TL;DR
JLab JBuds Pods ANC offer a compelling package for their mid-range price, boasting Active Noise Cancellation, Multipoint, and impressive battery life with wireless charging. While they don't quite reach premium audio fidelity or rival top-tier ANC, they provide solid sound quality when EQ'd via their app and perform well for calls in quiet environments. Minor drawbacks include a bulky fit for small ears and a less effective ambient mode. However, for their price, especially when found on sale, these earbuds deliver excellent value and features. Ready to see if they're the perfect budget ANC earbuds for you? Dive into the full review!
We recently tested the JBuds Lux ANC and were impressed by their compelling value proposition, despite some minor shortcomings. Our focus now shifts to their mid-range in-ear model: JLab JBuds Pods ANC.
The initial specifications appear promising: Active Noise Cancellation, Multipoint support, wireless charging, and impressive battery life. All these features are offered at a price point significantly below one thousand kronor. This review assesses whether they live up to these expectations.
Design and Comfort
Within the package, we find the charging case, a notably short USB-C cable, and silicone ear tips in two additional sizes (totaling three pairs, including those pre-fitted).
The case features a matte black finish, offering a compact and pocket-friendly form factor. While it may not convey a premium aesthetic, the matte finish effectively resists fingerprints, and its construction feels robust. Its design firmly places it within the mid-range segment, avoiding both budget and premium extremes.
The earbuds themselves incorporate the classic stem design, familiar from many other manufacturers. They are lightweight and sit securely in the ear. The IP55 rating provides reassurance against sweat during workouts or light rain showers during commutes.
Overall, the fit is generally good, particularly for users with average-sized ears. However, individuals with very small ears might find the earbud’s housing somewhat large and bulky, potentially hindering a secure and comfortable fit.
Sound Quality and App
Upon connecting the earbuds, we began our listening experience with the factory default settings. Similar to the JBuds Lux ANC, the earbuds are pre-configured with the “JLab Signature” sound profile, which offers a perfectly acceptable audio experience. The app features a 10-band equalizer and various pre-set modes. When switching to a neutral EQ curve, the sound profile becomes thin, flat, and notably lacks the desired vibrancy. However, reverting to “JLab Signature” or, even better, manually adjusting the EQ curve, significantly enhances the earbuds’ audio performance.
The 11mm drivers are capable of delivering strong audio, given optimal equalization. With some equalization adjustments in the companion app, we achieved an engaging sound profile characterized by adequate bass and clarity. While not reaching Hi-Fi standards, the absence of high-resolution codec support, such as LDAC (a feature present in the competitor EarFun Air Pro 4+), is notable. Users must rely on SBC and AAC codecs.
Beyond this, the app functions effectively. It includes a “Spatial Audio” mode, intended to provide a more expansive soundstage. However, its implementation feels more like a novelty than a genuinely useful feature, as the audio quality significantly degrades. Conversely, the touch control settings are clear and well-implemented, allowing for comprehensive management of functions such as EQ curves, volume, and ANC.
Notably, the “Safe Hearing” feature, particularly relevant for younger users, imposes a maximum volume limit within the app to protect long-term hearing. This thoughtful yet straightforward inclusion is a welcome addition that we would appreciate seeing more frequently.
Additionally, a “Movie Mode” is available. This mode slightly reduces audio fidelity to achieve a noticeable decrease in latency (to below 200ms), thereby ensuring accurate lip-sync during video playback and gaming.
A notable omission is “Wear Detection.” When an earbud is removed, audio playback continues. While seemingly minor, this can be an inconvenient adjustment for users accustomed to automatic pausing, requiring manual intervention via their connected device.
Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Mode
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) function performs commendably. It is effective at filtering out low-frequency rumble, such as the sound of a bus engine or the hum on a train. In these scenarios, it effectively attenuates noise, creating a noticeable sense of quiet. However, its performance is less effective against human voices and abrupt mid-range sounds.
The ambient mode, designated “Be Aware” by JLab, offers adjustable levels within the app, a significant advantage. Despite its adjustability, the ambient sound profile exhibits a degree of noise and artificiality. While suitable for brief interactions, such as hearing station announcements or engaging in transactions, it is not ideal for continuous use.
Call Quality and Connectivity
Six microphones are integrated, designed to optimize call quality. In quiet environments, such as a home or a calm office setting, call clarity is very good. Voice transmission is clear, and recipients report no issues.
However, in outdoor, windy conditions, the algorithms face challenges. Occasionally, their aggressive background noise suppression can result in the speaker’s voice being intermittently cut off or acquiring a “tinny” quality for the recipient.
Connectivity is established via Bluetooth 5.4, featuring excellent Multipoint support. The inclusion of Google Fast Pair is also a welcome addition, simplifying the pairing process with Android devices.
Battery Life and Charging
JLab specifies over 10 hours of earbud playtime without ANC, extending to a total of 56 hours with the charging case. In our tests with ANC activated, we observed approximately 7 hours of use, which is commendable. Without ANC, performance closely approached the promised 10 hours.
A noteworthy feature, particularly uncommon at this price point, is the charging case’s support for wireless charging.
Conclusion
Overall, our assessment of the JLab JBuds Pods ANC is largely positive. While the recommended retail price is 990 kronor, they were available for 690 kronor at the time of this review.
They offer impressive battery life, wireless charging, Multipoint, and decent noise cancellation. Admittedly, they lack high-resolution audio support, and their sound quality does not rival premium offerings. However, given their price point, these limitations are largely excusable.
The closest competitor is the EarFun Air Pro 4+. They are admittedly priced a few hundred kronor higher but compensate with high-resolution audio support and superior sound quality. However, a significant advantage for JLab is local availability. These earbuds are readily accessible in Swedish retail stores, a contrast to EarFun products which typically require international ordering.
Our conclusion awards them a score of 7 out of 10, contingent on their acquisition within the 700-800 SEK price range. At their recommended retail price, the rating would have been slightly lower, given the strong competition in that particular segment.
Jlab sent review units for this test. Material providers have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with our readers and consumers in focus.
