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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
Considering your choices, go for JBL Live Flex 3 if you prefer better overall sound quality, are planning to use them during exercise since they are sweatproof, need longer battery life, and appreciate active noise cancelling for noisier environments. Choose Sony Linkbuds if you prioritize a very good soundstage, lower weight, quick charging, and frequently use Android devices. However, JBL has a higher price tag and features like a smart charging case with a touch display that Sony lacks. If cost is a concern, and you can compromise on sound quality and battery life, Sony might be the better option. 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 Sony Linkbuds
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.6
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.2
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, 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 Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$178
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Flex 3 has a price of $216 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
8.5
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.5
The Sony Linkbuds and JBL Live Flex 3 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.4
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for TV and video.
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How the JBL Live Flex 3 and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Flex 3 | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 40 | 17.5 | |
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 | Yes | |
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 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Flex 3 or the Sony Linkbuds
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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