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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and build, opt for the Grado GT220, as it offers superior sound and build compared to the JBL Live Free NC+. However, the JBL has better mic quality, which can be important for calls, and it also offers active noise cancelling, which the Grado lacks, making it a better choice for noisy environments or travel. The JBL is also more suitable for use during exercise due to its sweatproof certification and larger earbud size that may provide a more secure fit. Additionally, the JBL earbuds have a lower price, which can be a significant deciding factor if budget is a concern. Both options are wireless and offer similar battery life, but only the JBL supports an app equalizer and app controls customization for a more personalized 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 Grado GT220
- The Grado GT220 has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Free NC+.
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.3
5.8
The Grado GT220 is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Cost
$259
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.0
The Grado GT220 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
8.4
The Grado GT220 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.5
5.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Grado GT220 are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
5.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.8
8.5
The Grado GT220 and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
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 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 7 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."
JBL Live Free NC+
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Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
Get a great deal on the Grado GT220 or the JBL Live Free NC+
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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