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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality music listening and seamless exercise use with features like a touch display case for controls, and can afford the premium, the JBL Live Flex 3 is suitable; it also supports LDAC for better sound quality and has longer battery life. However, if you're cost-conscious and want good music and call quality with active noise cancelling for travel, and don't mind the lack of advanced features like a smart charging case, the JBL Live Free NC+ is a very good and less expensive alternative. Both are sweatproof, but the Flex 3 also offers dustproofing. 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 Flex 3
- Very good for music
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
5.8
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.5
5.0
The JBL Live Flex 3 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming, though the JBL Live Flex 3 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
5.2
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Flex 3 has a price of $216 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
5.7
5.6
The JBL Live Flex 3 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Flex 3 and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Flex 3 | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 40 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Live Free NC+
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Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Flex 3 or the JBL Live Free NC+
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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