JLab GO Air POP

The JLab GO Air POP nails comfort and battery life at a dirt-cheap price. Just don't expect any meaningful noise cancellation, and be ready to fight the case when you want to take them out. For under $20, they're one of the best fitness-friendly values around.

The JLab GO Air POP is the kind of earbud you toss in your bag and forget about until you need it, and then you're glad it's there. No fancy noise cancellation or high-end codecs, just a rock-solid fit, 8 hours of playback, and a charging case with a built-in cable so you'll never hunt for a cord.

Comfort is where these things shine, landing in the top echelon of our database with a fit that's secure enough for workouts but gentle on small ears. The 6mm drivers put out decent, punchy sound for the price, and call quality is above average thanks to dual MEMS mics. Battery life is solid at 8 hours per earbud and 32+ with the case, and the quick-charge gives you an hour from 10 minutes. The big letdown is noise cancellation, or rather the lack of it: passive isolation is mediocre, and our commute score of 49 reflects that. The touch controls also tend to be overly sensitive, so you'll accidentally pause your music more often than you'd like.

Officially the price varies from $10 to a bizarre $630 across vendors, but the real street price hovers around $20. At that level, these are an absolute steal. You get a comfortable fit, long battery, and decent calls for less than a pizza. If you spot them for under $15, it's a no-brainer.

Next to the Soundcore P30i, the JLab is more comfortable but lacks any ANC chops. Apple's AirPods (2nd gen) sound richer and have better build, but they cost five times as much. The Sony WI-C100 neckband gives you similar battery life with better sound, yet the GO Air POP's true wireless form factor and gym-ready fit make it a more versatile daily driver for most people.

Skip these if you ride the subway or work in a loud office every day. The noise isolation is mediocre at best, and you'll be cranking the volume just to hear your podcasts. In that case, look at ANC options from Soundcore or Sony, even if it means spending a bit more.

If you want a pair of beater earbuds that won't fall out during a run and won't break the bank, the JLab GO Air POP is an easy recommend. It's perfect for Zoom calls, podcasts, and workouts where you don't need to block out the world.