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Soundcore Life P3i review: The better Soundcore Life P3?

FOUR STARS. Between the wildly populair Life P3 and sports-oriented Life A2 NC, Soundcore releases yet another pair of active noise cancelling wireless earbuds between 50 and 100 dollars. How good is the Soundcore Life P3i?

Bluetooth 5.2 with AAC codec

9 hours listening on a single charge (ANC on/ off)

Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times

Comes with 3 sets of ear tips, USB-C cable, English manual

Below this Soundcore Life P3i review, you will find comparisons of the Soundcore Life P3i vs Soundcore Life P3, Soundcore Life A2 NC, Earfun Air Pro 2 and 1more ComfoBuds Pro.

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Design, comfort and battery life

After the earlier released and Scarbir.com-recommended Soundcore Life P2i, it’s now clear where the ‘i’ stands for in Soundcore’s wireless earbuds lineup: actual, clicky buttons. The Life P3i carries them on top of the stem. They may look like touch panels, but you press them like actual buttons. Nicely hidden and convenient for sweaty fingers. While the brand doesn’t really advertise it, the Soundcore Life P3i is said to be IPX5 waterproof, meaning it survives a bit of rain and sweat.

As for the build quality, the P3i ticks all the boxes. Both the case and the earbuds feel sturdy and have a high-quality finish. The normal-sized case has a hefty lid, a LED-light on the front that indicates the remaining battery life, and a USB-C charging port below. Wireless charging isn’t supported.

The stems are a bit thicker than the rest of the brands’ lineup, but they’re also shorter than the regular Soundcore Life P3’s, and look neat thanks to the shining metallic line in the middle of the stem. That said, the black version probably looks better than this creme-white color scheme, which reminds a bit of a once white wallpaper turned yellow after a lot of smoking in the room. The oval part that goes into your ears is comfortable to wear for hours.

Battery life is solid. The earbuds deliver up to 6 hours of playtime with ANC on, and up to 9 hours with the function turned off. The case can recharge them four times fully before needing new power itself.

Controls and connectivity

While the Soundcore Life P3i controls aren’t very logical out of the box. one click to skip or return a song, two to play/pause. oof. you can easily change them with the free Soundcore app on Android and iPhone. You finally get more options than on previous Soundcore models, as you can change the single-press, double-press and hold-press controls for the left and right earbuds independently.

The top of the stems give a neat little click when you push them, and the bedding is good too: you won’t feel your buds pushes in your ears.

Like the controls, connection strength on the P3i is great. The earbuds pair and connect quickly when you take them out of the case, and the Bluetooth connection stays stable up to 9-10 meters away from your device. Sadly, multipoint connection is not available, so you can’t connect the P3i to more devices at the same time and automatically switch between them. Lots of earbuds don’t have this, but it’s still unfortunate.

Calls, movies and Games

When it comes to phone and video calls, the Soundcore Life P3i puts your voice through clearly, but a bit distant and tinny. You sound metallic. Noise around you, like door slams and chatter, are neatly reduced, but do battle your voice clarity somewhat. Wind noise is the usual enemy as well.

The Life P3i has no dedicated gaming mode, and there indeed is a bit of delay in sound effects when you’re playing games. although it’s more noticeable in menu’s than in the middle of action in something like Call of Duty mobile. Video playback is good, with flawless synchronization between audio and video in YouTube and other video apps.

App Support of Soundcore Life P3i

Soundcore has a reputation of delivering great app support for its earbuds, and the Life P3i is no exception. The free Soundcore app for iPhone and Android connects to the earbuds quickly and is easy to use, although the functions are a lot less comprehensive than the regular Soundcore Life P3. You’ll lose the sleep sounds and detailed noise cancelling settings this time around.

The included functions are neat though:

See an (imprecise) battery indicator for both of the earbuds

Change controls for the single, double and long press

Change which ANC functions you want to activate from the earbuds (ANC/ Transparency mode/ ANC off)

Select one of the 22 sound equalizer presets

Create, save and activate your own equalizers

Activate voice prompt instead of beeps (although this doesn’t work as of now)

The app responds quickly and changes you make are immediately put through to the earbuds. Typical Soundcore. top class.

