise like bus or plane engines. They also cut down a lot of mid-range noise, like office chatter, as well as higher-pitched sounds, like the hum of an AC unit. These headphones also offer two other kinds of ANC. 'Outdoor' mode aims to cut down traffic and wind noise, while 'Indoor' mode is more focused on reducing mid and treble-range noise like office chatter and the hum of fans.

Note: Some users have reported that the ANC system doesn't work when the headphones are wired due to a firmware update or the feature being removed in a newer batch of headphones. Using firmware 02.10, our unit's ANC is usable while wired, so long as the unit has remaining battery life. However, you may be unable to do the same with your unit. We don't know how to differentiate batches for these headphones, but you can see our model's serial number here.

6.2
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
43.98 dB

Their leakage performance is mediocre. Their leakage is concentrated in the mid-range, so it sounds somewhat full. If you're listening to your audio at a high volume, people at the office may be able to hear it.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
Yes
In-Line
No
Boom
No
Detachable Boom
No
Mic Yes
6.9
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
276.97 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
2.31 dB
HFE
4,561.4 Hz
Weighted THD
2.173
Gain
5.52 dB

The Anker Soundcore Q30's integrated mic's recording quality is fair. It sounds thin and a bit dull, but your voice still sounds clear and easy to understand.

5.6
Microphone
Noise Handling
SpNR
12.36 dB
Noise Gate
No
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
6.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
5.0
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

The integrated microphone's noise handling performance is just mediocre. It struggles to separate your voice from moderate background noise and is best suited for calls taken from a more quiet environment.

Active Features
8.9
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
44.3 hrs
Additional Charges
0.0
Total Battery Life
44.3 hrs
Charge Time
1.7 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
Auto-Off Timer
Audio While Charging
No
Passive Playback
Yes
Charging Port USB-C

The battery performance is excellent. They have over 44 hours of continuous playback time with their ANC on. If you need even more playback time, the manufacturer advertises them as lasting up to 60 hours with their ANC off. Thanks to their TRS audio cable, you can use them passively, but you can't use them while they're charging. Depending on your unit's batch, you may be unable to use the ANC system while wired. While they have an auto-off timer, it only turns off the headphones if they're not connected to a Bluetooth source. They won't power off if you're still connected to your Bluetooth device, even if you're not listening to anything.

8.0
Active Features
App Support
App Name Anker Soundcore
iOS Yes
Android Yes
macOS No
Windows No
Equalizer
Graphic + Presets
ANC Control
Adjustable
Mic Control No
Room Effects
No
Playback Control
No
Button Mapping No
Surround Support
No

The Anker Soundcore app is great. You can adjust the sound of these headphones using their graphic EQ or presets. You can also adjust their ANC with three different levels: 'Transport' mode, 'Outdoor' mode, and 'Indoor' mode. There are also sleep features available. You can make a mix of calming ambient sounds like birds tweeting or chimes and also set a timer for them.

Connectivity
7.8
Connectivity
Wired Connection
Analog Audio
Yes
USB Audio
No
Detachable
Yes
Length
4.10 ft (1.25 m)
Connector
1/8" TRS
Latency - Analog
10.0 ms
Latency - USB
N/A
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Connection Analog

These over-ears come with a 1/8" TRS cable that you can use to passively listen to audio. However, you can't use their mic while wired. They also come with a USB-C to USB-A charging cable. Using firmware 02.10, our unit's ANC can be used via analog, so long as battery life remains. However, this may be unique to our unit's batch, and you may not be able to use this feature wired. We don't know how to differentiate batches, but you can see our unit's serial number here.

8.3
Connectivity
Bluetooth Connection
Bluetooth Version
5.010
Multi-Device Pairing
2 Devices
Quick Pair (Android)
No
Quick Pair (iOS)
No
Line Of Sight Range
335.00 ft (102.11 m)
Latency - SBC
233 ms
Latency - aptX
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
N/A
Latency - LDAC
N/A
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Codec SBC
AAC Support
Yes

These over-ears have great Bluetooth connectivity. Unlike the Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless, you can pair them with up to two devices simultaneously and support NFC pairing, simplifying the pairing process. However, they have high latency on PCs vis SBC codec, so you'll encounter lip-sync issues if you're streaming video. Some devices and apps compensate for latency differently, though. If you're looking for similar Anker headphones supporting the LDAC codec, try the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless.

0
Connectivity
Wireless Connection (Dongle)
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
Latency - Dongle
N/A
Recorded Latency
N/A
Connectivity
PC Compatibility
Analog
Audio Only
Wired USB
No
Non-BT Wireless
No

These headphones can connect to Bluetooth-enabled PCs with full audio and mic compatibility. If you're using their analog cable, you'll only be able to hear audio.

Connectivity
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
Audio Only
PS4 Wired USB
No
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
PS5 Analog
Audio Only
PS5 Wired USB
No
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
No

You can connect these headphones to PlayStation consoles by plugging their analog cable into your controller's AUX port. However, you'll only be able to receive audio.

Connectivity
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio Only
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
Xbox Series X|S Analog
Audio Only
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No

The Anker Q30 are only compatible with the Xbox One when you plug their 1/8" TRS cable into the AUX port of a controller. You can only receive audio as they don't have mic support.

0
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
No Base/Dock
USB Input
No
Line In
No
Line Out
No
Optical Input
No
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
No
Power Supply
No Base/Dock