A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience, better overall sound quality, active noise cancelling for quiet environments, and longer battery life, the JBL Live Buds 3 are a strong choice, especially if you'll use them for exercise or air travel. Conversely, if budget is a concern and you need a reliable wired connection for gaming with a good detachable boom microphone, consider the Steelseries TUSQ. The TUSQ also boasts very good build quality but lacks features like wireless charging, active noise cancelling, and app-based customization that come with the JBL. 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 Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.4
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
4.7
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Steelseries TUSQ are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
7.3
The Steelseries TUSQ is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.0
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Steelseries TUSQ is only fair.
Battery
10.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Steelseries TUSQ does not have a battery.
Cost
$216
$32
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Buds 3 has a price of $216 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $32.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
7.8
7.6
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Steelseries TUSQ are both good for music.
Phone Calls
5.2
5.2
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Steelseries TUSQ are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Steelseries TUSQ both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the JBL Live Buds 3 and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Buds 3 | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $32 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.2/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Steelseries TUSQ
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Buds 3 or the Steelseries TUSQ
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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,500
Recommendations made
18,525
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
