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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you are considering the Beats EP compared to the JBL Live Free NC+, the price difference is an important factor. The Beats EP usually offers a stylish design and is wired, providing a consistent connection without worrying about battery life, which might be ideal for long listening sessions or studio use. The JBL Live Free NC+, on the other hand, offers a wireless experience with active noise cancellation, giving you the freedom to move without cables and reduce background noise in noisy environments. However, remember that active noise cancellation can affect battery life, and you will need to charge them periodically. If budget is a constraint and you value the convenience of wireless listening and noise cancellation, the JBL Live Free NC+ could be your preferred choice. Conversely, if you prefer a wired connection for reliability and don't mind spending more, the Beats EP might be more to your liking. 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 Beats EP
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
5.8
The Beats EP is very good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
6.3
5.0
The Beats EP is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
4.2
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Beats EP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats EP is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
5.6
The Beats EP is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Beats EP is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Beats EP does not have a battery. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$60
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Beats EP both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats EP and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats EP
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
JBL Live Free NC+
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Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
Get a great deal on the Beats EP or the JBL Live Free NC+
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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