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JBL Live Buds 4 Review: Touchscreen Case and Strong Sound Shine, ANC and Calls Falter

TechRadar's JBL Live Buds 4 review praises the touchscreen case and sound quality, but sees middling ANC and call performance.

AI News Feed · 2026-09-06 05:16

The Live Buds 4 are the latest generation of JBL's in-ear headphones that pair with a smart charging case. The touchscreen casing allows users to adjust sound settings, adapt ANC, and access tools like a flashlight and timer without opening a companion app, the review said. It added that the revamped interface is smoother and more complete, though the screen is small. The case also includes a smart-talk option that picks up voices for conversations while the buds stay in, along with customizable touch controls and voice settings for calls.

Sound quality is where the Buds 4 excel, according to the review. The earbuds produced impactful bass, clean mids, expressive highs, and good detail across genres. With LDAC support, testers could hear more intricacies in the mid-range, and the review praised the well-textured acoustic guitars and controlled deep bass on electronically heavy tracks. The comfortable, secure fit also contributed to a positive listening experience.

However, the review found several drawbacks. ANC is decent at dulling sounds but cannot block out background chatter, typing noises, or door slams as effectively as rivals from Apple and Bose. Call quality, despite six microphones and JBL's Perfect Calls 2.0 AI technology, was not as clear as expected, with noticeable sibilance and some background noise remaining. Spatial audio was also said to be in need of improvement.

The reviewer spent three weeks testing the earbuds and concluded that while they are not perfect in every aspect, they remain some of the best wireless earbuds available in their price range, particularly for those who value sound quality and the convenience of a touchscreen case.