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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds are a budget-friendly option with active noise cancelling and are sweatproof, making them suitable for exercise and on-the-go use, with decent built-in controls and battery life, plus wireless charging. They offer a more secure fit, which can be an advantage for active users. The Soundcore Space Q45 headphones, while more expensive, provide better noise isolation, a longer battery life, and feature both wired and wireless connectivity, an app with audio control customization, and LDAC support for high-quality audio over Bluetooth. The Q45s are also foldable, enhancing portability, but are heavier. Choose the JBLs for a more affordable, exercise-friendly option with good control and fit, or the Soundcore for enhanced audio, noise isolation, and battery life if you're willing to invest more. 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 Space Q45
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.1
The Soundcore Space Q45 is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
4.9
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
5.9
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.7
The Soundcore Space Q45 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
41.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Space Q45 has 41 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$130
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Soundcore Space Q45 costs $130.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.0
5.4
The Soundcore Space Q45 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The Soundcore Space Q45 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Soundcore Space Q45 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Soundcore Space Q45 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Soundcore Space Q45 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $130 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 41 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.3 | |
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 | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | 294.8 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 Space Q45
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Riley Ballantyne | June 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a great pair of active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, and the $150 USD price tag only sweetens the deal. Unlike many mid-tier wireless headphones, the Q45 microphone system rejects quite a bit of background noise, making this a great work headset too."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Soundcore Space Q45
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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