Soundcore P31i
KZ ZST
What Buyers Say
Soundcore P31i
The Soundcore P31i earbuds are overwhelmingly praised for their exceptional sound quality, effective active noise cancellation, and impressive battery life, all at a very affordable price. Users highlight the companion app's powerful EQ and adaptive ANC features, though a few note fit issues with the ear tips. Overall, they are seen as a fantastic value, often compared favorably to much more expensive competitors like AirPods.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Effective active noise cancellation
- Long battery life
- Powerful companion app with EQ
- Comfortable fit with multiple ear tip sizes
Cons
- Ear tips may not fit all ear shapes
- Case is larger than previous models
- App requires data collection
- Translation feature is tricky
KZ ZST
These budget in-ear headphones deliver exceptional sound quality with deep bass and clear highs, earning high praise from music lovers. However, users consistently report a constant background hiss when powered and a poor microphone, making them unsuitable for calls or gaming. The build quality and comfort are generally well-regarded, though some find the fit bulky.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Deep and punchy bass
- Clear highs and mids
- Solid build quality
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Constant background hiss when powered
- Poor microphone quality
- Uncomfortable for small ears
- No carrying case included
- Cable pulls head when snagged
Scores
Specifications
| Soundcore P31i | KZ ZST | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | — |
| Ear Tips | XS, S, M, L | S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.06 kg | 0.06 kg |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | hybrid |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | 10 mm |
| Drivers | 1 | 2★ |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz★ | 20 kHz |
| Impedance | 14.199999809265137 Ω | 18 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 120 dB★ | 106 dB |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | LDAC | KZ ZSN PRO in Ear Gaming Earphones, Hybrid Technology 1DD 1BA Drivers Wired Earbuds Comfortable Noise Cancelling Gaming Earbuds Headphones for Cell Phone Android Women Men Girl (Blue with Mic) |
| Surround | Spatial Audio | — |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | — |
| Transparency | ✗ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 | — |
| Wired Connector | USB Type C | — |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 10 hrs★ | — |
| Charge Time | 3 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 3.5 hours playback | — |
| Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 50 hrs★ | — |
| Case Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Wireless Charging | ✓★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features | ||
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | soundcore | — |
| Gaming Mode | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | — |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | — |
Pros & Cons
Soundcore P31i
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong sound (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong battery (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
KZ ZST
- Strong social proof (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong sound (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong anc (73rd percentile)
- Below average build (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 11 of 35 specs.