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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Certainly, considering the price difference, your decision may largely depend on your specific needs and budget. If you're looking for earbuds that provide high-quality sound with active noise cancellation and are geared for an audiophile experience, the Sony WF1000XM4 would likely be the superior choice. Sony's model also tends to offer more features, such as touch controls, a high-performance microphone, and a refined design. On the other hand, if you are seeking a more budget-friendly option for everyday use, such as work calls or casual listening, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless may suit your needs without a significant compromise on basic functionality. Keep in mind that while the JLab might not match Sony in terms of sound quality and noise cancellation, they are often durable, offer decent battery life, and include practical features that are adequate for routine tasks. Remember, the Sony WF1000XM4 typically stands out in terms of overall sound quality and advanced features; however, if those aspects don't justify the higher cost for you, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless can still be a satisfactory and cost-effective alternative. 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
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent 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 WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.3
6.7
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good.
TV and Video
7.9
6.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is poor.
Battery
60.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$79
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has a price of $79 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JLab JBuds Work Wireless to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
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How the JLab JBuds Work Wireless and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JLab JBuds Work Wireless | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$79 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JLab | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 60 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 158 Grams | 6.5 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 WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the JLab JBuds Work Wireless or the Sony WF1000XM4
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
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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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