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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless portability, use during exercise, and active noise cancelling, the JBL Live Buds 3 would be the superior choice, especially with the convenience of a smart charging case with LED touch display and a premium build quality. However, the Turtle Beach Recon 70, while wired and without noise cancelling, offers best-in-class mic quality, making them ideal for calls and gaming, and they are significantly more affordable. The Recon 70's battery life isn't a concern since they're wired, but for longer wireless use, the JBL's offer 10 hours plus an additional 30 hours from the case. Consider the JBL if you want premium, versatile earbuds and the Turtle Beach if you're looking for a budget-friendly, gaming-focused headset. 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 Turtle Beach Recon 70
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.8
7.1
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Turtle Beach Recon 70 are both good for music, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
Gaming
5.4
8.4
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
9.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is best in class for phone calls, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
7.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.5
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.6
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 does not have a battery.
Cost
$216
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Buds 3 has a price of $216 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 costs $40.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Turtle Beach Recon 70 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Buds 3 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Buds 3 | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Turtle Beach | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | May 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
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 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 309 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Turtle Beach Recon 70
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | September 2022
"There aren’t many considerations to make here. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 sounds decent, offers solid chat audio, feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you’re in the market for a simple plug-and-play option, you could do a whole lot worse (and spend a whole lot more money). Regardless, if getting something cheap that works well is the only thing you care about, this is a great option."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Buds 3 or the Turtle Beach Recon 70
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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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.
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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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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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