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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality, rich-sounding music and can invest more, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II might be a better choice; they lack a microphone, which limits their use for calls or meetings. On the other hand, JLab JBuds Work Wireless have solid performance for both music and calls, come with a boom microphone, and are more affordable — making them a versatile option, especially for work and gaming, given their higher scores in comfort, mic quality, and battery life. However, if travel and portability are concerns, the more compact Thieaudio could be preferable, though note their limited battery life when away from power sources. 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
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.8
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
8.8
6.7
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.3
5.1
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the JLab JBuds Work Wireless is poor.
Battery
60.0 Hours
N/A
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has 60 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$79
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless has a price of $79 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and JLab JBuds Work Wireless are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The JLab JBuds Work Wireless and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
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How the JLab JBuds Work Wireless and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JLab JBuds Work Wireless | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$79 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JLab | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 60 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 158 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
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."
Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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Dig into reviews and images
Audiophile On
Audiophile On | August 2021
"No other earphone I have listened to in the past 12 months has given me as much joy as the Thieaduio Monarch MKII. One of those IEMs will make you question where we can go from here. The sound is jaw-dropping, leaving you wanting more and more. It makes you want to run through your entire music library and reevaluate. It makes you not feel bad about paying full price for them, especially in a hobby where buyers' remorse is genuine. For me, it's top tier, rivaled by a few but not surpassed."
Get a great deal on the JLab JBuds Work Wireless or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Thieaudio
Thieaudio is the in-house brand of Linsoul Audio, a Chinese earbud and headphone retailer specializing in what the community lovingly calls Chi-fi, that is high fidelity brands out of China. Thieaudio was established in 2019 as the creative engineering branch of Linsoul. As of today, they market three different lines of earbuds, Voyager, Legacy and the extremely well-received Monarch.
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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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