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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and noise isolation, the Etymotic ER4XR would be a better choice due to their superior noise isolation and high-fidelity sound. However, they lack features like a microphone and are less comfortable than the JLab JBuds Work Wireless, which also provides better call quality, a boom microphone, and long battery life ideal for work-related use. The JLab headphones are more adaptable for various environments, including exercise and air travel, and they are a more affordable option. For a more immersive gaming and TV experience, the JLab would be preferable due to its better suitability for these activities. 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 ER4XR
- 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
8.0
6.8
The Etymotic ER4XR 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 ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.4
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video, though the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is poor.
Battery
N/A
60.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$79
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR and JLab JBuds Work Wireless both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $79 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 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 ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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 ER4XR 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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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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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.
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