If you want adjustable EQ, stereo calling, and sweat resistance for remote work, choose JLab JBuds Air Icon; if you need much longer stated battery life and Clemson team styling, choose SOAR Collegiate True. For most desk-to-daily-use routines, I’d pick JLab; SOAR makes more sense if its team identity and extended listening time matter more to you.
• JLab JBuds Air Icon’s biggest strength: three EQ modes, stereo calling, and IP55 sweat resistance. Trade-off: six hours of playtime per charge, with more time available through the case.
• SOAR Collegiate True’s biggest strength: over 10 hours of music and talk time from the earbuds and 43 hours stated overall with the case. Trade-off: no EQ options or stated sweat-resistance rating.
• For calls and audio preferences → JLab JBuds Air Icon. Its three sound modes and stereo phone calls give you more to adjust for a workday.
• For Clemson fans who want earbuds with team styling → SOAR Collegiate True. Its licensed team design is a distinctive part of the package.
• Choose JLab for a mix of calls, music, and moisture resistance; choose SOAR for longer stated battery life and fan identity.
The JLab JBuds Air Icon is the more adaptable choice if your earbuds need to cover both work calls and everyday listening. It has stereo calling, touch controls, and three built-in EQ choices: Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost. You can switch among those sound profiles without an app, which is useful if you want different listening preferences for meetings, podcasts, and music.
For remote work, the combination of in-ear fit and stereo calling is appealing if you prefer earbuds over a larger headset. Each earbud is listed with six hours of playtime, and the case adds more than 18 hours. That gives you a way to recharge between listening sessions without needing a wall connection right away. Bluetooth 5 and automatic connection between the earbuds are also part of its setup.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-18 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
SOAR Collegiate True is built around two clear draws: extended stated battery life and Clemson Tigers styling. The product information lists over 10 hours of music and talk time from the earbuds, with 43 hours overall including the charging case. The case’s LED display shows remaining battery life, making it easier to see when a recharge is due.
For someone who wants wireless earbuds for music, calls, and everyday activities, SOAR includes a built-in microphone and controls for calls and playback. Bluetooth 5 supports a wireless connection to compatible devices. Its team design also gives it an identity beyond a plain everyday audio accessory, which is likely to matter most to Clemson fans.
The trade-off is that the listed feature set is simpler than JLab’s in some work-use details. SOAR does not list EQ modes, stereo calling, or an IP sweat-resistance rating. That does not establish that calls or sound are poor; it means those particular features are not specified here. Choose SOAR if its battery claims and team styling are your priorities. Look to JLab if you want stated sweat resistance and multiple sound profiles.
• Best for adjustable sound → JLab JBuds Air Icon. Its Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost modes let you choose among three EQ profiles without an app.
• Best for longer stated listening time → SOAR Collegiate True. It lists over 10 hours from the earbuds and 43 hours including the case, compared with JLab’s six hours per earbud and more than 18 extra hours in the case.
• Best for a workday with calls and music → JLab JBuds Air Icon. Stereo calling and touch controls make it the more clearly specified option for someone switching between meetings and listening.
• Best for Clemson team styling → SOAR Collegiate True. Its Clemson Tigers design is the straightforward choice for fans who want their team represented.
• Best for sweat resistance → JLab JBuds Air Icon. It carries an IP55 rating for resistance to sweat and dirt; SOAR lists no equivalent rating.
• Best for seeing case battery status → SOAR Collegiate True. Its case has an LED display showing remaining battery life.
• Best for a customizable in-ear work option → JLab JBuds Air Icon. Extra eartips and Cush Fins are included, alongside the three EQ modes.
• Best if you want a simpler feature set with team identity → SOAR Collegiate True. Its key strengths are long stated battery life, hands-free calls, and licensed Clemson styling.
My Verdict
I’d choose the JLab JBuds Air Icon for remote work because it combines stereo calling, three EQ settings, touch controls, and an IP55 sweat-resistance rating in one in-ear option. I’d give up SOAR’s longer stated battery life in exchange for those more clearly specified call and listening features. If Clemson styling and longer time between charges matter more, SOAR is the better fit for you.
JLab lists stereo calling and an upgraded microphone, along with touch controls for calls. SOAR also has a built-in microphone and call controls, but stereo calling is not specified for that model.
SOAR lists over 10 hours of music and talk time from the earbuds and 43 hours with the case. JLab lists six hours per earbud and more than 18 extra hours in the case.
The product details do not identify either model as sleep headphones. Both are in-ear earbuds, but there is no stated sleep-specific design or feature to rely on.
JLab specifies IP55 sweat and dirt resistance. SOAR’s listed information does not include a sweat-resistance rating, so JLab is the more clearly documented choice for that use.
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