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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for advanced features such as a smart charging case with an LED touch display, higher-quality materials, and LDAC codec support for better sound quality with compatible devices, the JBL Live Buds 3 may be worth the higher price. However, if you're on a budget and can do without the premium features, the JBL Live Free NC+ offers very good sound quality, active noise cancelling, and a more portable design for less money. Both are sweatproof and offer wireless charging, but the Live Buds 3 have a longer battery life. Choose the JBL Live Buds 3 for top-notch features or the Live Free NC+ for value while still maintaining good quality and essential features for everyday use. 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 Buds 3
- Good for music
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.8
5.8
The JBL Live Buds 3 is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Buds 3 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 Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Buds 3 has a price of $216 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.0
The JBL Live Buds 3 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The JBL Live Buds 3 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Buds 3 and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Buds 3 and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Buds 3 | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 18 | |
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 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 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 Buds 3 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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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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