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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize wired connectivity and exceptional sound quality for music, especially at home or in professional settings, consider the Audio Technica ATH M40X. They offer a larger soundstage, which typically results in better spatial audio perception. However, if wireless connectivity is a must for you, or if you plan on using them for extended periods like in work-from-home situations, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless would be advantageous due to their built-in mic, longer battery life, and higher comfort score. Keep in mind that the JBuds are more suitable for calls and meetings, while the ATH M40X is not equipped with a microphone. 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 M40X
- Very good for music
- Very good for TV and video
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
8.1
6.8
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
7.0
8.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
7.9
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good.
Battery
N/A
60.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and JLab JBuds Work Wireless are both poor for noise reduction.
Cost
$79
$79
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $79 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$79 | $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 | 8.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 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 | 8.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 158 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
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 M40X 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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