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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're concerned about price and want a more budget-friendly option, the JBL Live Free NC+ are significantly less expensive than the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) and still provide quality sound. On the other hand, if you need the best experience for calls and meetings, gaming, or watching TV and videos, and if features like a lower weight, better noise isolation, and the ability for use during air travel are important to you, then the "Nothing" Ear (2) might be worth the extra expense. Additionally, they offer a longer battery life with the case, a smaller earbud size, and they support wireless charging. Both options have active noise cancelling and are sweatproof, but "Nothing" Ear (2) also offers dustproof certification and a low latency mode which could enhance your listening experience during high-movement activities or gaming. 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+
- The JBL Live Free NC+ has no clear advantages over the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2).
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
8.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
9.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is very good.
TV and Video
5.6
8.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
6.7 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$149
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) costs $149.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
7.6
7.9
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) and JBL Live Free NC+ are both good for phone calls.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | March 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.3. | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 4.4 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."
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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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Why trust us
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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