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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize active noise cancelling and sound quality across music, TV, and gaming, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a solid choice despite the higher price. However, for longer battery life and the convenience of wireless charging, along with a smart charging case with LED touch display for controls, the JBL Live Buds 3 may suit you better. Note that while both support a lossless codec, if low latency is important for you, the Bose has the edge with AptX Adaptive. Lastly, if you plan to use them for calls, the JBL provides better microphone quality. 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 QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Live Buds 3
- The JBL Live Buds 3 has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Key differences
Music
8.6
7.8
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is good.
Gaming
8.8
5.4
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
8.1
5.6
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.9
8.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and JBL Live Buds 3 are both very good for noise reduction, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Battery
6.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 21 | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 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 | 6.2/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
Get a great deal on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the JBL Live Buds 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.
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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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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