TWS true wireless earphones - under $75
FIVE STARS - With decent Active Noise Cancelling, actual buttons, extensive app support and great sound, the Soundcore Life A3i or Soundcore Life Dot 3i is yet another highly affordable winner from Anker's wireless earbuds lineup.
Soundcore Life A3i / Soundcore Life Dot 3i specs and features:
The Soundcore Life A3i is also sold as Soundcore Life Dot 3i. It's the same product; there are no differences.
Bluetooth 5.2 with AAC codec
IPX5 waterproof (rain and sweat proof)
7 - 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
$60 - Check latest price on Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany or other Amazon countries
Below this Soundcore Life A3i review, you will find comparisons of the Soundcore Life A3i vs Soundcore Life P3i, Soundcore Spirit Dot 2, SoundPEATS Air3 Pro and SoundPEATS Mini Pro.
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Design, comfort and battery life
The first thing you see when you unpack the Soundcore Life A3i or Life Dot 3i, are the wearing instructions - and it's clear why. These earbuds have a strange bean-like shape, still very different from the ‘beanies’ Samsung Galaxy Buds Live. They consist of a round bulb and rubber ear-tip that go into your ears, and point towards a thin upper end.
While the shape suggests it, the manual clarifies that you must not put the thin part in your ear to get extra grip. That makes the A3i different from the previously released Soundcore Spirit Dot 2 and Life A1, which both had rubber ear-rings to stowaway in your ears. Instead, the thin upper end has to point upwards and stick out your ears when you wear them. Along with the round bulb ear part, this means you have to wiggle and twist these earbuds a bit to get a good fit.
It sounds like a hassle, but it isn't. When you get the right seal, the Life A3i actually is comfortable to wear for hours (based on medium-sized ears). They apply some pressure, but it doesn't become unbearable. With the right size of ear tips, they also have a good grip, so they don't fall out easily - although some user reviews complain they are too loose for workouts and runs. What's good for sports, though, is the IPX5 waterproof rating - meaning you can take these out in the rain and sweat with them. As this is an i-edition from Soundcore, there are actual buttons, which ensures you can operate them with sweaty or cold fingers.
Battery life is excellent: the Life A3i delivers around 7 hours of playtime with ANC on, and up to 9 hours with the active noise cancelling turned off.
As per usual for Soundcore, the earbuds and the charging case look and feel sturdy. The case is neither big nor small, a bit weighty and it scratches easily. While it lacks wireless charging, it has good basics - a multi-colored LED-light to indicate the remaining battery life and enough power to recharge the earbuds 4 times before needing new USB-C power itself. Quite a standard case, for such remarkably shaped earbuds.
Controls and connectivity
The Soundcore Life A3i/ Life Dot 3i has an actual button mounted to the forward-facing side of each earbud. The buttons seem tiny, but when you're used to their position, they're easy to operate. Just grab the sides of the earbuds and press the front to control them.
See those rectangles on the side? Those are the buttons
The controls can be changed via the free Soundcore app, and chances are you want to change them, as the standard scheme lacks a previous song or voice assistant option:
Press R to increase the volume
Press L to decrease it
Double-press R to play/pause a song
Double-press L to skip a song
Hold R or L to switch between ANC on and ANC off (Transparency mode can be added via the app)
Also having a triple-press option at your command, would be a welcome addition - as you will always have to sacrifice some functionality with the current setup.
Connection strength on the Life A3i/ Life Dot3i 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 A3i 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
Like many wireless earbuds, the Soundcore Life A3i microphones struggle with wind and nearby noise at the same time, but most of the time, the Life A3i is great for phone calls. Your voice is loud and clear, and noise around you is filtered wonderfully: accelerating vehicles, chatter, and even a passing scooter or train, are reduced to soft zoof-sounds to the other end of the line. Meanwhile, the person you're talking to sounds full and loud - making it very relaxed to call with these.
It's convenient for video calls as well, with the same focus on and fullness of your voice and reduction of surrounding noise. However, the microphone needs a second to pick up your voice the very first time you talk. Only the first time in a Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom meeting - but it's weird nonetheless.
The A3i isn't a good choice for gaming. There's a very noticeable delay in sound effects - they always come later than the action you see on screen. Happily, watching videos isn't a problem, with flawless synchronization between audio and video.
App Support of Soundcore Life A3i/ Life Dot 3i
Soundcore has a reputation of delivering great app support for its earbuds, and the Life A3i is no exception. The free Soundcore app for iPhone and Android connects to the earbuds quickly and is easy to use.
It's the same basic version of the app support seen on the recently released Soundcore Life P3i as well. Functions include:
The app is easy to understand
Changing the controls is a breeze
Choose from 22 equalizers, or tweak them yourself!
