JLab Go Pods ANC Review: Why I’ll Never Buy Expensive Headphones Again

Affordable noise-cancelling earbuds with surprisingly great sound and comfort at a fraction of the price.

I’ll admit, I was hesitant at first to test out earbuds claiming to be the "cheapest with active noise cancellation" on the market. But let me clear up any doubts: the JLab Go Pods ANC are absolutely fantastic for what they cost.

Given that these budget-friendly earbuds come from JLab, a brand well-known for affordable audio gear, maybe I shouldn’t have been so surprised. Still, anyone who's tried to pinch pennies on tech knows you can't take even trusted brands at face value. So, are these earbuds the best noise-cancelling buds out there? Not exactly. But if you add the word cheap to that question, then maybe yes.

They’re cheap, they have ANC, and they’re definitely earbuds. More than that, they hold their own in sound quality and comfort, ticking all the right boxes. But are they really the cheapest ANC earbuds? Possibly. What they undoubtedly have over same-priced competitors is solid sound quality: crisp highs, rich mids, deep bass, and a surprisingly wide soundstage uncommon in earbuds twice their price.

The active noise cancellation works pretty well too — it drowns out background noise gently but effectively. Transparency mode, though? That’s a nightmare, amplifying every little sound around you to an almost annoying degree.

Comfort-wise, these little guys are winners — lightweight and easy to wear for hours without discomfort. The tiny plastic charging case fits snugly in your pocket, too.

The Quirks That Keep Them Real

Of course, nothing's perfect. My pet peeve? JLab swapped the usual charging port for a built-in cable in the case, meaning you have to plug the case into something else to charge it, rather than plugging a cable into the case itself. In theory, it’s genius: you can charge it from your phone or laptop without carrying extra cables. In practice? It’s a hassle. You can’t just use your go-to USB-C charger or public charging stations easily.

Then there’s the fit. The included ear tips didn’t hold well at all. When walking or running, the earbuds started falling out quite fast. Thankfully, you can swap tips for third-party ones if you want a secure fit.

Still, these are minor annoyances in the grand scheme. For a first pair of ANC earbuds, they’re a fantastic bang for your buck.

JLab Go Pods ANC: Price and Release Date

• Released: Summer 2025
• Price: Around $100 USD

These earbuds were announced in May 2025 and hit shelves shortly after. At roughly $100, they’re among the most affordable noise-cancelling earbuds on the market right now.

Technical Specs at a Glance

Key Features That Impress

The JLab Go Pods ANC stand out with smart features and compact form.

• Solid 5-hour battery life with ANC on
• Effective ANC but questionable transparency mode
• Useful customization options via JLab app

Throughout my testing, I never faced Bluetooth dropouts — a relief for those worried about connection stability. The JLab app lets you tweak various settings, from ANC modes to EQ presets. However, toggling noise-cancelling modes took some getting used to; the physical buttons are the real way to switch modes rather than the app’s sliders.

The app also features a 10-band equalizer with three presets plus a customizable setting, which is pretty advanced for this price point. You can fine-tune your sound to your heart’s content— a neat touch for audiophiles on a budget.

Other quirky app features include volume limiters for ear safety, the option to customize touch controls, switching between music and cinema modes (the latter boosts sound spread at the cost of clarity), and even an interval timer for workouts — an unusual but handy tool for fitness buffs.

Battery-wise, JLab claims 7.5 hours per charge without ANC, which matched my experience. The case extends playback to 26 hours, which is on par for true wireless earbuds in this range.

As for ANC quality, it's surprisingly effective for such affordable buds. It muffles most background noise well, though a faint hum remains, and sharp sounds aren’t completely silenced. Still, for this price, it outperforms many rivals.

The “Be Aware” mode, JLab’s take on Transparency, was less enjoyable. Instead of blending ambient sounds naturally, it made every sound jarringly loud, which got irritating fast.

Rating for features: 4/5

Design: Small, Light, But Not Without Flaws

Minimalist and pocket-friendly charging case of JLab Go Pods ANC.

