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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
Choosing between JBL Live 770NC headphones and JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds largely depends on your particular needs and preferences. If you're looking for headphones that are great for air travel and provide excellent noise isolation, the JBL Live 770NCs are a solid choice, as they also have active noise cancelling and are comfortable for longer listens. However, these are bulkier and may not be as suitable for exercise or as portable as earbuds. On the other hand, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds are much smaller, more discreet, and better suited for physical activity, thanks to their sweatproof certification. They also offer a more snug in-ear fit which can be preferable for some users. If affordability is crucial and you're looking for versatility in everyday use, such as good performance on calls and during workouts, the lower-priced JBL Live Free NC+ could be the better option. Keep in mind, though, that the over-ear JBL Live 770NCs typically provide a more immersive listening experience and longer battery life, which might justify their higher price for avid music listeners or frequent flyers. 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 JBL Live 770NC
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.4
5.8
The JBL Live 770NC is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.6
5.0
The JBL Live 770NC and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming, though the JBL Live 770NC is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
5.2
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Battery
76.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The JBL Live 770NC has 76 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$130
$60
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Live 770NC has a price of $130 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
5.8
5.6
The JBL Live 770NC and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
7.0
7.0
The JBL Live 770NC and JBL Live Free NC+ are both good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and JBL Live 770NC both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live 770NC and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live 770NC | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$130 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2024 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 76 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | 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 | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
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 JBL Live 770NC or the JBL Live Free NC+
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
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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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