JBL Live Flex 4 review: excellent open-fit earbuds that rival Apple’s AirPods

JBL Live Flex 4 review The JBL Live Flex 4 might be the perfect option for you if you want earbuds that put comfort first.

<![CDATA[ <article> <h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-jbl-live-flex-4-review"><span>JBL Live Flex 4 review</span></h2><p>The JBL Live Flex 4 might be the perfect option for you if you want earbuds that put comfort first. Their lightweight, relaxed fit is perfect for listening on the go, meaning that, unlike some earbuds with a tight in-ear seal, they won't get tiresome or irritating after a while. And yet you can use them with ANC or transparency modes, giving you the option to shut the outside world out, or stay aware of your surroundings to impressive effect.</p><p>But perhaps the real draw of the JBL Live Flex 4 is their smart charging case. It has a touchscreen equipped, enabling you to adjust ANC, EQ, playback and more, all without having to whip out your source device. If your phone or music streamer is in your bag or if you don’t want to go to the hassle of opening up the JBL Headphones app, this is pretty convenient.</p><p>Is the smart case gimmicky? Maybe a bit, but I like a good gimmick from time to time. And it's super-responsive, with a massive quantity of features onboard. Other than those I mentioned above, the Flex 4 case lets you alter speech for calling, toggle spatial audio, switch audio source, and even use tools such as a timer and flashlight. As a result, these earbuds easily rival the very <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/best-wireless-earbuds">best wireless earbuds</a> when it comes to features and usability. </p><p>The JBL Headphones app does offer a bit more functionality, though. For example, it gives you the ability to set a custom wallpaper for your earbuds case, and activate the higher-resolution codec, LDAC, which can provide better quality playback if your source device is compatible. Most Android phones support LDAC, though iPhone users won’t be able to make use of it.</p><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:1920px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="rqGcKzokt3XWLqCC9TwQdh" name="JBL_LiveFlex_4_011.JPG" alt="Man holding JBL Live Flex 4 inside charging case" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqGcKzokt3XWLqCC9TwQdh-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption></figure><p>I’ve mentioned ANC a few times, and I have to say, it’s surprisingly effective here. You see, the JBL Live Buds 4 and JBL Live Beam 4 offer an in-ear seal, so I expected a lot from them in terms of noise-cancelling — but they ended up being fairly middling in this area for me. Compared to the competition, however, I found the Live Flex 4 to be pretty adept at muffling my surroundings.</p><p>Sure, the open architecture means that harsher sounds will seep in, but when on walks and working in the office, sounds like cars passing by and colleagues typing were subdued to decent effect. Again, the open design has its limitations, but the improved ‘True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0’ on the Flex 4 proved to be a hit on this model.</p><p>The six-microphone system of the Flex 4 also means that calls are clear — and although my voice wasn’t always the most defined against background noise, I found my speech to be perfectly comprehensible, especially when making a recording and listening back to my voice.</p><p>What’s more, these buds offer pretty solid battery life. You get seven hours from the Flex 4 with ANC on, up to 10 hours with ANC off, and a maximum of 48 hours with the case. That’s a lot better than the new AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging, which sits at a similar price-point (although Apple's offering is just slightly cheaper). The Flex 4 also support wireless charging, which is always nice to have.</p><p>But here comes the crucial question: do the JBL Live Flex 4 sound any good? Well, let me begin by saying that the Live Buds 4 and Live Beam 4 perform better than these — and this comes down solely to the more relaxed fit, which means that sound is less concentrated in your ear canals, and low frequencies especially are less impactful. </p><p>This is why I typically steer clear of open-fit earbuds like the non-pro variants of the AirPods, for example. But actually, the Flex 4 ended up performing admirably, despite the limitations of the design.</p><p>They conjure up a relatively wide, spacious soundstage and, despite being open-fit earbuds, have pretty impactful bass too. With the default Studio EQ, the Flex 4 offer decent balance across the frequency range, although I did find that they were a little lacking in the low-end, but that was nothing that a swift EQ tweak in the 32-250Hz range couldn’t fix.</p><p>When tuning into <em>Take Five </em>by Dave Brubeck, I was treated to an expansive listen. Drums in the treble range sounded beautifully weighted and expressive, keys and lead saxophone were separated neatly, and double bass came through with a rich, full-bodied quality. Making use of LDAC took the experience to the next level too, with some added intricacies in the mid-range and finer detailing in percussion.