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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X headphones, while less expensive, offer great overall sound quality and a decent soundstage, best suited for music enthusiasts looking for a wired over-ear experience. However, they do not feature a built-in microphone, which could be a disadvantage for calls. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless, on the other hand, are slightly more expensive but provide the convenience of both wireless and wired connectivity, a higher comfort score, and excellent microphone quality, making them ideal for long calls and video meetings as well as casual listening. They also have a long battery life and are more optimized for a work environment where multi-task communication is key. If you value portability and versatility for office use, the JLab might be more suitable, but if you prioritize sound quality for music at a lower cost, consider the Audio Technica. 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 music
Advantages of the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
6.8
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
6.6
8.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for noise reduction, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is poor.
Battery
N/A
60.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$79
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
Build Quality
7.2
9.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.9
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $79 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 60 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 158 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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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 JBuds Work Wireless
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PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | February 2022
"The JLab JBuds Work is an affordable headset-headphone hybrid that you can use to listen to music in stereo and communicate on video calls thanks to a retractable boom mic, and we particularly like its convenient mono and passive wired modes. You won't find any frills here like you will with the costlier Jabra Evolve2 65 or Plantronics Voyager 4220 UC, but for less than half the price, the JBuds Work is an effective lower-cost alternative."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
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.
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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.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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