Home Wireless Earbuds Oneplus Buds Z2 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

A Review By Comparison of the Oneplus Buds Z2 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

Last updated on Mar 14, 2023   7 minute read
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OnePlus Buds Z2

OnePlus Buds Z2

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Reasons why you might like the OnePlus Buds Z2

Overall Score 6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IP55
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 7 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
VS
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2

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Reasons why you might like the JBL Live Free 2

Overall Score 5.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX5
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 7 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

A summary of the review by feature comparison

Category Features OnePlus Buds Z2 JBL Live Free 2
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating ip55 ipX5
weight 9g 9.8g
has no wires or cables
sweat resistance
has stereo speakers
SOUND QUALITY has active noise cancellation (noise control)
has passive noise reduction
driver unit size 11mm 11mm
lowest frequency 20hz 20hz
highest frequency 20,000hz 20,000hz
sound pressure level 102db/mw
POWER battery life 7hours 7hours
battery life of charging case 31hours 28hours
charge time 1.5hours
battery power 40mah
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5.2 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
has voice prompts
travel bag is included
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A breakdown of the review per specifications

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

OnePlus Buds Z2 ip55
JBL Live Free 2 ipX5

Ingress protection ratings refer to the level of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Scoring IP55, the OnePlus Buds Z2's rating for solids indicates that ingress of dust is not totally prevented but dust does not enter in harmful quantities to interfere with the correct operation or impair safety, and of liquids that they can withstand medium pressure jet that's 6.3mm diameter, similar to garden hose from any angle for 3 minutes at a distance of 2.5 to 3 metres.

Compared to the OnePlus Buds Z2, JBL Live Free 2 have a rating of IPX5 meaning that no data available to specify a protection rating and that of liquids is that, they both have the same rating against liquids

Weight

OnePlus Buds Z2 9g
JBL Live Free 2 9.8g

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have a weight of 9g . We prefer a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.

JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g are heavier than the OnePlus Buds Z2 by of 0.8g

Has No Wires Or Cables

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables connecting any part of the device together, OnePlus Buds Z2 are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is a major difference as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the 2 earbuds together.

JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it has no wires connecting the two earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 are resistant to sweat

JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc

Has Stereo Speakers

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 have stereo speakers, what this means is that OnePlus Buds Z2's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The JBL Live Free 2 also have stereo speakers

OnePlus Buds Z2
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

Active noise cancellation uses more advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero which results in a reduced level of noise.

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour travels. The OnePlus Buds Z2 and JBL Live Free 2 work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that you prefer for commute or that suites your chill time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 sit tightly in place, this creates an acoustic seal that tones down background sounds and also prevents the earbuds voice audio from leaking out .

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that both reduce ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

OnePlus Buds Z2 11mm
JBL Live Free 2 11mm

The OnePlus Buds Z2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is the component that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size corellates with the loudness of the device.

JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making both devices similar in how loud their sound can get , as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

OnePlus Buds Z2 20hz
JBL Live Free 2 20hz

The OnePlus Buds Z2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device generates low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through.

JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that both devices make sound with equal bass

Highest Frequency

OnePlus Buds Z2 20,000hz
JBL Live Free 2 20,000hz

The OnePlus Buds Z2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio component generates high human frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through.

JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices produce equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2 102db/mw

The sound pressure level, is the level of pressure of sound, measured in decibels, dB, JBL Live Free 2's measurement is 102dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

Power

Battery Life

OnePlus Buds Z2 7hours
JBL Live Free 2 7hours

The OnePlus Buds Z2's battery life is 7 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 longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings.

JBL Live Free 2's battery life is equal to that of the OnePlus Buds Z2 . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

OnePlus Buds Z2 31hours
JBL Live Free 2 28hours

This is given by the vendor, and the OnePlus Buds Z2's case is said to have a charge of 31 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself.

JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours, less than that of OnePlus Buds Z2 by 3 hours

Charge Time

OnePlus Buds Z2 1.5hours
JBL Live Free 2

It takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the OnePlus Buds Z2's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.

Battery Power

OnePlus Buds Z2 40mah
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2's battery power is 40mAh, battery capacity, shows the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging state of your device and charging case.

JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.

OnePlus Buds Z2
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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 use USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.

JBL Live Free 2 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current laptops, phones, and tablets.

Bluetooth Version

OnePlus Buds Z2 v5.2
JBL Live Free 2 v5.2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.

JBL Live Free 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, equal to that of the OnePlus Buds Z2 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

OnePlus Buds Z2 10meters
JBL Live Free 2 10meters

OnePlus Buds Z2 have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.

JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the OnePlus Buds Z2

Has Aac

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.

Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the OnePlus Buds Z2 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

OnePlus Buds Z2 6only
JBL Live Free 2 6only

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have 6 microphones.

The JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, equal to that of the OnePlus Buds Z2 . More microphones record better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background sounds from the earbuds' sound.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas.

OnePlus Buds Z2
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even when wearing the earbuds

Has In/On-Ear Detection

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears .

Has Find Earbuds Feature

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the OnePlus Buds Z2 have a find earbuds feature.

Supports Fast Charging

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 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 Live Free 2 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2 2only

JBL Live Free 2 have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.

The JBL Live Free 2 too support the mute function. The mute function means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party talk.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 also have a control panel on them.

Has Voice Prompts

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.

The JBL Live Free 2 too support voice prompts .i.e the device will notify you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them inside your pockets without a casing can easily damage them.

JBL Live Free 2 also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.

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