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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For a budget-conscious choice, the JBL Live Free NC+ would be suitable as they are significantly less expensive than the Sony WF1000XM4. The JBL earbuds offer good sound quality and are commendable for calls and meetings as well as use during exercise, with decent battery life and additional features like sweatproof certification and active noise canceling. However, if you prioritize exceptional sound and comfort, along with features like wireless charging and ear detection that pause playback when removed, the Sony WF1000XM4 would be the better choice. Sony's earbuds also provide better noise isolation and longer overall battery life, enhancing the listening experience on air travel or in busy environments. 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
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
5.8
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming, though the Sony WF1000XM4 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.6
6.7
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is very good.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
5.6
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 6.5 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."
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Sony WF1000XM4
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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Why trust us
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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