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Airpods (2nd generation)
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Live Flex 3
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What we think

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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·

If budget is a primary concern, Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are more wallet-friendly and provide a very good music listening experience, especially optimized for Apple devices. They are small, extremely portable, and have a long-lasting battery with a case that supports wireless charging. However, the JBL Live Flex 3 offers superior features like Active Noise Cancelling and a Smart Charging Case with touch display, along with better overall sound quality, comfort, and build. They also support a high-quality LDAC codec for enhanced audio. Choose JBL Live Flex 3 if premium features and superior sound isolation are your priorities, and you don't mind investing more. If you are an iPhone user looking for cost-effective earbuds for casual use, including listening to music and podcasts, the Airpods could be a better choice. Give Feedback

this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
  • Good for air travel
  • Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Flex 3
  • Very good for music
  • Very good for exercise

Key differences

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Music

5.8
Airpods (2nd generation)
Live Flex 3
8.0
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.

Gaming

4.8
Airpods (2nd generation)
Live Flex 3
5.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both poor for gaming, though the JBL Live Flex 3 is somewhat better.

Phone Calls

6.9
Airpods (2nd generation)
Live Flex 3
5.2
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

8.1
Airpods (2nd generation)
Live Flex 3
5.9
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.

Noise Reduction

2.5
Airpods (2nd generation)
Live Flex 3
8.3
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.

Battery

4.0 Hours
Airpods (2nd generation)
Live Flex 3
10.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life.

Cost

$89
Airpods (2nd generation)
Live Flex 3
$216
Product image
Product image

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

$300

The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $89 and the JBL Live Flex 3 costs $216.

Build Quality

7.6
Airpods (2nd generation)
Live Flex 3
8.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has good build quality.
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Key similarities

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TV and Video

5.4
Airpods (2nd generation)
Live Flex 3
5.7
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both poor for TV and video.

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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the JBL Live Flex 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones

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Spec Comparison

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Apple Airpods (2nd generation)JBL Live Flex 3
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)JBL Live Flex 3

GENERAL

Price
$89
$216
Brand
AppleJBL
Release Date
March 1, 2019June 1, 2024
Form Factor
EarbudsEarbuds
Connectivity
WirelessWireless

SOUND

Music Score
5.9/108.1/10
Phone Calls Score
7/105.3/10
Gaming Score
4.9/105.5/10
TV and Video Score
5.5/105.8/10
Exercise Score
5.8/108.4/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
4 Hours10 Hours
Wireless charging
YesYes
Charging time
0.5 Hours2 Hours
Bluetooth version
55.3
Case Battery Life
2440

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoYes
Noise Reduction Score
2.5/108.4/10
Virtual Surround
NoYes
Android App
NoYes
iOS App
NoYes
Mic Quality
6.5/107/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
7.6/108.5/10
Comfort score
7.6/107/10
Size
SmallLarge
Weight (headset or single earbud)
4 Grams8.8 Grams
Microphone style
IntegratedIntegrated

Shopping

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Apple Airpods (2nd generation)

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About Apple

Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.

About JBL

JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.

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Why trust us

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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.

By the numbers

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,200
Recommendations made
18,480
Consumer hours saved

About the Earbuds or Headphones team

Joe Golden, Ph.D

CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.

Jason Lew

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.

Chandradeep Chowdhury

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.

Luis Torres

Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.

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