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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize convenience and advanced features for earbuds, the JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds offer a high-tech Smart Charging Case with an LED touch display, active noise cancelling, and optimization for both Android and Apple devices. They're suitable for exercise, have a premium price, and offer better sound for calls. However, they aren't ideal for gaming or TV due to low scores in those areas. The JLab Jbuds Lux ANC headphones are less expensive and foldable, featuring active noise cancelling and long battery life, making them excellent for air travel. They’re also over-ear headphones, which some find more comfortable for extended use but are less portable than earbuds. Neither is particularly great for gaming or TV, so if those are your primary activities, you may want to consider alternatives. 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
Good for music
Very good for exercise
Advantages of the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC
Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.8/10
6.0/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 is good for music, while the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3/10
7.0/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC is good.
Battery
12.0 Hours
70.0 Hours
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The JLab Jbuds Lux ANC has 70 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC costs $80.
The JBL Live Beam 3 and JLab Jbuds Lux ANC are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.2/10
5.2/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 and JLab Jbuds Lux ANC are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9/10
5.8/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 and JLab Jbuds Lux ANC are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6/10
5.6/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 and JLab Jbuds Lux ANC are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.5/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 and JLab Jbuds Lux ANC both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Beam 3 and the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
JBL Live Beam 3
JLab Jbuds Lux ANC
GENERAL
Price
Price
$216
$80
Brand
Brand
JBL
JLab
Release Date
Release Date
June 1, 2024
February 1, 2024
Form Factor
Form Factor
Earbuds
Headphones
Connectivity
Connectivity
Wireless
Wired + Wireless
SOUND
Music Score
Music Score
7.9/10
6.1/10
Phone Calls Score
Phone Calls Score
5.3/10
5.2/10
Gaming Score
Gaming Score
5.4/10
5.4/10
TV and Video Score
TV and Video Score
5.7/10
5.6/10
Exercise Score
Exercise Score
8.4/10
6.1/10
Air Travel Score
Air Travel Score
8.5/10
9/10
Podcasts and Audiobooks Score
Podcasts and Audiobooks Score
5.9/10
5.8/10
Sound Profile
Sound Profile
Bass, Treble
Bass, Treble
PERFORMANCE
Battery life
Battery life
12 Hours
70 Hours
Wireless charging
Wireless charging
Yes
No
Charging time
Charging time
2 Hours
2.5 Hours
Bluetooth version
Bluetooth version
5.3
5.3
Case Battery Life
Case Battery Life
36
N/A
FEATURES
Active Noise Cancelling
Active Noise Cancelling
Yes
Yes
Noise Reduction Score
Noise Reduction Score
8.4/10
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
8.5/10
8.5/10
Comfort score
Comfort score
7/10
7/10
Size
Size
Large
N/A
Weight (headset or single earbud)
Weight (headset or single earbud)
8.8 Grams
235 Grams
Microphone style
Microphone style
Integrated
Integrated
Waterproof Rating
Waterproof Rating
5
0
Dustproof Rating
Dustproof Rating
5
0
Eartip sizes included
Eartip sizes included
XS, S, M, L
N/A
Color variations
Color variations
Black
Black
Low Latency
Low Latency
No
No
Lossless Codec
Lossless Codec
LDAC
No
Cable length
Cable length
N/A
3.9 feet
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Beam 3 or the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC
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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