Soundcore Life P3i Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds

The Soundcore Life P3i Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds are an impressive pair of wireless earbuds that offer great sound, excellent noise cancellation, and lots of customization options at an affordable price point. In this review, I’ll go over the key features and performance of these earbuds to help you decide if they are a good choice for you.

Overview

The Soundcore Life P3i earbuds have a sleek, minimalist design with an all-black color scheme. The earbuds themselves are lightweight and comfortable, with silicone eartips that provide a secure fit. The compact charging case is pocketable and portable. A standout feature is the hybrid active noise cancellation, which uses feedforward and feedback microphones to block out ambient sound very effectively. With customizable sound via the Soundcore app and excellent battery life, these earbuds punch above their weight given their reasonable price.

Key Features:

• Hybrid active noise cancellation uses both feedforward and feedback mics to reduce ambient sound up to 90%
• 10mm drivers deliver powerful bass and crisp treble
• Up to 9 hours playback time per charge, 36 hours total with charging case
• IPX5 water resistance
• Customizable sound with EQ presets and adjustable EQ in app
• Bluetooth 5.2 provides stable connectivity

Design and Appearance

The Life P3i earbuds have an understated, all-black aesthetic that looks subtle and modern. The earbuds are compact and lightweight, with an angled nozzle that fits comfortably in the ear. The matte plastic stem has easy-to-use physical buttons for control. The charging case is small and portable, with a flip-top opening and an LED battery indicator on the front. The earbuds magnetically snap into place when charging. The case has a nice solid feel and premium finish.

Sound Quality and Features

With 10mm drivers, the Life P3i earbuds deliver powerful, dynamic sound with punchy bass and crisp treble. The sound signature is exciting and fun, with emphasis on the low end. There is some customization available in the app with EQ presets and a fully adjustable EQ to tweak the sound to your liking. Volume gets loud enough for most listeners. The earbuds support SBC and AAC codecs for high quality streaming.

Noise Cancellation

The hybrid active noise cancellation uses both feedforward and feedback mics to block out external noise very effectively. It reduces ambient sound by up to 90% and works well against steady droning noises like fans or airplane engines. The maximum ANC setting blocks even loud voices and background music. There is also a transparency mode that lets in sound from your surroundings when needed. Noise cancellation performance is very impressive for the price.

Battery Life

Battery life is a highlight, with up to 9 hours of listening per charge with ANC off. The charging case provides an additional 3 charges for excellent total battery life. Fast charging gives 2 hours of playtime from a 10 minute charge. Battery life is above average compared to similar earbuds in this price tier.

Comfort and Fit

The angled nozzle on the earbuds sits ergonomically in the ear for a secure and comfortable fit. The earbuds are lightweight and can be worn for extended periods without discomfort. Multiple eartip sizes are included for getting the right seal. Once positioned correctly, the earbuds stay put even during workouts and running.

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.2 provides a stable wireless connection without drops or lag. The earbuds can connect to two devices simultaneously and switching between them is seamless. Wireless range is very good, able to maintain a connection up to 30+ feet away through walls and floors. Pairing is quick and easy.

Call Quality

Call quality is very good considering the 4-mic array for voice pickup. Noise reduction helps minimize ambient sound so your voice comes through clearly to callers. Some wind noise is still audible when outdoors, but calls are still understandable. Voices sound full and natural.

App and Customization

The Soundcore app unlocks more features and customization for the earbuds. There are 22 EQ presets to choose from to match different music genres. You can also create a custom sound profile with the adjustable EQ. Additionally, the app allows you to customize the controls, upgrade firmware, and view battery status.

Use Cases:

The P3i earbuds are ideal for everyday use while commuting, working, exercising, or relaxing. The effective noise cancellation makes them especially suitable for noisy environments like planes, trains, and offices. The long battery life and water resistance also make them a great choice for travel and workouts.

User Feedback Analysis

The Soundcore Life P3i earbuds have received largely positive feedback from users. Reviewers praise the comfortable and secure fit, excellent noise cancellation, and good sound quality considering the affordable price point. Many mention the battery life is impressive compared to more expensive competitors.

Some users did report issues with the earbuds cutting out or connection drops, but this seems to be rare. A few reviewers felt the default sound profile was too bass heavy, though the customizable EQ in the app helps tweak it to your taste. Some noted the touch controls can be overly sensitive at times.

