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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize better overall sound quality and features like active noise cancelling for quieter environments on flights or busy spaces, the JBL Live Free NC+ might be the better choice for you, though they're pricier. However, if budget is a concern and you're looking for a set of earbuds with a longer battery life and extremely portable design, the JLab Go Air Pop could be more suitable, even if they lack some audio quality and active noise cancellation. Note that the JLab Go Air Pop is also sweatproof, making them a better option 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 Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JLab Go Air Pop
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.1
The JLab Go Air Pop is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
5.5
The JLab Go Air Pop and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming, though the JLab Go Air Pop is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
5.7
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
6.1
The JLab Go Air Pop is only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The JLab Go Air Pop has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$25
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the JLab Go Air Pop costs $25.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The JLab Go Air Pop has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
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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 JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the JLab Go Air Pop compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | JLab Go Air Pop |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $25 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | September 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 27 | |
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 | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 3.9 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."
JLab Go Air Pop
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | August 2023
"The JLab GO Air POP is a great option for anyone on a tight budget. This pair of true wireless earbuds checks all the boxes for earbud essentials, and performs pretty well in most areas. The microphone isn't great, but that's to be expected for something this inexpensive."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the JLab Go Air Pop
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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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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