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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Powerbeats Pro generally suits those who exercise often, as they are sweatproof and have ear hooks for a secure fit. In contrast, the JBL Live Free NC+ offers better noise isolation and has active noise cancelling, making it better for noisy environments and air travel. The Beats have a longer battery life, which is ideal for extended use without charging, while the JBL earbuds support wireless charging for convenience. Both support AAC codec for better sound quality with Apple devices, but if budget is a concern, the JBLs are significantly less expensive while still offering good value. 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
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.5
5.8
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.5
5.0
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming, though the Beats Powerbeats Pro is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.0
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Beats Powerbeats Pro are both good for phone calls, though the JBL Live Free NC+ is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2
8.4
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is very good.
Noise Reduction
4.6
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$250
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $250 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
5.7
5.6
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.8
8.5
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$250 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
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 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Powerbeats Pro
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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."
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 Powerbeats Pro 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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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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