Soundcore P31i: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-09
Summary
The P31i is a budget ANC earbud sold direct by Soundcore for $49.99, and it is too new for owner complaints or independent tests: the -52 dB noise cancelling and all battery figures are still Soundcore’s own lab numbers. Running costs are limited to replacement ear tips, with no published prices. It is a reasonable pick at $49.99 or below; toward $70, earbuds with published test data become the safer call.
Common problems and fixes
- Wrong model in listings — the P31i is also marketed as the R60i NC and shares its industrial design with the P30i, so marketplace listings are easy to confuse. Fix: verify the model number D1202Z11 or “P31i” before buying. Not a warranty matter. [1]
- No wireless charging — the P31i charges over USB-C only, while the P40i has wireless charging. No fix; carry the USB-C cable. [1][2]
- Warranty length not published — the product page advertises “Hassle-Free Warranty” and “Lifetime Customer Support” without stating a duration. Fix: check the Soundcore warranty and exchange page for the term that applies. [1]
- Unverified ANC and battery claims — the -52 dB ANC figure and the 10-hour and 8-hour playtimes come from Soundcore’s internal lab; no independent instrumented test has confirmed them. No fix; buy knowing the numbers are unverified. [1]
Parts and consumables
Yearly running cost
Not enough data. There are no filters, pods or subscriptions; the only wear item is the ear tips, and Soundcore sells ear-tips kits without a published price, so a yearly figure cannot be computed. Charging is over USB-C.
When it is a good buy
Soundcore sells the P31i direct for $49.99 [1]; no other retailer prices were found in the sources. At $49.99 or below it is a reasonable budget pick for someone who wants LDAC and deep spec-sheet noise cancelling and can accept the missing independent testing. Toward $70 or above, products with published test data become the safer call [1][2].
Named alternatives: the P40i is the better pick when you want wireless charging, which the P31i lacks [1][2]. The P30i is the better pick when you want the older, more established model rather than the P31i’s newer spec sheet; its specs step down across the board (42 dB ANC, 10 mm drivers, IP54, Bluetooth 5.4, 4 microphones) and it carries its own reported ANC-chip failure, so it is the choice only if track record matters more than the newer numbers [1][2].