The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize excellent noise isolation, comfort, and build quality, and don't mind spending more, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are an impressive choice, especially with features like sweatproof certification and active noise cancelling for frequent travelers and outdoor activities. However, if budget is a major concern and you're looking for a simple, no-frills option with good portability and very long battery life, the JLab Go Air Pop can be a suitable pick, keeping in mind that the sound quality and mic quality won't match up to the Bose and there's no active noise cancelling. Choose Bose for a premium audio experience and JLab if affordability and battery life take precedence. 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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Very good for music
Very good for gaming
Very good for TV and video
Very good for exercise
Advantages of the JLab Go Air Pop
The JLab Go Air Pop has no clear advantages over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Key differences
Music
8.6/10
7.1/10
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the JLab Go Air Pop is good.
Gaming
8.8/10
5.5/10
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
TV and Video
8.1/10
6.1/10
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.9/10
6.5/10
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Battery
6.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The JLab Go Air Pop has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$25
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the JLab Go Air Pop costs $25.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and JLab Go Air Pop are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0/10
5.7/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
Build Quality
9.0/10
9.0/10
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and JLab Go Air Pop both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the JLab Go Air Pop compare to other earbuds and headphones
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
"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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the JLab Go Air Pop
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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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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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
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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.