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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and advanced features, the JBL Live Flex 3, with its superior overall sound quality, active noise cancelling, and LDAC support, might justify the higher price. Its smart charging case with LED touch display adds convenience. However, if you're looking for value and satisfactory performance for casual listening and exercise, the JBL Tune Buds offer good sound, decent battery life, and resistance to sweat and dust at a lower cost. For calls and more critical listening, the Live Flex 3 would be the better choice despite costing more. 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 Tune Buds
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.2
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.7
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Cost
$216
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Flex 3 has a price of $216 and the JBL Tune Buds costs $50.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.4
The JBL Live Flex 3 and JBL Tune Buds are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.2
4.9
The JBL Live Flex 3 and JBL Tune Buds are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
5.8
The JBL Live Flex 3 and JBL Tune Buds are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.7
6.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Tune Buds to be only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
10.4 Hours
The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 and JBL Tune Buds both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Flex 3 and the JBL Tune Buds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Flex 3 | JBL Tune Buds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JBL | |
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 | 8.1/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 40 | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 10.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Flex 3 or the JBL Tune Buds
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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