If you want flexible noise control and longer listening time for everyday use, choose JLab Epic ANC Earbuds; if you need headphones designed for swimming, choose MARLALL Swimming Headphones-Bone Conduction. For children, the key question is whether the headphones are mainly for dry-land listening or time in the pool: JLab offers active noise control and a wired option, while MARLALL has built-in MP3 storage and an IP68 waterproof rating.
• JLab’s biggest strength: High ANC, Low ANC, and Be Aware modes let the listener choose how much outside sound to hear. Its trade-off is that it is an in-ear design, not a swimming headphone.
• MARLALL’s biggest strength: IP68 waterproofing and 32 GB of built-in MP3 storage suit pool use. Its trade-off is that Bluetooth does not work underwater; swimming requires MP3 mode.
• For battery flexibility: JLab lists 14+ hours with Bluetooth and ANC, or 25+ hours using Bluetooth without ANC.
• For open-ear listening: MARLALL’s bone-conduction design leaves the ears uncovered, but it has no noise-control feature.
• Choose JLab for children who need everyday listening, adjustable noise control, and calls; choose MARLALL for children whose main use is swimming and stored music.
JLab is the more adaptable pick for everyday listening away from the pool. Its three noise-control modes cover different situations: High ANC and Low ANC provide two levels of active noise cancellation, while Be Aware lets outside sound pass through. That range is useful when a child wants fewer distractions during a quiet activity but needs more awareness while walking outdoors with an adult. Be Aware is not a substitute for supervision, but it gives the listener a way to let ambient sound in instead of always using ANC.
Battery life also changes with the chosen mode. JLab lists 14+ hours of Bluetooth listening with active noise cancellation and 25+ hours with Bluetooth alone. The package includes a 3.5 mm AUX cable, so there is a wired listening option when a compatible device is available or the battery runs out. An integrated remote handles music and volume, and the built-in microphone supports calls. Those features make it a plausible choice for families looking for voice assistant sports earbuds for children, although the listed information does not specify voice-assistant support.
The product is an in-ear design with rounded tips, and it includes multiple sets of standard eartips plus a set of triple-flange eartips. That gives families tip options to consider, but it does not guarantee that the fit will suit every child. JLab is sweat-resistant with an IP54 rating, which is relevant for active use but is not a swimming specification. Its practical trade-off is clear: the ANC and longer Bluetooth-only listening are useful on dry land, but this is not the pick for pool sessions.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip it: Skip JLab if the main requirement is waterproof headphones for swimming or an open-ear design that leaves the ear canal uncovered.
MARLALL Swimming Headphones-Bone Conduction: Who It's For
MARLALL is built around a different use case: swimming with music. Its IP68 waterproof rating and bone-conduction, open-ear design are the headline distinctions. The headphones do not cover the ears in the traditional way, and the product information describes sound being transmitted through vibrations at the cheekbones toward the inner ear. For a child who dislikes conventional in-ear headphones, that open-ear approach may be worth considering. The fit still needs to be assessed for the individual listener; a product description alone cannot establish that it will be comfortable for every child.
The most important operating detail is the difference between Bluetooth and MP3 mode. Bluetooth is available for listening and hands-free calls on land, with a stated range of up to 10 meters. Underwater, Bluetooth signals cannot transmit, so swimming requires switching to MP3 mode. The built-in 32 GB storage is designed for that use, allowing playlists to be stored on the headphones rather than streamed from a phone in the pool. A magnetic charging cable connects to internal storage for playlist updates.
This model also lists Bluetooth 5.4, while JLab lists Bluetooth 5. It is described as lightweight and made with liquid silicone, and its open-ear structure may appeal to families seeking comfortable open ear earbuds for children. The stated IP68 rating is a meaningful advantage for water use; JLab’s IP54 sweat resistance is not a substitute. The trade-offs are just as important: MARLALL has no noise-control feature, and its underwater listening depends on stored MP3 files rather than Bluetooth. The product notes also advise drying the microphone after swimming to help avoid call issues.
Who should skip it: Skip MARLALL if the child needs active noise cancellation, or if the main listening plan depends on streaming over Bluetooth while underwater.
• Best for swimming → MARLALL. Its IP68 waterproof rating and MP3 mode are designed around pool use. Bluetooth must be switched off for underwater listening.
• Best for adjustable noise control → JLab. It offers High ANC, Low ANC, and Be Aware modes; MARLALL lists no noise-control feature.
• Best for longer Bluetooth-only listening → JLab. Its stated battery life is 25+ hours with Bluetooth and no ANC, compared with no battery-life figure provided for MARLALL.
• Best for music stored directly on the headphones → MARLALL. Its 32 GB internal storage supports MP3 listening without an underwater Bluetooth connection.
• Best for calls on land → Both have relevant features. JLab lists an integrated remote and built-in microphone; MARLALL supports hands-free calling over Bluetooth and advises drying its microphone after swimming.
• Best for wired listening → JLab. The included 3.5 mm AUX cable provides a wired option; MARLALL is described as wireless.
• Best for children who want an open-ear design → MARLALL. Its bone-conduction structure does not cover the ears tightly, while JLab uses in-ear tips.
• Best for active use where water exposure is a concern → MARLALL for swimming; JLab for sweat. Their ratings describe different levels of protection, so they should not be treated as interchangeable.
Buying Considerations
Start with where the child will listen most. A child who mainly uses headphones at home, on a trip, or during dry-land activity may get more from JLab’s ANC choices, Be Aware mode, integrated controls, and AUX cable. A child who wants music while swimming needs a different setup: MARLALL’s stored MP3 playback is the relevant feature because Bluetooth cannot send audio underwater.
Be realistic about calls and supervision, too. Both products describe microphone or calling functionality for Bluetooth use, but neither specification establishes that calls will sound clear in every setting. MARLALL specifically says to dry its microphone after swimming. JLab’s Be Aware mode allows ambient sound through, while MARLALL’s open-ear design leaves the ears uncovered; neither feature replaces an adult’s attention around roads, water, or other hazards.
Finally, compare the listening modes rather than just the product labels. JLab gives you a choice between ANC levels and ambient awareness, with battery life that varies according to whether ANC is on. MARLALL prioritizes water use and built-in storage, but asks the listener to manage a separate MP3 mode for swimming. If current price is part of your decision, check the current price on Amazon rather than relying on an old figure.
For children whose headphones will be used mainly on dry land, I would choose JLab Epic ANC Earbuds. I prefer its three noise-control modes, its 25+ hours of Bluetooth-only playback, and the included AUX cable for everyday flexibility. If swimming is the main purpose, MARLALL is the more appropriate choice because it has an IP68 rating and stored MP3 playback for underwater listening. My overall pick for general family use is JLab, but I would choose MARLALL when pool use is the deciding need.
No. The product states that Bluetooth signals cannot transmit underwater, so swimming requires MP3 mode. Music needs to be stored in the headphones’ 32 GB internal memory before use in the pool.
Which headphones have better noise cancellation?
Both list call-related features for Bluetooth use on land. JLab has an integrated remote and built-in microphone, while MARLALL supports hands-free calling; its instructions say to dry the microphone after swimming to help prevent call issues.
MARLALL is the swimming-focused option, with an IP68 rating and MP3 mode for underwater use. JLab is more flexible for dry-land listening, with ANC modes, Be Aware, a 3.5 mm AUX cable, and stated battery life of 14+ hours with ANC or 25+ hours with Bluetooth alone.
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