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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a low-latency in-ear gaming earbud that doubles as a mic-equipped headset for video calls, choose JLab Play Gaming; if you need an open-ear, sweat-resistant neckband-style headphone you can wear through long workouts and long calls without plugging your ears, choose Monster Open Ear AC360. Those two sentences cover most of the decision. Everything below explains the trade-offs in plain terms, so you can pick the one that actually fits your day.
• JLab Play Gaming — biggest strength: 60 ms super-low latency over Bluetooth 5 with a built-in boom-style mic positioned near your mouth, plus an AUX console cord for wired, zero-latency play.
• JLab Play Gaming — biggest trade-off: It's an in-ear design that seals your ear canal, so you lose ambient awareness, and it carries no water-resistance rating in the spec sheet.
• Monster Open Ear AC360 — biggest strength: Open-ear fit with IPX5 water resistance and up to 24 hours of total playtime with its charging dock — built for movement and weather.
• Monster Open Ear AC360 — biggest trade-off: No wired jack at all, no active noise cancellation, and an open-ear shape means far less bass isolation than a sealed in-ear bud.
• Pick JLab Play Gaming if you mostly game and take video calls from a desk, phone, or console.
• Pick Monster Open Ear AC360 if you want one pair for running, gym sessions, and long hands-free calls while staying aware of your surroundings.
The JLab Play Gaming is a dual-mode audio tool. On Bluetooth 5 it runs for 11+ hours and drops latency to 60 ms — a figure that matters a lot in games, because it's the gap between the on-screen action and what you hear. Rapid charge gets you 1+ hour of playtime from a 10-minute top-up, and the spec sheet lists a full charge time of 150 hours for the case alongside a 2-hour charging time figure. It also has a 3.5 mm jack and ships with an AUX console cord, so you can go fully wired on a PS4, Xbox, Switch, or PC with zero latency, using the cord's inline volume control.
For video calls, the practical appeal is the microphone. It sits close to your mouth, and there's a quick mute/unmute button right in line with it — you don't have to hunt through an app or reach for your laptop to kill your mic mid-meeting. The earbuds are tuned for "gaming audio" with clear vocals and enhanced spatial awareness, which is exactly the profile you want when you're trying to hear teammates or a call participant over background noise. Connection range is listed at 30 feet.
Who should skip it: if you run, sweat heavily, or get caught in rain, note that there's no water-resistance rating in the data sheet. And if you want to hear traffic or a training partner while you wear headphones, the in-ear seal works against you.
Monster Open Ear AC360: Who It's For
The AC360 takes the opposite approach. It's an open-ear headphone, which means nothing plugs your ear canal — the driver (a 16 mm dynamic driver, sensitivity 98 dB, 20 Hz–20,000 Hz) sits outside your ear and fires sound inward. The upside for calls and outdoor use is awareness: you can hear a car, a colleague, or your own voice naturally, which many people find far more comfortable on a long call than a sealed bud.
Battery is the headline. The sheet lists 8 hours of continuous use, extending to up to 24 hours total with the charging dock, with an 8-hour charge time. That's a genuinely long day of use, and the dock approach means you top it up by dropping it back in rather than hunting for a cable every night. Bluetooth 6.0 is the newest version here, with a 10-meter (about 33-foot) range, and Monster claims DNN 6th-generation smart noise filtering for calls.
Then there's durability and fit. IPX5 waterproofing means rain and sweat aren't a problem — this is the one to consider if you're searching for the best waterproof neckband headphones for video calls, or if you want the best open ear headphones for video calls because you can't stand the plugged-ear feeling. The rotating magnetic cover design and included lanyard are unusual touches that make it easier to carry. Controls are touch-based, and the ear placement is open ear with a lightweight, non-slip ergonomic fit.
Who should buy it: runners, gym-goers, cyclists, delivery and warehouse workers, and anyone who takes a lot of calls while moving. It's listed as adult-oriented.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for gaming latency → JLab Play Gaming. 60 ms over Bluetooth, and effectively zero over the included AUX cord.
• Best for battery and all-day wear → Monster Open Ear AC360. 8 hours per charge, up to 24 hours with the dock.
• Best for video calls in a quiet room → JLab Play Gaming. The near-mouth mic with a dedicated mute button is purpose-built for voice chat.
• Best for video calls while moving or outdoors → Monster Open Ear AC360. Open-ear awareness plus IPX5 means you stay present and dry.
• Best for kids and teens → JLab Play Gaming. It's explicitly listed for kids and teens and comes with a travel bag.
• Best for running, gym, and sweaty workouts → Monster Open Ear AC360. IPX5 is the deciding spec here.
• Best for console gaming → JLab Play Gaming. The 3.5 mm jack and AUX console cord are the only wired path between the two.
• Best for the newest wireless standard → Monster Open Ear AC360. Bluetooth 6.0 versus Bluetooth 5.
If I were buying one pair for video calls at a desk or in front of a console, I'd take the JLab Play Gaming. The mic placement, the inline mute button, the wired AUX option, and the 60 ms latency are all aimed at exactly that job, and the kid/teen suitability makes it a safe family pick. If my calls happen while I'm running, lifting, or walking outside — or if I simply can't tolerate sealed ears — I'd take the Monster Open Ear AC360 instead, because IPX5, up to 24 hours of dock-backed battery, and an open fit are things the JLab simply doesn't offer. In my opinion, the deciding question is whether you value a sealed, latency-tuned gaming bud or a sweat-proof, always-aware open-ear headphone. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one matches your answer.
FAQ
They carry an IPX5 waterproof rating, which the data sheet describes as protection against rain and sweat. That's splash and sweat resistance, not full submersion — so don't swim or shower in them.
Yes. The spec sheet lists a 3.5 mm jack and an included AUX console cord, which gives you a wired, zero-latency connection with inline volume control. Bluetooth 5 covers mobile devices, with a listed range of 30 feet.
The Monster Open Ear AC360, on paper: 8 hours per charge and up to 24 hours with its charging dock. The JLab Play Gaming lists 11+ hours of playtime with a rapid charge of 10 minutes for 1+ hour of use.
The JLab Play Gaming lists active noise cancellation in its controls. The Monster AC360 lists no noise control, though it advertises DNN smart noise filtering for calls.
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