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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize active noise canceling and portability for frequent air travel, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 would be the better choice. They also offer good sound quality for music and calls and are particularly optimized for use with Apple devices. However, for longer battery life and a unique feature set such as the Smart Charging Case with an LED touch display, the JBL Live Flex 3 might appeal to you. Keep in mind that the JBL's earbuds don't perform as well for gaming or video, and their calls and meetings performance is rated poor. If exercising is a key activity, both are sweatproof, but the JBL has a larger size which might impact comfort during workouts. 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 Pro 2
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- 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
7.0
8.0
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good.
Gaming
8.4
5.5
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.8
5.2
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
5.9
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.7
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is very good.
Battery
6.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$199
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has a price of $199 and the JBL Live Flex 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro 2 and the JBL Live Flex 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro 2 | JBL Live Flex 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 40 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.3 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app. If you own an iPhone, the new AirPods Pro is an obvious choice."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro 2 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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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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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