JBL Live Buds 3 Wireless In-Ear Headphones Silver, JBLLIVEBUDS3SIL

JBL Live Buds 3 Silver

The JBL Live Buds 3 are true wireless in-ear earbuds: no cable, no headband, just one in each ear. They come in a compact case that also doubles as a remote control, setting them apart from most cases in this category. JBL designed them to last all day, block out surrounding noise with adaptive active noise cancellation, and let you control your music or answer calls without taking out your phone.

A battery that lasts through the day and into the next

With ANC off, the earbuds last  10 hours per charge, enough for a workday or a long workout. The case adds another 30 hours, for  40 hours total: several days of use without reaching for a charger. Here’s the important caveat: those 40 hours assume ANC is off. If you use active noise cancellation every day, the earbuds last 8 hours, or 7 hours with True Adaptive ANC. If you listen with ANC on all day, you’ll get noticeably less battery life in practice. When you’re in a hurry to leave home, 10 minutes of charging via USB-C gives you 4 hours of music. The case also supports  Qi wireless charging: just place it on the same charging pad you already use for your phone, and it charges without a cable.

ANC that adapts to your surroundings, with one important caveat

True Adaptive ANC measures surrounding noise in real time and automatically adjusts the noise cancellation level, without you having to touch anything. You can fine-tune it in the JBL Headphones app if you want more or less isolation. A candid caveat: ANC effectiveness depends on how well the ear tip seals in your ear. If the silicone tip doesn't fit, noise cancellation is less effective, even with good technology; it's worth trying the different sizes in the box until you find the right one. There's a transparency mode that lets in surrounding sound, although several users describe it as unnatural; it's not the product's strong point. The 6 microphones reduce wind and background noise so callers can hear you clearly on the street or on the subway. The IP55 rating protects against dust and splashes, so gym sweat or light drizzle isn't a problem.

The case that does more than just store your earbuds

The Smart Charging Case is what really sets these earbuds apart: you can adjust the volume, equalize, control playback, and answer or end a call right from the case, without taking your phone out of your pocket. Multipoint connection keeps two devices connected at once, such as your computer and phone, and switches between them without you having to disconnect anything manually. When the case is tucked away, the earbuds' touch controls do the same job. One thing to keep in mind: the Live Buds 3 don't automatically detect when you remove an earbud to pause the music; you'll need to pause it manually or do so from the case. The case measures 61 x 51 x 30.8 mm and weighs 73 g: it fits in your pants pocket without being bulky.

Specifications: