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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
When considering the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the JBL Live Buds 3, you need to weigh up their strengths in relation to your needs. If your budget is a key factor and you value very good call and meeting performance, as well as good exercise usability, the Pixel Buds A Series is an appropriate choice despite their poor noise isolation. The JBL Live Buds 3 are priced at a premium, but they offer better overall sound quality, very good noise isolation, and features like LDAC codec for high-resolution audio, active noise cancelling, and a smart charging case with a LED touch display, which combined could justify the higher cost. The JBL Live Buds 3 would better suit frequent travelers or users in noisy environments who need high-quality sound and better control over their listening experience. 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 Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Buds 3
- Good for music
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.4
7.8
The JBL Live Buds 3 is good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
8.6
5.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.5
5.2
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
5.9
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
8.3
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$58
$216
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
7.4
8.5
The JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | 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 | 6.4/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel Buds A Series or the JBL Live Buds 3
About Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
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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