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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-18 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want pocket-sized true wireless earbuds with a sweat-resistant build, on-earbud button controls and an EQ you can switch without an app, choose JLab JBuds Air True; if you need over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling, a foldable frame and a much longer single-charge runtime, choose Wentronic Y04.
• JLab JBuds Air True — biggest strength: a genuinely pocketable true wireless design with IP55 sweat resistance, auto on-and-connect out of the case, and three built-in EQ modes (Signature, Balanced, Bass Boost) you toggle without touching an app.
• JLab JBuds Air True — biggest trade-off: no noise cancelling at all, and the specs list 24 hours of total playtime (6+ hours per earbud plus 18 in the case), which is modest next to an over-ear set — plus a plastic-and-gel build that is light rather than luxurious.
• Wentronic Y04 — biggest strength: active noise cancelling with multiple microphones, a 48-hour battery figure on a single charge, and a foldable over-ear frame that packs down into a bag.
• Wentronic Y04 — biggest trade-off: it is an over-ear headphone weighing 0.69 kg, so it lives in a backpack rather than a jeans pocket, and there is no IP rating in the specs to suggest sweat protection.
• Pick JLab JBuds Air True if you want something small, lightweight and workout-friendly that disappears into your pocket.
• Pick Wentronic Y04 if you want to block out a noisy commute or flight and hate charging things every day.
The JBuds Air True is built around one idea: get out the door fast and keep going. Take them out of the case and they power on and pair with each other automatically — no button-holding ceremony. That matters more than it sounds when you're juggling a gym bag and a coffee. The case itself is compact enough for a jacket pocket, and the outside lights tell you roughly how much charge is left before you need to plug in.
Sound-wise, JLab hands you the controls directly. There are three EQ settings — Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost — and you cycle them without downloading anything. For a pair of in-ears at this size, that's a nice touch: you can push the low end for the gym and flatten it out for podcasts. The dynamic drivers cover a 20 Hz to 20 kHz range, and the earpieces use an angled, ergonomic shape with silicone tips plus Cush Fins to help them stay put. IP55 sweat resistance means moisture and dust aren't an instant problem, which is the whole point for running, cycling or a hot commute.
Controls are push-button on the outside of each earbud — play, pause, volume, calls. There's a built-in microphone, and you can call up Siri, Google Assistant or another voice assistant from the earbud. If you prefer touch controls or a tap-and-swipe interface, this isn't that; it's physical buttons, which some people actually prefer because they work with gloves or damp fingers.
Who should buy it: runners, gym-goers, commuters who travel light, and anyone who wants earbuds they can shove in a pocket and forget about. It also suits people who like physical controls and don't want another app on their phone. Who should skip it: anyone who needs real noise cancelling for a loud train or plane, and anyone who wants to go a full week between charges — 24 hours of total playtime and a 2-hour charge time is fine for daily top-ups, not for forgetting the cable.
The Wentronic Y04 goes the other direction entirely. This is an over-ear headphone with active noise cancelling driven by multiple microphones, aimed squarely at noisy environments — subway cars, busy streets, airplane cabins. If your problem is that the world is too loud, this is the tool for it. Active noise cancelling is a fundamentally different approach from passive isolation, and it's the single biggest functional gap between these two products.
The other headline number is 48 hours of battery life. That's the kind of figure that changes how you use a product: you stop thinking about charging. A week of commuting, a long-haul flight, a work trip — it covers it without you hunting for a cable every night. The drivers are dynamic, and Wentronic describes the tuning as clear and balanced across lows, mids and highs, with bass that's present but not bloated. The frequency range matches the JLab at 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Physically, it's a foldable over-ear with a plastic frame in a Starlight finish and a minimalist look. The folding structure is the practical bit — it collapses down for a backpack, suitcase or larger handbag rather than a pocket. It also has a 3.5 mm jack in addition to Bluetooth 5.3, which is genuinely useful on a plane's seat-back entertainment system or on a device where you'd rather not burn wireless battery. Buttons handle the controls.
Who should buy it: frequent flyers, train and subway commuters, remote workers who want to shut out a noisy room, and anyone who wants one charge to last a long time. Who should skip it: runners and gym users — there's no IP rating in the specs and 0.69 kg on your head during a workout is not the plan. Also skip it if you want earbuds that vanish into a pocket; this is a bag item, full stop. The warranty is 1 year, versus 2 years for the JLab.
• Best for noise cancelling → Wentronic Y04. Active noise cancelling with multiple microphones; the JLab's specs list noise control as none.
• Best for battery life → Wentronic Y04. A 48-hour figure on one charge beats the JLab's 24 hours of combined earbud-plus-case playtime.
• Best for workouts and sweat → JLab JBuds Air True. IP55 sweat resistance and Cush Fins versus no IP rating on the Y04.
• Best for portability → JLab JBuds Air True. True wireless earbuds in a pocket-sized case; the Y04 folds, but it still weighs 0.69 kg and needs a bag.
• Best for wired fallback → Wentronic Y04. A 3.5 mm jack gives you a cable option; the JLab is wireless only.
• Best for sound tweaking without an app → JLab JBuds Air True. Three EQ modes on the earbud itself; the Y04 has no listed EQ modes.
• Best for long listening sessions at a desk → Wentronic Y04. Over-ear fit spreads pressure across the head instead of inside the ear canal, and the runtime supports all-day use.
• Best for taking calls on the move → JLab JBuds Air True. Built-in mic plus one-touch voice assistant access in a form factor you can wear anywhere.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the JLab JBuds Air True — but only because my use case is movement. In my opinion, the combination of IP55 sweat resistance, auto on-and-connect, pocket-sized case and on-board EQ modes makes it the more versatile everyday pair for workouts, walks and commuting in normal noise. If your priority is silence on a plane or a packed train, I'd take the Wentronic Y04 instead: active noise cancelling and a 48-hour runtime are things the JLab simply doesn't offer, and no amount of clever EQ replaces them. Decide which problem you actually have — sweat and portability, or noise and battery — and the choice makes itself. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's what usually tips these two decisions.
FAQ
That's what they're built for. IP55 sweat resistance handles moisture and dirt, and the included Cush Fins plus angled earpieces help them stay seated. The Y04 has no IP rating in its specs and weighs 0.69 kg, so it isn't the workout option.
The Wentronic Y04, clearly — 48 hours of battery life versus 24 hours total for the JLab (6+ hours per earbud plus 18 in the case). The JLab's 2-hour charge time is quick, but you'll be charging far more often.
Yes. It has a 3.5 mm jack alongside Bluetooth 5.3, so you can plug in directly. The JLab JBuds Air True is wireless-only with no headphone jack, so it depends entirely on its case charge.
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