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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 but still want quality, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds are significantly less expensive and offer a good listening experience. However, if you prefer higher sound quality and features like virtual surround sound, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro could be worth the extra cost. The Galaxy Buds also have a slightly better battery life and support for Samsung's Scalable Codec if you have a Samsung phone, which could enhance your listening experience. Neither have a 3.5mm jack, so wireless is your only option with both choices. 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 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are both good for phone calls, though the JBL Live Free NC+ is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
9.1
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Cost
$60
$188
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro costs $188.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Battery
5.0 Hours
4.8 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has 4.8 hours of battery life.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $188 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Samsung | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 4.8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1.1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
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 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 5.5 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."
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | April 2023
"Consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro as your next pair of buds for its excellent active noise canceling (ANC) of low frequencies and comfortable fit. For Samsung users, the integration with your devices is handy and good for productivity."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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 Samsung
Samsung is a multinational conglomerate with over 85 years of history. They are mostly known to consumers for their high-end smartphones and TVs, however they are invested in many other markets like semiconductors and automotive. Samsung owns Harman International which itself owns other audio specialized companies like Harman Kardon, JBL and AKG who help engineer most, if not all, of Samsung audio products of their Galaxy line.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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