JLAB JBuds Sport ANC 4 review: Bargain sports buds with strong bass

Another year, another round of releases from the budget wireless earbuds manufacturer known as JLab. The California-based audio brand has put out a variety of low-priced sporty models that rank among the best running headphones and best workout headphones. It hopes to have another with the all-new JBuds Sport ANC 4.

This sequel has an impressive spec sheet that consists of 10mm drivers, active noise cancellation, built-in exercise features, customizable sound settings, and some of the longest battery life we’ve seen (up to 60 hours via wireless charging case). Unfortunately, however, these buds are also flawed in many ways.

Scroll down to read our full analysis of the JLab JBuds Sport ANC 4.

JLAB JBuds Sport ANC 4 REVIEW: Cheat sheet

· What is it? A new set of affordable sports wireless earbuds with ANC and many features.

· What does it cost? $69

· Who is it for? Fitness buffs that want strong audio and reliable fit for a low price.

· What should you use them for? Listening to music at the gym.

· What are their weaknesses? ANC and call quality.

JLAB JBuds Sport ANC 4 review: Price & availability

Consumers can purchase the JBuds Sport ANC 4 for $69 / £54 / AU$105 on JLab’s website or popular retailers like Amazon and Walmart. Color options are Cobalt Blue, Graphite, Pink, and Teal.

The JBuds Sport ANC 4 are priced lower than Beats’ two top-selling sports earbuds – the $199 Fit Pro and Powerbeats Pro – as well as the $229 Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2). If these buds are out of your financial reach, check out the $19 JBuds Air Sport, which provide IP55 sweat and water resistance and optimal fit, but fewer features.

JLAB JBuds Sport ANC 4 review: Design

• A plain and practical aesthetic
• Incredibly sturdy
• Excellent fit with tolerable comfort

The earbuds have a solid build quality, with hard plastic making up their entire composition. IP66 certification translates to dirt-/sweat-proofing and water resistance. JLab’s charging case remains compact, slim, and well-protected. It’s strong enough to survive falls on hard surfaces. This version swaps out the built-in USB-A charging cable for a USB-C charging cable.

The brand’s popular earhook design is perfect for high-intensity workouts and the silicone tips form a tight seal for proper stability. Wearability is affected by the plastic, which applies pressure to the inner ear and becomes fatiguing after 2 hours. You won’t feel anything during workouts, but pain is inevitable when using the buds for leisure and longer periods.

JLAB JBuds Sport ANC 4 review: Features

• Companion app support
• Many useful perks

Downloading the JLab app (Android/iOS) gives you access to numerous features, including an adjustable EQ with presets, control customization, firmware updates, Music & Movie modes, Noise Control modes (ANC/Transparency), and a Safe Hearing mode to set decibel levels.

The My Lab tab hosts an Ambient Sounds mode with several pleasant-sounding profiles that ensure tranquility. Another feature is the audio burn-in tool that supposedly enhances sound by playing static noise or music for several hours to break in your buds. JLab recommends doing this for 40 hours to achieve better results. Bear in mind that the jury is still out on whether this method works. 

Lastly, the JBuds Sport ANC 4 have an Interval Timer for workouts, so you can time exercises and repeat sets as you please. I found it useful when lifting and performing planks.

JLAB JBuds Sport ANC 4 review: Controls

• Improved touch accuracy
• Brilliant volume strip
• Dependable voice assistance

JLab’s touch controls have been some of the category’s worst. The JBuds Sport ANC change this narrative. Touch accuracy is much better, allowing users to enable a plethora of functions through single-/double-/triple-tap and long-hold gestures. On the list: call management, digital assistance, interval activation, listening mode, switch EQ, timer, and volume. New to the series is a volume strip that is placed above the touch panel for seamless adjustment via slide gestures. Both input methods operate smoothly for instantaneous execution. 

Google Assistant and Siri are available for hands-free voice commands. JLab’s mic array demonstrates decent speech recognition to read and register most verbal inquiries correctly. I had a sore throat during testing, so there were moments when requests weren’t properly recorded, though I had my wife test both AI bots and she says they functioned well.

JLAB JBuds Sport ANC 4 review: Sound quality

• Stimulating sound
• Lack of highs
• Bass Boost EQ is too aggressive
• No hi-res playback

The JBuds Sport ANC will give exercisers the sound they desire to complete intense workouts. Music is dynamic and lively, with heavy bass response that brings a thumpy presence to your favorite tracks.

