Neither Soundcore nor SoundPEATS is particularly well known in the mainstream, and most people will have never heard of either until they decide to buy a pair of TWS earbuds for the first time, but both these companies have been pushing and innovating in this niche since its beginning and have garnered recognition within the audio community.
The Life 3Pi and Capsule3 Pro, both released in early 2021, are stemmed wireless earbuds that look quite similar and have many of the same noteworthy features like active noise cancellation. How do they measure up to each other? Is one decidedly better than the other? I have fully reviewed both of them and will answer that in this comparison article.
Soundcore Life P3i vs SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro Side by Side at a Glance
Soundcore Life P3i vs SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro Specs and Features Comparison
| Spec | Life P3i | Capsule3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| price-tier: | value (around $30-$60) | performance (around $60-$100) |
| housing style: | ovoid, stemmed | ovoid, stemmed |
| earbuds battery life: | 9h | 8h |
| total + case battery life: | 36h | 52h |
| weatherproofing: | IPX5 (water resistant) | IPX4 (water resistant) |
| onboard controls: | button based | touch based |
| warranty: | 18 months | 12 months |
| active noise cancellation: | yes | yes |
| transparency mode: | yes | yes |
| Bluetooth version: | 5.2 | 5.3 |
Does the Soundcore Life P3i or SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro Have Better Onboard Controls?
If you prefer button based onboard controls (which are not so common anymore) then you’ll want to go with the Life P3i. I also think the control schematic of the Life 3Pi is better – the buttons have a nice travel and feel, and buttons will always be at least a little more reliable than touch controls. Also, the Soundcore app can customize the controls while the SoundPEATS app can’t. The Capsule3 Pro also doesn’t have a reset/backtrack function which is a pretty glaring omission.
Does the Soundcore Life P3i or SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro Have Better Noise Attenuation?
The natural isolation of both the Life P3i and Capsule3 Pro is relatively poor, but that’s a common concession with shallower fitting stem style earbuds. But, with ANC on, the relative noise attenuation of both earbuds is very good for the price, but I do think the ANC of the Capsule3 Pro is slightly better. The Life 3Pi ANC lets a little more mid/low background noise through.
Does the Soundcore Life P3i or SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro Have Better Fit and Comfort?
Both the Life 3Pi and Capsule3 Pro fit comfortably and securely, and neither had any issues with the seal breaking.
I do think the Life 3Pi fit feels a little better though – the earbuds feel lighter and more inward, with a nicely pressurized seal in a good spot on the edge of the outer ear canal.
The Capsule3 Pro is a little bulkier, and the fit is lighter and shallower feeling, and a little more out and down. The tips sit more on the concha and don’t feel very pressurized. Some people might prefer the feel of this fit though.
A note before the next section: this page describes how I evaluate the sound quality of headphones and earbuds.Does the Soundcore Life P3i or SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro Sound Better?
The Capsule3 Pro definitely sounds better out of the box than the Life P3i does, but this is largely due to Soundcore’s default tuning just not being that good, which I’ve discussed multiple times in my various more recent Soundcore product reviews.
That said, both are compatible with their company’s respective app and can have their EQ customized (among other things), which I did in my full reviews of each of them:
Adjusting the EQ improved the sound of both of them considerably, and I’d also say it narrowed the gap between them, but I still think the Capsule3 Pro has better potential sound quality than the Life P3i does. The Life 3Pi is a little boxy and sucked out in comparison to the Capsule3 Pro which feels more full and present, and the Life P3i accuracy is a little less than the that of the Capsule3 Pro. As a result, the tone of certain instruments sounded just a little off when I switched from the Capsule3 Pro back to the Life 3Pi
Which Should You Choose Between the Soundcore Life P3i or SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro?
The value/performance price range, which I put at around $50-$100, is always a bit awkward because neither maximum quality nor the lowest price is the clear priority over the other, and marginal improvements that clearly justify marginal price increases are harder to see.
I do think, though, that the overall better sound quality, slightly better noise attenuation, and better battery capacity of the Capsule3 Pro over the Life 3Pi make it a better choice that is worth the slightly higher price.
That said, the Life 3Pi’s better and more reliable button based control schematic, softer and bassyer style, and somewhat better warranty might actually make it a preferred choice for some, and for the money its still a very decent product.
Get the Soundcore Life P3i on Amazon (affiliate link)
Get the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro on Amazon (affiliate link)
Relevant Articles
• Full Soundcore Life P3i review
• Full SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro review
