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 10, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and use during exercise with earbuds that offer good noise isolation and a sweatproof design, the JBL Live Flex 3 would be the better choice, though it comes with a premium price. However, if you're looking for very good comfort and mic quality for calls and meetings, along with the ability to use your headphones wired, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless may suit you better due to their boom mic and over-ear design, and they are much less expensive. Keep in mind that the JBL Live Flex 3 is better suited for outdoor activities and has a longer battery life with a smart charging case, but they are not ideal for gaming or TV as they perform poorly in those areas. The JLab, on the other hand, offers better performance for gaming and TV and includes a detachable cable but is less portable and not optimized for exercise. 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 JLab JBuds Work Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.8
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
8.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
60.0 Hours
The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$79
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Flex 3 has a price of $216 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the JBL Live Flex 3 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Flex 3 | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $79 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 60 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 40 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 158 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
JLab JBuds Work Wireless
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | February 2022
"The JLab JBuds Work is an affordable headset-headphone hybrid that you can use to listen to music in stereo and communicate on video calls thanks to a retractable boom mic, and we particularly like its convenient mono and passive wired modes. You won't find any frills here like you will with the costlier Jabra Evolve2 65 or Plantronics Voyager 4220 UC, but for less than half the price, the JBuds Work is an effective lower-cost alternative."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Flex 3 or the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare JBL Live Flex 3 vs. JBL Live Beam 3
VS
Compare JBL Live Flex 3 vs. JBL Live Buds 3
VS
Compare JBL Live Flex 3 vs. Sony WF1000XM4
VS
Compare JLab JBuds Work Wireless vs. Audio Technica ATH M40X
VS
Compare JLab JBuds Work Wireless vs. Shokz OpenMove
VS
Compare JLab JBuds Work Wireless vs. Sennheiser HD 350BT
VS
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
