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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If price is a significant concern and you often use Apple devices, the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) may be more appealing, offering spatial audio, adaptive sound, and lower latency for Apple users. In contrast, the JBL Live Flex 3 earbuds provide active noise cancelling and a unique LED touch display on the Smart Charging Case, potentially justifying their premium price. The Apple Airpods have a reputation for seamless integration with Apple products, so they might be a better choice if ease of use within the Apple ecosystem is a priority. However, for those who prioritize noise isolation and want a robust active noise cancelling feature for a quieter listening experience in noisy environments, the JBL Live Flex 3 could be more suitable. Keep in mind, though, that the JBL earbuds have a slightly longer battery life and support wireless charging, which might be beneficial if you need longer listening periods and convenient charging options. 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 (3rd generation)
- Good for phone calls
- Very 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
Music
7.1
8.0
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.2
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
5.9
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$179
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the JBL Live Flex 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.5
5.7
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the JBL Live Flex 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | JBL Live Flex 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 40 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the JBL Live Flex 3
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
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.
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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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