ANC Noise cancelling of Soundcore Life P3i

Having active noise cancelling on a 55 earphone is no specialty anymore these days, but the ANC on the Mini Pro is a strong offering in its segment.

ANC quality : The biggest difference between the cheaper Soundcore Life P2i and Life P3i, is that the latter has Active Noise Cancelling. Unfortunately, it’s not as effective as the best models in the 50-100 dollars price range as of mid-2022. including the Soundcore Life P3.

The ANC is most effective in reducing constant darker and medium-low sounds, like static or electronic humming. Lighter background noise, including distant traffic, is reduced in volume, but you’ll often hear some noise slipping through. Irregular and nearby sounds like chatter still come through clearly, including when you’re listening to music on low volume levels.

Transparency mode quality : The Transparency mode is mediocre. It puts through traffic noise and chatter when you need it, but only when you’re not playing music, or playing music up to moderate volume. Cross that level, and the effect is gone.

Wind noise reduction : The Soundcore Life P3i leaves out wind noise pretty well when using the ANC or Transparency mode, and if you wan’t to rule it out entirely, you can always switch to Normal mode.

Unfortunately, as the beep sounds that indicate the functions all sound alike, it’s hard to know in which setting you are. One more note: the Life P3i can show a crackle when you switch from Transparency mode to ANC off. Not a very nice sound.

Sound quality of Soundcore Life P3i

Like other models from the same brand, the Soundcore Life P3i aims to please many with its vast bass and full sound.

You can’t miss the bass on the Life P3i. The mid-bass delivers big, boomy, almost explosive thumps, providing genres like hip-hop with long-lasting slams. Underneath, the sub-bass (deepest bass tones you can feel as much as hear) can give a deep and controlled shaking, but still in a friendly way. It’s not the tightest performer. As the mid-bass dissolves into the lower-mids a little, acoustic drums can sound a little dull and lack impact. If you love a big bass though, there’s plenty to feast on. perhaps even a little too much once you activate the BassUp slider from the app.

Lower mid-tones, such as darker electronic tones and the lowest male vocals, are heavily boosted and add up to the warmth and fullness of the sound.

Luckily, the sound isn’t too dark. Compared to other Soundcore models like the Life P2i, Liberty Air 2 Pro and Liberty 3 Pro, highs on the Life P3i aren’t as extended and opened-up with the standard equalizer. This diminishes the sense of space in the sound a bit, even though you can still hear effects and instruments coming from your left and right. It does make the Life P3i an easier listen than its brand companions. Besides, vocals are still very forward. prominent and clearly protruded from other highers tones, but they don’t have the metallic side-effect from earlier Soundcore models. A good tradeoff. but one you can turn back by selecting the Acoustic equalizer from the app, which immediately emphasizes upper mid-tones and highs again.

When it comes to volume, the P3i can use a firmware upgrade on Android. as the maximum volume on Android devices may be a too soft for active listening. There’s (already) plenty of volume on iPhone.

As the lows are more full than accurate, center mid-tones like guitars and piano play sound warmer than usual, and higher vocals are set a bit loose from other parts of the treble, the Soundcore Life P3i isn’t the most natural sounding pair of wireless earphones. When you’re a fan of a full sound and strong bass, however, there’s a lot to enjoy here.

The 5 Best Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out. Summer 2023 Reviews

While most people prefer earbuds for sports, many find over-ear headphones more comfortable for light and moderate exercise. Finding the best over-ear headphones for the gym can be hard, though. Most over-ear headphones aren’t designed to fit securely enough to stay in place while training and make you sweat more than usual. Regularly working out with them could also result in issues not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, so take extra care if you use them while working out or running. Keep an eye on their performance, and give them lots of time to air out between training sessions. That said, there are still a few Bluetooth options that could be decent for working out or running.

We’ve tested over 350 over-ear headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones for running and working out. If you want more fitness audio options, check out our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds for running and working out or the best headphones for running.

