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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prefer better general sound quality and enjoy listening to music or podcasts, Grado GT220 may be the better choice for you, despite being slightly more expensive. However, if you are looking for features such as active noise cancelling, a longer battery life, wireless charging, and an innovative smart case with LED touch display, the JBL Live Buds 3 would be the way to go. It's important to note that Grado GT220 isn't the best option for activities like gaming and watching TV due to its poor score in these areas, while JBL Live Buds 3 are optimized for exercises, suitable for air travel due to their excellent noise isolation, and feature an EQ and app controls for a personalized audio experience. Choose JBL if you value extra features and activity-specific performance over the slight edge in music and podcast listening that Grado offers. 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 Grado GT220
- 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
6.3
7.8
The JBL Live Buds 3 is good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.9
5.2
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
5.9
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$259
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.4
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Grado GT220 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.5
5.6
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Grado GT220 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.8
8.5
The Grado GT220 and JBL Live Buds 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | 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 | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Get a great deal on the Grado GT220 or the JBL Live Buds 3
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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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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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
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.
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