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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex will give you a high-quality sound experience, particularly for music listening, with excellent soundstage, but lacks a microphone and isn't suited for exercise or travel due to its open design and poor portability. On the other hand, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless offers good sound quality with a focus on functionality, featuring long battery life, boom microphone for clear calls, and higher scores for use during exercise or travel, and it's more affordable. Choose Focal Elex if you prioritize audiophile-grade music quality at home and JLab JBuds if you need versatility, portability, and call functionality. 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 Elex
- Good for music
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.8
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
6.9
8.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Focal Elex are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Focal Elex are both poor for noise reduction, though the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
60.0 Hours
The Focal Elex does not have a battery. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Cost
$749
$79
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
8.3
7.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Elex to be very good for TV and video, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Elex and JLab JBuds Work Wireless both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $79 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | 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 | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 158 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Focal Elex
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Dig into reviews and images
Golden Sound
Golden Sound | October 2021
"The Focal Elex are an excellent pair of headphones for the money and a great all-rounder that will suit many tastes. They’re an easy recommendation for anyone looking for something comfortable, well built, that looks good, and will work with just about any genre."
JLab JBuds Work Wireless
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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."
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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.
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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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