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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you are looking for earbuds that excel in sound quality and noise isolation, especially in busier environments like air travel, the Sony WF1000XM3 may be a better choice with its active noise cancelling feature. However, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless offer a significantly longer battery life, better microphone quality for calls and meetings, and are deemed more comfortable, which could be beneficial for extended use in work settings. They also have a more rugged build and are more versatile with both wireless and wired options. Consider the JLab JBuds if cost and versatility are your main concerns, or choose the Sony WF1000XM3 for better noise cancellation and audio quality. 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 JBuds Work Wireless
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
7.5
The Sony WF1000XM3 is good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
8.8
5.6
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.3
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good.
TV and Video
7.9
5.7
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is poor.
Battery
60.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$79
$180
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has a price of $79 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Sony WF1000XM3 both have excellent build quality.
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How the JLab JBuds Work Wireless and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JLab JBuds Work Wireless | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$79 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JLab | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 60 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 158 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Sony WF1000XM3
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the JLab JBuds Work Wireless or the Sony WF1000XM3
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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