Updated September 30, 2026 · GizmoCue Editorial Team
soundcore vs ULTIMEA
soundcore vs ULTIMEA: the differences
| Compare |  soundcore | ULTIMEA ReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $99.99 | $65.97Lower |
| Noise cancelling | YesHas it | No |
| Battery life | 28 hoursHigher | 16 hours |
| IP rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Markets | US, GB, DE, CA, FR, ES, IT, AU, VN, FI, NO, SE, IS, AE, DK | US, CA, MX, BR, DE, GB, FR, IT, ES, SE, NL, IE, PL, RO, AT, AU, AE, SA, MY, TH, IN, PH, JP |
| Warranty | Not confirmed | 1 to 2 years |
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Key differences
- soundcore scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.7.
- Price from is lower at ULTIMEA: $65.97 vs $99.99.
- Noise cancelling: only soundcore.
- Battery life is higher at soundcore: 28 hours vs 16 hours.
- Support channels: only soundcore offers Phone, Chat.
- Support channels: only ULTIMEA offers Community.
- Founded is lower at soundcore: 2011 vs 2015.
- Products: only soundcore offers Headphones, Earbuds.
- Products: only ULTIMEA offers Soundbars.
- Markets: only soundcore offers VN, FI, NO.
Our verdict on each
soundcore
soundcore suits commuters and everyday listeners who want noise cancelling earbuds, headphones and portable speakers from one brand, without the wider hi-fi range JBL carries. Battery life of 28 hours is the trade-off, and the 30 day return window keeps a first buy low risk.
ULTIMEA
ULTIMEA is the low cost way into soundbars, speakers and portable speakers, and it suits buyers who want a cheap entry point and a returns window of 15 to 50 days to test a box at home. Soundbars start at $65.97, and battery life is the part of the package to read closely.
Score breakdown
| Area | soundcore | ULTIMEA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Entry price of $99.99 ranks 46 of 64 brands, putting soundcore mid-table on cost. | 9.2HigherSoundbars start at $65.97 and the brand ranks 35 of 64 on price from. |
| Offer | 9.2HigherProduct types cover headphones, earbuds and speakers, and the store's categories are audio and refurbished. | 8.5The range covers soundbars, speakers and portable speakers, with returns of 15 to 50 days and free delivery from $25. |
| Trust | 8.6HigherReturns run 30 days with email, phone and chat, under Fantasia Trading LLC in HK. | 8.4Warranty runs 1 to 2 years with an extended warranty sold, and support runs on email, help centre and community only. |
By the numbers
| Fact | soundcore | ULTIMEA |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $99.99 | $65.97 |
| Battery life | 28 hours | 16 hours |
How they place
| Ranking | soundcore | ULTIMEA |
|---|---|---|
| Speakers and soundbars | 12 of 81 | 4 of 81 |
| Electronics stores | 28 of 238 | 16 of 238 |
Also worth a look
Timekettle has battery life at 36 hours, against 28 hours for soundcore and 16 hours for ULTIMEA.
Timekettle reviewWhere these facts come from
soundcore
- soundcore.com: 11 facts, checked September 30, 2026
ULTIMEA
- ultimea.com: 9 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | soundcore | ULTIMEA |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Headphones, Earbuds, Speakers, Portable speakers | Soundbars, Speakers, Portable speakers |
| Bluetooth codecs | Aac, Ldac | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Fantasia Trading LLC | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2011Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Chat, Help centre | Email, Help centre, Community |
Electronics stores
| Fact | soundcore | ULTIMEA |
|---|---|---|
| Departments | Audio, Refurbished | Audio, Tv, RefurbishedCovers more |
| Free delivery threshold | $0Lower | $25 |
| Return window | 30 days | 15 to 50 daysHigher |
| Extended warranty | Not confirmed | Yes |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | soundcore | ULTIMEA | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $99.99above the median | $65.97at the median | $65.97 |
| Battery life | 28 hoursbelow the median | 16 hourslowest quarter | 45.5 hours |
| Warranty | Not confirmed | 1 to 2 yearsat the median | 2 |
Median across 64 listed brands.
Pros and cons
soundcore
Pros
- Noise cancelling is a yes on the earbuds soundcore puts at the front of the range, so the feature that does most work on a commute does not wait for a pricier model.
