A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
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.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
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+
See more
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
See more
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare JBL Live Free NC+ vs. JBL Tune Flex
VS
Compare JBL Live Free NC+ vs. Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
VS
Compare JBL Live Free NC+ vs. Sennheiser HD 400S
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bowers and Wilkins PI7
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
94,700
Recommendations made
14,205
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
