A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
The JBL Live Beam 3 offers superior noise isolation, sweat and dustproof certification, active noise cancelling, and a unique Smart Charging Case with a touch display for controls, which can be a major convenience. They also support a lossless codec which is beneficial for high-quality music listening and are optimized for both Android and Apple. In contrast, the Soundcore P20i, while less expensive, provides decent sound quality and good mic performance, but lacks features like active noise cancelling and lossless audio support. The Soundcore may suffice for casual use and those on a budget, but for a premium experience with additional features suitable for exercise and travel, the JBL Live Beam 3 might be a better fit. If you prioritize better noise management and advanced features over the price, go for the JBL; if you want to save money and need headphones for good gaming and TV video experience, consider the Soundcore P20i. 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 Soundcore P20i
- Good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.8
6.4
The JBL Live Beam 3 is good for music, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
7.3
The Soundcore P20i is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
4.7
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore P20i are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
7.0
The Soundcore P20i is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.5
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Battery
12.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the Soundcore P20i costs $30.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Soundcore P20i has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Beam 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
5.0
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Soundcore P20i are both poor for phone calls.
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How the JBL Live Beam 3 and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Beam 3 | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 12 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Soundcore P20i
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Critic Reviewer
Ranbir Sen | May 2023
"I would recommend the Soundcore P20i Earbuds to everyone who loves music and would like to own comfortable pair of earbuds with a great range of sound quality. I would recommend users who buy this device use the right comfortable ear tips as per your ear design."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Beam 3 or the Soundcore P20i
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.
About Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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.
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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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