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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize active noise cancellation and a longer battery life for day-to-day use, the JBL Live Free NC+ would likely be a better choice. However, if you're looking for earbuds more suited to gaming due to lower latency, and you appreciate additional features like a game mode, you might find the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless to be worth the extra cost. Keep in mind that both models are similar in most everyday use aspects, so it really comes down to whether you value noise cancellation and battery life or gaming features and a slight edge in overall performance. Remember also that the JBLs typically do not have a gaming mode, which could be an important factor if gaming is a primary use for you. 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 Razer Hammerhead True Wireless
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
6.6
The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
8.6
The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
5.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.9
The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.1
The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Cost
$60
$95
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless costs $95.
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Key similarities
Battery
5.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless has 5 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.5
8.7
The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Razer Hammerhead True Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $95 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Razer | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 7.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 8.2/10 | |
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 | 8.7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 5 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."
Razer Hammerhead True Wireless
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Chris Welch | August 2019
"This latest set is more “Pro” than not in both looks and features: they offer active noise cancellation, a low-latency gaming mode, and have switched to a in-ear design with silicone tips. Just like many of the company’s laptops and gaming accessories, the 2021 Hammerhead True Wireless include Razer’s full Chroma RGB system. It makes for what Razer calls “the ultimate wireless earbud flex.”"
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless
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 Razer
Razer is an American-Singaporean hardware manufacturer aimed specifically toward the gaming market. They manufacture a very wide array of gaming laptops, tablets, phones, peripherals and, of course, headphones and earbuds both wired and wireless. Since 2016, Razer has owned the THX suite, aimed at quality assurance of audiovisual systems such as speaker sets, video game consoles and even movie theaters.
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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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