Excellent value at an entry-level price point with solid features and ratings.
Price vs. rivals
Cheaper
CheaperTypicalPricier
Priced well below typical mid-range competitors, landing at the lower end of the budget segment.
Ease of use
Excellent 88/100
Simple pairing and intuitive touch controls make these earbuds easy for most users to operate.
Overview
The JLab Go Air Pop+ is a $27 pair of wireless earbuds that actually sound decent and work reliably – so yes, it’s worth it if you need cheap buds for everyday use. That’s a hard trick to pull off at this price, and JLab has been doing it for years with their Pop line.
These are for you if you want earbuds that stay connected, don’t wobble in your ears, and let you tweak the sound without an app. They won’t impress your audiophile cousin, but they’ll get you through podcasts, calls, and commutes without making you curse the battery. Think of them as the sensible sneakers of wireless earbuds – they do the job, they don’t fall apart, and you won’t cry if you lose one.
Key Features
Dual Connect technology – Each earbud connects independently to your phone, so you can use either one solo. That means you can keep one ear free for coffee orders or office chatter without losing music on the other side.
EQ3 sound presets – Tap the JLab logo to cycle through Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost modes. You get three distinct sound profiles stored on the buds themselves – no app needed, which is nice if you hate fiddling with phones.
Compact charging case – About the size of a lighter, it slides into a coin pocket or the tiny front pouch of a gym bag. The hinge feels solid for $27, though it’s all plastic.
IP55 rating – Sweat and dust resistant. Fine for a rainy bus stop or a Post-10 mile run, but don’t wash them in the sink.
Touch controls – Tap the outer panel to play/pause, skip tracks, answer calls, or toggle EQ. They’re responsive enough once you learn the pattern, but you’ll occasionally skip a song when you meant to pause.
USB-C charging – Not micro-USB, thank goodness. The case charges from flat to full in about two hours, and a quick 10-minute charge gives you an hour of play.
Fit for You
You commute by train or bus and want earbuds that won’t fall out when you yank your mask off.
You make smoothies every morning and need something cheap enough to survive an accidental rinse cycle.
You’re tired of losing one AirPod and want a $27 pair you can replace without wincing.
You listen to podcasts or audiobooks at work and need something discreet that doesn’t scream “look at my expensive gear.”
You have an Android phone that still has a headphone jack, but you’re curious why everyone switched to wireless.
Uses
These earbuds shine in noisy, crowded spaces. On a subway platform, the passive isolation – no active noise cancellation here – muffles the rumble enough that you can hear a podcast at moderate volume. The Bass Boost EQ helps mask the drone of train brakes without distorting vocals.
At the gym, they stay put during bench presses and treadmill sprints. The IP55 rating means sweat dripping off your forehead won’t kill them, though the touch controls can get confused if your fingers are wet. Best to wipe them dry before tapping.
For video calls on a laptop, the dual connect feature works well: pop out one bud when you need to hear a coworker, keep the other in for the meeting. The microphone is fine for quiet rooms – expect callers to say you sound “a little distant” if you’re on a windy street.
The case is small enough to slip into a jeans watch pocket, so you can carry the buds everywhere without feeling a bulge. That makes them a solid choice for short trips where you don’t want a bag.
Experience
Out of the box, pairing is straightforward: open the case, hold the button on the front until the light blinks, and select “JLab Go Air Pop+” on your phone. It takes about 15 seconds. And yes, the earbuds are labeled L and R inside the case – you’d think that’s obvious, but many cheap buds leave you guessing.
Wearing them for an hour feels fine. JLab includes three sizes of silicone tips, and the nozzle angle is pretty standard, so most ear shapes should find a snug seal. If you’re unlucky, the buds might feel slightly top-heavy after 90 minutes – they’re not as low-profile as some competitors. Take a break every couple of hours.
The touch controls take a day to learn. A single tap is play/pause, double-tap skips forward, triple-tap skips back, and a long press cycles EQ. You’ll accidentally trigger them when adjusting the buds or scratching your ear. It’s annoying, but you get better at using the edges of the panel instead of the center.
Battery life is typical for this price: you’ll get about six hours of continuous playback at medium volume. The case adds two more full charges, so around 18 hours total. Not class-leading, but enough for a work week of commutes without plugging in. The USB-C port is on the front of the case, which makes it easy to charge while the case is lying flat – no awkward cable angles.
Cleaning is simple: just wipe the mesh with a dry cloth every few weeks. The charging contacts inside the case can collect pocket lint, so check them monthly and blow them out. Owners tend to report that the earbuds themselves hold up well to daily abuse – the plastic scratches but doesn’t crack.
