Both the JBL Live Buds 3 and the Live Beam 3 have some differences in terms of comfort and sound signature. The Live Buds 3 have a stemless in-ear design that feels more discreet and creates a tighter seal, which naturally blocks out more noise even before ANC kicks in. The Live Beam 3, with its stem-style build, felt a bit more relaxed in the ear and easier to adjust on the fly, especially during long listening sessions.
Both have touchscreen cases that let you control playback and ANC settings without needing your phone, which I enjoyed more than I expected. The Live Beam 3 gives you a bit more battery life overall (48 hours vs 40), but the Live Buds 3 felt a little more immersive thanks to that snug fit. Personally, if I wanted something for pure focus and isolation, I’d lean toward the Buds 3—but for day-to-day comfort and slightly more flexibility, the Beam 3 made more sense.
Comparing the Specs
Both models are equipped with 10mm dynamic drivers, delivering a frequency response of 20Hz to 40kHz, and have an impedance of 16 ohms. The sensitivity differs slightly: the Live Buds 3 are rated at 98 dB SPL@1 kHz, while the Live Beam 3 have a sensitivity of 100 dB SPL@1 kHz. Both earbuds support Hi-Res Audio Wireless, providing rich bass and clear highs.
In terms of battery life, the Live Beam 3 offer up to 12 hours of continuous playback, with an additional 36 hours provided by the charging case, totaling 48 hours. The Live Buds 3 provide up to 10 hours of playback, with an extra 30 hours from the case, totaling 40 hours. Both models come with a smart charging case equipped with a touchscreen display, allowing for on-the-go adjustments without the need for a smartphone app.
Additionally, both earbuds are IP55-rated for water and dust resistance, making them suitable for various environments and activities. If you value a stemless design with enhanced passive noise isolation, the Live Buds 3 might be more suitable; if you prefer a stem design with slightly longer battery life, the JBL Live Beam 3 could be the better option.
Specs Table
Here’s a detailed comparison between the JBL Live Buds 3 and JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds:
| Specification | JBL Live Buds 3 | JBL Live Beam 3 |
| Driver Size | 10 mm Dynamic Driver | 10 mm Dynamic Driver |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 40 kHz | 20 Hz – 40 kHz |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL @ 1 kHz | 100 dB SPL @ 1 kHz |
| Maximum SPL | 97 dB | 96 dB |
| Microphone Sensitivity | -38 dBV/Pa @ 1 kHz | -38 dBV/Pa @ 1 kHz |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 (Earbuds), 5.1 (Case) | 5.3 (Earbuds), 5.1 (Case) |
| Battery Life (Earbuds) | Up to 10 hours (ANC off) | Up to 12 hours (ANC off) |
| Total Battery Life | Up to 40 hours with charging case | Up to 48 hours with charging case |
| Charging Time | 2 hours from empty | 2 hours from empty |
| Fast Charging | 10 minutes = up to 4 hours playback | 10 minutes = up to 4 hours playback |
| Charging Interface | USB-C and Wireless Charging | USB-C and Wireless Charging |
| Noise Cancellation | Adaptive ANC | Adaptive ANC |
| Ambient Sound Mode | Yes (Ambient Aware & TalkThru) | Yes (Ambient Aware & TalkThru) |
| IP Rating | IP55 (Dust & Water Resistant) | IP55 (Dust & Water Resistant) |
| Design Style | In-ear, stemless | In-ear, with stem |
| Microphones | 6 beamforming microphones | 6 beamforming microphones |
| Touch Controls | Yes (on earbuds and case) | Yes (on earbuds and case) |
| Smart Charging Case | 1.45″ Touchscreen Display | 1.45″ Touchscreen Display |
| Multi-point Connection | Yes | Yes |
| Auracast Support | No | No |
Sound Comparison
The sound performance between the JBL Live Buds 3 and the Live Beam 3 was more nuanced than I expected. Both use 10mm dynamic drivers with a wide frequency range from 20Hz to 40kHz, but the way they handle sound feels a bit different. With the JBL Live Buds 3, the in-ear seal is tighter because of the stemless design, which made the bass hit harder and feel more immediate. I tested them with “Lose Control” by Missy Elliott, and the beat felt punchy and deep without being too overpowering. The mids were warm and vocals were clear but slightly recessed compared to the bass. Highs came through clean enough but never too bright, which I actually preferred during longer listening. For casual music sessions, especially genres like hip-hop or electronic, the Buds 3 gave me that low-end energy that worked well during workouts.
