Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs JBL Live Beam 4: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Outstanding overall at around $179.

True Wireless

Apple AirPods Pro 3

86Outstanding

$180

Full review data

True Wireless

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Apple AirPods Pro 3
JBL Live Beam 4

HearWiki score

Sound

8.6

9.2

Noise cancelling

9.3

7.8

Battery

7.3

9.0

Calls

7.4

6.8

Value

8.3

8.2

Price (USD)

$180

$240

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Half a step newer

Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against JBL Live Beam 4 (2024). The JBL Live Beam 4 edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 6.0 against 5.3. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IP55.

AirPods Pro 320251 yr newer
Live Beam 42024

What differsAirPods Pro 3Live Beam 4

Bluetooth: 5.3; 6.0
Water resistance: IP57; IP55

Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Live Beam 4

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $180; $240
HearWiki score: 86; 82
Released: 2025; 2024
Availability: Sold new; Discontinued
Driver: 10.7 mm dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10.7 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: -; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW; 98 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.3; 6.0
Codecs: SBC, AAC; -
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Battery life: 8 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): 8 h; 10 h
Full charge time: -; 120 min
Quick charge: -; 10 min → 4 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; -
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Siri; Yes
Weight: 5.5 g; 9.7 g
Case weight: 44 g; 73 g
Water resistance: IP57; IP55
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 3; 6
Microphone type: beamforming; beamforming
Call noise reduction: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs JBL Live Beam 4
Spec	Apple AirPods Pro 3	JBL Live Beam 4
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$180	$240
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	82 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2025	2024
Audio
Driver	10.7 mm dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10.7 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	-	16 Ω
Sensitivity	110 dB/mW	98 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	6.0
Codecs	SBC, AAC	-
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Battery
Battery life	8 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	8 h	10 h
Full charge time	-	120 min
Quick charge	-	10 min → 4 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	-
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	5.5 g	9.7 g
Case weight	44 g	73 g
Water resistance	IP57	IP55
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	3	6
Microphone type	beamforming	beamforming
Call noise reduction	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver top-tier active noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a well-balanced sound profile. They offer a robust feature set including adaptive ANC, wireless charging, and IP57 water resistance, though their higher price and somewhat finicky fit may give some buyers pause. Overall, they stand out as a polished, high-performance option for iOS users willing to invest in a premium experience.

Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
Pro:Clear call quality in noisy environments
Pro:Strong battery life with the charging case

Con:Fit can be finicky and may lose seal easily
Con:Premium price point
Con:Only supports AAC codec

JBL Live Beam 4

The JBL Live Beam 4 earbuds deliver robust sound and a comfortable fit, wrapped in a distinctive touchscreen charging case that adds fun and practicality. While they pack a generous feature set with adaptive noise cancelling, solid battery life, and multipoint connectivity, their call clarity and noise cancellation fall short of flagship rivals, and the spatial audio mode is underwhelming. Overall, they're a well-rounded value pick for most listeners, but not the best for those prioritizing top-tier call or ANC performance.

Pro:Excellent sound quality with punchy bass and clear detail
Pro:Comfortable, secure fit for extended wear
Pro:Innovative touchscreen case adds convenience and style

Con:Call quality is mediocre, especially in noisy environments
Con:Noise cancellation is decent but not class-leading
Con:Spatial audio mode sounds artificial and is best avoided

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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