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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If high sound quality is your priority, the Etymotic ER2SE, with excellent noise isolation and wired connection, are well-suited for critical listening in quiet environments. However, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is better for calls and meetings thanks to their superior microphone, and they are more comfortable and durable, making them suitable for longer wear and a variety of settings, including exercise and travel. The JBuds also offer a significant advantage in battery life for wireless use and are optimized for gaming due to lower latency. Consider the ER2SE for focused listening sessions and the JBuds for versatility and convenience. 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 Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
Advantages of the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
6.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
8.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is poor.
Battery
N/A
60.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE 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 Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.8
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and JLab JBuds Work Wireless both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $79 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 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 | 9.1/10 | 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 | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 158 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
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 Etymotic ER2SE or the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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