• Featherlight earbuds and case
• Built-in charging cable in case
• Ear tips struggle to stay put

The charging case measures just 4.52 x 6 x 2.61 cm — a pebble-sized wonder that opens sideways and weighs a mere 27.6 grams. For comparison, most cases I review weigh about twice as much. This makes it incredibly pocket-friendly.

Instead of a typical USB-C port, the case sports a built-in USB-C cable. Theoretically, this lets you charge it directly from your phone or laptop without carrying extra cables. But in real life, it’s a bit of a headache since I couldn’t use my usual USB-C chargers or public charging spots easily. Definitely a design choice that may divide users.

Each earbud weighs just 4.2 grams, lighter than many competitors, with a stem design featuring a flat bottom and a slightly angled tip for better fit. The earbuds have touch controls, which work well but sometimes misfire — like registering two taps when you intended one. The default control setup feels a bit awkward, so customizing via the app is recommended.

I love lightweight earbuds for long wear without ear fatigue, but here’s the catch: the included ear tips just don’t grip well. Whether walking or jogging, the earbuds fell out regularly despite trying all three provided tip sizes. For active users, swapping them out is essential.

Though the case lacks official water resistance, the earbuds themselves have IP55 rating — dust resistant and splash-proof against light water jets like rain or sweat, but definitely not swim-proof.

Available in black, purple, and green, I tested the black version.

Design Rating: 3.5/5

Sound Quality: Punchy and Clear for the Price

Sound performance compares well to pricier rivals.

• Single 10mm driver
• Deep bass and clear highs
• High max volume without distortion

I was pleasantly surprised by the sound quality. They wouldn’t replace premium buds like Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in my collection, but for this price, they’re impressively good.

In the default “JLab Signature” EQ mode, music comes through bright with clear highs and mids and an ample soundstage that lets you pick out harmonies and details easily.

Sure, when multiple instruments play simultaneously or high-hats kick in, some distortion creeps in, but even pricier headphones struggle with tricky mixes.

I mostly listened with a heavily customized EQ, and the bass response blew me away. With the right settings and tracks, these earbuds deliver richness and depth rare for budget models. Even flat out of the box, bass lines are punchy and distinct.

Max volume is notably high — higher than you might want unless you accidentally crank it like I did once. At loud volumes, distortion stays relatively low compared to many others.

Sound Quality Rating: 4/5

Price to Performance: A Rare Win

An unbeatable value in the ANC earbud market.

JLab Go Pods ANC are arguably the cheapest earbuds with noise cancellation worth buying. Their feature set, sound quality, and comfort put them well above “good for the price” — they’re genuinely good overall.

JLab didn’t need to price these so low, but doing so makes them a killer deal for budget shoppers.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Should You Buy JLab Go Pods ANC?

Other Budget Earbud Options to Consider

• JLab Go Pop ANC: A close cousin with a nearly identical feature set but a different design, priced similarly or slightly cheaper depending on your region.
• Earfun Air 2: Similar in look to JBL earbuds but lacks ANC. Slightly pricier than Go Pods.
• JBL Wave Beam: Another affordable alternative with similar style, smaller driver, and no ANC but solid battery life.

How I Tested the JLab Go Pods ANC

Tested over a month in varied real-life scenarios.

• Four weeks of testing
• Used at home, office, during workouts, and casual walks
• Connected mostly to an Android phone for Spotify, streaming movies, gaming, and voice notes

Having tested various JLab products and other brands over five years, I can say these earbuds hold their own impressively well.

"If you add the word cheap to that question, then maybe yes." — JLab Go Pods ANC Reviewer

FAQ

• How long does the battery last with noise cancellation turned on?
  Around 5 hours per charge, with the case extending total playback to about 26 hours.
• Do the earbuds stay securely in the ears during exercise?
  Not with the included tips. You’ll likely need to swap for third-party tips for a more secure fit.
• Can I customize the sound settings?
  Yes, via the JLab app which includes a 10-band equalizer and multiple presets.
• Is the transparency (Be Aware) mode effective?
  It tends to amplify ambient noise uncomfortably rather than blending it smoothly.
• What about water resistance?
  The earbuds have IP55 rating, protecting against dust and sweat/rain, but not suitable for swimming.

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