A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Live Free NC+ are budget-friendly and provide active noise cancelling, which helps in noisy environments like air travel, and are also sweatproof, making them suitable for exercise. They have a slightly longer battery life but longer charging time compared to the "Nothing" Ear Sticks. On the other hand, the "Nothing" Ear Sticks have a more open design and higher scores for mic quality and comfort, which may be better for calls and meetings. They also offer low latency mode, making them preferable for gaming and videos, and they're optimized for both Android and Apple devices, feature a lighter weight, and detect when they're being worn. 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 exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.0
8.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
8.6
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
TV and Video
5.6
7.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
2.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Cost
$60
$99
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $99.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
5.8
6.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick to be only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Battery
5.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $99 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | November 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1.2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | 4.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Live Free NC+
See more
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 Stick
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | December 2022
"If the Ear (stick) fits your ears, its light weight means you can easily wear it until the unimpressive battery life totally drains. The IP54 rating of the buds lends some confidence that it’ll survive some light abuse too. Finally, for the person who only wears earbuds at their desk, the Nothing Ear (stick) with its decent microphone could offer a reasonable Zoom meeting solution."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare JBL Live Free NC+ vs. JBL Tune Flex
VS
Compare JBL Live Free NC+ vs. Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
VS
Compare JBL Live Free NC+ vs. Soundcore Life Q20
VS
Compare "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick vs. AKG K361
VS
Compare "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick vs. Jabra Elite 4
VS
Compare "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick vs. Beats EP
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,800
Recommendations made
18,570
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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.
Featured in
