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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If premium sound during exercise, open earbuds with wireless functionality, and a smart charging case with touch controls are priorities, the JBL Live Flex 3 may be worth the higher cost for you. They offer strong noise isolation and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, which can be convenient. Meanwhile, if you're looking for over-ear headphones that are more affordable, with longer battery life, and have active noise cancelling for focused listening during air travel or in noisy environments, then the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is the better choice. Keep in mind that the Hesh also includes a cable, allowing for wired listening, which the JBL lacks. 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 Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.7
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Battery
10.0 Hours
23.0 Hours
The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$135
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Flex 3 has a price of $216 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.6
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and JBL Live Flex 3 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.2
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and JBL Live Flex 3 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Skullcandy Hesh ANC to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
5.8
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and JBL Live Flex 3 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and JBL Live Flex 3 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the JBL Live Flex 3 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Flex 3 | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.6 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 | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
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 | 226.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Flex 3 or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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.
About Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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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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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