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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you value very good sound quality, active noise cancelling, and additional tech like a smart charging case with an LED touch display for controls, the JBL Live Buds 3 would be the better choice, though they come at a premium price. They are also better suited for exercise and air travel, with high portability and very good noise isolation. Alternatively, the JLab Go Air Pop could be better if you're looking for something more budget-friendly, still decent for exercise with their smaller earbud size and sweatproof feature, while offering excellent build quality and a very long battery life. However, their sound quality and feature set, like the absence of an app equalizer and active noise cancelling, are more basic compared to the JBL Live Buds 3. 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
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the JLab Go Air Pop
- The JLab Go Air Pop has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Buds 3.
Key differences
Music
7.8
7.1
The JBL Live Buds 3 and JLab Go Air Pop are both good for music, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.5
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 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 Buds 3 has a price of $216 and the JLab Go Air Pop costs $25.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The JLab Go Air Pop has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.5
The JLab Go Air Pop and JBL Live Buds 3 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.2
5.0
The JBL Live Buds 3 and JLab Go Air Pop are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
5.7
The JBL Live Buds 3 and JLab Go Air Pop are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
6.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JLab Go Air Pop to be only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
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How the JBL Live Buds 3 and the JLab Go Air Pop compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Buds 3 | JLab Go Air Pop |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $25 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | September 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 27 | |
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 | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 3.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JLab Go Air Pop
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | August 2023
"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 Buds 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.
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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.
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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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