TL;DR
JLab JBuds Pods ANC pack impressive features like Active Noise Cancellation, Multipoint connectivity, and killer battery life (around 7 hours with ANC!) for a budget-friendly price. They offer decent sound once you tweak the EQ via the app and have a robust, if not premium, design. While they miss out on high-res audio codecs and wear detection, their strong value proposition, including wireless charging, makes them a compelling option for everyday use. Want to know if these affordable earbuds are your next audio companion? Dive into the full review for all the details.
We recently reviewed the JBuds Lux ANC and were impressed by their compelling value, despite a few limitations. Our focus now shifts to their mid-range in-ear offering: JLab JBuds Pods ANC.
The specifications for the JLab JBuds Pods ANC are certainly promising: Active Noise Cancellation, Multipoint connectivity, wireless charging, and impressive battery life. All this comes at a price point well under SEK 1,000. Our review aims to determine if these earbuds deliver on their potential.
Design and Comfort
The retail package includes the charging case, a notably short USB-C cable, and silicone ear tips in two additional sizes, bringing the total to three pairs (including the pre-installed set).
The matte black charging case is compact and highly portable. While it may not exude a premium aesthetic, its matte finish effectively mitigates visible fingerprints, and the overall construction feels robust. This design firmly positions it within the mid-range segment, balancing cost-effectiveness with durability.
The earbuds themselves adopt the familiar stem design, commonly seen across numerous manufacturers. They are lightweight and provide a stable fit. Furthermore, the IP55 rating ensures protection against sweat during workouts or light rain showers, enhancing their versatility.
The fit is generally commendable, particularly for individuals with average ear canal sizes. However, users with very small ears might find the earbud’s main housing somewhat large and bulky, potentially compromising a secure and comfortable fit.
Sound Quality and App
Upon connecting, we initiated listening tests with the factory default settings. Similar to the JBuds Lux ANC, these earbuds come pre-set to “JLab Signature,” which provides a generally pleasing audio profile. The companion app features a 10-band equalizer and offers a selection of pre-set modes. Switching to a neutral curve, however, results in a thin, flat sound that lacks the desired dynamism. The audio experience significantly improves upon reverting to “JLab Signature” or, even better, by manually adjusting the EQ curve.
The 11mm drivers are capable of robust performance when properly configured. With some optimization via the app’s equalizer, we achieved an engaging soundstage characterized by competent bass response and clarity. While this is not a Hi-Fi audio experience, it offers good performance for its segment. Notably, high-resolution codecs like LDAC (found in competitors such as the EarFun Air Pro 4+) are not supported; users are limited to SBC and AAC codecs.
Beyond sound customization, the app functions effectively. It includes a “Spatial Audio” mode designed to offer a more immersive spatial soundstage; however, this feature appears more as a novelty than a practical enhancement, as the audio quality in this mode is underwhelming. Conversely, the app provides well-defined and intuitive settings for the touch controls, enabling comprehensive management of EQ curves, volume, and ANC settings.
Another notable feature is “Safe Hearing,” particularly relevant for younger users. This in-app limit restricts the maximum volume output, designed to protect hearing over extended periods. It’s a straightforward yet valuable safety feature that merits wider adoption.
A “Movie Mode” is also available. This mode slightly compromises sound fidelity to significantly reduce audio delay (latency) to under 200ms, ensuring accurate lip-synchronization when watching videos or playing games.
A notable omission is the lack of “Wear Detection.” Music playback does not automatically pause when an earbud is removed from the ear. While seemingly minor, the absence of this common convenience feature can be noticeable for users accustomed to automatic playback control.
Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Mode
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) function demonstrates competent performance. It effectively filters out persistent low-frequency rumble, such as bus or train engine noise. In these scenarios, it performs admirably, creating a noticeable reduction in ambient noise. However, its efficacy diminishes with voices and sudden mid-range sounds.
The ambient mode, branded as “Be Aware” by JLab, features adjustable levels within the app, which is a notable advantage. However, the audio transparency exhibits a somewhat noisy and artificial quality. While adequate for situational awareness, such as hearing announcements at a station or during transactions, its character makes it unsuitable for continuous use.
Call Quality and Connectivity
A total of six microphones are integrated, engineered to optimize call clarity. In quiet environments, such as a home or a calm office setting, call quality is impressive. Voice transmission is clear, ensuring recipients hear conversations without impediment.
However, in outdoor environments with significant wind, the algorithms encounter challenges. Occasionally, the noise reduction algorithms exhibit excessive aggression in their attempt to suppress background noise, which can result in occasional voice dropouts or an artificial, ‘tinny’ quality for the listener.
Connectivity is facilitated by Bluetooth 5.4, and Multipoint support functions flawlessly. We also commend the inclusion of Google Fast Pair, which significantly streamlines the pairing process with Android devices.
Battery Life and Charging
JLab specifies over 10 hours of playtime for the earbuds without ANC, extending to a total of 56 hours with the charging case. In our tests with ANC activated, we achieved approximately 7 hours, which is highly commendable. Without ANC, we nearly matched the advertised 10-hour mark.
A particularly appreciated detail, and one that is uncommon in this price range, is the charging case’s support for wireless charging.
Conclusion
Overall, the JLab JBuds Pods ANC left a largely positive impression. The recommended retail price is SEK 990; however, at the time of this review, they were available for approximately SEK 690.
These earbuds offer excellent battery life, wireless charging, Multipoint connectivity, and competent noise cancellation. While they lack high-resolution audio support and their sound quality doesn’t challenge premium offerings, these are minor caveats given their accessible price point.
A direct competitor is the EarFun Air Pro 4+. While priced a few hundred SEK higher, the EarFun model offers high-resolution audio support and superior sound quality. However, JLab’s significant advantage lies in its accessibility: the JBuds Pods ANC are readily available in Swedish retail stores, a contrast to EarFun products which frequently require international ordering.
Therefore, our assessment yields a rating of 7, assuming a purchase price in the SEK 700-800 range. At the recommended retail price, the rating would be lower, given the strong competition within that segment.
JLab provided review samples for this evaluation. The provision of these samples does not influence our editorial independence; all reviews are conducted objectively with our readership in mind.
