The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value overall sound quality and noise isolation for focused listening, such as during air travel, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 would be a premium choice, also offering active noise cancelling and sweat proof features. However, they are priced higher, provide less battery life, and are less portable compared to the JLab JBuds Work Wireless. On the other hand, if you prioritize longer battery life for extended use, a more comfortable over-ear design, and a boom microphone for clearer calls at a lower price, the JBuds offer these benefits but without active noise cancelling and with lesser noise isolation capability.
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Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins PI7
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has no clear advantages over the JLab JBuds Work Wireless.
Advantages of the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
Good for phone calls
Good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
8.1/10
8.8/10
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both very good for gaming, though the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
5.1/10
7.3/10
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8/10
7.9/10
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8/10
7.9/10
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3/10
5.3/10
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
60.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$79
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and JLab JBuds Work Wireless are both only fair for music.
Build Quality
8.9/10
9.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JLab JBuds Work Wireless to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
"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 PI7 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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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
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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.