</p><p>With <em>Hallelujah </em>by Jeff Buckley, guitar in the opening and vocals didn’t quite have the texture or resolution that more premium earbuds can supply, but still sounded clear and well-defined in the mix, even at the highest volumes. </p><p>And the earbuds performed well with just about every genre I threw at them. Even with the tech house track, <em>Fascinator </em>by Max Dean, pumping bass hit with phenomenal impact, and never seemed lethargic or overbearing. Vocal chops came through with clarity, and sub-bass — though not the most regimented or powerful I’ve heard — was prominent and didn’t muddy sounds elsewhere in the frequency range.</p><p>One thing I wasn’t so keen on, though, was the spatial audio mode. You have to switch LDAC off to access this (which is normal), but it doesn’t sound anywhere near as clean or precise as the standard tuning, so I decided to leave it off the vast majority of the time.</p><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:1920px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="DCuD6ATzCWa9XFBAdd5Dyh" name="JBL_LiveFlex_4_012.JPG" alt="JBL Live Flex 4 earbuds on table" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DCuD6ATzCWa9XFBAdd5Dyh-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption></figure><p>I also want to touch on the look and design of the JBL Live Flex 4. Again, the buds are very comfortable in use, and although they offer a relaxed fit, I never felt as if they would fall out of my ears or leak excessive amounts of sound. The buds are also IP54-rated, meaning they’re protected against dust ingress and splashes of water, so it was never an issue if I wanted to use them on a rainy day.</p><p>Are the Flex 4 the most premium looking earbuds around? Perhaps not. They have a bit of a plasticky look, and don’t feel particularly luxurious. But their curved design is fairly attractive, and the case itself is finished to a high standard. The Flex 4 are also available in a wide range of colors, with plenty of vibrant options to choose from for those seeking a stand-out aesthetic.</p><p>Let’s conclude, then, by discussing price. The JBL Live Flex 4 come in at £179.99 (about $240 / AU$340), which means they cost about the same as their predecessors, the JBL Live Flex 3. Are they worth it? Well, for me, the answer is yes. They provide very solid sound quality, a fun and feature-rich smart case, genuinely good ANC for open-fit earbuds, and decent battery life to boot.</p><p>As a result, I consider the JBL Live Flex 4 to be a great pair of wireless earbuds that are more than worthy of my recommendation. They’re not perfect, and the open design comes with its ups and downs, but for the cost you’re getting great all-rounders that feel like a great alternative to the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging — especially for Android users who want advanced features and higher-res Bluetooth streaming.</p><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:1920px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="fz2sQ5nqSM3eXtMPStYGGh" name="JBL_LiveFlex_4_004.JPG" alt="JBL Live Flex 4 on table with display on" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fz2sQ5nqSM3eXtMPStYGGh-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption></figure><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-jbl-live-flex-4-review-price-release-date"><span>JBL Live Flex 4 review: price & release date</span></h2><ul><li><strong>£179.99 (about $240 / AU$340)</strong></li><li><strong>Revealed in May 2026</strong></li></ul><p>The JBL Live Flex 4 were revealed in May 2026, alongside their siblings, the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/jbl-live-beam-4-review">JBL Live Beam 4</a> and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/jbl-live-buds-4-review">JBL Live Buds 4</a>. They arrived on the market about two years after their predecessor, the JBL Live Flex 3, was released.</p><p>JBL’s new open-fit earbuds come in at £179.99 (about $240 / AU$340), about the same as their predecessors cost when they launched (in the UK, that is). I’ve seen some limited availability in Australia, but there’s no news of a release date or pricing for the US just yet — we’ll update this review if and when further details emerge, though.</p><p>In terms of competition, the Live Flex 4 have one clear rival: the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging. This model comes in at $149 / £149 / AU$219. And while we've yet to finalise our full review there, AirPods are stylish, offer impressive sound, a range of perks for iPhone owners and surprisingly effective ANC — but, of course, they don’t have the Flex 4’s nifty smart charging case.