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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize cutting-edge features, wireless convenience, active noise cancelling, and a higher build quality, the JBL Live Buds 3 are a premium choice, especially if you often use earbuds during exercise or for air travel thanks to their sweat and dustproof design and smart charging case with touch display. However, if you're on a budget and prefer a wired connection, don't mind a simpler design without active noise cancelling, and prioritize sound quality for music, the KZ ZSN Pro offers excellent build quality and solid audio at a much lower price, although it may not be as comfortable for extended use in calls, meetings, or gaming. 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
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the KZ ZSN Pro
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.4
6.0
The KZ ZSN Pro is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
3.1
The JBL Live Buds 3 and KZ ZSN Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
4.9
The JBL Live Buds 3 and KZ ZSN Pro are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
7.4
The KZ ZSN Pro is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the KZ ZSN Pro is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The KZ ZSN Pro does not have a battery.
Cost
$216
$21
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Buds 3 has a price of $216 and the KZ ZSN Pro costs $21.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The KZ ZSN Pro has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.8
7.7
The JBL Live Buds 3 and KZ ZSN Pro are both good for music.
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How the JBL Live Buds 3 and the KZ ZSN Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Buds 3 | KZ ZSN Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $21 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | KZ | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | March 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 3.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
Shopping
KZ ZSN Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
PrimeAudio
David Becker | 2019
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Buds 3 or the KZ ZSN Pro
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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