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Updated January 10, 2024·
If noise isolation is important for your listening experience, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds would be the better choice as they come with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and a higher noise isolation quality. However, if you have an active lifestyle or require situational awareness, the Shokz OpenMove, which uses bone conduction technology, allows you to hear your surroundings while listening to audio. The OpenMove also has a higher comfort score, which may be important if you wear them for extended periods. Both models support wireless charging, but the JBL has a longer battery life. The Shokz OpenMove has a higher mic quality which could be beneficial for calls and meetings. Keep in mind, if you prioritize sound quality, the JBL Live Free NC+ rated higher in overall sound quality, but if you're engaging in activities like exercise, you might prefer the secure fit and sweatproof features of the Shokz OpenMove. 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+
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Shokz OpenMove
- The Shokz OpenMove has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Free NC+.
Key differences
Music
5.8
4.8
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Shokz OpenMove are both poor for music, though the JBL Live Free NC+ is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.9
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Shokz OpenMove is good.
TV and Video
5.6
5.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Shokz OpenMove are both poor for TV and video, though the JBL Live Free NC+ is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
7.0
2.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Shokz OpenMove is poor.
Cost
$60
$80
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Shokz OpenMove costs $80.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.0
4.9
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Shokz OpenMove are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
7.6
7.8
The Shokz OpenMove and JBL Live Free NC+ are both good for phone calls.
Battery
5.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Shokz OpenMove has 6 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Shokz OpenMove both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Shokz OpenMove compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Shokz OpenMove |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Shokz | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 7.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.1 | |
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 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 29 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."
Shokz OpenMove
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Shokz OpenMove are a bit more affordable than the company's other bone conduction headphones, making them a more appealing option for athletes on a budget. These headphones support premium features like multipoint connectivity and a durable build, but you lose other niceties like fast charging and a long battery life. Still, for less than $80, these are nice bone conduction headphones that will keep you safe when exercising."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Shokz OpenMove
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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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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