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  3. WAVE FLEX 3 vs P42i

JBL WAVE FLEX 3 vs Soundcore P42i

What WAVE FLEX 3 does better (1) and where P42i wins (7) — every spec side by side.

JBL WAVE FLEX 3
JBL · 2026WAVE FLEX 3
7.6Score
1 advantage≈ $60
vs
Soundcore P42i
Soundcore · 2026P42i
9.4Score
7 advantages≈ $55
Higher score
7.2Noise control & calls5.8
7.3Battery9.2
5.7Build & features8.8

Why is WAVE FLEX 3 better than P42i?

  1. Driver size12 mm vs 11 mm+9%

Why is P42i better than WAVE FLEX 3?

  1. Hi-res codec (LDAC / aptX HD / LHDC)No · WAVE FLEX 3: Yes
  2. Battery life10 h vs 12 h+20%
  3. Water resistance (IPx)IPx4 vs IPx5+25%
  4. Battery life with ANC7 h vs 8.5 h+21%
  5. Highest frequency20,000 Hz vs 40,000 Hz2×
  6. Charging time2 h vs 1 h2×
  7. LDACNo · WAVE FLEX 3: Yes
Specifications

Side by side

JBL WAVE FLEX 3JBL WAVE FLEX 3≈ $607.6
Soundcore P42iSoundcore P42i≈ $559.4
Sound
FitOpen-earIn-ear
Ear cup design—Closed-back
Driver typeDynamicDynamic
Driver size12 mm11 mm
Lowest frequency20 Hz20 Hz
Highest frequency20,000 Hz40,000 Hz
Impedance16 Ω14 Ω
Sensitivity96 dB—
Hi-Res Audio—Yes
Adjustable equaliserYesYes
Noise control
Active noise cancellingYesYes
Adaptive ANC—Yes
Transparency / ambient modeYesYes
Microphones—6
Noise reduction for calls—Yes
Battery & charging
Battery life10 h12 h
Battery life with ANC7 h8.5 h
Total with charging case—56 h
Charging time2 h1 h
Quick charge (claimed)—10 min → 3.5 h
Fast charging support—Yes
Wireless charging (case)—Yes
Connectivity
WirelessYesYes
Bluetooth version66.1
Bluetooth codecsAAC, SBCLDAC, AAC, SBC
Hi-res codec (LDAC / aptX HD / LHDC)NoYes
aptXNoNo
LDACNoYes
Multipoint (two devices)YesYes
USB-CYesYes
Design & build
Earbud weight (each)4.4 g4.4 g
Protection ratingIP54IP55
Water resistance (IPx)IPx4IPx5
Dust protection (IP)55
Colours—Black, Oat White, Navy Blue, Purple
Features
Touch controlsYesYes
Hands-free callsYesYes
To compare: 0up to 4 models
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