The Swift Summary
Pros
Cons
- A decent 40 hour battery life
- Available in 3 colours
- Active noise-cancelling with 3 settings
- Lightweight design
- Clean, unfussy design
- Multiple device connections (multipoint)
- Quick NFC pairing
- Noise cancellation works in wireless mode only 🙁 – if this is a deal breaker, read our solution below.
Full features list for the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones
- Active Noise Cancelling (dual noise-detecting microphones)
- Noise Cancellation modes (Transport, Outdoor and Indoor)
- High resolution audio
- Large 40mm drivers
- Up to 60 hour playtime
- Transparency mode (hear outside noises)
- Lightweight (260g)
- Multi-point Connection – connect up to 2 Bluetooth devices
- Built-in microphone for hands-free calls
- NFC (Near Field Communication) pairing
- Connect to the Soundcore app for more features including 22 EQ settings
- Wireless or wired mode (comes with 3.5mm audio cable)
- 15° of ear muff rotation for comfort adjustment
- Foldable design
- 18 month warranty
- Comes with travel case
Swift Thoughts
Design
The design of the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones is simple and unfussy. Similar to the Q35s they have curved endings to the head strap, which I think looks really cool.
Function buttons are neatly tucked underneath each ear cup and text is kept to a minimum – nice job.
Audio Performance
The audio performance is good for the price. Nothing special, but adequate enough. I would definitely recommend downloading the Soundcore audio app first and play around with the EQ settings before judging the audio. Out the box these headphones can sound a little flat and neutral.
Build Quality
The Q30s build quality, I would say, is on par with other headphones in the price range – average; no red flags.
Comfort
The Life Q30s have a simple ergonomic design with plenty of rotation in the ear cups, which may suit larger head sizes. The protein leather padding is super-soft and I was able to comfortably wear them for long periods of time.
Functionality
The functionality of these headphones are a bit of a mixed bag. Let’s start with the good.
The best feature by far, and probably the reason you’ll want to buy them, is for the noise cancelling. This feature works really well, especially with multiple modes to adjust the strength.
NFC (touch pairing) and dual Bluetooth connections are nice features to have, but as a lot of users won’t have a need for them, they’re neither deal-breakers nor deal-makers.
One feature that might be deal-breaker though is the fact that active noise cancellation won’t work in wired mode. In wired mode, the headphones are technically ‘off’ and ANC only works when the headphones are ‘on’. What is unfortunate, and has caused much confusion over the internet, is the fact that some early batches of the Q30 headphones were released where ANC did work in wired mode.
That being said, here at SWIFT FIND we find solutions to problems, not dwell in them. Take a look at these Soundcore headphones instead – where noise cancelling does work in wired mode (ie. AUX audio cable connected).
Swift Scores
Design
Audio Performance
Comfort
Build Quality
Functionality
Battery Life
FAQs
Q: Does noise-cancelling work in wired mode?
A: No. These headphones are best used in wireless mode.
Q: What’s the size of the ear cups?
A: Width: 50mm / 80mm (inner/outer);
Height: 65mm / 95mm (inner/outer); Depth: 25mm
Q: Can you switch off the noise cancelling function?
A: Yes. There is a dedicated on/off button on the headset.
Q: Is there an SD card slot?
A: No.
Q: Do they auto switch off?
A: Yes. They have a power saving mode which kicks in after 15 minutes.
Q: Do they pair with Apple devices?
A: Yes. Bluetooth pairing works as normal. NFC pairing is just an alternative “time-saving” technique for Android users.
Q: What’s the size of the included travel case?
A: Approx. H 220 x W 175 x D 60mm.
What’s in the box?
- Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Headphones
- User Manual
- Hard carry case
- 3.5mm audio cable
- Charging cable (USB-C)
You want it? We’ve found it.
Soundcore Life Q30 headphones are available in 3 colours: black, blue and pink.
Tech Talk
What does NFC touch pairing mean and how does it work?
NFC stands for Near Field Communication which is a short-range wireless technology in which wireless pairing starts by simply touching the two devices to each other.
In most cases pairing is simple and intuitive. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled and NFC mode activated on both devices. Move the devices physically close together or actually have them touch and wait for a visual or audible cue to know that the connection has been successful.
What is Transparency Mode?
Transparency mode allows you to hear sounds around you, whilst keeping the headphones on. For example, if you’re on a plane and the flight attendant is about to ask you a question, you can pre-emptively turn the transparency mode on to hear them clearly. Transparency mode isn’t simply noise-cancelling turned off. Using the same dual microphones used for noise-detection during the noise-cancellation process, transparency mode simply uses the picked up noise and plays it back to you through the internal speakers – a neat little trick to bypass the natural noise isolation that occurs with over-the-ear style headphones.