Best Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out

Beats Studio3 Wireless

The Beats Studio3 Wireless are the best over-ear headphones for working out that we’ve tested. These over-ears have good stability, meaning you won’t risk them moving around much during a moderate workout. They also have a W1 chip, which lets you seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices. Their ANC performs decently and will isolate you from the ambient chatter of gym-goers nearby and high-pitched noise like a squeaky treadmill. Their physical controls are decent too, and give you good tactile feedback when changing between songs. However, the controls are completely flush with the body of the ear cup, so there’s no way to differentiate between buttons, which can lead to misclicks. Out of the box, they have a warm sound profile with extra bass, making them a solid choice for genres like hip-hop and EDM. However, vocals and instruments are veiled in the mix, and even though they have a companion app, it lacks an EQ for sound customization. If you don’t mind their default sound, they’ll last you through repeat workouts, thanks to their 23-hour continuous battery life. They even come in several different color schemes to help you find the right one that matches your style.

Best Mid-Range Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out

Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless

The Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless are the best over-ears for workouts we’ve tested in the mid-range. While there’s a big price difference between these cans and our top pick, and they don’t feel as sturdy or durable, they’re still worth considering if you’re looking for more something more affordable. They’re stable enough for moderate exercise without feeling too tight. Their earpads are deep and decently comfortable but have a faux-leather lining prone to trap heat. Fortunately, their battery lasts around 44 hours on a single charge, so you’re likely to get through many workouts before meeting to charge them. These headphones have a very excited, V-shaped sound profile. There’s lots of extra bass and treble to make genres like pop and rock shine, but you may find this mix overwhelming if you prefer a more neutral sound. Since they lack any sound customization features, you’re also stuck with their default settings. They also lack ANC and don’t do a good job of passively cutting out background noise, like nearby traffic or chatty gymgoers. However, this is an advantage if you’re trying to stay aware of your surroundings while running down a busy street. If you want a more durable pair of mid-range over-ears, check out the TREBLAB Z7 Pro Wireless. They’re more expensive than the Skullcandy, but they have an IPX4 rating for protection against water splashes—a rarity among over-ear headphones that makes them better-suited for outdoor excursions.

Best Budget Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless

The 6 Best Headphones For Running. Summer 2023 Reviews

Whether you’re a casual jogger or a marathon runner, music can be a perfect companion to help push you to your limits. Running headphones should be stable enough to stay on or in your ear, as well as be comfortable, easy to use, and portable enough to take around with you. While some people like to block out as much background noise as possible when working out, it can be helpful to stay aware of your surroundings if you run outside.

We’ve tested over 725 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best wireless headphones for running that you can buy. Check out our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones for working out, the best wireless earbuds for running, and the best wireless headphones.

Best Headphones For Running

Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless

The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are the best headphones for running that we’ve tested. Their ear hook design makes them almost impossible to shake out during an intense sprint or brisk jog. They’re also lightweight and flexible enough to fit comfortably around your ear for hours without causing any fatigue or discomfort. While they’re only rated IPX4 for resistance against water splashes, they have good durability and feature an H1 chip which allows for seamless pairing with Apple devices, so you won’t have to spend time ensuring they’re connected to your iPhone before starting a run. While these headphones don’t have any sound customization options available, they have a very neutral default sound profile. Bass and treble are reproduced with high accuracy, ensuring a rich mix with ample thump and punch to complement pump-up jams. Their battery lasts nearly 12 hours on a single charge, meaning they’re well-suited for longer runs or marathon training sessions. They don’t block out much ambient noise passively, but you’ll stay more aware of your surroundings. Check out the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless if you’re looking for ANC and an even more neutral sound, but they aren’t as stable, and their battery lasts half as long as the Powerbeats Pro.

Best Upper Mid-Range Headphones For Running

Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless

The Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless are the best upper mid-range running headphones we’ve tested. They have an impressive IP68 rating, meaning they’re dust-tight and protected from submersion in water. They’re also quite comfortable and have stability fins, so they won’t fall out of your ears during runs. Their easy-to-use control scheme has music and volume functions, so you don’t need to pull out your phone during a run to skip a track. These buds have a well-balanced sound profile that’s also versatile enough for most kinds of audio content, and their companion app has a parametric EQ and presets, so you can adjust it to suit your tastes. While they have an ANC feature, it’s not very effective, especially when blocking out bass-range sounds like rumbling engines if you’re jogging near a busy road. On the other hand, if you’re looking for more spacial awareness, you can turn on their transparency mode. Their battery only lasts half as long as the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless, but they come with a portable case that holds a couple of extra charges. The case is also rated IP54, which helps protect them from dust and water even when stored away.

