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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
earbuds but differ in features. The Live Free NC+ offers active noise cancelling for better sound isolation, making it suitable for air travel and noisy environments. However, the Tune Flex has a low latency mode that's beneficial for gaming or watching videos. For exercises, the Live Free NC+ is sweatproof, while the Tune Flex lacks this feature. Comfort-wise, they're comparable, but if you make many calls, the Live Free NC+ has better mic quality. The Tune Flex struggles with call quality but excels in gaming audio. Choose Live Free NC+ for travel and calls or Tune Flex for gaming and video with its latency advantage. 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 Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
Advantages of the JBL Tune Flex
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.3
The JBL Tune Flex is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
6.3
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Flex is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
9.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is very good.
TV and Video
5.6
7.8
The JBL Tune Flex is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
7.0
6.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Live Free NC+ to be good for noise reduction, while the JBL Tune Flex is only fair.
Cost
$60
$60
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the JBL Tune Flex costs $60.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and JBL Tune Flex both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the JBL Tune Flex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | JBL Tune Flex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Live Free NC+
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Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
JBL Tune Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the JBL Tune Flex
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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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.
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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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