What do you look for in earbuds? Great sound, a comfortable fit, and a lightweight design are probably at the top of most people’s list of preferences. But have you ever thought of a charging case with a screen that shows the battery percentage or lets you switch songs without opening the app? Meet the JBL Live Beam 3! These earbuds come with a great charging case that has all these features. And the best part? The screen is conveniently placed exactly where you need it. After using the earbuds for over two weeks, I now believe every TWS earbud should have a screen. Of course, there are a few drawbacks too. If you are thinking of buying these for Rs 14,999, here are my thoughts.

Earbuds with screen

In a world where people are trying to cut down on screen time, tech companies are stealthily adding screens everywhere. Honestly, I am not complaining because the display on the JBL Live Beam 3 is really different. The Live Beam 3 comes with a pebble-shaped case that is a bit bulky. It is square and has rounded corners. On the front, there is a small display, surrounded by thick bezels, but it still does its job well. The screen wakes up with a tap, just like our smartphones. It is not just a gimmick; it has a lot of functionality, great touch response, lets you change music, turn on different modes, and much more. The screen can be customized with wallpapers, including pictures from your phone’s gallery

The case feels bulkier than usual, not like the typical earbud cases you get these days. Inside, you’ll find JBL earbuds with an in-ear fit. The case has a soft matte finish, while the stem of the earbud has a glossy layer with JBL branding. The rest of the body has a matte finish. The stem also has a tiny blue light that blinks when you open the case or put the buds back in. Like the regular earbuds, the stems are functional – you can change songs, pause, and turn ANC on and off.

The earbuds fit well, and you can change the eartips to suit your preference. I tried the small eartips first, and while they held up, they started hurting my ears after an hour. I switched to the medium size eartips, which were more comfortable. However, they tend to slip off when you move around too much.

Overall, the JBL Live Beam 3 is a really great device. People will definitely ask about it thanks to its sleek display and JBL logo. It feels premium too. The lid is solid and sturdy when you close or open it. However, the screen is quite exposed, so I worry it might get scratched over time. It’s best to keep it in a safe place in your bag, away from keys or any sharp objects.

Features plenty of customizable options

The JBL Live Beam 3 has many features that may surprise the average user. The screen lets you switch between different modes, and there is also an equalizer right there so you can choose your preferred sound settings. You can get even more customization options in the JBL Headphones app.

But what’s really impressive is a feature I’ve never seen in TWS earbuds before — the ability to play relaxing sounds to help you focus.

From the app, you can choose the sound of rain or a crackling fireplace, which will play continuously while you work or try to get some sleep on the subway. The music is played natively on the JBL app and does not use any third-party applications.

I would have given the app a perfect score if it would have automatically connected every time I opened the lid and took out the earbuds. But sadly, it didn’t. I had to pair them every time, so I used the settings available on the screen instead of relying on the app.

Great ANC, powerful sound

The JBL Live Beam 3 is an impressive piece of audio gear that I’ve really enjoyed using. One of my favorite features are the three ANC (active noise cancellation) modes. It has the standard active noise cancellation, which is amazing at blocking out background noise. The ambient sound mode is great when I need to be aware of my surroundings without having to remove the earbuds. And the talk-through mode is very handy – it lowers the volume of music and amplifies voices, so I can have a conversation without having to remove them. The ANC was so effective that at times I couldn’t hear what my colleague sitting next to me was saying.

As for sound quality, every time I plug the JBL Live Beam 3 in, it feels like I’m at a disco or a concert. The earbuds have plenty of bass, making them perfect for those who like a strong, punchy bass. The thumps and thumps are more precise and defined, giving music a satisfying depth. Listening to “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish on the JBL Live Beam 3 was fantastic. The strong bassline really stood out, with every thump and beat coming through clearly. The earbuds delivered a punchy, precise bass that made the track powerful and immersive.

Listening to “Bohemian Rhapsody” on the JBL Live Beam 3 was incredible. The song sounded amazing, with a mix of musical styles and powerful vocals. I could really feel the spatial audio effect, as if the voices were moving from one side to the other. The beats were very accurate, capturing every detail of the track.

I also noticed how well the JBL Live Beam 3 handles Hindi classical music. For instance, when I listened to Ravi Shankar’s “Raag Jog,” the earbuds did a great job. The intricate beats of the tabla came through with surprising clarity and depth. Each beat was crisp and defined, making the rhythms sound vibrant and lively. The overall experience was as immersive as if I was sitting right there at the performance.

The JBL Live Beam 3 is excellent across the audio spectrum. The highs sound crisp and clear, allowing you to hear every fine detail without any harshness. The mids are rich and balanced, allowing vocals and instrumentals to come through with great clarity. The lows sound deep and powerful, delivering a punchy bass that adds a satisfying thump to your music.

Long-lasting battery

When I first saw this device with its small display, I thought it would drain the battery quickly. But I was pleasantly surprised. The 68mAh battery lasted a full week on a single charge, even with ANC on most of the time. I listened to music for 1-2 hours daily, and I didn’t have to worry about charging it for the entire week. Which is the best thing anyone could ask for.

Should you buy the JBL Live Beam 3?

After using the JBL Live Beam 3 for a few weeks, I’m impressed. Its most striking feature is the innovative charging case with a small screen. It shows the battery level and lets you control music and settings without opening the app. The ANC is excellent, offering three modes: Standard, Ambient Sound and Talk-Through, which are great for different situations.

The sound quality is top notch. The earbuds are bass-heavy, delivering a powerful and accurate bass that makes tracks like “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish and “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen sound great. The highs are clear, the mids are balanced, and the lows are deep. They also handle various music genres well, including Hindi classical music, capturing every detail vividly.

However, there are a few downsides. The case is bulkier and heavier than most, and the screen can get scratched easily. Also, the JBL Headphones app doesn’t connect automatically, so you may have to manually pair the earbuds every time. Other than that, if you’re looking for a versatile and feature-rich pair of earbuds, the JBL Live Beam 3 is definitely worth considering.