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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize exceptional sound quality for music listening and air travel, the Focal Bathys are superior thanks to their higher sound quality and active noise canceling. However, they are pricier and not as portable as the JLab JBuds Work Wireless. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more affordable option with great call quality and exceptional battery life, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless might be more suitable, especially if you're using them for work-related calls or in an office environment. Both offer wired and wireless connectivity and are over-ear, closed-back headphones suitable for a variety of uses. 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 Focal Bathys
- Very good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
Advantages of the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.8
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
9.3
8.8
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good.
Phone Calls
5.2
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
7.9
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
60.0 Hours
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Cost
$699
$79
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Bathys and JLab JBuds Work Wireless both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Bathys and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $79 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | 60 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5 | |
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 | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 158 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Focal Bathys
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | May 2023
"As much as I hesitate to recommend a headphone that sells for $800 USD, if you’re looking for the best sound quality you can find in the ANC space: it’s the Focal Bathys."
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 Focal Bathys or the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
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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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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.
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