- An ingress rating of IPX7 on those earbuds covers rain, sweat and everyday commuting mishaps.
- A battery figure of 28 hours covers a working day of calls and music on a single charge.
Cons
- A battery figure of 28 hours ranks 42 of 61 brands, under the 48.5 typical of the headphones and earbuds list, so long journeys need a top-up.
- The catalogue stops at headphones, earbuds and speakers, where JBL's headphones, earbuds and speakers adds soundbars, hi-fi and turntables for home listening.
- Entry at $99.99 is mid-table at 46 of 64, so the cheapest route into noise cancelling audio sits with another brand.
ULTIMEA
Pros
- Soundbars start at $65.97, and the brand ranks 35 of 64 on entry price.
- The catalogue covers soundbars, speakers and portable speakers, so a soundbar and a portable speaker come from the same seller under the same 1 to 2 years cover.
- Returns run 15 to 50 days, so a soundbar can be tried at home before you keep it.
Cons
- Noise cancelling is not part of the range, so a ULTIMEA soundbar plays rather than quiets a room.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, so a fault on a portable speaker has to be reported in writing.
- Battery life of 16 hours on the party speaker ranks 54 of 61, the weaker part of the package.
Who each suits
soundcore
Who it suits
- Commuters who want noise cancelling earbuds, headphones and portable speakers in one catalogue instead of the soundbar and turntable spread JBL carries.
- Shoppers who want a return window and phone support close by rather than a headset only shop such as CORSAIR, whose range is headphones.
- Buyers in the listed US, GB and DE markets who want water-resistant earbuds at IPX7 rather than the narrower headphones and earbuds line from HyperX.
Who should look elsewhere
- Home cinema and vinyl buyers: JBL's headphones, earbuds and speakers covers soundbars, hi-fi and turntables, none of which appear in soundcore's headphones, earbuds and speakers.
- Gaming headset shoppers: CORSAIR lists headphones, a narrower lane than soundcore's headphones, earbuds and speakers.
- Long-haul listeners who need more than 28 hours, since the headphones and earbuds list runs up to 70.
ULTIMEA
Who it suits
- New buyers who want soundbars, speakers and portable speakers from one seller, with a returns window of 15 to 50 days to try a set at home.
- Shoppers on a budget who would rather order now and listen than compare battery figures, since soundbars start at $65.97.
- Anyone keeping a speaker for a long time who wants the option of an extended warranty on top of 1 to 2 years.
Who should look elsewhere
- Headphone and earbud buyers, because Skullcandy lists headphones, earbuds and speakers and ULTIMEA's range is soundbars, speakers and portable speakers.
- Turntable and hi-fi shoppers, because JBL lists headphones, earbuds and speakers and Edifier lists headphones, earbuds and speakers while ULTIMEA stays with soundbars, speakers and portable speakers.
- Noise cancelling buyers, because the range does not offer it and JBL spans headphones, earbuds and speakers instead.
Current offers
ULTIMEA
Current offer
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Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | soundcore | ULTIMEA |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| Denmark | Yes | No |
| Finland | Yes | No |
| France | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Iceland | Yes | No |
| Italy | Yes | No |
8 of 15 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
soundcore
What does soundcore equipment cost?+
The entry price is $99.99, and it buys any of the products in headphones, earbuds and speakers. Payment is made once, in the store, so the outlay is straightforward to plan. On the price ranking soundcore sits at 46 of 64, which is mid-table: neither the cheapest ticket in the group nor the most expensive.
Is there a renewal charge after buying soundcore gear?+
soundcore sets a price per product rather than per period, so $99.99 is what a buyer pays at the checkout and no second amount follows later. The store also lists refurbished audio alongside new stock under audio and refurbished, which is the practical way to spend less than the entry price. A 30 day return window covers a change of mind.
ULTIMEA
How much does a ULTIMEA soundbar cost?+
Soundbars start at $65.97, and the brand places 35 of 64 on entry price in this group. That is the figure you meet first in the soundbars range, before any extended warranty or added accessory.
Can I return a ULTIMEA speaker if I do not like it?+
Returns run 15 to 50 days, so the window depends on the product and the reason. Soundbars, speakers and portable speakers all sit in soundbars, speakers and portable speakers, and each purchase is handled under the same published return and refund terms.