JLab Epic Lab Edition

The JLab Epic Lab Edition true wireless earbuds pack hi-res LDAC audio, adaptive ANC, and a massive 56-hour battery into a sub-$200 package. Call quality is a letdown and the fit can be bulky, but for pure sound and endurance, they're hard to beat.

If you're hunting for true wireless earbuds that deliver audiophile-grade sound without the audiophile price tag, the JLab Epic Lab Edition should be on your radar. These buds cram hybrid dual drivers—a 10mm dynamic for rich bass and a Knowles balanced armature for crisp highs—into a package that also supports LDAC, AAC, and spatial audio. We're talking Hi-Res Audio that feels more like a $300 over-ear headphone than a sub-$200 earbud.

But the features don't stop there. Adaptive active noise cancellation that learns your environment, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, and a whopping 56 hours of total battery life make them look almost too good for the price range you'll find them at—anywhere from $141 to $271 depending on where you shop. Best Buy currently carries them as a standout in the 'All Headphones' category, and after running them through our database, we see why.

Still, not everything is perfect. Call quality is a known sore spot, and the bulky shape won't be for everyone. We'll break down where the Epic Lab Edition shines and where it stumbles.

The sound profile is what sets these apart. In our database, they land in the 92nd percentile for overall sound—one of the best true wireless sets we've heard. The hybrid driver setup isn't just marketing; the bass is controlled and punchy, while the highs stay detailed without getting harsh. LDAC support on Android is a real treat, pulling out layers of detail you don't normally get at this price. They also handle spatial audio for Dolby Atmos and Windows Sonic, which makes movie watching surprisingly immersive.

ANC is another high point, ranking in the 98th percentile. It adapts on the fly and does a great job silencing office chatter and low rumbles. Battery life, at up to 13 hours per charge (9 with ANC on) and 56 hours total, sits in the 87th percentile—far above average. The fast charge is handy too: 10 minutes nets you 1.5 hours of playtime. Connectivity is solid as well, with Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint for two devices, and an included USB-C dongle that gives you low-latency audio on PCs. That dongle is a clever bonus that even heavy hitters often skip.

At full price around $200-$271, the Epic Lab Edition is a solid value, but the real story is the price variance. We've seen them dip as low as $141, which is an absolute steal for this feature set. Compare that to the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra over-ears, which easily cost twice as much, and you start to see the appeal. You're getting near-flagship sound and ANC in a pocketable form factor. If you can catch them on sale at Best Buy, they're one of the best bargains in true wireless audio right now.

If you're cross-shopping, the JLab Epic Lab Edition is a weird beast because its competition includes both earbuds and full-size headphones. Against over-ear staples like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4, the JLab offers comparable audio quality and ANC in a much smaller package, but you lose the comfort and call clarity those larger cans provide. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is still the king of ANC, but the JLab gets surprisingly close for half the price.

Among true wireless earbuds, the JLab stands out for battery life and that USB-C dongle. If call quality is a priority, however, the Technics EAH-A800 or even mid-range options like the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro will serve you better. But for pure musical enjoyment and battery stamina, the Epic Lab Edition carves out a unique niche.

If you regularly make calls in bustling coffee shops or on windy streets, the JLab Epic Lab Edition will frustrate you—call quality is simply not its forte. Likewise, if you have small ears or plan to wear earbuds while lying down, the bulky shape will stick out and may cause discomfort. In those cases, consider the Sony WF-1000XM5 for far better call quality and a smaller, lighter fit, or the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro for a comfier all-around experience.

The JLab Epic Lab Edition is a brilliant pick for music lovers who don't want to mess with bulky headphones. You get hi-res audio, standout noise cancellation, and battery life that just keeps going. The included USB-C dongle is a thoughtful touch that instantly improves the experience on laptops and consoles.

But you have to be willing to overlook some quirks. The call quality is mediocre at best, so if you're taking a lot of calls in noisy environments, look elsewhere. The touch controls are finicky, and the large earbud body might not disappear in smaller ears the way we'd like. If you can live with those trade-offs, you'll be thrilled with what these buds deliver.