How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want maximum battery life and a rugged, workout-friendly fit at the lowest cost of entry, choose JLab; if you need active noise cancellation, Dolby Atmos tuning and deep ThinkPad integration for work calls, choose Lenovo TWS Earbuds.
• JLab's biggest strength: 32+ hours of total playtime (8+ hours per bud, 24+ hours from the case) plus a charging case with an integrated USB cable, so you never hunt for a cord.
• JLab's biggest trade-off: No active noise cancellation — it relies on passive sound isolation, and its Bluetooth 5.1 connection is a generation behind Lenovo's.
• Lenovo TWS Earbuds' biggest strength: Active Noise Cancellation paired with a three-mic ENC system on each earbud, plus Bluetooth 5.3 and up to 36 hours total with the case.
• Lenovo TWS Earbuds' biggest trade-off: It's built around the ThinkPad X9 ecosystem, so the auto call answering and PC-level controls deliver the most value if you're already in that world.
• JLab is for: commuters, gym-goers and casual listeners who want long battery life and don't want to think about charging.
• Lenovo TWS Earbuds is for: hybrid workers and ThinkPad X9 owners who take a lot of calls in noisy places.
JLab's Go Air Pop is a straightforward, no-drama set of true wireless earbuds, and its headline number is playtime. You get 8+ hours in each earbud and another 24+ hours from the charging case, which adds up to 32+ hours before you need a wall outlet. The case has a USB cable built right into it, so topping up is a matter of plugging the case in wherever you are — no separate cord to lose in a bag.
The audio side is flexible rather than fancy. Three EQ settings — JLab Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost — let you shift the tuning to match what you're listening to, and the touch controls handle volume, track skipping, calls and your voice assistant. Dual Connect means you can run either the left or right earbud on its own, which is handy when you want one ear open. Each bud has a MEMS mic for calls, and the earbuds are 15% smaller than the previous generation with an IPX4 sweat-resistant rating.
Buy JLab if you want long battery life, a secure in-ear fit for workouts and light moisture protection without fuss. Skip it if you spend your day in loud open offices or on noisy trains and genuinely need noise cancellation — the Go Air Pop uses sound isolation, not ANC. It's also worth knowing that Bluetooth 5.1 is an older standard than the 5.3 in the Lenovo set, though for everyday phone and laptop listening that difference won't be obvious.
The Lenovo TWS Earbuds are clearly designed with a specific person in mind: someone who works on a ThinkPad X9. The earbuds are engineered for seamless integration with that series, which enables automatic call answering, smooth device switching and PC-level controls. If you're already in that ecosystem, those features are the reason to pick these over anything else — you get control over your calls and audio without reaching for your phone.
The audio and noise story is the other half of the pitch. Dolby Atmos tuning, powered by your PC, is built for immersive listening on calls, music and media. Active Noise Cancellation works alongside a three-mic Environmental Noise Cancellation system on each earbud to reduce background noise and keep your voice clear. The 12.2 mm driver is larger than JLab's 8 mm, and Bluetooth 5.3 is the newer connection standard.
Comfort and endurance are solid too: each earbud weighs less than 6 g, multiple silicone eartip sizes are included, and the battery runs up to 7 hours on a single charge with up to 36 hours total via the charging case. IP55 water resistance guards against sweat, dust and splashes, which is a step up in sealing from IPX4.
Buy Lenovo TWS Earbuds if you take a lot of calls, work in busy offices or noisy commutes, and want ANC plus ThinkPad X9 integration. Skip them if you want the simplest possible setup and don't care about noise cancellation — the app-based controls and ecosystem features are wasted if you never use them.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for battery life per charge → JLab, with 8+ hours per earbud versus Lenovo's 7 hours.
• Best total battery with the case → Lenovo, at up to 36 hours versus JLab's 32+.
• Best for workouts and sweat → Lenovo on paper, because IP55 is a higher water-and-dust rating than JLab's IPX4.
• Best for casual all-day listening → JLab, with its integrated USB charging cable and simple touch controls.
• Best for calls and PC work → Lenovo TWS Earbuds, especially paired with a ThinkPad X9.
• Best for newer connectivity → Lenovo, with Bluetooth 5.3 versus JLab's Bluetooth 5.1.
• Best for a single-earbud, one-ear-open setup → JLab, thanks to Dual Connect letting you use either bud independently.
In my opinion, the Lenovo TWS Earbuds are the better pick for most people who treat their earbuds as a work tool. Active Noise Cancellation, a three-mic ENC system, Dolby Atmos tuning, Bluetooth 5.3 and IP55 protection cover the things that actually matter on calls and commutes, and the ThinkPad X9 integration is a real bonus if you own one. I'd choose JLab only if long per-earbud battery life, a built-in charging cable and a simpler setup matter more to you than noise cancellation. Both are sensible true wireless earbuds — the right answer depends on whether your priority is quiet focus or effortless endurance.
how to pair true wireless earbuds
In general, you charge the case, take the earbuds out so they enter pairing mode, then open your phone's Bluetooth settings and select the earbuds from the list. Both the JLab Go Air Pop and the Lenovo TWS Earbuds connect over Bluetooth, and the Lenovo set can also switch between devices thanks to its ThinkPad X9 integration.
how to connect true wireless earbuds
Connecting is the same first-time step as pairing: enable Bluetooth on your phone, tablet or laptop, then choose the earbuds. JLab supports Bluetooth 5.1 with a range of about 30 feet, while the Lenovo TWS Earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3 with a range of about 10 meters. After the first connection, most devices reconnect automatically when the earbuds come out of the case.
how to use true wireless earbuds
You control playback through touch. On the JLab Go Air Pop, touch controls handle volume, track skipping, answering calls and activating your voice assistant, and you can use either earbud alone via Dual Connect. The Lenovo TWS Earbuds are controlled through an app and are built to answer calls automatically and switch devices when paired with a ThinkPad X9.
how to bluetooth true wireless earbuds
"Bluetoothing" earbuds just means pairing them over Bluetooth, and there's no separate step beyond turning Bluetooth on and selecting the earbuds in your device's list. JLab runs Bluetooth 5.1 and Lenovo runs Bluetooth 5.3, so both work with phones, tablets and laptops. If a connection drops, putting the earbuds back in the case and taking them out again usually re-establishes it.
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See also: GNMN Active Noise Cancelling vs Wentronic YG01: Active Noise, Skullcandy S2RLW-Q786 vs Belkin SoundForm Anywhere Ultra-Compact, Monster Open Ear AC510 vs Hmusic A24: Touch Control, Redzoo Neckband Headphones vs dbsono Active Noise Cancelling