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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If noise cancellation is a priority for you, the JBL Live Free NC+ is the better choice, as the Soundcore P20i doesn't have this feature. For longer listening sessions, consider the Soundcore P20i since it offers longer battery life. However, the JBL earbuds may provide a better fit with different ear tip sizes available. While the JBL Live Free NC+ might deliver an overall higher-quality audio experience, it comes at a significantly higher price compared to the budget-friendly Soundcore P20i. The Soundcore P20i, on the other hand, provides a great value for its price, especially if you can forego advanced features like noise cancellation. 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 Soundcore P20i
- Good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
6.4
The Soundcore P20i is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
7.3
The Soundcore P20i is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Soundcore P20i is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
4.7
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore P20i is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.0
The Soundcore P20i is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$30
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Soundcore P20i costs $30.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Soundcore P20i has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
7.0
6.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Live Free NC+ to be good for noise reduction, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 4.5 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."
Soundcore P20i
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Critic Reviewer
Ranbir Sen | May 2023
"I would recommend the Soundcore P20i Earbuds to everyone who loves music and would like to own comfortable pair of earbuds with a great range of sound quality. I would recommend users who buy this device use the right comfortable ear tips as per your ear design."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Soundcore P20i
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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
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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.
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