JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless  Headphones Review

Reviewed May 07, 2021 at 10:13am
Writing modified Sep 29, 2022 at 11:09am
Tested using Methodology v1.5 
JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless

Track

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Neutral Sound 
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Commute/Travel 
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Sports/Fitness 
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Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
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Wired Gaming 
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Phone Calls 

Track

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Notice: These headphones were replaced by JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless

The JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless are in-ears with a very good active noise cancelling (ANC) feature. The ANC has three levels that target different kinds of noise like ambient chatter or outdoor sounds, so you can select a mode suitable for your needs. They also have a bass-heavy sound profile that can be tweaked to your liking using the companion app's parametric EQ or presets. They have a comfortable, well-built design and are rated IPX4 for water resistance, although we don't currently test for this. That said, they have high latency on PC, iOS, and Android and don't have NFC or multi-device pairing.

Our Verdict

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Neutral Sound 

The JBL Live Pro Plus TWS True Wireless are alright for neutral sound. Right out-of-the-box, they have a bass-heavy sound profile which adds extra thump and boom to your mixes. However, if you're looking for a more neutral sound, the companion app has a parametric EQ and presets so that you can customize their sound to your liking. However, they don't have a very immersive passive soundstage.

Pros
  • Parametric EQ and presets available.
Cons
  • Bad passive soundstage.
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Commute/Travel 

The JBL Live Pro TWS are great for commute and travels. They're very portable and have a comfortable fit. Thanks to their ANC feature, they can do a very good job of blocking out sounds like bus or plane engine noise around you when set to 'Everyday' mode. You can also set them to a different ANC mode if you prefer, though. They have just under seven hours of continuous battery life, and if you need more, there are three additional charges in their carrying case. They don't leak very much audio either, so you can listen to music at a high volume without bothering other people around you.

Pros
  • Very good ANC.
  • Well-built and comfortable fit.
  • Stable and very breathable.
Cons
  • High latency on PC, iOS, and Android.
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Sports/Fitness 

The JBL Live Pro TWS are great for sports and fitness. They're small, lightweight, and comfortable. They have a breathable design and a stable in-ear fit, which shouldn't fall out during moderate physical exercise. They're also well-built and have an IPX4 rating for water resistance, although we don't currently test for this.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable fit.
  • Stable and very breathable.
Cons
  • Bad passive soundstage.
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Office 

The JBL Live Pro Plus TWS True Wireless are decent for office use. These headphones have a comfortable, breathable fit. Thanks to their ANC, they can block out a very good amount of ambient chatter around you. They also don't leak a lot of audio, so you can listen to your music at a high volume without disturbing others around you. However, their continuous battery life lasts just under seven hours, so you may need to recharge them throughout your shift.

Pros
  • Very good ANC.
  • Well-built and comfortable fit.
Cons
  • No multi-device pairing.
  • High latency on PC, iOS, and Android.
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Wireless Gaming 

The JBL Live Pro TWS aren't recommended for wireless gaming. They're Bluetooth-only, so they aren't compatible with Xbox One or PS4. While you can connect them to a Bluetooth-enabled PC, the latency will likely be too high for gaming.

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Wired Gaming 

The JBL Live Pro Plus TWS True Wireless are wireless earbuds and can't be used wired.

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Phone Calls 

The JBL Live Pro Plus TWS True Wireless are passable for phone calls. They have an integrated microphone that does a mediocre job of recording your voice. It struggles to separate your voice from moderate ambient noise around you, though, so you may have trouble being understood. On the upside, their ANC can cut down a very good amount of background noise.

Pros
  • Very good ANC.
Cons
  • Mediocre overall mic performance.
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Sep 29, 2022: We've added a comparison between these earbuds and the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless in Bluetooth.
    2.  Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
    3.  Updated May 07, 2021: Review published.
    4.  Updated May 04, 2021: Early access published.

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The JBL Live Pro Plus TWS True Wireless come in four color variants: 'Black', 'Pink', 'White', and 'Beige'. We tested the 'Black' variant and you can see our model's label here. We expect all the color variants to perform similarly to our model, though.

    If you come across another variant, please let us know in the discussions and we'll update our review.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The JBL Live Pro Plus TWS are truly wireless in-ears with a similar stem design to the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. They also have an active noise cancelling (ANC) that does a very good overall job of blocking out noise around you. While they're not as well-built or sound as neutral out-of-the-box as the JBL CLUB Pro+ TWS True Wireless, they have longer continuous battery life.

    Check out our recommendations for the best noise cancelling earbuds and in-ear headphones, the best wireless Bluetooth headphones, and the best earbuds and in-ear headphones.

    JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless

    Track

    The JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless and the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless have different strengths and, depending on your usage, you may prefer either one. The Live Free NC+ have a more bass-heavy sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer, and their ANC has a better noise isolation performance. While both headphones are comfortable, the Live Pro+ have better controls. However, the Live Free NC+ are more stable, and they have lower latency on iOS and Android.

    JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless

    Track

    The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless have a slight edge over the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless. The Pro 2 have a better noise isolation performance thanks to their adaptive ANC system, last longer on a single charge, and support multi-device pairing with up to two devices. They even have a low-latency Video mode to help keep your audio and visuals in sync while streaming video. However, the Pro+ are more comfortable as well as stable.

    Apple AirPods Pro

    Track

    The Apple AirPods Pro are better truly wireless headphones than the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Apple are better built and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have a better-performing ANC, an H1 chip to make pairing with other Apple devices easier, and a higher total battery life. However, the JBL have a companion app that offers a parametric EQ and presets so that you can customize their sound profile.

    Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro Truly Wireless

    Track

    The JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless are better in-ears for most uses than the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro Truly Wireless. The JBL are more comfortable, have better controls, and superior battery performance. However, the Anker have a better noise isolation performance, and their mic can separate more background noise from your voice than the JBL.

    Show more 
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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedIn-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedTruly Wireless
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.DifferenceLockedLock °C

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Distance
    LockedN/A
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

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    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

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    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

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    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
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    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedYes
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
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    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes
    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB
    Noise Gate
    LockedLocked
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

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    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    PC Latency (SBC)
    LockedLock ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    LockedN/A
    iOS Latency
    LockedLock ms
    Android Latency
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedN/A
    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedN/A
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    LockedN/A

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    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

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