See an (imprecise) battery indicator for both of the earbuds
Update the firmware
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)
Read the manual or contact Soundcore help
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 A3i
You can switch from between ANC on, ANC off and the Transparency mode on the Life Dot 3i/ Life A3i by holding the side button. The functions are indicated by beeps that are too much alike, but the Active Noise Cancelling itself is great.
ANC quality: Yes, you have to wiggle with the earbuds a little to get the best fit and seal. But when you do, ANC on the Life A3i is good. It removes enough noise to bring rest to your head. It devours static sounds, electronic buzzes and darker background sounds. However: nearby sounds and especially their highest notes, like laughter or chatter or writing on your keyboard, do still come through.
This is the performance without playing any music. Hit the play button on low or medium volume levels, and your surroundings easily disappear. You may miss your doorbell.
Transparency mode quality: Hurrah! At launch, the Transparency mode that passes through traffic and voices around you when you need it, was broken. It completely overhauled the sound and blew up the bass.
Fortunately, as of mid-July 2022, a firmware update from the app fixes the issue and the sound character of the earbuds remains the same when switching to the mode. Now, the function is a useful addition, putting through brighter sounds around. It's doable to hear - but not entirely locate - some traffic around you when you're playing music up to moderate volume. Chatter isn't really picked up well: it's better to take an earbud out.
Wind noise reduction: The Soundcore Life A3i leaves out wind noise pretty well when using the ANC, but not so much when you're using the Transparency mode. If you want to rule wind noise out entirely, you can switch to ANC off while you're walking, running, or cycling.
Also read: The best wireless ANC earbuds
Sound quality of Soundcore Life A3i/ Dot 3i
If you're a returning Scarbir.com reader of even followed the wireless earbuds market for a bit over the last years, you will know by now: Soundcore means bass. The Life A3i is another, wonderfully executed variant of the same.
Let's get to the bass later, because the variation between Soundcore products is not so much in the bass. It's in the higher frequencies. There have been quite a few variables by now. Highs have been airy (Soundcore Spirit Dot 2), too sharp (Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro), vibrant with a metallic underlining (Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro) or hitting the sweet spot (Soundcore Life P3) - to name a few.
The Soundcore Life A3i comes with another twist: its treble is hidden.
When you're playing music on soft or moderate volume, highs barely extend and vocals are laidback. Female and male singers only just outweigh instruments, and seemingly every brighter note or vocal outburst is avoided. Not just in voices, but in instruments like violins, trumpets, or brighter guitars as well. Bass and lower mid-tones (like drums and darker electronic tones) are so heavily emphasized, it seems that anything above it has been sacrificed. It sounds a bit dense - as if everything in the music is stacked up (too) closely.
My slight alternation to the Acoustic equalizer
As this is a Soundcore product with app support, the app (once again) offers a wonderful Acoustic equalizer that pushes the lows back and opens up the higher frequencies, also giving the sound more air. It compensates for the standard sound, but it's been since the Soundcore Life P2 that a Soundcore sounds so dark.
Whether it's with the regular Soundcore equalizer or the Acoustic setting, you need volume to let treble in. This way, vocals suddenly jump forward and become more prominent, and brighter instruments get room to shine. Violins and trumpets gain presence and, like other instruments, are easily seperated from vocals.
It's on louder volume levels when the Life A3i/ Life Dot 3i reaches its peak - and boy: music becomes immersive. Like the brands best models, it packs you in - it's just so full and so powerful. Highs are never too harsh or sharp, and even the highest vocals have enough body - including a pleasant thickness. But it's also the center-mids that get a boost. This may be Soundcore's best representation of guitars and piano play so far - they sound natural, neither dip into the highs or tend towards the lows. Even though there's plenty of lower-mids on itself; drums and darker electronic tones are well-represented.
Lower-mid presentation is more consistent accross the volume levels, and the same goes for the bass. The mid-bass strikes quickly and strongly, but its thumps also feel a bit deeper than usual - not the in-your-face slams many bass-centric earphones put out. To accompany this, the sub-bass is full, deep and it can rumble fiercely - while keeping control. Soundcore's specialty doesn't disappoint - does it ever?
Still, with the difference between treble on lower and higher volume, the Life A3i is a curious thing. It perhaps best compared to a modern hot hatch car with a sports button near the wheel. It drives easily, friendly and perhaps even a bit dull, out to give you a smooth ride for everyday use.
Until you hit that sports volume button… and it unleashes its energy, completely immersing you in it. What a beast.