</p><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-jbl-live-flex-4-review-specs"><span>JBL Live Flex 4 review: specs</span></h2><div ><table><tbody><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Drivers</p></td><td ><p>12mm dynamic</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Active noise cancellation</p></td><td ><p>Yes</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Battery life</p></td><td ><p>7 hours (buds, with ANC on); 10 hours (buds, with ANC off); up to 48 hours (with charging case)</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Weight</p></td><td ><p> 4.8g (per bud)</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Connectivity</p></td><td ><p>Bluetooth 6.0</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Frequency range</p></td><td ><p>20Hz-40kHz</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Waterproofing</p></td><td ><p>IP54</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:1920px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="LNAMoYTooiSQBBupLcccTh" name="JBL_LiveFlex_4_009.JPG" alt="JBL Live Flex 4 on table with charging case open" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LNAMoYTooiSQBBupLcccTh-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption></figure><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-should-i-buy-the-jbl-live-flex-4"><span>Should I buy the JBL Live Flex 4?</span></h2><div ><table><tbody><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p><strong>Attribute</strong></p></td><td ><p><strong>Notes</strong></p></td><td ><p><strong>Score</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Features</p></td><td ><p>Nifty smart case has no shortage of options, ANC good given limitations of open-fit earbuds.</p></td><td ><p>4.5/5</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Sound quality</p></td><td ><p>Solid performance across the frequency range, with a spacious soundstage to match.</p></td><td ><p>4/5</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Design</p></td><td ><p>Not the most premium-looking buds, but relaxed fit and customizable case are a hit.</p></td><td ><p>4.5/5</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Value</p></td><td ><p>A fitting price for the sound and features on board.</p></td><td ><p>4.5/5</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><h2 id="buy-them-if">Buy them if…</h2><div class="product"><p><strong>You prefer a more open-style earbud</strong><br>What makes the Live Flex 4 stand out from their siblings is their open-style design. Their more relaxed, low-key fit is ideal for anyone who dislikes the sensation of earbuds that require a proper in-ear seal, which can become irritating for some listeners after a while.</p></div><div class="product"><p><strong>You’re enticed by the smart charging case</strong><br>If you’re intrigued by the Flex 4’s interactive, touchscreen-fitted charging case, then I’ve got good news: it works really well. Sure, it’s a bit gimmicky, and you can perform all of the functions it provides (and more) with the JBL Headphones app, but it’s a convenient option if you have your source device in a bag, or want ultra-quick access to settings.</p></div><h2 id="don-t-buy-them-if">Don’t buy them if…</h2><div class="product"><p><strong>Premium sound is a must for you</strong><br>While the Flex 4 sound good for a pair of open-fit earbuds, their design architecture is inherently limiting as far as audio fidelity goes. Their siblings, the Live Beam 4 and Live Buds 4, provide a proper in-ear seal, allowing them to deliver a bit more low-end thump and detail.</p></div><div class="product"><p><strong>You want amazing noise cancelling</strong><br>While I actually think that the Live Flex 4 perform well in the ANC department — especially considering that they’re open-style earbuds — they’re still not going to give you that layer of the silence that proper in-ear models can give you. Of course, if you want the best of the best in the noise-crushing world, then it's worth checking out the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-earbuds-2nd-gen-review" data-dimension112="4e3beecc-adce-11f1-a47a-df1909b01382" data-action="Deal Block" data-label="Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2" data-dimension48="Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2" data-dimension25="">Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2</a>.</p></div><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-jbl-live-flex-4-review-also-consider"><span>JBL Live Flex 4 review: also consider</span></h2><div ><table><tbody><tr><td class="firstcol empty" ></td><td ><p><strong>JBL Live Flex 4</strong></p></td><td ><p><strong>AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging</strong></p></td><td ><p><strong>Huawei Freebuds Pro 5</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Price</p></td><td ><p>£179.99 (about $240 / AU$340)</p></td><td ><p>$149 / £149 / AU$219</p></td><td ><p>£179.99 (about $240 / AU$340)</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Drivers</p></td><td ><p>12mm dynamic</p></td><td ><p>High-excursion dynamic</p></td><td ><p>11mm dynamic woofer and micro-planar tweeter</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Active noise cancellation</p></td><td ><p>Yes</p></td><td ><p>Yes</p></td><td ><p>Yes</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Battery life</p></td><td ><p>7 hours (buds, with ANC on); 10 hours (buds, with ANC off); up to 48 hours (with charging