JLab JLab - GO Air POP True Wireless Earbuds - Black Review

The JLab GO Air POP are ultra-budget true wireless earbuds that pack basic features like touch controls, EQ settings, and IPX4 rating into a tiny case. Sound and battery life are just okay for the price, making them a decent 'get-what-you-pay-for' option under $30, but better buds exist if you can stretch your budget a bit.

If you're hunting for true wireless earbuds under $50, the JLab GO Air POP are almost certainly on your radar. They promise a massive 35+ hours of total battery life, a compact case, and three customizable sound modes, all wrapped up in an IPX4 sweat-resistant design. For the price, that's a lot of features on paper. We've seen them priced anywhere from $15 to $47, which puts them squarely in the ultra-budget category, competing with the likes of Skullcandy and other value brands. They're a classic 'jack of all trades' pick for someone who wants a bit of everything without spending much.

In our testing, the GO Air POP deliver a solid, if unspectacular, performance for their price point. The sound quality lands in the 36th percentile, which translates to 'about average' for budget earbuds. The Bass Boost EQ mode adds some punch, but don't expect deep, detailed audio. The microphone, scoring in the 53rd percentile, is decent for quick calls but can struggle in noisy environments. Battery life, despite the big '35+ hour' claim, actually ranks in the disappointing 14th percentile compared to all earbuds we track, meaning you'll get the advertised time, but many competitors now last longer. Connectivity is middle-of-the-pack, so you might get the occasional hiccup, but it's generally reliable for casual use.

At their frequent sale price of around $20-$25, the GO Air POP offer undeniable value. You're getting a full suite of basic features that work. However, the 'value' argument gets shaky if you pay closer to the $47 MSRP. At that point, you're entering the territory of refurbished name-brand buds or newer budget models that might offer better battery or sound. They're a safe bet if your absolute top priority is spending as little as possible while still getting wireless buds that function.

The GO Air POP's real competition comes from other budget kings. They go head-to-head with something like the Skullcandy Dime 2, which trades a slightly bulkier case for often better microphone performance. If you can stretch your budget even to the $70-$100 range, you enter a different league with models like the EarFun Air Pro 3, which adds effective ANC and much better sound. Comparing them to the listed competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra isn't fair; those are premium products in another stratosphere of price and performance. The GO Air POP are for a completely different buyer.

Skip these if you're an audiophile, a frequent traveler who needs noise cancellation, or someone who takes a lot of important calls in loud places. The sound quality is basic, there's no ANC (a must for planes or buses), and the mic is just okay. Also, if long-term battery endurance is your top priority, there are better options. In those cases, look at budget models from Anker's Soundcore line or consider a refurbished pair of older premium buds.

Should you buy the JLab GO Air POP? If your budget is locked at $30 or less and you need buds right now, yes, they're a perfectly serviceable choice. You won't be blown away, but you won't feel ripped off either. However, if you can be patient, save a little more, or hunt for sales, we think spending a bit more gets you a significantly better experience. For about $50-$80, the jump in audio quality, battery life, and features like ANC is massive. Think of these as the reliable beater car of earbuds: they'll get you from A to B without fuss, but don't expect a luxury ride.