Overall, most user reviews indicate the P3i earbuds perform very well for typical use cases like commuting, office work, or exercise. The noise cancellation, in particular, gets consistent praise for blocking ambient noise effectively. For the budget-friendly price, reviewers feel these earbuds deliver great value.

Pros and Cons

Pros:
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Customizable sound
- Long battery life
- Secure and comfortable fit
- Good call quality
- Easy to use controls

Cons:
- No wireless charging
- No wear detection sensors
- Bass can overpower at high volumes
- Case has cheap feel

Value for Money

With a retail price of around $50, the Soundcore Life P3i earbuds are a tremendous value compared to rivals. Models from Sony, Apple, and Bose with similar feature sets like adjustable ANC, customizable sound, and long battery life can cost $200 or more.

You simply get far more features for the money with the P3i earbuds. The combination of good sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, IPX5 water resistance, great battery life, and a comfortable/secure fit is unparalleled at this low price point.

While more expensive earbuds may edge out the P3is in certain areas like sound fidelity or call quality, the P3is are highly competitive overall and offer unmatched value for budget-focused buyers.

Conclusion

Overall, the Soundcore Life P3i Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds are an excellent value for budget-conscious buyers. They deliver premium features like adjustable ANC and customizable sound in an affordable package. Impressive noise cancellation, great battery life, and good sound make these earbuds a compelling choice. For those looking to maximize features without overspending, the Life P3i earbuds deserve strong consideration.

Specifications

• Drivers: 10mm dynamic driver
• Battery Life: Up to 9 hrs (ANC off), 24 hrs total with charging case
• Water resistance: IPX5
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, up to 30ft range
• Noise Cancellation: Hybrid ANC with feedforward and feedback mics
• Codecs: SBC, AAC
• Charging: USB-C, 10 mins quick charge = 2 hrs playtime
• Weight: 5g per earbud, 50g charging case
• Microphones: 4 mics per earbud for calls
• In the Box: Earbuds, charging case, USB-C cable, eartips (S/M/L), user manual

Frequently Asked Questions

How effective is the noise cancellation feature on the Soundcore by Anker Life P3i Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds?

The noise cancellation feature on the Soundcore Life P3i earbuds is highly effective, reducing external noise by up to 90%. This allows users to stay focused on their music or calls without being disturbed by ambient sounds.

How is the call quality with the Soundcore Life P3i earbuds?

The Soundcore Life P3i earbuds are equipped with four dedicated microphones and an AI-enhanced noise-isolating algorithm, ensuring clear and precise call quality. Users can enjoy crystal-clear conversations even in noisy environments.

What is the battery life like on the Soundcore Life P3i earbuds?

The Soundcore Life P3i earbuds offer impressive battery life, providing up to 9 hours of playtime on a single charge. With the compact charging case, users can enjoy a total playtime of up to 36 hours. Additionally, a quick 10-minute charge can provide up to 2 hours of listening time.

Can the Soundcore Life P3i earbuds be used for workouts or outdoor activities?

Yes, the Soundcore Life P3i earbuds are suitable for workouts and outdoor activities. They feature a secure and comfortable fit, ensuring that the earbuds stay in place even during vigorous movement. Additionally, the earbuds are IPX5 water-resistant, providing protection against sweat and light rain.

Does the Soundcore Life P3i earbuds come with customizable sound settings?

Yes, users can customize their sound experience with the Soundcore app, which offers 22 different EQ settings. This allows users to adjust the sound profile according to their preferences and enjoy a personalized listening experience.

Tips

• When using the Soundcore Life P3i earbuds, make sure to try out different ear tip sizes to find the most comfortable and secure fit for your ears.
• Take advantage of the customizable EQ settings in the Soundcore app to tailor the sound to your liking and enhance your listening experience.
• To maximize battery life, avoid leaving the earbuds fully discharged for extended periods and make use of the fast charging feature when needed.
• Use the mono mode feature to conserve battery life by using only one earbud at a time, especially during extended listening sessions.
• Keep the charging case handy to ensure that your Soundcore Life P3i earbuds are always powered up and ready to use, whether you’re at home or on the go.