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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
Considering the JBL Live Buds 3 are premium priced, they offer better overall sound quality, noise isolation, and include active noise cancelling, which the Soundcore P20i lacks; these features enhance listening in noisy environments like air travel. However, if budget is a concern, the Soundcore P20i delivers good sound and comfort at a much lower price point, although you'll miss out on superior noise isolation and the best sound for music. For exercise enthusiasts, both are sweatproof and have a secure fit, but the JBL's superior noise isolation could be more beneficial. If you take a lot of calls, the JBL might not be ideal as it has a poor call quality score. Finally, the JBL has a unique smart charging case with an LED touch display for controls, adding convenience and a tech-savvy edge over the Soundcore. 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 Soundcore P20i
- Good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.8
6.4
The JBL Live Buds 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 Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
4.7
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Soundcore P20i are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
7.0
The Soundcore P20i is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.5
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 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 Buds 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 Buds 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
5.0
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Soundcore P20i are both poor for phone calls.
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How the JBL Live Buds 3 and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Buds 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 | 10 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 | 30 | 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 Buds 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.
Jason Lew
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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