Best Mid-Range Headphones For Running

Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless

If you’re looking for something cheaper, the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are the best wireless headphones for running in the mid-range we’ve tested. They aren’t as well-built as the Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless, but they feel sturdy and have an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance. Unlike the previous pick, they have ear hooks to stop them from slipping out of place even if the buds pop out of your ears, giving you an extra sense of security if you’re worried about losing your headphones. Their slightly bass-rich sound profile is suitable for a variety of genres, and you can customize it with a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app. They also have a long, 9.5-hour continuous battery life, so you don’t need to worry about charging them as often. However, while their case holds more than three extra charges, it’s not IP-rated for dust or water resistance like the Jaybird. The earbuds have a deep in-ear fit and can feel a bit plunger-like, but the ear hooks are flexible, and the headphones have a comfortable fit for most people. If you don’t like the look or feel of ear hooks, the Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless are a good mid-range option. They aren’t quite as stable, but will easily stay in place for runs, have a similarly comfortable fit, and are rated IP55 for dust and water resistance.

Best Budget Headphones For Running

Beats Flex Wireless

If you’re looking for extra protection against your earbuds falling out, consider our budget pick, the Beats Flex Wireless. These in-ears come with an attacked neckband that makes them easy to take on and off without worrying about a case. They’re lightweight and have similar stability as the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless. If you wear glasses, they’re likely to be more comfortable than the Skullcandy’s ear-hooks which compete for space behind your ear with glasses’ arms. Their sound profile is bass-heavy, with extra thump and punch to complement genres like hip-hop and EDM. Vocals and instrumentals also sound clear and present, making them versatile enough for all kinds of workout playlists. However, their companion app lacks any sound customization features. Fortunately, their battery lasts around 11 hours on a single charge, which will get you through a few long runs before recharging. Their W1 chip also allows for seamless pairing with Apple devices, and they can do a decent job of passively blocking background chatter from passing pedestrians; just don’t expect them to isolate you from heavy traffic noise. If you’re looking for even cheaper buds, check out the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless. They aren’t as stable due to their bud-only design, but you can adjust their sound between a number of EQ presets, and their carrying case has a built-in charging cable.

Best Bone Conduction Headphones For Running

Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction

Having good spatial awareness is key to avoiding obstacles and staying safe when running outside. Some headphones use transparency mode to help you hear your surroundings, but the sound they create can’t capture your environment perfectly. Unlike some of the other picks on this list, the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction bypass the ear canal and use bone conduction to send vibrations via your cheekbones, leaving your whole ear unobstructed and able to hear the world around you. However, this does mean that they don’t block out any background sound at all. Their unique sound reproduction may not be for everyone, either. These headphones lack low-bass, so music like EDM and hip-hop lacks body and sounds hollow. However, thanks to their fairly balanced mid-range, they can be a solid choice if you listen to vocal-centric content like podcasts. These headphones hook around your ear, ensuring they don’t move too much during intense movement outside. They’re well-built and have an IP67 rating for protection against dust and water, meaning you can wear these out in the rain without worrying about damage. They last roughly 13 hours continuously and have a standby mode to help conserve battery life if you forget to turn them off. However, they use a proprietary charging cable, so you’ll need to buy a new one if you lose or misplace it.

