A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're an active individual, the Beats Powerbeats Pro with their ear hooks and sweatproof certification make them suitable for exercise, and they are noted for excellent music and call quality during physical activities. However, if premium sound quality is a major consideration and you want features like a smart charging case with LED touch display, active noise cancelling, and wireless charging, the JBL Live Beam 3 might be worth the extra cost. Additionally, the JBLs offer LDAC codec for high-quality audio over Bluetooth, superior battery life, and are sweatproof as well as dustproof, but they aren't the best choice for gaming or TV due to their sound qualities. Both options optimize sound when paired with their respective brand's devices – Apple for Beats and Android for JBL. 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 Powerbeats Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Beam 3
- Good for music
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.5
7.8
The JBL Live Beam 3 is good for music, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.0
5.2
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2
5.9
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
8.3
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life.
Cost
$124
$216
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $124 and the JBL Live Beam 3 costs $216.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.4
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and JBL Live Beam 3 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.6
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and JBL Live Beam 3 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.8
8.5
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and JBL Live Beam 3 both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the JBL Live Beam 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | JBL Live Beam 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$124 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 12 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Powerbeats Pro
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | November 2022
"Sweat resistance, actual noise isolation, and a secure fit in your ears make these the true wireless earphones you want in Apple-land. Android users may find other options they like better, as these only support AAC."
Get a great deal on the Beats Powerbeats Pro or the JBL Live Beam 3
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
128,600
Recommendations made
19,290
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.
Featured in