Gorillaz’s “Feel Good Inc.” got my blood flowing with its rhythmic bassline and striking snares that knocked hard on these buds. Boomy selections like Missy Elliot’s “Get Ur Freak On” had terrific reverberation, extending the truncated drums before merging into a smooth decay, while the infectious strings from the Punjabi tumbi tickled my eardrums.

Not all music is handled well. Orchestral recordings take a hit due to the buds’ weak high end. Ahmad Jamal Trio’s “Dolphin Dance” delivered impactful double bass, but the cymbals sounded dull. This was the same with most Jazz tracks.

JLab’s built-in EQs return: Bass Boost, Balanced, and Signature (the default). It’s best to stick with Signature since it keeps bass prominent and places some attention on mids and certain highs. Balanced has a flat sound profile that lacks the vibrancy you want from exercise buds. Bass Boost raises bass levels, though the EQ is more detrimental than beneficial, overemphasizing lows and veiling mids.

There are no advanced codecs (e.g., aptX Adaptive, LDAC) for hi-res Bluetooth playback, but sound over AAC (iOS/macOS) and SBC (Android) is substantial.

JLAB JBuds Sport ANC 4 review: Active Noise Cancelation

• Mediocre ANC
• Poor wind resistance
• Powerful transparency mode

Noise Cancelling mode blocks out nearly 65 percent of unwanted noises. Most low-frequency sounds and some mid-frequency sounds were silent. Everything else was audible. During outdoor runs, I could hear bird chirping, cars driving by, pedestrian chatter, and even the water fountain outside of my apartment complex. Wind made things worse; whooshing effects sounded harsh when walking in gusty conditions. 

The latest firmware update adds an adjustable ANC slider. It’s somewhat useless since the technology performs best at max level, which is the default. 

JLab’s Be Aware mode is effective for keeping runners aware of their surroundings. The mics open wide to let in a vast amount of ambient noise that comes through loud and clearly. I could hear distractions from across the street and sirens from several blocks away. My wife was also able to hold a conversation with me from across our living room.

JLAB JBuds Sport ANC 4 review: Call quality and connectivity

• Unsatisfactory voice calling
• Intelligible wireless performance

Don’t bother using these buds for voice or video chats, unless you’re indoors. ANC doesn’t block out much background noise. Vocal capture is subpar. Furthermore, there is noticeable muffle that increases in windy environments. The JBuds Sport ANC 4 perform better in quiet settings, though performance is far from stellar.

Bluetooth 5.3 produces strong connectivity across the board. Range extends up to 60 feet (18 meters) in open spaces. Pairing is simple on iOS/macOS devices and simpler on Android devices, thanks to one-tap Google Fast Pair. Multipoint technology lets users connect the buds to two devices simultaneously.

JLAB JBuds Sport ANC 4 review: Battery life

• Some of the longest true wireless playtime out there
• Finally, USB-C charging

A full charge generates up to 9 hours with ANC on and 14 hours with ANC off. High volume and special features decrease battery life by about 1.5 hours. Whichever way you use the buds, you’re getting plenty of listening time per charge. I had a few 45-minute workout sessions over the past two weeks (4 days weekly) before getting sick and still have some juice left in the tank. Tossing the buds into their wireless charging case earns you an extra 40 to 60 hours of playtime. A 10-minute charge equals 1 hour of use. 

The JBuds Sport ANC 4’s biggest hallmark is actually a first for the series: USB-C charging. JLab finally replaced their trademark built-in USB-A cable with a USB-C cable, which is a more accessible charging solution and powers up the buds at a faster rate.

JLAB JBuds Sport ANC 4 review: Verdict

Are there better fitness options? Yes, if you’re willing spend extra. Otherwise, the JBuds Sport ANC 4 can serve as a quality pair of beginner workout buds or an affordable backup pair for when your go-to gym buds need recharging.

The $69 JBuds Sport ANC 4 are a nice value for exercisers wanting to make the most of their workouts on a budget. Robust construction keeps them protected from hazardous conditions. Big, bass-heavy sound boosts adrenaline. Be Aware does a tremendous job of increasing situational awareness, no matter the environment. Features like Interval timer, touch volume strips, and USB-C charging also enhance usability. 

At the same time, these buds have a lot going against them. ANC and call quality are disappointing. You won’t want to wear them for long stretches either because they can hurt your ears.

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