Best Budget Wireless Earbuds Under $20: JLab Go Air Pop+ Review (2026)
We recently tested the JLab Go Air Pop+ earbuds. Are they the Best Budget Wireless Earbuds Under $20 Honestly, they’re a pretty solid budget option.
These small wireless earbuds connect quickly using Bluetooth 5.3. They automatically pair when you take them out of the case, which is convenient.
The charging case is compact enough to fit in a small pocket. That’s a big plus if you hate carrying bulky stuff around.
The sound quality surprised us for the price point. You can tweak the audio through the JLab app with different EQ settings like Balanced and Bass Boost.
The earbuds are noticeably smaller and lighter than many other models. That made them comfortable during workouts, which isn’t always the case with cheap buds.
We appreciated the three different ear tip sizes. They helped us get a secure fit—no slipping out mid-run.
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Battery life stood out as a major strength. Each earbud lasted over 9 hours on a single charge, and the case provided an additional 26 hours.
We went almost a week between charges with regular use. The Be Aware mode let us hear our surroundings when needed, which honestly felt safer during outdoor activities.
We did notice the earbuds auto-shut off after being inactive. That meant keeping the case nearby to restart them, which isn’t ideal if you’re forgetful.
The touch controls worked well once we got used to them. Connection stayed stable within the 10-meter Bluetooth range.
The water-resistant design held up fine during gym sessions. No issues with sweat or light rain.
Bottom Line
The JLab Go Air Pop+ earbuds deliver strong performance at a budget-friendly price.
The long battery life, compact size, and decent sound quality make them worth considering for daily use.
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At A Glance
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Overview of the JLab Go Air Pop+ True Wireless Earbuds
After spending time with these budget wireless earbuds, we found them surprisingly capable for their low price point.
The compact charging case is genuinely pocket-sized, smaller than a credit card. That made it easy to carry during our daily routine.
The earbuds themselves are 15% smaller and 40% lighter than JLab’s previous Go Air model. This size reduction worked well for us, and the three included ear tip sizes helped us find a secure fit.
We appreciated the automatic on and connect feature using Bluetooth 5.3. It saved us from fumbling with power buttons every time.
Battery performance stood out during our testing. Each earbud lasted over 9 hours on a single charge, with the case providing an additional 26 hours.
The Be Aware mode let us hear our surroundings when needed. The sound isolation wasn’t as strong as higher-end models, but that’s sort of expected for this price.
The JLab app offers EQ presets to adjust the sound. We found this useful for different music types.
Seamless Auto On & Connection
Taking the earbuds out of the case triggers an instant power-on and pairing between the left and right buds. No need to press any buttons or wait around for the two earbuds to find each other.
The Bluetooth 5.3 technology made connecting to our phone quick and reliable. After the initial pairing, the Go Pop+ remembered our device and reconnected within seconds each time we opened the case.
We appreciated that the process stayed consistent across multiple uses. The automatic connection worked well whether we were grabbing them for a quick call or settling in for a longer listening session.
Compact Design and Comfortable Fit
The case is seriously small. It measures smaller than a credit card and slips into any pocket without creating a bulge.
We appreciated how easy it was to carry around during our daily routine. No awkward bulges or heavy pockets here.
The earbuds themselves are tiny. JLab made these 15% smaller and 40% lighter than their previous Go Air model.
We found them comfortable to wear for extended periods without ear fatigue. That’s not something you can say about every budget earbud, honestly.
Three different ear tip sizes come included. We tested each one to find the right fit.
The smaller size worked well for us and created a good seal that kept the earbuds secure during workouts. No slipping out, even when sweating.
The lightweight design means you barely feel them in your ears. At just 0.3 grams per earbud, they stayed put during jogs and gym sessions without sliding out or causing discomfort.
Personalized Listening Experience with the JLab App
The companion app adds useful controls beyond what the physical buttons offer. We found it easy to adjust the touch functions directly from our phones instead of relying on preset gestures.
The EQ presets give three sound options: JLab Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost. We tested each setting and noticed clear differences between them.
The Bass Boost mode added noticeable low-end punch for hip-hop tracks. Balanced worked better for podcasts and audiobooks.
- Custom touch function controls
- Three EQ sound profiles
- Be Aware mode adjustments
The Be Aware settings can also be fine-tuned through the app. This lets you control how much outside noise comes through when you need to hear your surroundings.
The app works smoothly and doesn’t require constant tweaking once you find your preferred settings. Set it and forget it, mostly.
Long Battery Life and Convenient Charging
We were impressed by how long these earbuds last between charges. The Go Air Pop+ delivered 35 hours of total playtime when we used them throughout the week, which meant we didn’t need to worry about charging them constantly.
Each earbud holds enough power for about 8 hours on its own, and the case provides multiple recharges. Not bad at all for the price.
The USB-C charging port made powering up simple and fast. We found that a full charge took around 2 hours, which is reasonable for this price range.
The case is compact enough to slip into a pocket, so we could top up the earbuds whenever needed. No need for a backpack or purse.
One minor drawback is that there’s no wireless charging option. You’ll need to use the included cable each time.
Be Aware Mode and Google Fast Pair
We found the Be Aware Mode pretty useful when testing these earbuds. It lets outside sounds come through so you can hear what’s happening around you without taking the buds out.