Best Over-Ear Headphones For Running

Beats Studio3 Wireless

If you find in-ears and earbuds uncomfortable, you may prefer over-ears like the Beats Studio3 Wireless. These wireless headphones have a sturdy build quality and have a comfortable fit for most people. Sports earbuds from this manufacturer, like the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless, are more stable, but they won’t keep you as isolated from outside noise. Their ANC does a decent job at blocking out chatty gym-goers, and they come with a W1 chip for seamless pairing with Apple devices. While they don’t have an IP rating for protection against the elements, they last 23 hours on a single charge, so you can use them through several runs before needing a top-up. The Beats have a warm sound profile. There’s a touch of extra bass to compliment your pump-up jams. Unfortunately, an underemphasis in the treble range means instruments and vocals sound muddy and dull. Their companion app lacks sound customization features, like a graphic EQ or presets, so you’re stuck with their sound out of the box. Their control scheme is also hard to navigate because all the buttons are flush with the ear cups’ body. Feedback is tactile and clicky, so you’ll know when you’ve input a command. If you like over-ears for running, check out our list of the best over-ear headphones for working out.

Recent Updates

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best bluetooth headphones for running and the best earbuds for running to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn’t worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all of our headphone reviews, ranked by their suitability for sports and fitness. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and where you use the headphones will matter more in your selection.

Why it feels like your Airpods Max have worse ANC lately

If you’ve been hearing the low rumbles of the subway on your daily commute through your Airpods Max, you’re not alone. After Apple introduced the 4E71 firmware update in May, some users reported experiencing worse active noise cancellation (ANC) on their premium headphones.

After some rigorous testing from RTings, that may actually be the case. According to the report, the latest Airpods Max firmware update cancels out bass sounds worse compared to the previous firmware. But just how bad is the ANC on Airpods Max now? Is the “issue” really a concern or overblown? Should you head down to your local Apple store and demand a refund?

What were the ANC findings?

From RTings’ report, Apple Airpods Max scored an 8.3 in the “Isolation” category of the review, which is a noticeable drop from the 9.0 score from before the latest update. RTings says that the new firmware “blocks out a bit less noise between the mid-bass to high-bass range than the previous firmware.”

That’s the range you’d hear low rumbling noises, like the engines of buses, planes, or cars. RTings’ report does note that the Airpods Max still does a decent job at this range though, albeit worse than before. Otherwise, there’s a slight difference in the mid and treble ranges, but not anything that you’d notice.

How does the ANC compare?

If you take a look at RTings’ latest chart for the Airpods Max and compare it to the tests conducted on the previous firmware, you can see a noticeable drop in the mid-bass to high-bass range. Particularly in the high-bass zone, there’s only a 10-decibel reduction this time around, whereas previously it was almost up to a 30-decibel reduction.

Overall, the previous firmware update scored a.19.92dB for bass noise isolation, while this 4E71 firmware version came in at a.15.53dB rating. The mid and treble levels didn’t change much.

Active noise-cancellation on the Airpods Max is still one of the best on any wireless over-ear headphones.

Will you hear a difference in ANC?

Yes and no. If you’re around cars, trains, or planes for a good chunk of your day, you might notice a reduction in noise-cancellation with Airpods Max. If you’re commuting by subway daily or work near a highway, it’ll likely be a noticeable issue.

Otherwise, it’s unlikely you’ll hear a significant difference in ANC. “When it comes to the mid and treble ranges, this firmware update has slightly changed the level of isolation, but it’s a relatively minor difference,” writes RTings.

The Airpods Max still do a great job at canceling out ambient chatter or the high-pitched whirring of an air conditioning unit, according to RTings. So when you’re in the office, you should still be able to get in the zone with strong active noise cancellation.

What can you do about it?

The technical report demonstrates the latest 4E71 firmware for Airpods Max indeed reduces the ANC and it’s not just in peoples’ heads. At the time of this writing, Apple hasn’t yet addressed RTings’ findings. There’s no class action lawsuit, though some believe it could happen. There is, however, an ongoing lawsuit between Apple and Jawbone Innovations claiming that Apple infringed on its noise cancellation patents, as discovered by Reddit user u/facingcondor.

If Apple thinks it’s a real issue, it could do a recall, or more likely, fix the ANC reduction problem in a future firmware update.

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For high-fidelity listening and theater-grade sound, it doesn’t get any better than the Apple Airpods Max headphones. Boasting a 4.6-star overall rating, the headphones have both active noise cancellation and transparency mode (so you can interact with the outside world when you want to). Memory foam ear cups make these comfortable to wear for hours on end.