$25 JLab earbuds vs AirPods: why the gap has closed

Key Takeaways

• JLab GO POP+ earbuds cost $25 and deliver sound quality comparable to earbuds costing 10x more
• AirPods' real value lies in Apple ecosystem features like Find My and seamless device switching, not audio quality
• Budget earbuds now include features like app integration and customizable touch controls that were premium-only two years ago

A tech journalist who reviews earbuds for a living has concluded that his favorite pair costs $25. Bertel King, writing for How-To Geek, tested the JLab GO POP+ against earbuds and headphones costing ten times as much and found the sound quality gap "hardly noticeable." His verdict raises an uncomfortable question for anyone eyeing Apple's $130 to $250 AirPods lineup: are premium earbuds still worth it?

The answer depends on what you're paying for. King argues that Apple's real product isn't superior audio. It's ecosystem lock-in.

What do AirPods actually give you for $250?

AirPods pair instantly with iPhones. They switch between MacBooks and iPads without fiddling with Bluetooth settings. They integrate with Apple Find My, so you can locate a lost earbud. Newer models double as hearing aids. These are genuine conveniences, but none of them relate to sound quality.

Samsung, Google, and Nothing have copied the model. Galaxy Buds 4 Pro costs $250. Pixel Buds exist primarily for Pixel owners. Nothing Phone buyers get Nothing Ear. The pattern is clear: phone makers want earbuds to be an accessory sale, not a standalone purchase evaluated on audio merit.

King points out this wasn't always the case. Before AirPods launched in 2016, audio specialists like Sony and JBL dominated the earbud market. Prices were lower. The shift to phone-branded earbuds coincided with a shift to phone-branded pricing.

The $25 alternative: JLab GO POP+

King bought two pairs of JLab GO POP+ earbuds at $20 each during a sale. The regular price is $25. For that, you get 35+ hours of battery life, a compact round case, an integrated USB-C charging cable, Google Fast Pair support, and Find My Device compatibility.

The case fits easily in a pocket. The integrated cable means no hunting for a charger. The buds support app integration and customizable touch controls. These features were premium-tier two years ago.

King's strongest claim: the sound quality difference between these $25 buds and his $200+ review units is barely perceptible. He switches between them without noticing degradation.

What you lose at $25

The JLab GO POP+ lacks active noise cancellation and multipoint Bluetooth. These omissions matter to some users. ANC blocks ambient noise on flights or in open offices. Multipoint lets you connect to two devices simultaneously, useful if you switch between a laptop and phone throughout the day.

King's counter: are these features worth $225? For him, no. He doesn't miss ANC enough to pay four to five times more. That calculus will differ for frequent flyers or people working in loud environments.

The deeper trade-off is build quality and longevity. A $25 pair that lasts 18 months before the battery degrades still costs less over three years than $250 AirPods. But if you expect five years from premium earbuds, the math changes.

Why a reviewer keeps cheap buds everywhere

King's usage pattern explains his preference. He keeps the JLab GO Pods ANC in his Nintendo Switch 2 case. CMF Buds 2 sit on his desk. JLab Epic Open Sport lives in a travel bag. Scattering earbuds around the house and office only makes sense when each pair costs $20 to $25.

Try that with AirPods Pro and you're looking at $750 for three pairs. The convenience of always having earbuds nearby becomes expensive with premium hardware.

He also prefers wingtip or stemless designs. Most phone-branded earbuds have moved away from this form factor, following Apple's stem aesthetic. Budget brands still offer variety.

The "good enough" threshold keeps rising

Chinese manufacturers have compressed the quality gap between budget and premium earbuds. Brands like JLab, QCY, Soundpeats, and Earfun ship products under $30 with respectable drivers, decent battery life, and features that were flagship-exclusive in 2020.

Apple still holds around 35% of the global wireless earbud market, and wearables contribute over $35 billion annually to its revenue. The brand premium remains strong. But the audio quality justification for that premium has eroded.

King's piece stops short of declaring AirPods a bad purchase. If you live inside Apple's ecosystem and value the integration features, the price may be justified. But if you're buying earbuds to listen to music and take calls, $25 now gets you there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are $25 earbuds as good as AirPods for sound quality?

According to How-To Geek's reviewer, the JLab GO POP+ sounds comparable to earbuds costing 10x more. The gap has narrowed significantly since 2020, though premium earbuds still offer marginally better tuning and driver quality.

What features do budget earbuds lack compared to AirPods?

The JLab GO POP+ lacks active noise cancellation, multipoint Bluetooth, and Apple ecosystem integration like Find My, seamless device switching, and spatial audio. It does include Google Fast Pair and Find My Device support.

How long do $25 earbuds last compared to AirPods?

Battery longevity depends on usage patterns and charging habits. The JLab GO POP+ offers 35+ hours total battery life. Long-term durability data for budget earbuds varies, but even replacing them every 18 months costs less than one AirPods purchase.

Which budget earbud brands are worth considering?

JLab, QCY, Soundpeats, and Earfun consistently receive positive reviews for earbuds under $50. JLab specifically offers app integration and customizable controls at the $25 price point.

Should iPhone users buy budget earbuds instead of AirPods?

It depends on how much you value Apple ecosystem features. AirPods offer seamless pairing, device switching, and Find My integration that third-party earbuds can't replicate. If those features don't matter to you, budget earbuds deliver comparable audio for 90% less.

Source: How-To Geek