JLab Jbuds Pods EBJBPODSRBLK124
Shokz OpenFit
What Buyers Say
JLab Jbuds Pods EBJBPODSRBLK124
The JLab JBuds Pods ANC earbuds are highly praised for their excellent value, offering a rich feature set at a budget-friendly price. Users consistently highlight the comfortable fit, long battery life, and good sound quality, though some note the ANC is decent but not top-tier. The JLab app adds customization options like EQ and touch controls, and features like wireless charging and multipoint Bluetooth are well-received. A few users mention the need to select the right ear tips for optimal sound and a minor app pairing quirk.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Comfortable fit
- Long battery life
- Good sound quality
- Wireless charging support
Cons
- ANC is decent but not top-tier
- Earbuds may fall out during activity
- App pairing quirk on iPhone
- Short USB-C cable included
- Need to select correct ear tips for optimal sound
Shokz OpenFit
Overall, users find these Shokz open-ear headphones comfortable and excellent for maintaining situational awareness. However, consistent complaints about unreliable touch controls and poor call quality with cutting in and out significantly detract from the experience. While some users love them for casual listening, others returned them due to major usability flaws.
Pros
- Comfortable over-ear fit
- Great situational awareness
- Lightweight design
- Clear audio quality
- Secure fit without falling out
Cons
- Unreliable touch controls
- Poor call quality with cutting out
- Not suitable for sleeping
- Fit different from headband version
- Controls are a stepdown from traditional Shokz
Scores
Specifications
| JLab Jbuds Pods EBJBPODSRBLK124 | Shokz OpenFit | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | open-ear |
| Wearing Style | stem | ear-hook |
| Ear Tips | 3 sets of gel tips | — |
| Weight | 0.12 kg★ | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | — |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 20 Hz★ | — |
| Freq Max | 20 kHz★ | — |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✗ | — |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SHOKZ OpenFit - Open-Ear True Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Microphone, Earbuds with Earhooks, Sweat Resistant, Fast Charging, 28HRS Playtime, Compatible with iPhone & Android (Renewed) |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓★ | ✗ |
| ANC Type | hybrid | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.4★ | — |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | — |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 10 hrs★ | 7 hrs |
| Charge Time | 0.16699999570846558 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 2 hours playback | 5-minute quick charge provides an hour of battery life |
| Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 56 hrs★ | 28 hrs |
| Case Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Wireless Charging | ✓★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | — |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant | — |
| Touch Controls | ✓★ | — |
| App | Jlab App | — |
| Gaming Mode | ✓★ | — |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | Water-Resistant |
Pros & Cons
JLab Jbuds Pods EBJBPODSRBLK124
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong connectivity (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong battery (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong anc (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
Shokz OpenFit
- Strong battery (72nd percentile)
- Strong build (71st percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (21st percentile)
- Below average sound (28th percentile)
- Below average comfort (29th percentile)
- Below average anc (31st percentile)
Pricing
JLab Jbuds Pods EBJBPODSRBLK124
Shokz OpenFit
No current pricing available
Verdict
Scores 87 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 19 of 33 specs.
