JBL Live TWS 3 Series Review

The true wireless earbud market is a crowded space where innovation often feels incremental. JBL, however, has decided to challenge this status quo by putting a smart, interactive display directly on the charging case. This ambitious move redefines what we expect from our audio accessories, merging convenience and control in a way we haven’t seen before.

The star of the JBL Live TWS 3 Series—spanning the Buds, Beam, and Flex models—is undoubtedly the Smart Charging Case. This isn’t just a power bank for your earbuds; it’s a command center. Featuring a crisp 1.45-inch LED touchscreen, the case allows you to manage nearly every function without ever reaching for your phone. You can control playback, adjust volume, switch between Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Ambient Aware modes, and even cycle through EQ presets. The interface is surprisingly fluid and intuitive, making quick adjustments feel natural rather than gimmicky. While this innovation adds some bulk compared to minimalist cases like Apple’s AirPods Pro, the trade-off for such tangible utility feels justified.

On the audio front, JBL delivers its signature sound profile: energetic, clear, and satisfyingly bass-forward without becoming muddy. With support for high-resolution audio via LDAC and connectivity handled by Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, the fundamentals are rock solid. The ANC performance is quite capable, effectively silencing low-frequency drones from traffic or airplanes. However, it doesn’t quite reach the isolating heights of class leaders from Sony or Bose, letting more complex, high-frequency sounds slip through. Call quality is respectable, with microphones doing a decent job of separating your voice from background noise, making them reliable for daily calls and meetings.

Beyond core performance, the feature set is robust. The case can display notifications from your phone, act as a remote for your camera shutter, and help you locate a misplaced bud with a tap. The companion JBL Headphones app offers deep customization, but the case’s screen makes the app almost redundant for day-to-day use. Each model in the series offers a different fit—from the sealed Buds 3 to the open-style Flex 3—ensuring there’s an ergonomic match for most users, and the IP55 rating for the buds provides solid protection against sweat and dust.

Ultimately, the JBL Live TWS 3 Series is an exercise in practical innovation. It carves a unique niche by prioritizing control and convenience. While the audio and ANC are very good, they aren’t the absolute best on the market. Instead, the value proposition lies in that smart case. If you’re a tech enthusiast who loves clever features that minimize phone dependency and streamline your daily routine, these earbuds are an easy recommendation. They are for the user who values immediate control at their fingertips over chasing the final percentage points of noise-cancelling perfection.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon