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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 a wide soundstage for a more immersive music experience, the HifiMan Edition XS would be the better choice, though it lacks a microphone, making it less suitable for calls. Being open-backed, they're not ideal for noisy environments as they don't isolate sound well, and their open design is not suited for exercise or travel. Conversely, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless headphones offer a good microphone, active noise cancellation, and are more versatile for different use cases, including calls, meetings, and travel. They also provide superior comfort and much longer battery life. If you want earphones that are more convenient for daily use and can handle a variety of situations, including exercise, the more affordable JBuds would be a practical option. 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 HifiMan Edition XS
- Very good for music
- Best in class 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
8.8
6.8
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
7.4
8.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
Phone Calls
5.0
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
TV and Video
9.5
7.9
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for noise reduction, though the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
60.0 Hours
The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Cost
$269
$79
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Edition XS has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and HifiMan Edition XS are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the HifiMan Edition XS and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $79 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 158 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
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."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Edition XS or the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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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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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