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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If portability and wireless convenience are important for you, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds might suit you better, as they are stemless and come with a charging case providing additional battery life. They're also sweatproof, feature active noise cancelling, and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, making them versatile for on-the-go use and travel. However, the Razer Kraken V3 headphones could be a better fit if you prioritize gaming and TV watching, as they offer virtual surround sound, which enhances immersive experiences. Keep in mind that the Razer's lack wireless capability so they'll tether you to your device, but they do have a durable build and a boom mic that could be better for voice chat in 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+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Razer Kraken V3
- Good for music
- Good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.3
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
7.3
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
4.7
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.0
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
6.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Razer Kraken V3 is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Razer Kraken V3 does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$70
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Razer Kraken V3 costs $70.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Razer Kraken V3 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Razer Kraken V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Razer Kraken V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $70 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Razer | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 325 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
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 Kraken V3
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Soundguys
Sam Smart | November 2022
"This Razer Kraken V3 is a great headset for gamers who want comfort, surround sound, and software customization for a reasonable price. It's primarily a headset for PC gamers since THX Spatial audio is only supported on Windows. If you want something more multifaceted for multiple systems, this won't be an ideal headset for you. Luckily, there are plenty of competent Kraken V3 alternatives available to you."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Razer Kraken V3
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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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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