The one small annoyance: the case lid doesn’t have a magnetic snap. It closes securely, but if you drop the case from waist height, the lid can pop open and send buds flying. Hold onto it when you’re fumbling for keys.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Price-to-performance ratio – For $27, you get dual-connect earbuds with three EQ modes and an IP55 rating. Nothing else in this bracket matches that combination.
EQ on the earbuds – You don’t need an app. Tap once to switch between Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost. That’s rare at any price.
Reliable connectivity – They stay paired up to about 30 feet through a wall. No dropouts when you walk from the kitchen to the garage.
Compact case – Smaller than a typical AirPods case, which makes pocket carry easy. The USB-C port is on the front, so it charges flat on a desk.
Call quality in quiet spaces – Calls sound clear indoors. The microphone picks up your voice, not the traffic outside.
Cons
No active noise cancellation – For this price, that’s expected. But if you need to block out engine noise on a plane, you’ll want foam tips or ANC.
Touch controls can be fiddly – False taps happen more often than you’d like. You’ll learn to tap near the edge, but it’s still a minor irritation.
Case lid lacks strong magnet – Dropping the case can bounce the lid open and scatter buds. Hold it properly when moving.
Bass Boost can get muddy – The Signature preset is the most balanced. Bass Boost adds thump but sacrifices clarity on complex tracks. Good for EDM, not for acoustic.
No multipoint connection – You can’t connect to your phone and laptop at the same time. You have to manually disconnect and re-pair if you switch devices.
Advantages
The JLab Go Air Pop+ outdoes most budget competitors by offering dual connect and EQ3 sound presets without requiring a smartphone app. Many cheap earbuds force you to download a clunky app just to change EQ, but here it’s built into the hardware. That makes them extra appealing for people who hate bloatware or who want to hand them to a parent who doesn’t use apps.
Compared to the original JLab Go Air Pop, the “+” version improves the case design (USB-C instead of micro-USB) and adds the IP55 rating. The core audio performance is similar, but the extra durability and modern charging make the Pop+ the better long-term buy.
EQ3 presets stored on the earbuds – no app needed
IP55 sweat/dust resistance vs. IPX4 on the original Pop
USB-C charging case (original Pop used micro-USB)
Dual connect works independently – use either bud solo
Who Should Buy
Buy them if: you want a reliable second pair of earbuds for the gym, commuting, or the office. Or if you’re on a tight budget and need something that works well for calls and podcasts.
Skip them if: you need active noise cancellation, or if you want earbuds that sound great with complex music (jazz, classical). Also skip them if you rely on multipoint Bluetooth – these don’t have it.
Look instead at: the Soundcore by Anker Life P3 for ANC and app support (around $45), or the earlier JLab Go Air Pop (non-plus) if you’re fine with micro-USB and IPX4 and want to save a few bucks.
FAQ
Is the JLab Go Air Pop+ worth it?
Yes, especially at $27. You get dual connect earbuds with three EQ presets, a compact USB-C case, and IP55 sweat resistance. The only real trade-offs are the lack of ANC and the fiddly touch controls.
How long does the battery last?
Roughly six hours per charge of the earbuds, plus two more charges from the case – about 18 hours total. That’s typical for budget earbuds and enough for a week of daily commuting.
Is the JLab Go Air Pop+ good for running?
Yes, thanks to the IP55 rating and a secure fit if you use the right ear tip size. They stay put during jogs and quick sprints. Just make sure you don’t tap the controls accidentally when you wipe sweat.
Can you use only one earbud at a time?
Absolutely. The dual connect feature lets each bud pair independently, so you can use either the left or right alone. Perfect for listening while keeping one ear free for conversations.
How does the EQ3 sound work?
Tap the JLab logo on either earbud three times to cycle through Signature (neutral), Balanced (slight warmth), and Bass Boost (heavy low-end). The setting is saved on the buds, so it persists even after you turn them off.
What’s the difference between JLab Go Air Pop+ vs JLab Go Air Pop?
The Pop+ has USB-C charging instead of micro-USB, an IP55 rating vs. IPX4, and a slightly redesigned case. Audio quality is nearly identical. Go with the Pop+ if you want modern charging and better water resistance.
Final Verdict
The JLab Go Air Pop+ nails the essentials: reliable pairing, a comfortable fit, and sound that you can shape to your taste. For $27, they’re the best budget earbuds for commuting and everyday use right now – especially if you don’t want to mess with an app.
Just keep in mind that you’re trading noise cancellation and a premium feel for a price that lets you buy a backup pair without guilt. If that sounds like a fair trade, you won’t be disappointed.
