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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and convenience for use on the go or during exercise, the Apple Airpods Pro with their compact form, wireless design, and active noise cancelling would be better. They also support features like wireless charging and are optimized for Apple devices. However, if you're looking for a gaming and video experience, or making calls with superior mic quality, the JBL Quantum 100 would be suitable, especially with its boom mic and dedicated wired connection, which can offer more stability and lower latency. The JBLs also significantly excel in podcast or audiobook listening. The Airpods Pro are pricier, so if budget is a concern, the JBL Quantum 100 offers many high-quality features for a typically much less expensive price tag. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Quantum 100
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.1
8.5
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
7.4
5.5
The Apple Airpods Pro is good for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.3
4.5
The Apple Airpods Pro is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
7.1
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Apple Airpods Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Pro has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$260
$20
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Pro has a price of $260 and the JBL Quantum 100 costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
6.5
The Apple Airpods Pro has excellent build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.8
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Quantum 100 to be good for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro is only fair.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro and the JBL Quantum 100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro | JBL Quantum 100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$260 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2019 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.1/10 | 4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | January 2023
"For just $50 USD more than the original model with the wireless charging case, this is definitely the pair of buds to get. The AirPods Pro (1st generation) sounds better than the originals and has a way better fit and active noise canceling to boot. If you have an iOS device, just get this."
JBL Quantum 100
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CNN Underscored
Wes Davis | July 2023
"I appreciate a functional piece of tech as much as I do gear on the bleeding edge, and the JBL Quantum 100 certainly falls in the former category. The sound is reasonably good, the built-in microphone is surprisingly reliable and it has a thoughtful design for the price. It lacks the convenience of Bluetooth, sure, but sometimes it’s nice not to have to worry about the finicky nature of wireless communication and go with good old hard-wired tech."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro or the JBL Quantum 100
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,800
Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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