Home Wireless Earbuds Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Jbl Reflect Aero Tws

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Jbl Reflect Aero Tws Review

Last updated on Mar 30, 2024   8 minute read
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Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

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Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
VS
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

JBL Reflect Aero TWS

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Reasons why you might like the JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Overall Score 7 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IP68
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 8 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Jbl Reflect Aero Tws Review In Summary

Category Features Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) JBL Reflect Aero TWS
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IPX4 IP68
weight 8.56g 13g
has no wires or cables
wingtips included
sweat resistance
is dust proof and water-resistant
has stereo speakers
SOUND QUALITY has active noise cancellation (noise control)
has passive noise reduction
driver unit size 11mm 6.8mm
lowest frequency 10Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 20,000Hz 20,000Hz
sound pressure level 99dB/mW
POWER battery life 6hours 8hours
battery life of charging case 30hours 16hours
charge time 0.3hours 1.5hours
has wireless charging
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5 v5.2
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 10meters
has aac
MICROPHONE number of microphones 6only 6only
has a noise-canceling microphone
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
has in/on-ear detection
has find earbuds feature
supports fast charging
multipoint count 2only
has a mute function
control panel placed on a device
warranty period 1Years
has voice prompts
travel bag is included
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Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Jbl Reflect Aero Tws Review In Detail

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) IPX4
JBL Reflect Aero TWS IP68

IP ratings refer to the rating of protection given by a casing, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value represents protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (water).

Scoring IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first value of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes.

Compared to the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), JBL Reflect Aero TWS have a rating of IP68 meaning that they are completely dust proof and that of liquids is that, JBL Reflect Aero TWS has a higher liquid rating than Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Weight

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 8.56g
JBL Reflect Aero TWS 13g

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We prefer a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are easier to transport.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS, at 13g weigh more than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by of 4.44g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they don't have wires. This is a key distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the two earbuds .

JBL Reflect Aero TWS also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires connecting the two earbuds together.

Wingtips Included

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

The JBL Reflect Aero TWS come with wingtips, these are reserved for earbuds for workouts and come as an optional add-on to each silicone ear tip for a better fit.

Sweat Resistance

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat

JBL Reflect Aero TWS's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc

Is Dust Proof And Water-Resistant

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

The JBL Reflect Aero TWS are both dustproof and water-resistant.

Has Stereo Speakers

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both JBL Reflect Aero TWS and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Active noise cancellation uses advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background noise.

The JBL Reflect Aero TWS too have Active Noise Cancellation making both earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. Each work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that you prefer for commute or that enhances your chill time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay well in place, creating a sound seal that reduces your environment sounds and also prevents the device music from leaking out at the same.

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 11mm
JBL Reflect Aero TWS 6.8mm

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size corellates with the loudness of the device.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS driver unit is 6.8mm in diameter, which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 4.2mm , a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yes, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they deliver better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 10Hz
JBL Reflect Aero TWS 20Hz

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device generates low recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) produce a juicier bass than the JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Highest Frequency

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 20,000Hz
JBL Reflect Aero TWS 20,000Hz

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio device produces high human frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices produce equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS 99dB/mW

SPL, is the level of pressure of sound, measured in decibels, dB, JBL Reflect Aero TWS's measurement is 99dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

Power

Battery Life

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 6hours
JBL Reflect Aero TWS 8hours

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS's battery life is more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 2 hours . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 30hours
JBL Reflect Aero TWS 16hours

This is given by the vendor, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a charge of 30 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 14 hours

Charge Time

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 0.3hours
JBL Reflect Aero TWS 1.5hours

It takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery, more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 1.2 hours

Has Wireless Charging

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you just put down on a compatible charging pad.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights display the charging status of your earbuds and charging case.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

The JBL Reflect Aero TWS have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.

Bluetooth Version

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) v5
JBL Reflect Aero TWS v5.2

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, newer than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 10meters
JBL Reflect Aero TWS 10meters

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Has Aac

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.

Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work well with your iPhone. If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 6only
JBL Reflect Aero TWS 6only

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones.

While the JBL Reflect Aero TWS microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound.

The JBL Reflect Aero TWS too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

JBL Reflect Aero TWS support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even when wearing them

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears .

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

If misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a find earbuds feature.

Supports Fast Charging

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge a device.

Also the JBL Reflect Aero TWS support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 2only
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

The JBL Reflect Aero TWS also support the mute function. The mute function means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

With the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS too have a control panel on them.

Warranty Period

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 1Years
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a warranty period of 1 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals.

Has Voice Prompts

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.

The JBL Reflect Aero TWS too support voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
JBL Reflect Aero TWS

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds without a case, or placing them in your bag without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

JBL Reflect Aero TWS too have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.