At $26.99, the JLab Go Air Pop+ sits right in the sweet spot where budget earbuds stop feeling like a gamble and start delivering legit everyday performance. It’s not the cheapest pair out there, but it undercuts most mainstream options by a solid $10–$20, and it brings a handful of genuinely useful features—like three distinct EQ presets and a low-latency mode—that you usually have to pay extra for. That price also means you’re compromising on battery life compared to pricier rivals, and the case doesn’t support wireless charging. But for anyone who wants decent sound, reliable connectivity, and a fit that stays put during a commute, the Pop+ earns its 4.4-star average.
Product
Price Range
Key Strength
Key Weakness
Best For
JLab Go Air Pop+
$26.99
Three EQ presets that actually change the sound; dual-connect for either earbud solo use
Total battery (buds + case) is only ~22 hours; case feels plasticky
Budget-conscious commuters who want flexible sound tuning
JLab Go Air Pop (base)
$22.99
Same fit and drivers; slightly cheaper
No EQ3 presets, no low-latency mode; older Bluetooth chip
Absolute minimum spend for a functional pair
Soundcore Life P2 Mini
$29.99
IPX7 water resistance; stronger bass out of the box
Bulky case; touch controls can be finicky
Runners or gym users who need serious sweat protection
EarFun Free Pro 2
$39.99
Deeper bass and wider soundstage; 30-hour total battery
Bigger buds; no dedicated low-latency mode
People who prioritise audio quality and longer playtime over saving $13
JLab Go Air Pop+ vs JLab Go Air Pop — What’s the extra $4 for?
The base Go Air Pop is still a solid $22.99 option, but the Pop+ fixes the two biggest annoyances of the original. First, the EQ3 sound feature gives you three presets (Balanced, Bass Boost, and a “Signature” JLab curve) that you cycle through by tapping the logo on each bud. On the base model you’re stuck with one sound profile, and it’s a bit flat. Second, the Pop+ uses a newer Bluetooth chip that supports dual connect — you can use either bud solo without re-pairing. That matters if you keep one in your ear on a phone call while the other charges in the case. The base Pop can’t do that; it’s always the right bud that’s the “master.” If you don’t care about EQ tweaks or single-bud calls, save the four bucks. But for most people, the Pop+ is worth the small bump.
JLab Go Air Pop+ vs Soundcore Life P2 Mini — Which is better for commuting?
Both are contenders for best budget earbuds for commuting, but they lean different ways. The Soundcore Life P2 Mini has an IPX7 rating — you can literally rinse them under a tap. That’s overkill for a bus ride, but if your commute involves sweating on a bike or getting caught in rain, it’s a real advantage. The Pop+ is only IPX5, which handles splashes but not a full spray. On the flip side, the Pop+ case is noticeably slimmer and slides into a jeans coin pocket. The Soundcore case is a chunky pill that bulges in a front pocket. Sound quality is a toss-up: the Soundcore has a heavier bass hit, but the Pop+ with its Signature EQ sounds more balanced for podcasts and spoken word. I’d pick the Pop+ unless you absolutely need waterproofing, in which case the Soundcore wins.
JLab Go Air Pop+ vs EarFun Free Pro 2 — When $13 makes a difference
The EarFun Free Pro 2 costs about $13 more, and for that you get a noticeably wider soundstage and better instrument separation. If you listen to orchestral rock or complex electronic music on your commute, the EarFun pair will pull out details the Pop+ glosses over. They also offer 30 total hours of playback versus the Pop+’s 22. But the EarFun buds are bigger — they stick out of your ears more, and if you sleep on your side they can be uncomfortable. The Pop+ sits flush. The EarFun also lacks a dedicated low-latency mode for gaming; the Pop+ has a triple-tap to activate “Movie” mode that cuts lag for videos. For the price gap, the EarFun is better if audio quality and battery are your top priorities. If you want something smaller, cheaper, and with gaming-friendly latency, the Pop+ is the smarter call.
So, is the JLab Go Air Pop+ worth it? For anyone who wants a trustworthy, no-nonsense pair of wireless earbuds for under $30 and doesn’t need extreme waterproofing or marathon battery, yes — it’s the best all-rounder at this price. The EQ3 presets give you control the base model lacks, dual connect is genuinely handy, and the fit stays put during a crowded train ride. But if you’re a runner who gets drenched in sweat, skip it and grab the Soundcore Life P2 Mini. If you’re an audio snob on a tight budget who can stretch to $40, the EarFun Free Pro 2 delivers better sound and longer playtime. For everyone else, the Pop+ is the sweet spot.
Ready to decide on the JLab Go Air Pop+?
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