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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The JBL Live Buds 3 may save you money and are a solid choice for exercise and air travel thanks to their durability and sweatproof certification. They offer good sound quality and have a unique Smart Charging Case with an LED touch display for controls. However, the Sony WF1000XM4 excel in music listening with excellent sound quality and an app equalizer for customization, plus active noise cancelling for quieter environments. They're not as well suited for physical activities due to lack of sweatproofing. For calls, the JBL's mic quality is on par with the Sony, but if you prioritize listening experience and noise cancellation, the Sony WF1000XM4 could be a better fit. Both have similar wireless features, but the JBL's larger battery might mean less frequent charging. 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 Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.8
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is good.
Phone Calls
5.2
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and JBL Live Buds 3 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.3
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Sony WF1000XM4 are both very good for noise reduction.
Cost
$216
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The JBL Live Buds 3 has a price of $216 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and JBL Live Buds 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Buds 3 and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Buds 3 | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Buds 3 or the Sony WF1000XM4
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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