A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're focused on having better sound quality and use your headphones primarily for listening to music at home or in quiet environments, the Audio Technica ATH M30X would be preferable, despite being heavier and less portable. On the other hand, if you're looking for affordable, very portable earbuds with good battery life for use during exercise or travel, and if wireless convenience and earbud size are important to you, the JLab Go Air Pop would be a better fit. The tradeoff with the JLab earbuds is that they have lesser overall sound quality and not as immersive a soundstage as the Audio Technica headphones. Additionally, the JLab earbuds offer sweatproof certification and a stemless design, making them suitable for more active use cases, while the Audio Technica headphones provide a more solid build quality but lack features like a built-in microphone and wireless capability. 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 Audio Technica ATH M30X
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the JLab Go Air Pop
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
7.1
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and JLab Go Air Pop are both good for music, though the Audio Technica ATH M30X is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.6
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.0
The JLab Go Air Pop and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the JLab Go Air Pop is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
5.7
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
6.1
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.5
The JLab Go Air Pop and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both only fair for noise reduction, though the JLab Go Air Pop is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The JLab Go Air Pop has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$25
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the JLab Go Air Pop costs $25.
Build Quality
7.2
9.0
The JLab Go Air Pop has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the JLab Go Air Pop compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | JLab Go Air Pop |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $25 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | September 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 27 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 3.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
JLab Go Air Pop
See more
Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | August 2023
"The JLab GO Air POP is a great option for anyone on a tight budget. This pair of true wireless earbuds checks all the boxes for earbud essentials, and performs pretty well in most areas. The microphone isn't great, but that's to be expected for something this inexpensive."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the JLab Go Air Pop
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Audio Technica ATH M30X vs. Sennheiser 450BT
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M30X vs. JBL Live Pro 2
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M30X vs. Beats Studiobuds
VS
Compare JLab Go Air Pop vs. KZ ZSN Pro
VS
Compare JLab Go Air Pop vs. Creative Labs Aurvana Trio LS
VS
Compare JLab Go Air Pop vs. KZ ZSN Pro X
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
128,000
Recommendations made
19,200
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.
Featured in
