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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're orientated towards wireless convenience and frequent exercise, the JLab Go Air Pop earbuds are better as they are wireless, sweatproof, and offer a superior portability score, ideal for movement and travel. However, if you value sound quality, particularly for music and TV, and don't mind a wired connection, Sony's MDREX15AP earbuds provide very good music and excellent TV and video performance for a typically much less expensive price, but they lack wireless functionality and are not designed for exercise-related use. Both options are budget-friendly, but the JLab offers more modern features like sweat resistance and a stemless design, whereas the Sony provides a simple, wired listening experience with a focus on sound for specific mediums. 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 JLab Go Air Pop
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.1
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the JLab Go Air Pop is good.
Gaming
5.5
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
3.5
The JLab Go Air Pop and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the JLab Go Air Pop is somewhat better.
TV and Video
6.1
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Battery
9.0 Hours
N/A
The JLab Go Air Pop has 9 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$25
$20
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The JLab Go Air Pop has a price of $25 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The JLab Go Air Pop has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.7
5.4
The JLab Go Air Pop and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
6.5
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony MDREX15AP to be good for noise reduction, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
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How the JLab Go Air Pop and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JLab Go Air Pop | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$25 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JLab | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2021 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.6/10 | 4.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 9 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 27 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 3.9 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
JLab Go Air Pop
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | August 2023
"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."
Sony MDREX15AP
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Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the JLab Go Air Pop or the Sony MDREX15AP
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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
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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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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