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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize mic quality and long battery life for extended calls or meetings, the JLab JBuds Work Wireless would be a great pick, especially if you're on a budget, as they are significantly less expensive and offer good overall performance. They also provide solid build quality, excellent comfort, convenient built-in controls, and are suitable for use during exercise. However, if superior overall sound quality, lower weight, and more advanced features like active noise cancelling and wireless charging are more important for you and you're willing to pay a premium, then the Sony WF1000XM5 would be a better choice. These earbuds also have a higher rating for portability and air travel and offer app-based customization. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
6.8
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
8.8
5.1
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.3
5.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
4.9
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
5.4
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM5 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 WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$79
$298
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has a price of $79 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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How the JLab JBuds Work Wireless and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JLab JBuds Work Wireless | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$79 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JLab | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 60 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 158 Grams | 6 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 WF1000XM5
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Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"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 JBuds Work Wireless 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
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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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