This works well when you need to stay alert during a jog or listen for announcements. It’s not perfect, but it beats being totally isolated.
The Google Fast Pair feature made connecting to our Android phone really simple. The earbuds popped up on the screen right away, and we just tapped to connect.
Google Fast Pair also helps you find lost earbuds through your phone, which came in handy during our testing. We’re not saying we lose stuff a lot, but… yeah.
Both features are controlled through the JLab app. We could adjust how much outside noise came through in Be Aware Mode.
The setup was straightforward and worked as expected. No real head-scratching moments.
Durability and Water Resistance
We tested the Go Air Pop+ in various conditions and found them to hold up well for budget earbuds. The build quality feels solid despite the lightweight plastic construction.
These earbuds are rated as water resistant, which means they can handle sweat during workouts and light moisture without issues. We pushed them pretty hard at the gym and they didn’t flinch.
We wouldn’t recommend wearing them in heavy rain or submerging them in water. The water resistance is enough for gym sessions and daily use, but it’s not full waterproofing.
The charging case also appears durable, though the plastic lid hinge could be a weak point over time with frequent opening and closing.
For the price point, the durability seems adequate for regular use. Just don’t expect miracles.
Pros and Cons
After spending time with these budget earbuds, we found several things worth sharing about what works well and what doesn’t.
Pros
The battery life really stands out. We got about 9 hours from a single charge, and the case adds another 26 hours on top of that.
This means we only needed to plug them in about once a week with regular use. That’s honestly pretty convenient.
The fit surprised us. These are noticeably smaller and lighter than most earbuds we’ve tried.
They stayed secure during workouts and didn’t cause ear fatigue even after several hours of wear. The three different tip sizes helped us find the right seal.
Connection was quick and reliable. The earbuds paired automatically when we took them out of the case.
We used them with both Android and iPhone devices without any dropouts or lag issues. That’s not always a given with cheap wireless earbuds.
Sound quality exceeded our expectations for the price point. The JLab app lets you switch between different EQ settings.
We found the bass boost option worked well for music, while the balanced mode was better for podcasts. Not audiophile-level, but honestly, who’s expecting that for twenty bucks?
The Be Aware mode proved useful. It lets outside noise in when we needed to stay alert to our surroundings without removing the earbuds.
Cons
The case doesn’t have wireless charging. You’ll need to use the USB-C cable every time, which felt like a missed feature in 2026.
Touch controls took some getting used to. We accidentally triggered functions a few times when adjusting the fit.
The sensitivity can’t be adjusted without the app. Not a dealbreaker, but a little annoying.
The earbuds turn off automatically after being idle, which means you need the case nearby to turn them back on. This became annoying when we wanted to pause for extended periods.
Call quality was just okay. People on the other end could hear us fine in quiet spaces, but background noise made conversations harder.
User Impressions and Customer Feedback
After looking at feedback from thousands of buyers, we found that most people are surprised by what they get for such a low price. The Go Air Pop+ consistently impresses users who expected basic quality but received much more.
Battery life stands out as a major win. Many users report getting through a full work week on a single charge, with some noting over eight hours per earbud.
The fit also earns praise, especially from people with smaller ears who struggle to find buds that stay put during workouts. That’s not a small thing for folks who’ve tried a dozen pairs that just won’t stay in.
Sound quality gets positive marks across the board. Several buyers compared them favorably to premium brands they’ve used for years.
The connection stays stable, and pairing to multiple devices works smoothly. Not much to complain about there.
A few users mentioned the auto-shutoff feature requires having the case nearby to restart the earbuds, which can be inconvenient.
Tips for Getting the Best Performance
After testing these earbuds, we found a few simple tricks that make a big difference. First, take time to try all three ear tip sizes that come in the box.
Getting the right fit matters because it creates a better seal and improves sound quality while blocking outside noise. Seriously, don’t skip this step.
We recommend downloading the JLab app to adjust the sound settings. The app lets you switch between different EQ modes like Bass Boost or Balanced depending on what you’re listening to.
It takes just a minute to set up but really customizes your experience. Worth the tiny bit of effort.
Keep the charging case clean and make sure the earbuds snap into place properly when you store them. This ensures they charge fully and stay ready to use.
We also found that keeping the earbuds’ sensors clean helps them connect faster to your phone. A quick wipe every now and then does the trick.
Conclusion
After spending a good amount of time with these budget earbuds, we can honestly say they deliver solid performance for the price. The 35-hour battery life is no joke—each bud lasts over eight hours on a single charge, which is kind of wild for something this cheap.
Sound quality? Thanks to the EQ3 settings, it’s honestly better than you’d expect at this price point. Not audiophile-level, sure, but for everyday use, it gets the job done and then some.
The fit seems to work for most ear sizes, and they actually stay put during workouts. That’s not always a given. Dual connect is handy—being able to use just one bud at a time stretches out your listening time even more.
Connection stays stable across different devices, which is a relief. You don’t want your music cutting out mid-song, right?
There’s one thing that bugs us a little: the auto-shutoff. You need the case nearby to restart the buds, which isn’t ideal. Still, for $20, it feels more like a minor annoyance than a dealbreaker.
All things considered, these are a strong pick if you’re after reliable wireless earbuds and don’t want to overspend. Sometimes, you really do get more than you pay for.
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