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Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize premium sound quality, active noise cancelling, and advanced features like an LED touch display on the charging case, the JBL Live Beam 3 might be worth the higher price. However, they're not the best for calling or video and gaming due to less adequate performance in those areas. On the other hand, if you're looking for something more affordable and lightweight with good portability and exercise suitability, the JLab Go Air Pop could be suitable, though you'll compromise on sound quality and feature richness, including the absence of noise cancellation and a simpler built-in mic. The JBL's offer a longer battery life and wireless charging, which the JLab's lack, but keep in mind that the JBL Live Beam 3 is the more recent release if having the latest model is important to you. 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 Beam 3
Very good for exercise
Advantages of the JLab Go Air Pop
The JLab Go Air Pop has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Beam 3.
Key differences
Music
7.8/10
7.1/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 and JLab Go Air Pop are both good for music, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.3/10
6.5/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Battery
12.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The JLab Go Air Pop has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$25
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the JLab Go Air Pop costs $25.
Build Quality
8.5/10
9.0/10
The JLab Go Air Pop has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Beam 3 has very good build quality.
"The JLab GO Air POP is a great option for anyone on a tight budget. This pair of true wireless earbuds checks all the boxes for earbud essentials, and performs pretty well in most areas. The microphone isn't great, but that's to be expected for something this inexpensive."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Beam 3 or the JLab Go Air Pop
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.
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.