Switching to the Live Beam 3, the sound felt more balanced across the spectrum. The slightly higher sensitivity (100 dB SPL vs 98 dB on the Buds) gave the Live Beam 3 a bit more presence at lower volumes. Listening to “Love on the Brain” by Rihanna, the vocals felt more forward and detailed. The soundstage had more space around the instruments, and I could pick out subtle background elements more easily. When I played “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa, the Beam 3 gave me a tighter grip on the rhythm section but also allowed the synths and hi-hats to breathe. Bass was still present, but it didn’t dominate the track. I felt like these were tuned more for day-to-day music variety—less aggressive in the lows but a little more refined in the mids and highs.
What surprised me most was how different the listening experience felt just based on earbud shape and tuning. The Live Buds 3 felt more immersive in terms of physical sound isolation, which amplified the bass impact, while the Live Beam 3 gave me a clearer mix and slightly better comfort during longer listening. I also noticed that with spatial audio enabled, the Live Beam 3 did a better job keeping the vocals centered and the instruments wide when watching movies or listening to more atmospheric tracks like “Intro” by The xx. Personally, I would go with the Live Beam 3 if I wanted a more detailed and open sound for a variety of genres. But if my focus was energetic, bass-driven listening—especially in noisy or active environments—then the Live Buds 3 felt more locked in and focused. Both delivered clean, punchy sound, but they lean into different strengths.
Design & Comfort
When I first tried the JBL Live Buds 3, their stemless, bud-style design felt snug and secure in my ears and did not feel bulky at all. Weighing just 4.6 grams per earbud, they were lightweight and didn’t cause discomfort during extended use. The ergonomic fit, combined with multiple ear tip sizes allowed me to find a seal that effectively blocked out ambient noise (which is crucial if you want to get more bass). I liked the minimalist aesthetic, which made them discreet and suitable for various settings. The touch controls on the earbuds were intuitive, allowing me to manage playback and calls without hassle. Additionally, their IP55 rating means that you can use these earbuds during workouts, knowing they will handle sweat and occasional splashes without any issues.
In contrast, the JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds have a stick-style design and honestly look kind of obtrusive (although they still feel very comfortable inside the ears). Each earbud weighs slightly more at 5 grams, yet they still felt comfortable during prolonged listening sessions. The longer stem provided a convenient area for touch controls, which responded accurately to my commands.
Like the Live Buds 3, they also come with multiple ear tip sizes which ensures a personalized fit. The IP55 rating made me feel at ease using them outdoors or during intense activities. One standout feature was the 1.45-inch touchscreen on the charging case, allowing me to adjust settings directly without reaching for my phone. This added convenience does make a difference especially if you are using these earbuds outdoors.
The Verdict?
Overall, the JBL Live Buds 3 gave me a more secure, in-ear fit with better passive noise isolation because of their stemless design. That tighter seal made the bass feel punchier and gave me more immersion during workouts or when I was trying to tune out background noise. They’re lightweight, IP55-rated for water and dust resistance, and offer solid sound performance—especially for bass-heavy music. I also liked how discreet they looked and felt during longer listening sessions. The 40-hour battery life was more than enough for my usual use, and the 1.45-inch touchscreen on the case was a surprisingly convenient way to control settings without pulling out my phone.
That said, personally, I would go with the JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds. Even though they’re slightly bigger because of the stem design, I found them more comfortable over longer periods and easier to adjust on the go. The sound profile was more balanced, with slightly clearer mids and highs, which made them better for genres like acoustic, indie, or vocal-focused music. They also have a small edge in battery life at 48 hours total, and I liked how the spatial audio felt more open when watching movies or listening to layered tracks. The touchscreen case is identical in function, but paired with the slightly more refined sound and ergonomic feel, I think the Live Beam 3 just offers a more well-rounded experience. If you want a snug fit with powerful bass, the Buds 3 make a lot of sense—but for a little more balance, comfort, and versatility, the Beam 3 is the one I’d choose.