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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Live Free NC+ offers active noise canceling, which the Moondrop Nekocake lacks, making the JBL better for travel and noisy environments. The JBL also has a more robust build quality, slightly better overall sound quality, and higher scores for calls and meetings. If you favor longer listening sessions without charging, JBL's earbuds have longer battery life. However, the Nekocake is more affordable and still delivers good sound quality and comfort. If you're looking to save money and don't need noise cancellation, the Nekocake is a viable option. Both are suitable for exercise, have similar soundstage qualities, and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. 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
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Moondrop Nekocake
- The Moondrop Nekocake has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Free NC+.
Key differences
Phone Calls
7.6
6.1
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Moondrop Nekocake is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.7
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Moondrop Nekocake is good.
TV and Video
5.6
5.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for TV and video, though the JBL Live Free NC+ is somewhat better.
Battery
5.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$39
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Moondrop Nekocake costs $39.
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Key similarities
Music
5.8
5.7
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for music.
Gaming
5.0
4.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for gaming.
Noise Reduction
7.0
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Moondrop Nekocake are both good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Moondrop Nekocake both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Moondrop Nekocake compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Moondrop Nekocake |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $39 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | October 1, 2021 | |
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 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 4.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
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 | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 5.4 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."
Moondrop Nekocake
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Moondrop Nekocake
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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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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