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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds may cost more, but they offer better build quality and built-in controls compared to the JBL Live Free NC+. If exercise is a regular part of your routine, the Jaybird's higher score in use during exercise and their sweatproof and dustproof features make them a solid choice. Those looking for active noise cancelling will find it in both, but if budget is a key factor, the Live Free NC+ will save you money. The Jaybirds provide slightly better overall sound quality and longer battery life, but both models offer app equalization for personalized audio settings and are similarly rated for comfort and mic 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 Jaybird Vista 2
- Very good for phone calls
- Best in class for exercise
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- The JBL Live Free NC+ has no clear advantages over the Jaybird Vista 2.
Key differences
Music
6.3
5.8
The Jaybird Vista 2 is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
8.4
The Jaybird Vista 2 is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is very good.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Jaybird Vista 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$118
$60
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Jaybird Vista 2 has a price of $118 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Jaybird Vista 2 has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.2
5.0
The Jaybird Vista 2 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Jaybird Vista 2 to be very good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The Jaybird Vista 2 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
7.0
7.0
The Jaybird Vista 2 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both good for noise reduction.
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How the Jaybird Vista 2 and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Jaybird Vista 2 | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$118 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Jaybird | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | 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 | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 10/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.7 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Jaybird Vista 2
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | September 2022
"Compared to the original Vista, the Jaybird Vista 2 adds some key features including ANC and SurroundSense to control how much environmental noise you hear. If you're an athlete and are looking for rugged earbuds with tons of customization options, the Jaybird Vista 2 makes for a good option—but only if you are able to achieve a proper fit from the proprietary ear tips."
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 Jaybird Vista 2 or the JBL Live Free NC+
About Jaybird
Jaybird is an American headphone and activity tracker manufacturer focused on the exercise and sports market. The company was founded in 2006 by Judd Armstrong who sought for a product that was thoroughly sweatproof and that wouldn’t get in the way during physical activity. Jaybird is a part of the Swiss company Logitech International, since 2016.
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
110,000
Recommendations made
16,500
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.
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