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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For premium sound quality, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has an edge, and their active noise canceling is better suited for air travel. However, they are more expensive and have a shorter battery life compared to the JLab JBuds Work Wireless, which makes them less economical for extended use. The JBuds are ideal for long conference calls or gaming, thanks to their superior microphone quality and longer battery life. They also double as wired headphones, offering versatility if wireless connectivity is not needed. Bear in mind that neither set is optimized for high-sensitivity activities like TV and video where latency might be noticeable. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the JLab JBuds Work Wireless.
Advantages of the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.3
8.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
60.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$79
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
6.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both only fair for music.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JLab JBuds Work Wireless to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $79 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 60 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 158 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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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.
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