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What we think
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Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize active noise cancelling for quieter listening and sweatproof features for workouts, the JBL Live Free NC+ would be the better choice, although they are more expensive. They also offer wireless charging and a higher overall sound quality. However, if budget is a key concern and you want very basic earbuds that are sweatproof and dustproof with longer battery life, then the Jlab Go Air Sport could be suitable. The JBL's are better for music, calls, and air travel, but neither are ideal for gaming or TV due to low gaming and TV scores. 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 Sport
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Phone Calls
7.6
5.2
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Jlab Go Air Sport is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
5.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Jlab Go Air Sport is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
6.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Jlab Go Air Sport is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Jlab Go Air Sport has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$30
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Jlab Go Air Sport costs $30.
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Key similarities
Music
5.8
5.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Jlab Go Air Sport are both poor for music.
Gaming
5.0
5.4
The Jlab Go Air Sport and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.8
The Jlab Go Air Sport and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Jlab Go Air Sport both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Jlab Go Air Sport compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Jlab Go Air Sport |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Jlab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | January 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 8 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 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 6.6 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 Sport
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | April 2022
"If you want seriously bass-forward earphones for the gym, you'll be hard-pressed to find a pair more affordable than the JLab Go Air Sport. We like their long battery life and solid water-resistance rating, though we aren’t fans of their finicky on-ear controls and the case’s hardwired charging cable."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Jlab Go Air Sport
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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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.
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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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