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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize microphone quality and comfort in various scenarios, like calls and meetings or air travel, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is a stronger choice, as it offers better mic and comfort scores. However, the JBL Quantum 100 may be more suitable if you're looking for a budget-friendly option that's great for listening to music and is specifically praised for podcasts and books. While the Quantum performs well for gaming, JLab's higher gaming score suggests it offers a better experience. Both are closed over-ear models, though, JLab's wireless capability adds convenience at a higher price point. Neither model has active noise cancelling, and they provide comparable noise isolation, so that won't be a deciding factor. 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
- Good for music
Advantages of the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
5.5
7.3
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.5
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Quantum 100 is poor.
TV and Video
7.1
7.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and JBL Quantum 100 are both good for TV and video, though the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
60.0 Hours
The JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery. The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$79
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Quantum 100 has a price of $20 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless costs $79.
Build Quality
6.5
9.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has excellent build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.0
6.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Quantum 100 to be good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
8.5
8.8
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and JBL Quantum 100 are both very good for gaming.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The JBL Quantum 100 and JLab JBuds Work Wireless are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the JBL Quantum 100 and the JLab JBuds Work Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Quantum 100 | JLab JBuds Work Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $79 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 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 | 5.3/10 | 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 | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 158 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
JBL Quantum 100
See more
Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Wes Davis | July 2023
"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."
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 JBL Quantum 100 or the JLab JBuds Work Wireless
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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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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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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
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.
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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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