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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If premium build and longer battery life are important to you, and you primarily want to use your headphones for music and air travel, the Beats Solo 3 may be the way to go despite their higher price. However, if you are looking for a more affordable and versatile option with better overall sound quality, comfort, and features like active noise cancelling and wireless charging, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds could be a better choice, especially if you want to use them for calls, exercise, and need something more portable. 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 Solo 3
- The Beats Solo 3 has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Free NC+.
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.7
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
41.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$117
$60
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
Music
6.3
5.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats Solo 3 to be only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.3
5.0
The Beats Solo 3 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The Beats Solo 3 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 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 | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
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 Solo 3 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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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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