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 prioritize cost-efficiency and exercise suitability, the Beats Studiobuds present an attractive option with a lower price and good performance during physical activity. However, they may not be the best for TV or gaming due to poor soundstage and imaging. The JBL Live Buds 3, while more expensive, offer better overall sound and features like wireless charging and a smart charging case with an LED touch display. Both have good built-in controls and are optimized for use with both Android and Apple devices. If active noise cancelling is a must-have, the JBL Live Buds 3 include this feature, whereas the Beats Studiobuds do not. Consider your budget and whether features like superior sound quality, wireless charging, and active noise cancelling justify the higher price of the JBLs for your needs. 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 Studiobuds
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Buds 3
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
7.2
7.8
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Beats Studiobuds are both good for music, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.0
5.2
The Beats Studiobuds is good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
5.9
The Beats Studiobuds is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
8.3
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats Studiobuds is only fair.
Battery
6.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$80
$216
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Beats Studiobuds has a price of $80 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
5.2
5.4
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Beats Studiobuds are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Beats Studiobuds are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.8
8.5
The Beats Studiobuds and JBL Live Buds 3 both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Beats Studiobuds and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Studiobuds | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.9 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | 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 | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Studiobuds
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | May 2023
"For less than the price of the AirPods, the Beats Studio Buds delivers a good fit, great sound, and active noise cancellation. This is also the first set of Apple-owned Beats earbuds to feature quick pairing with Android devices, albeit at the expense of some key features for Apple users."
Get a great deal on the Beats Studiobuds or the JBL Live Buds 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
