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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize having wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling and sweatproof features for versatility in different environments, such as while exercising or commuting, the JBL Live Free NC+ is a better choice, also offering features like wireless charging. However, if you value superior microphone quality for calls and meetings, a more immersive gaming experience, and better sound quality for TV and video, the Turtle Beach Recon 70, with its over-ear design and boom microphone, could be more suitable, although it is limited by being wired and lacking active noise cancellation. Consider the JBL for convenience and travel, and the Turtle Beach for gaming and home use. 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 exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Turtle Beach Recon 70
- Good for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.1
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
8.4
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
9.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is best in class for phone calls, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good.
TV and Video
5.6
7.5
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
5.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$40
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 costs $40.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Turtle Beach Recon 70 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Turtle Beach | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | May 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
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 | 309 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
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."
Turtle Beach Recon 70
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Sound Guys
Sam Moore | September 2022
"There aren’t many considerations to make here. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 sounds decent, offers solid chat audio, feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you’re in the market for a simple plug-and-play option, you could do a whole lot worse (and spend a whole lot more money). Regardless, if getting something cheap that works well is the only thing you care about, this is a great option."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Turtle Beach Recon 70
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.
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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.
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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.
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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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