The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize value for money and require headphones for versatile use, including music, calls, gaming, and TV, the Earfun Wave Pro could be a better choice as they're significantly less expensive and offer good overall performance with features like active noise cancelling and a sturdy build. However, if you prefer earbuds, need superior portability, and features like sweat and dust resistance, along with wireless charging, the JBL Live Beam 3 will suit you better, especially if you use your earbuds for exercise or travel and appreciate the added convenience of the smart charging case with its touch display. 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 Earfun Wave Pro
Excellent for phone calls
Very good for gaming
Very good for TV and video
Excellent for air travel
Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Beam 3
Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
7.0/10
7.8/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Earfun Wave Pro are both good for music, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.7/10
5.4/10
The Earfun Wave Pro is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
9.0/10
5.2/10
The Earfun Wave Pro is excellent for phone calls, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.1/10
5.9/10
The Earfun Wave Pro is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
TV and Video
8.0/10
5.6/10
The Earfun Wave Pro is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Battery
80.0 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Earfun Wave Pro has 80 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life.
Cost
$80
$216
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Earfun Wave Pro has a price of $80 and the JBL Live Beam 3 costs $216.
The Earfun Wave Pro and JBL Live Beam 3 are both very good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.5/10
The Earfun Wave Pro and JBL Live Beam 3 both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Earfun Wave Pro and the JBL Live Beam 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
Earfun Wave Pro
JBL Live Beam 3
GENERAL
Price
Price
$80
$216
Brand
Brand
Earfun
JBL
Release Date
Release Date
March 1, 2024
June 1, 2024
Form Factor
Form Factor
Headphones
Earbuds
Connectivity
Connectivity
Wired + Wireless
Wireless
SOUND
Music Score
Music Score
7.1/10
7.9/10
Phone Calls Score
Phone Calls Score
9/10
5.3/10
Gaming Score
Gaming Score
8.7/10
5.4/10
TV and Video Score
TV and Video Score
8/10
5.7/10
Exercise Score
Exercise Score
6.3/10
8.4/10
Air Travel Score
Air Travel Score
9.2/10
8.5/10
Podcasts and Audiobooks Score
Podcasts and Audiobooks Score
9.2/10
5.9/10
Sound Profile
Sound Profile
Midrange, Treble
Bass, Treble
PERFORMANCE
Battery life
Battery life
80 Hours
12 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
N/A
36
FEATURES
Active Noise Cancelling
Active Noise Cancelling
No
Yes
Noise Reduction Score
Noise Reduction Score
8.4/10
8.4/10
Virtual Surround
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Android App
Android App
No
Yes
iOS App
iOS App
No
Yes
Mic Quality
Mic Quality
8.5/10
7/10
BUILD AND DESIGN
Build Quality
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.5/10
Comfort score
Comfort score
7.4/10
7/10
Size
Size
N/A
Large
Weight (headset or single earbud)
Weight (headset or single earbud)
268 Grams
8.8 Grams
Microphone style
Microphone style
Integrated
Integrated
Waterproof Rating
Waterproof Rating
0
5
Dustproof Rating
Dustproof Rating
0
5
Eartip sizes included
Eartip sizes included
N/A
XS, S, M, L
Color variations
Color variations
Black
Black
Low Latency
Low Latency
Low Latency Mode
No
Lossless Codec
Lossless Codec
LDAC
LDAC
Cable length
Cable length
3.9 feet
N/A
Get a great deal on the Earfun Wave Pro or the JBL Live Beam 3
About Earfun
Earfun is an audio equipment manufacturer, headquartered in California, that specializes in producing quality, very affordable earbuds and wireless speakers. According to their site, their mission is to provide high-quality sound that the general public can hear, perceive, and afford.
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
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
123,200
Recommendations made
18,480
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.