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 January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize noise cancellation and comfort over long periods, the Bose QuietComfort 45 would be a better fit for you despite the higher price; however, if affordability is key and you need something more compact for traveling or exercising, the JBL Live Free NC+ could be the more practical choice. Keep in mind that while the JBL earbuds may offer convenience and portability, they may not match the Bose headphones in terms of sound quality and noise isolation. Additionally, if you require a product with a microphone for calls or virtual meetings, ensure the choice you lean towards includes this feature. 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 Bose Quiet Comfort 45
- Very good for phone calls
- Best in class for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
6.4
5.8
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.5
5.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming, though the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.3
8.4
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is very good.
Noise Reduction
10.0
7.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is best in class for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
22.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 has 22.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$260
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 has a price of $260 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose Quiet Comfort 45 to be very good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
TV and Video
5.8
5.6
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort 45 | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$260 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2021 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 22.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 235.8 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose Quiet Comfort 45
See more
Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | November 2022
"If you want a set of wireless over-ear headphones you can put on, deploy noise-cancelling on your commute or at your desk and largely extinguish the outside world for up to 24 hours, the Bose QC 45 has the edge over most of the competition at the price."
JBL Live Free NC+
See more
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 Bose Quiet Comfort 45 or the JBL Live Free NC+
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort 45 vs. Apple Airpods Pro
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort 45 vs. Grado GT220
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort 45 vs. Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
VS
Compare JBL Live Free NC+ vs. JBL Tune Flex
VS
Compare JBL Live Free NC+ vs. Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
VS
Compare JBL Live Free NC+ vs. Soundcore Life Q20
VS
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
128,300
Recommendations made
19,245
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