Soundcore Life A3i comparisons
Soundcore Life A3i vs Soundcore Life P3i
Prefer earbuds with a more convenient shape? Soundcore also has the Life P3i on offer, with the same features, battery life, and price. The Life P3i also has actual buttons, ANC, a Transparency mode (that works fairly good), and the same app support as the Life A3i. The A3i wins on call quality and noise cancelling strength.
Sound then? The Life P3i has a stronger bass thump that is more in-your-face. Vocals stand out more, they're more forward compared to the Life A3i - in which they stay more in line with center- and lower-mids. The Life A3i puts center-mids more in the spotlight, accentuating guitars and piano play better, while the Life P3i happily boosts the lower-mids some more. These center-mids give the A3i an advantage - it reveals more details from instruments and makes for a more natural sound. The sound signatures may not differ too much, but these details are the difference between P3i's good sound, and A3i's great sound.
Soundcore Life A3i vs Soundcore Spirit Dot 2
The Spirit Dot 2 was Soundcore's best sounding $40-$80 stemless wireless earphone so far; more refined and with a speedier, more accurate bass than the more popular Soundcore Life A1. Comparing this Spirit Dot 2 to the Life A3i, you get an idea why Soundcore reduced treble on the Life A3i. On higher volumes, the Spirit Dot 2 has more energetic highs. Vocals have more nuances and there's more air in the sound... but vocals can get a metallic side-effect and cymbals become piercing as a result. With moderate or higher volume, the Life A3i has better distribution between mids and highs. Center-mids like guitars and piano are more pronounced, male vocals sound more natural and treble is better controlled - with higher vocals outbursts and cymbals still comfortable to listen to. On regular volume, the SD2 is clearer and more vibrant; the Life A3i more relaxing to listen to. When you reach up to 9 hours of playtime on a single charge, that's actually not too bad.
Compared to the Spirit Dot 2 and Life A1, the Life A3i has a looser fit as rubber ear-wings are missing. It also doesn't have the wireless charging of these models. Comfort, call quality, battery life, and controls are all better on the A3i though - not to mention the availability of ANC.
Soundcore Life A3i vs SoundPEATS Mini Pro
The Soundcore Life A3i and SoundPEATS Mini Pro are direct competitors, both offering strong active noise cancelling for around 60 dollars. The Soundcore wins on battery life: 7 vs 5 hours with ANC on. The ANC is also stronger on the Soundcore, while the transparency mode on the Mini Pro is actually usable. The Soundcore operaties easier with its actual buttons. The Mini Pro has (even) better call clarity and performs (much) better for gaming, while the Soundcore has outstanding app support offering lots of sound EQ options.
If you listen on low to moderate volume usually, go for the SoundPEATS as it has a livelier presentation. Like it loud? The SoundPEATS has more air in the sound, placing vocals more prominently forward and separating instruments better. The Soundcore may be more comforting with its fuller mid-tones that give both vocals and instruments like guitars and drums more thickness, but the SoundPEATS opener character accentuates those instruments better; guitars sound more natural and textured. The Soundcore has a stronger and deeper mid-bass, and its treble is more relaxing: the Mini Pro can get shouty on higher volumes. Both sound very energetic. The SoundPEATS straight out of the box; the Soundcore gets better with a little bit of tweaking.
SoundPEATS Mini Pro review ($50-60)
Soundcore Life A3i vs SoundPEATS Air3 Pro
Like Soundcore, SoundPEATS has multiple ANC earbuds in the 60 dollars price range. The SoundPEATS Air3 Pro is about just as good as the SoundPEATS Mini Pro, with slightly less ideal outdoor call stability, but stronger ANC.
Comparing the SoundPEATS Air3 Pro to the Soundcore Life A3i is comparing two brilliant, versatile $60 earbuds. Active Noise Cancelling is excellent on both, while the Air3 Pro has a more usable Transparency mode, handles wind noise better in calls, and handles gaming better. The Soundcore wins on battery life: 7 vs 5 hours with ANC on.
The SoundPEATS sounds more vivid than the Soundcore on low to moderate volume. Overall, the Air3 Pro indeed has more air, more centric vocals and better separation between instruments. Upper-mids have more chance to shine. However, the Soundcore is more precise and cleaner. Its bass has more impact and tightness, it handles multiple basslines better, and as upper-mids and highs are cut off earlier, they're more comfortable to listen to as well - while not giving in on energy.
Verdict
With ANC, actual buttons and extensive app support, the Soundcore Life A3i or Soundcore Life Dot 3i is another highly affordable winner from Anker's wireless earbuds lineup. When the strange shape works for you, it delivers great comfort and excellent sound.
Five stars - Excellent
Buy Soundcore Life A3i/ Life Dot 3i:
I bought the Soundcore Life A3i myself to test and review. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
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