case)</p></td><td ><p>5 hours (buds, with ANC on); (buds, with ANC off); 22 hours (with charging case)</p></td><td ><p>6 hours (buds, with ANC on); 9 hours (buds, with ANC off); up to 38 hours (with charging case)</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Weight</p></td><td ><p> 4.8g (per bud)</p></td><td ><p>4.3g (per bud)</p></td><td ><p>5.5g (per bud)</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Connectivity</p></td><td ><p>Bluetooth 6.0</p></td><td ><p>Bluetooth 5.3</p></td><td ><p>Bluetooth 6.0</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Frequency range</p></td><td ><p>20Hz-40kHz</p></td><td ><p>Not stated</p></td><td ><p>10Hz-48kHz</p></td></tr><tr><td class="firstcol " ><p>Waterproofing</p></td><td ><p>IP54</p></td><td ><p>IP57</p></td><td ><p>IP57 (buds); IP54 (case)</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="product"><p><strong>AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging</strong><br>Could there be a clearer competitor for the Live Flex 4? The AirPoids 5 with Wireless Charging take up an open-fit design but pair it with noise-cancelling capabilities, and are also priced very similarly to their JBL rival, albeit a little cheaper. If you’ve got an Apple device, these are bound to be a strong option, with impressive sound quality, solid ANC, and gorgeous looks — though Android users may find them to be limited, features-wise, and they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to battery life. While our AirPods 5 reviews are still in progress, you can read our full <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/headphones/earbuds-airpods/airpods-4-with-active-noise-cancellation-review" data-dimension112="4e3bf020-adce-11f1-87d8-dd04edb4555b" data-action="Deal Block" data-label="AirPods 4 with ANC review" data-dimension48="AirPods 4 with ANC review" data-dimension25="">AirPods 4 with ANC review</a> (and look for discounts on the older model). </p></div><div class="product"><p><strong>Huawei Freebuds Pro 5</strong><br>OK, these are a little different, as they provide an actual seal — more like the JBL Live Beam 4. But if that’s all good with you, then the Huawei Freebuds Pro 5 are certainly worth checking out. We awarded them the elusive five-star rating, thanks to their impeccable noise cancelling, ultra-comfortable fit, and broad set of features — oh, and they sound pretty good as well. Read our full <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-headphones/huawei-freebuds-pro-5-review" data-dimension112="4e3bf08e-adce-11f1-b219-917293b9ad84" data-action="Deal Block" data-label="Huawei Freebuds Pro 5 review" data-dimension48="Huawei Freebuds Pro 5 review" data-dimension25="">Huawei Freebuds Pro 5 review</a>.</p></div><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-how-i-tested-the-jbl-live-flex-4"><span>How I tested the JBL Live Flex 4</span></h2><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:1920px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="9xt3t4Axo3NA23q6oJMkxh" name="JBL_LiveFlex_4_008.JPG" alt="JBL Live Flex 4 on table with display on" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9xt3t4Axo3NA23q6oJMkxh-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption></figure><ul><li><strong>Spent two weeks testing</strong></li><li><strong>Used in the office and while out and about</strong></li><li><strong>Mainly streamed music over Tidal</strong></li></ul><p>I spent two weeks testing the JBL Live Flex 4, testing them out at home, in an office environment, and while out on walks. This enabled me to get a strong grasp of their ANC capabilities, and understand what it’s like to live with them over a sustained period.</p><p>When listening to music, I typically streamed tracks over Tidal on my <a href="https://www.techradar.com/phones/xiaomi-phones/xiaomi-17-review">Xiaomi 17</a> phone, which supports LDAC, enabling me to get the highest quality listen out of the Flex 4 that I could. As always, I sifted through the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/how-we-test-earbuds-at-techradar#section-our-tracklist">TechRadar reference playlist</a> to begin with, but I also bumped a bunch of tracks from my personal library.</p><p>More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve put all sorts of audio tech to the test, be that premium wireless headphones like the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-headphones/sony-1000x-the-collexion-review">Sony 1000X The Collexion</a> or party speakers such as the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-bluetooth-speakers/marshall-bromley-450-review">Marshall Bromley 450</a>. I’ve also reviewed a wide range of earbuds, including open-ear models like the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/anker-soundcore-aeroclip-review">Anker Soundcore AeroClip</a> and the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/edifier-lolliclip-review">Edifier LolliClip</a>.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/how-we-test">Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee</a></li><li><em>First reviewed: September 2026</em></li></ul> </article> ]]>