The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If cost is a primary concern, the JLab Go Air Pop earbuds are significantly more affordable and offer very good use during exercise, portability, and battery life, making them suitable for active lifestyles. However, they fall short in sound quality, call quality, and are not the best choice for gaming or watching TV. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM5 earbuds, while more expensive, provide very good overall sound quality, active noise cancellation, and features like an app equalizer, virtual surround sound, and ear/head detection. These premium features enhance listening experiences, particularly for music enthusiasts and frequent air travelers looking for high-quality noise isolation. 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
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM5
Very good for music
Key differences
Music
7.1/10
8.0/10
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for music, while the JLab Go Air Pop is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.7/10
4.9/10
The JLab Go Air Pop and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JLab Go Air Pop is somewhat better.
TV and Video
6.1/10
5.4/10
The JLab Go Air Pop is only fair for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5/10
8.7/10
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Cost
$25
$298
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The JLab Go Air Pop has a price of $25 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
9.0/10
8.5/10
The JLab Go Air Pop has excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM5 has very good build quality.
"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."
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Get a great deal on the JLab Go Air Pop or the Sony WF1000XM5
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
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.
Jason Lew
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.
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.