JBL Live 770NC vs Nothing Ear (1)
The Verdict
JBL Live 770NC and Nothing Ear (1) serve entirely different use cases despite both offering ANC. JBL's over-ear design delivers 50 hours of ANC battery life with Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and Spatial Sound technology, making it ideal for long travel or office environments where sustained comfort matters. The 268g weight feels premium but isn't lightweight for portability. Nothing Ear (1) prioritizes compactness with IPX4 water resistance and dual charging (USB-C and wireless), though its 4-hour ANC battery requires frequent charging. Sound profiles differ significantly: JBL targets broader frequency balance with 40mm drivers, while Nothing's 11.6mm dynamic driver provides punchier mids favored by younger listeners. At $99 versus $199, Nothing Ear (1) excels as a budget daily driver for commutes and workouts. JBL Live 770NC justifies its price through superior ANC implementation, audio codec support (LC3), and longevity between charges. Choose JBL for all-day listening and professional settings; pick Nothing for portability, water resistance, and value-conscious buyers who don't mind charging nightly.
Who Should Buy
Buy the JBL Live 770NC if…
- →Extraordinary 65-hour battery life (ANC off) leaves all rivals behind
- →Bluetooth multipoint for two-device pairing at $199
- →Bluetooth LE Audio and LC3 codec future-proofs the headphones
Buy the Nothing Ear (1) if…
- →Iconic transparent design with unique aesthetic
- →ANC and wireless charging at just $99 is outstanding value
- →Comfortable and lightweight at 4.7 g per earbud
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
JBL Live 770NC
Pros
- Extraordinary 65-hour battery life (ANC off) leaves all rivals behind
- Bluetooth multipoint for two-device pairing at $199
- Bluetooth LE Audio and LC3 codec future-proofs the headphones
- Strong bass-forward JBL sound signature for casual listening
- Comfortable foldable design with good padding
Cons
- ANC is decent but not on par with Sony or Bose
- Bass-heavy tuning may not suit balanced or audiophile listeners
- No aptX HD or LDAC for hi-res wireless audio
- Build quality feels plasticky for the price
Nothing Ear (1)
Pros
- Iconic transparent design with unique aesthetic
- ANC and wireless charging at just $99 is outstanding value
- Comfortable and lightweight at 4.7 g per earbud
- Squeeze gesture controls are intuitive and precise
- Qi wireless charging case adds convenience
Cons
- 4-hour ANC battery life is quite short
- No multipoint Bluetooth connectivity
- ANC is mild — doesn't match premium competitors
- Limited codec support — AAC and SBC only
- Transparent case shows dust and scratches easily
Full Specifications
| Spec | JBL Live 770NC | Nothing Ear (1) |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | over-ear | in-ear |
| Weight | 268 g | 4.7 g (each) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 65 hrs (ANC off), 50 hrs (ANC on) | 4 hrs (ANC on), 5.7 hrs (ANC off), 24 hrs total with case (ANC off) |
| Charging | USB-C, 10-min quick charge for 4 hrs playback | USB-C, Qi wireless |
| Drivers | 40 mm | 11.6mm dynamic driver |
| Features | Adaptive ANC with Smart Ambient, JBL Spatial Sound, Multipoint Bluetooth for two devices, Bluetooth LE Audio with LC3 codec, Voice assistant built-in (Alexa, Google, Siri), Foldable design for travel | Active Noise Cancellation with two modes (Light and Maximum), Transparency Mode, In-ear detection for auto play/pause, Nothing app with EQ customization, Squeeze gesture controls on stems |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | LC3, AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | IPX4 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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