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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-27 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• JLab's biggest strength: 32+ hours of total playtime (8+ hours per bud plus 24+ in the case), a USB cable built right into the case, and three EQ modes you can switch between.
• JLab's biggest trade-off: An 8 mm driver in an in-ear design, so the sound signature is more about tuning options than raw driver size — and the case is plastic with a gel tip setup, not a premium-feel shell.
• Defunc True LITE II's biggest strength: A 13 mm bass driver paired with Bluetooth 6.0, ENC call clarity, low latency and passive noise cancellation in a lightweight semi in-ear bud.
• Defunc True LITE II's biggest trade-off: Up to 20 hours of total playtime — noticeably less than JLab — and the case is bulkier in hand at 35 g.
• Get JLab if you're a commuter, gym-goer or traveler who wants to go days between charges and never hunt for a cable.
• Get Defunc True LITE II if you want the larger driver, the latest Bluetooth version, and a Scandinavian-minimal semi in-ear fit you can wear all day.
JLab's Go Air Pop is built around one idea: keep the earbuds running as long as possible with as little fuss as possible. The spec sheet tells that story clearly — 8+ hours of playback per earbud, another 24+ hours in the charging case, and a USB charging cable integrated directly into that case. I'd argue that last detail is the underrated one. You don't pack a cable for a weekend trip. You don't dig through a drawer when the case dies. The case is the cable.
Then there's the tuning. Three EQ settings — JLab Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost — let you reshape the output instead of just accepting whatever the factory defaults. Each earbud carries its own MEMS microphone, and the buds are roughly 15% smaller than the previous generation of this shape, which matters if you've found older in-ears bulky. IPX4 sweat resistance covers workouts and light rain. Dual Connect means you can run either the left or right bud solo, which is genuinely useful for calls at a desk.
Who should buy it? The person who treats earbuds as a utility. Runners, commuters, students, anyone who wants touch controls for volume, tracks, calls and a voice assistant without babysitting a charge level. The 30-foot Bluetooth 5.1 range and the two-year warranty round out the practical case.
Who should skip it? If driver size and codec-era freshness are your priorities, look elsewhere. The 8 mm dynamic driver is modest, and Bluetooth 5.1 is a generation or two behind what's now shipping. In my opinion, this is a battery-and-convenience product first, an audiophile product second.
Defunc positions the True LITE II as Scandinavian minimalism with a sound-first twist, and the hardware backs up the marketing more than I expected. The headline number is the 13 mm dynamic driver — a bass-oriented unit that should move noticeably more air than a smaller driver. For podcasts, movies, and bass-forward music, that's the spec that matters. Alongside it: Bluetooth 6.0, which is the newest version in this comparison, plus ENC (environmental noise cancellation) for calls and a low-latency mode aimed at video and gaming.
The fit is the other story. This is a semi in-ear bud, not a deep-seated in-ear with gel tips. That means it rests at the opening of your ear canal rather than plugging it. Some people find that dramatically more comfortable for hours at a time; others prefer the passive isolation a sealed tip gives. Defunc leans into passive noise cancellation here rather than active, which is consistent with the open, lightweight design. At 50 g total and a compact 5 × 2.5 × 5 cm case, it's a pocket-friendly kit.
Battery is the honest trade-off. Up to 20 hours of total playtime is a real, usable number — but it's well short of JLab's 32+. If you charge every few nights, fine. If you're the type who forgets, you'll notice. The AI app support is a nice extra for anyone who likes tweaking their listening experience, and touch controls keep the on-bud interface simple.
Who should buy it? Someone who wants a bigger, bassier driver, the latest Bluetooth version, and a semi in-ear fit they can wear through a workday without pressure. Also anyone who watches a lot of video and cares about latency.
Who should skip it? Heavy travelers and gym rats who need maximum runtime between charges, and anyone who specifically wants the sealed isolation of a traditional in-ear tip.
• Best for total battery life → JLab. 32+ hours versus 20 hours is not close, and the built-in case cable stretches it further.
• Best for driver size and bass potential → Defunc True LITE II. A 13 mm bass driver against an 8 mm unit is a meaningful gap on paper.
• Best for the newest wireless standard → Defunc True LITE II. Bluetooth 6.0 versus Bluetooth 5.1.
• Best for charging convenience → JLab. An integrated USB cable in the case beats remembering to pack one.
• Best for sound customization → JLab. Three EQ modes give you Bass Boost, Balanced and Signature presets out of the box.
• Best for all-day comfort in an open fit → Defunc True LITE II. The lightweight semi in-ear design avoids canal pressure.
• Best for call clarity features → Defunc True LITE II. ENC is called out specifically for clearer voice pickup.
• Best for low-latency video and gaming → Defunc True LITE II. Low latency performance is a stated design goal.
I would buy the JLab Go Air Pop. Not because it wins every column — it doesn't — but because battery life and charging convenience are the two things that make or break whether you actually keep using a pair of earbuds. Thirty-two hours plus a case that charges itself without a cable means I stop thinking about charging entirely, and the three EQ modes let me tune the sound to taste. If your priority is the biggest driver, the newest Bluetooth version and a semi in-ear fit, I'd point you to the Defunc True LITE II instead. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding — that's the one variable I can't weigh for you.
FAQ
how to pair true wireless earbuds
how to connect true wireless earbuds
Turn on Bluetooth on your phone, tablet or laptop, then select the earbuds from the available devices list. JLab supports Bluetooth 5.1 with a range up to 30 feet; the Defunc True LITE II uses Bluetooth 6.0 with a range up to 10 meters. Both reconnect automatically to the last device once paired.
how to use true wireless earbuds
Both models use touch controls on the buds themselves. On the JLab Go Air Pop you can adjust volume, skip tracks, answer calls and trigger your voice assistant, with three EQ modes available. The Defunc True LITE II also uses touch control and adds ENC for calls and low-latency performance for video.
how to bluetooth true wireless earbuds
Enable Bluetooth on your device, remove the buds from the charging case so they enter pairing mode, and tap the earbud name when it appears. If they don't show up, place them back in the case, close it, and repeat. Both the JLab and Defunc models reconnect to previously paired devices without repeating the process.
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