JBL JBL Live 670NC Noise-Cancelling On-Ear Wireless Review
The JBL Live 670NC headphones offer staggering 65-hour battery life for $130, but make compromises on noise cancelling and long-term comfort. Are they the budget travel king?
The 30-Second Version
The JBL Live 670NC are the endurance champs. Battery life is their superpower, lasting a legit 65 hours. Everything else—sound, ANC, comfort—is just average for the price. Worth it if you hate charging.
Overview
The JBL Live 670NC are a solid pair of on-ear wireless headphones for the price. They promise JBL's signature sound, adaptive noise cancelling, and a massive 65-hour battery life, all wrapped up in a package that's easy to take on the go.
At around $130, they're aiming squarely at the budget-conscious commuter who wants decent features without breaking the bank. They're not trying to beat the flagship models from Sony or Bose, but they don't have to. Their job is to be a reliable daily driver.
Performance
Performance-wise, these are the definition of 'fine.' Our database puts their sound quality, ANC, and mic performance all right around the 48th to 49th percentile. That means they're smack in the middle of the pack. They sound good, not great. The noise cancelling cuts out some rumble, but don't expect library silence on a plane. The 65-hour battery claim is a big highlight, and in our testing, they do last forever, which is a huge win for travel.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Battery life that genuinely lasts for days. 95th
- Solid, balanced sound profile for the price. 95th
- Lightweight and easy to pack for travel. 90th
- Includes both USB-C and a 3.5mm cable for wired use. 81th
Cons
- Noise cancelling is just okay, not class-leading.
- On-ear design can get uncomfortable during long sessions.
- The companion app features can be finicky to set up.
- Build quality feels a bit plasticky and average.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | On-Ear |
| Open/Closed | Closed |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 |
| Freq Max | 20000 |
| Impedance | 32 |
| Sensitivity | 100 |
| Max SPL | 95 |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Profiles | A2DP 1.4, AVRCP 1.6, HFP 1.8 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Cable Length | 0.2 |
Battery
| Battery Life | 65 |
| Charge Time | 3 |
| Fast Charging | 5min=4hrs |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Capacity | 850 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 2 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | iOS, Android |
Value & Pricing
For $130, the value proposition is pretty clear. You're getting a capable, long-lasting pair of wireless headphones with acceptable noise cancelling. You're not getting premium materials or best-in-class sound, but you are getting a tool that works. If your budget is tight and battery life is your top priority, the math works out.
Price History
vs Competition
Stacked up against the big names, the trade-offs are obvious. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra will run circles around the 670NC in ANC and sound refinement, but they cost more than twice as much. Against something like the Beats Studio Pro, you're trading some bass punch and build quality for way better battery life. The 670NC's real sweet spot is undercutting those giants on price while still delivering the core features most people need.
| Spec | JBL JBL Live 670NC Noise-Cancelling On-Ear Wireless | Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear | Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Closed-Back | Sennheiser Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Active | JBL JBL Tune 770NC Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear | Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | On-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 30 | 40 | 37 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 32 | 48 | 16 | — | 32 | 24 |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life Hours | 65 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 70 | 35 |
Common Questions
Q: How good is the noise cancelling?
It's decent for the price, landing around the 48th percentile in our tests. It'll handle bus engines and office chatter, but don't expect it to completely vanish the world like a $350 pair would.
Q: Are they comfortable for all-day wear?
Probably not. They're on-ear, not over-ear, which means they press on your ears. Our comfort score is average, and user feedback confirms they can cause fatigue during long sessions.
Q: Does the 65-hour battery life claim hold up?
Yes, this is their strongest point. Even with moderate ANC use, you'll easily get multiple days, making them a great pick if you forget to charge often.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you demand top-tier noise cancellation or supreme comfort. The ANC is merely adequate, and the on-ear design will annoy you on long flights. Also, if you're deep into high-fidelity audio, look elsewhere—the sound is good for the money, but it's not an audiophile's first choice.
Verdict
Buy these if you're a commuter or frequent traveler on a budget who prioritizes battery life above all else. You want wireless convenience and basic noise cancelling, and you're okay with 'good enough' sound and comfort to get a killer battery and a lower price tag.