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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize affordability and exercise use, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds would be a smart choice due to their budget-friendly price and sweatproof feature; they also offer good portability and active noise cancelling. However, for the best noise isolation, superior comfort for long listening sessions, higher build quality, and a longer battery life, you may prefer the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, despite their higher price. The Sony also supports a lossless codec (LDAC), which can deliver better sound quality over Bluetooth, and it has higher scores for sound quality in music and calls, making it a solid choice for both casual and professional 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
5.8
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
5.6
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
6.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
7.0
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
40.3 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$398
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
5.6
5.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
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 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
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 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 249.4 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 WH-1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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