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 audio quality and a top-notch noise-canceling experience for air travel are priorities, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones shine, despite the higher cost. For those who prioritize portability, the JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds are lighter and more exercise-friendly with sweat and dust resistance, plus they support wireless charging for convenience. Gamers and TV watchers might find the low latency of the JBL earbuds appealing, but for music and video, the superior sound and comfort of the Bose headphones could be worth the expense. The Bose also allows for wired use, which may be important for some users. If budget is a concern, the JBL's lower price and smart charging case with a touch display for controls are attractive features. 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 Ultra Headphones
- Very good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Best in class for air travel
Advantages of the JBL Live Beam 3
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
5.4
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
TV and Video
9.0
5.6
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is very good.
Battery
29.0 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life.
Cost
$429
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has a price of $429 and the JBL Live Beam 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Beam 3 has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
8.3
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones to be very good for music, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is good.
Phone Calls
5.3
5.2
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and JBL Live Beam 3 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and the JBL Live Beam 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones | JBL Live Beam 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 29 Hours | 12 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 255 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
See more
Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Christian Thomas | January 2024
"The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future. No waterproofing is a bit of a letdown, but these headphones have the technical chops to make most quite happy."
Get a great deal on the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones or the JBL Live Beam 3
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 Ultra Headphones vs. Bowers and Wilkins PI7
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones vs. Sony WH-1000XM5
VS
Compare JBL Live Beam 3 vs. JBL Live Buds 3
VS
Compare JBL Live Beam 3 vs. JBL Live Flex 3
VS
Compare JBL Live Beam 3 vs. Sony WF1000XM4
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
110,900
Recommendations made
16,635
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
