The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If gaming is a priority, JBL Quantum 100 headphones are a suitable choice due to their very good gaming score and boom microphone, but they're not wireless and don't fare well in portability or noise isolation. Conversely, if affordability, exercise use, and portability are key, the JLab Go Air Pop earbuds, being less expensive and sweatproof, would be better, but they're not optimized for gaming or TV and have a poorer mic quality. The Quantum 100s are wired, which eliminates battery concerns, while the Go Air Pop offers wireless convenience with good battery life but a potentially lower sound and build quality compared to over-ear models. 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 JBL Quantum 100
Very good for gaming
Good for TV and video
Advantages of the JLab Go Air Pop
Good for exercise
Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
8.5/10
5.5/10
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5/10
5.7/10
The JLab Go Air Pop and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JLab Go Air Pop is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.1/10
6.1/10
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for TV and video, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3/10
6.5/10
The JLab Go Air Pop is only fair for noise reduction, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery. The JLab Go Air Pop has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$25
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $20 and the JLab Go Air Pop costs $25.
Build Quality
6.5/10
9.0/10
The JLab Go Air Pop has excellent build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
"I appreciate a functional piece of tech as much as I do gear on the bleeding edge, and the JBL Quantum 100 certainly falls in the former category. The sound is reasonably good, the built-in microphone is surprisingly reliable and it has a thoughtful design for the price. It lacks the convenience of Bluetooth, sure, but sometimes it’s nice not to have to worry about the finicky nature of wireless communication and go with good old hard-wired tech."
"The JLab GO Air POP is a great option for anyone on a tight budget. This pair of true wireless earbuds checks all the boxes for earbud essentials, and performs pretty well in most areas. The microphone isn't great, but that's to be expected for something this inexpensive."
Get a great deal on the JBL Quantum 100 or the JLab Go Air Pop
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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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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.