If you want a wired, simple option for running, choose iClever HS27; if you need Bluetooth, active noise cancellation, and longer listening between charges, choose JLab JBuds Lux ANC. For most runners, I’d favor the iClever’s straightforward 3.5 mm connection over the JLab’s wireless, over-ear design—but neither product is specifically described as water-resistant or built for exercise.
The key difference is not sound quality on paper: both list 40 mm drivers and a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range. It’s how you want to connect and what kind of listening features matter. The JLab adds ANC and app controls; the iClever keeps things wired and comes as a five-pack.
• iClever HS27 strength: Wired 3.5 mm connection, foldable swivel design, and a five-headphone pack. Trade-off: No Bluetooth or active noise cancellation.
• JLab JBuds Lux ANC strength: Bluetooth, adjustable ANC and Be Aware modes, plus multipoint pairing for two devices. Trade-off: No headphone jack, and no water-exposure rating is listed.
• iClever HS27 is for someone who wants a simple wired headset, especially for shared or school-oriented use.
• JLab JBuds Lux ANC is for someone who wants wireless listening, configurable sound and noise controls, and long battery life.
• For running: The iClever avoids charging and wireless pairing, while the JLab offers wireless convenience. Neither sheet establishes sweat or water resistance, so I wouldn’t treat either as an exercise-specific pick.
The iClever HS27 is a wired, on-ear headphone with a 3.5 mm jack, 40 mm dynamic drivers, and a listed frequency range of 20 Hz–20 kHz. Its design includes swivel-folding earcups, sound isolation, and a remote control. The product comes as a five-pack, a practical detail for classrooms, families, or anyone who needs several basic headphones rather than one wireless pair.
Its main appeal is simplicity. Plug it into a device with a compatible 3.5 mm connection and there’s no Bluetooth pairing or battery charging to manage. That makes it a reasonable choice for schoolwork, travel with compatible devices, or listeners who prefer a wired setup. The colorful enclosure and kid-focused positioning also make the five-pack more relevant to shared household or classroom use than to someone seeking a single premium-feeling personal headset.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-19 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
For running, the wired connection is a mixed trade-off. It eliminates the need to keep a headphone battery charged, but the cable may be less convenient while moving. The available details don’t establish a water-resistance rating or describe a running-specific fit. I’d skip the HS27 if you want wireless freedom, ANC, or a single adult-oriented headphone with customizable app settings.
JLab JBuds Lux ANC: Who It's For
The JLab JBuds Lux ANC is an over-ear Bluetooth headphone with active noise cancellation, a Be Aware mode, and an app for adjusting sound and controls. Its 40 mm drivers have a listed 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range, and its Spatial Audio compatibility includes Dolby Atmos, Tempest 3D, and Windows Sonic. Those features make it the more configurable choice for someone who listens across a phone, computer, and other compatible devices.
The trade-off for running is the over-ear, wireless design. It removes the cable, which some runners will prefer, but the product information does not list water resistance. ANC can reduce outside noise, while Be Aware is intended to let more sound through; neither feature makes these headphones a running-specific safety solution. Choose the JLab if wireless listening and ANC matter more than a simple cable connection, but don’t assume its listed comfort or workout references establish sweat protection.
• Best for a no-charging wired setup → iClever HS27. It connects through a 3.5 mm jack and does not rely on Bluetooth.
• Best for wireless listening → JLab JBuds Lux ANC. It uses Bluetooth and lists a 10-meter Bluetooth range.
• Best for ANC and adjustable awareness → JLab JBuds Lux ANC. You can adjust ANC and Be Aware settings in the app.
• Best for connecting two devices at once → JLab JBuds Lux ANC. Bluetooth multipoint supports two simultaneous device connections.
• Best for a school or family group → iClever HS27. The listed package is a five-pack, and its design is positioned for children’s education.
• Best for app-based sound controls → JLab JBuds Lux ANC. Its app supports EQ choices, ANC adjustments, control remapping, and hearing limits.
• Best for a running cable-free setup → JLab JBuds Lux ANC, with a caveat. Bluetooth avoids a headphone cable, but the product details do not state that it resists sweat or water.
• Best for foldable storage → iClever HS27. Its swivel-folding design is a useful detail for packing or putting headphones away.
There isn’t a clear “best headphone for running” based on these specifications alone. The JLab’s wireless connection may suit runners who dislike a cable, while the iClever’s wired design avoids charging. But neither sheet lists a water-resistance rating, and fit during vigorous movement isn’t established. That same limitation matters if you’re searching for the “best noise cancelling headphones for running”: the JLab has ANC, but ANC by itself doesn’t make a headphone suitable for outdoor exercise.
My Verdict
In my opinion, I’d choose the JLab JBuds Lux ANC for everyday listening because Bluetooth, multipoint, app controls, and ANC make it the more flexible single headphone. For running, its cable-free connection gives it the edge between these two, but the lack of a listed water-resistance rating keeps me from calling it a purpose-built running pick.
I’d choose the iClever instead if I wanted a wired headphone or needed several pairs for school or shared use. Its five-pack and foldable design solve a different, more practical set of needs.
For a cable-free setup, the JLab is the more convenient option because it connects over Bluetooth. The iClever uses a 3.5 mm cable. Neither product’s listed details specify water resistance, so I wouldn’t assume either is protected from sweat or rain.
The JLab is the only one of the two with active noise cancellation. The iClever lists sound isolation, but not ANC. The JLab also includes a Be Aware mode and app controls for adjusting its noise settings.
Can I use either headphone for gaming?
The JLab lists Spatial Audio compatibility with Dolby Atmos, Tempest 3D, and Windows Sonic. The iClever provides a wired 3.5 mm connection, which may suit compatible devices. The specifications don’t identify either as a dedicated gaming headset.
That depends on whether you need one wireless headphone or several wired pairs. The iClever comes as a five-pack; the JLab is a single Bluetooth headphone with ANC and app features. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since the package size and feature set are different.
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