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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC depends on your priorities. If portability and the ability to use them during exercise are important to you, the JBL earbuds are more suited as they are sweatproof and designed for movement. On the other hand, the Skullcandy headphones offer superior noise isolation and are better for air travel due to their over-ear design, which can also be more comfortable for long periods. Both products have similar overall sound quality and microphone performance, but the Skullcandy has dedicated wires, which may be useful if you prefer the option of wired listening or if battery life is a concern. If cost is a major factor, JBL's earbuds are significantly less expensive and also offer wireless charging, which the Skullcandy lacks. 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 podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
5.8
6.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
5.6
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming, though the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.3
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
6.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
23.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$135
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
5.6
5.8
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 226.7 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."
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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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