JLab Go Air Review: Affordable IPX4 TWS Earbuds That Deliver Value

Looking for budget-friendly TWS earbuds with solid IPX4 protection? JLab Go Air offers decent performance without breaking the bank.

Unpacking the JLab Go Air Experience

When JLab Go Air hit the scene, they marked the dawn of a new wave of truly wireless earbuds that wouldn’t drain your wallet. Since their launch, the market has flooded with ultra-cheap options that still manage to deliver surprisingly reliable connections and battery life—despite their bargain-basement prices.

Of course, you won’t mistake the sound quality here for anything high-end. These earbuds sound noticeably inexpensive, which is exactly what you should expect given they cost a fraction of premium TWS models. But hey, for a price that’s sometimes slashed by 30-50%, you get what you pay for—and these little guys do their job well.

We’ll dive deeper into their features shortly, but the main takeaway is simple: JLab Go Air are exactly what their price promises—nothing more, nothing less.

That said, a slight wrinkle is the presence of a newer sibling—the JLab Go Air Pop. These even cheaper earbuds, at just $20, punch surprisingly above their weight in sound quality for general music listening.

Pricing Snapshot and Where to Find Them

At just $29, JLab Go Air are a stunningly low-cost entry into the fully wireless earbuds club.

To put that into perspective: they’re $20 cheaper than JLab’s previous budget model, the JBuds Air, which earned a respectable four out of five stars in reviews. Meanwhile, premium options like Sony’s WF-1000XM3 launched at a staggering $230—making Go Air a budget steal by comparison.

Using JLab Go Air: What to Expect

These earbuds don’t require installing any specific app for operation; you switch EQ modes with simple taps on the earbud body. This keeps things straightforward with no worries about software locks or glitches.

Bluetooth pairing is smooth and stable across all smartphones. Voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, or even your phone’s native assistant activate through standard gestures and respond perfectly in your language settings.

Design: Simple, Practical, and Barebones

Available in white, khaki, black, and dark blue, the Go Air earbuds sport a functional look reminiscent of the JBuds Air. A standout feature is their magnetized fit into the charging case—but there’s a catch: the case is open, lacking a lid, so the earbuds are exposed to the elements.

Thanks to the magnets, the earbuds stay put even if you flip the case upside down or give it a shake. Just don’t try hurling it across the room! The downside? Without a cover, dust and debris can settle in easily, meaning you’ll want to clean these babies regularly.

The materials scream budget, with a rather plasticky feel. But it’s not all bad news—they have an IPX4 water resistance rating, so they’re gym-ready. Just don’t expect any design awards here.

A clever touch: the charging case includes a built-in USB cable that fits snugly into the bottom. No more rummaging for cables—though, heads up, if that cable breaks, you’re out of luck for charging both case and buds.

Physically, these earbuds are smaller than the JBuds Air by about 20%, making for a snug fit. They come with three sizes of gel tips for a decent seal, and while they’re comfortable for workouts, an option for ear wings would have been a welcome addition to keep them locked in place better.

Touch controls live on the outside where the JLab logo sits, letting you play/pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, and switch EQ modes with taps. Double-tap the left earbud to summon your phone’s voice assistant without fumbling for your device.

We tested a prerelease pair and got word that JLab plans software tweaks to improve touch control responsiveness. Currently, it works well most of the time but occasionally misreads two and three taps.

Battery Life and Connectivity That Punch Above Their Weight

Battery expectations should be modest but fair. The charging case offers 15 hours of juice, while each earbud runs for up to five hours on a single charge. That’s on the lower edge for TWS earbuds, though not far off from Apple AirPods’ combined 24 hours.

In real-world use—listening to a mix of music and podcasts at moderate volume—battery life matched the advertised specs pretty well.

Bluetooth 5.0 powers a quick, reliable pairing process, and after the initial setup, the earbuds connect automatically when you open the case.

One unexpected perk: these earbuds can connect independently. That means you can use one earbud while the other charges, effectively doubling your listening time if you don’t mind mono audio.

Sound Quality: What You’re Really Getting

Now for the big caveat: sound quality is where the Go Air reveal their budget roots. If you’re chasing audio fidelity, these won’t satisfy.

JLab includes three EQ presets to tweak your listening experience:

• JLab Signature: Boosts highs and lows for a punchy sound.
• Bass Boost: Amplifies the lowest frequencies for heavier bass.
• Balanced: Offers a more neutral, flat sound.

We found Balanced mode the best overall; Signature’s mids felt buried, and Bass Boost got muddy fast.

Listening to Little Simz’s “Selfish,” the rapping was clear enough, but the bass overwhelmed the mix, muddying the mids and leaving the track sounding blurry.

The lush string arrangements and backing vocals, typically beautiful and haunting in the original, came across dull and tinny here, while percussion lacked its usual snap.

A lighter track like “101 FM” fared better, with a pleasant musical bounce, but bass still dominated most elements. Noise hiss was noticeable, even when music wasn’t playing.

The Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” sounded fuller than bass-heavy tracks but still struggled with precision. The earbuds captured the song’s energetic horns and vocal harmonies well enough to keep things enjoyable.

One downside for video watchers and gamers is a noticeable audio lag. Without support for low-latency codecs like aptX, sync issues can be frustrating, making these earbuds less ideal for gaming and video.

Final Verdict: Good for the Price, But Know What You’re Buying

After spending several days with the JLab Go Air, the verdict is clear—you get exactly what you pay for. They’re not for audiophiles or gamers craving low-latency Bluetooth, but for under $30, they have their place.

The emergence of sub-$30 TWS earbuds means wireless freedom is no longer a luxury. Need an inexpensive pair for kids? These could fit the bill.

Or maybe you want a backup pair to toss in your bag for emergencies or festival outings—so you don’t risk losing your high-end headphones in the crowd. They’re a practical, no-frills choice.

If you want better sound but still like JLab’s budget approach, check out the JBuds Air Executive at $69. They offer improved audio and battery life.

For those ready to spend a bit more, the Lypertek Tevi around $85 delivers nearly flawless performance for the price.

"You get what you pay for—but that doesn’t mean you should overlook an excellent value."

FAQ

• What is the battery life of JLab Go Air earbuds? You get about 5 hours of playback per charge and an additional 15 hours from the charging case.
• Do JLab Go Air earbuds have water resistance? Yes, they have an IPX4 rating, making them sweat and splash-resistant—great for workouts.
• Are the earbuds compatible with voice assistants? Absolutely! Double-tap the left earbud to activate Siri, Google Assistant, or your phone's voice assistant.
• Can I use one earbud independently? Yes, each earbud can connect independently, allowing you to use one while the other charges.
• How's the sound quality of JLab Go Air? It’s basic and budget-friendly. Balanced EQ mode offers the best experience, but expect muted mids and heavy bass.

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