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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and additional features for music and exercise, the JBL Live Flex 3 might be better due to their very good overall sound quality and suitability for use during exercise. Their active noise cancelling can also be advantageous for noisy environments. However, the Nothing Brand Ear Stick offers better value with very good mic quality and low latency mode suitable for gaming and video, at a lower price. The Ear Stick is more oriented towards calls, meetings, and Android users with its optimized app controls. Choose the JBL if you want superior build quality, sound, and exercise features, but if you're looking for affordability with good gaming and call capabilities, go with the Nothing Brand Ear Stick. 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.1
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
8.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
8.6
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
8.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
7.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$108
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Flex 3 has a price of $216 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $108.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Flex 3 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Flex 3 | "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $108 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | November 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 40 | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 4.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
"Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | December 2022
"If the Ear (stick) fits your ears, its light weight means you can easily wear it until the unimpressive battery life totally drains. The IP54 rating of the buds lends some confidence that it’ll survive some light abuse too. Finally, for the person who only wears earbuds at their desk, the Nothing Ear (stick) with its decent microphone could offer a reasonable Zoom meeting solution."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Flex 3 or the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
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.
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.
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