How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want marathon battery life, app-based sound tuning and a sweat-ready fit for everyday commutes, choose JLab Go Air Pop; if you need a rugged, dust-proof pair with a simple no-app setup and a wider wireless roaming range, choose Skullcandy Sesh True.
• JLab Go Air Pop — biggest strength: massive total playtime (9+ hours per bud, 26+ more from the case) plus three switchable EQ modes and a slim, compact design.
• JLab Go Air Pop — biggest trade-off: IPX4 only rates it for sweat and light rain, not dust, and the touch controls take some getting used to.
• Skullcandy Sesh True — biggest strength: IP55 dust and water resistance with a straightforward touch layout and roughly 10 meters of Bluetooth range.
• Skullcandy Sesh True — biggest trade-off: much shorter battery life (10 hours total) and no companion app or EQ customization.
• Pick JLab Go Air Pop if you want the longest listening time, sound tuning, and independent bud use.
• Pick Skullcandy Sesh True if you want a tough, dust-resistant earbud for workouts and outdoor use with simple controls.
The Go Air Pop is built around endurance. JLab rates each earbud at 9+ hours, with 26+ hours more in the USB-C charging case — the sheet calls it 35+ hours total, though the product description also cites 32+ hours, so treat it as "well over 30 hours" either way. That's enough to cover a full workweek of commutes without hunting for a cable. For anyone who hates charging earbuds daily, this is the headline feature.
Beyond battery, the Go Air Pop packs features you don't always see in this class. EQ3 gives you three sound signatures — Signature, Bass Boost, and Balanced — so you can push bass for playlists or flatten things out for podcasts. The JLab App lets you adjust EQ and remap touch controls, and Bluetooth 5.3 keeps the connection fast and stable across iOS, Android, and PC. Dual Connect means either earbud works on its own, which is genuinely useful if you like keeping one ear open during calls.
On fit and durability, the buds are 15% smaller than the previous generation, IPX4 rated for sweat and light rain, and come with three gel tip sizes (S/M/L). Each bud has a MEMS mic for calls, voice assistant access is built in, and there's a 2-year JLab warranty. With a 6 mm dynamic driver, 16-ohm impedance, and a Mint colorway, it's a compact, fitness-friendly everyday bud.
Buy it if you want maximum playtime, app-based tuning, and independent bud use. Skip it if you need serious dust protection or you'd rather not fiddle with an app.
The Sesh True takes a different approach: rugged simplicity. Its standout spec is IP55 sweat, water, and dust resistance — a step above IPX4 because it also guards against dust, which matters if you're outdoors, in a gym, or on dusty trails. If your earbuds live in a bag or pocket and take a beating, that rating is the reason to look here.
The Sesh keeps things uncomplicated. You get Bluetooth wireless (version 5), a charging case, and a mic with call, track, and volume controls plus assistant activation — all touch-based. There's no app and no EQ switching, so what you hear is what you get. For someone who just wants to pair and go, that's a plus, not a minus. It also lists roughly 10 meters of Bluetooth range, giving you a bit more room to roam from your device.
The trade-off is battery. Skullcandy rates 10 hours of total battery, with the case adding about 11 hours — a fraction of what the JLab offers. The Indigo colorway, rounded-tip in-ear design, and 20Hz–20kHz frequency range round out a straightforward package backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty. With a 16-ohm impedance and dynamic driver, the tuning is standard and unfussy.
Buy it if you want toughness, dust resistance, and simple controls without app management. Skip it if long battery life is your priority.
• Best for battery life → JLab Go Air Pop. 9+ hours per bud and 26+ hours in the case dwarfs the Sesh's 10-hour total.
• Best for dust and water resistance → Skullcandy Sesh True. IP55 beats IPX4 by adding dust protection, better for gyms and trails.
• Best for sound customization → JLab Go Air Pop. EQ3 and the JLab App let you switch signatures and remap controls; the Sesh offers neither.
• Best for simple, no-app use → Skullcandy Sesh True. Pair it and use it, no tuning required.
• Best for one-ear use → JLab Go Air Pop. Dual Connect lets either bud work independently.
• Best for wireless roaming range → Skullcandy Sesh True. The listed 10-meter Bluetooth range gives a little more slack.
• Best for a compact, lightweight fit → JLab Go Air Pop. The buds are 15% smaller than the prior gen, with three tip sizes included.
• Best for a standout color/design → your call. JLab offers Mint (and other listed shades), while Skullcandy goes Indigo with a rounded-tip shape.
In my opinion, the JLab Go Air Pop is the better buy for most people. The battery gap alone is decisive — well over 30 hours total versus 10 — and features like EQ3, the JLab App, Bluetooth 5.3, and Dual Connect make it far more flexible day to day. I'd only steer you to the Skullcandy Sesh True if dust resistance (IP55) and app-free simplicity are must-haves. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since that's the one factor that could tip a close call.
FAQ
In this comparison, JLab Go Air Pop clearly leads: 9+ hours per bud plus 26+ in the case, versus 10 hours total for the Skullcandy Sesh True.
Yes — IP55 sweat, water, and dust resistance makes them a solid gym or outdoor pick, and the touch controls handle calls and volume without reaching for your phone.
Yes. The JLab App lets you adjust EQ settings and manage touch controls, something the Skullcandy Sesh True doesn't offer.
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See also: jlab vs jbl earbuds, MINDBEAST Earbuds Noise Cancellation vs JLab Go Pop ANC, XIAOWTEK Earbuds vs Moondrop CHU III IEM: Ergonomic Earbuds