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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats EP are wired on-ear headphones with no microphone and are better for music due to their higher music quality score, but the lack of a mic limits their use for calls. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless are often cheaper, over-ear headphones with a long battery life and an excellent call quality due to their boom mic, making them more suitable for work calls and gaming. Both have similar noise isolation and are not optimized for exercise or travel. If you prioritize call quality, battery life, and wireless convenience, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless might be the better option for you. 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 Beats EP
- Very 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
8.1
6.8
The Beats EP is very good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
8.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Beats EP is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.2
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Beats EP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats EP is only fair.
Battery
N/A
60.0 Hours
The Beats EP does not have a battery. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$79
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has excellent build quality, while the Beats EP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.6
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Beats EP are both good for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Beats EP and JLab JBuds Work Wireless are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Beats EP and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $79 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | 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 | 4.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 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 | N/A | 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 | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 158 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats EP
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
JLab JBuds Work Wireless
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Beats EP or the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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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