We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 5 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a compact, sweat-resistant everyday pair with three sound modes and a case that charges without a cable, choose JLab; if you need marathon battery life with a visible battery readout and officially licensed team styling, choose SOAR NFL True.
• JLab's biggest strength: A tuned, workout-friendly design — three EQ modes, IPX4 sweat resistance, and buds that JLab says are 15% smaller than the previous generation.
• JLab's biggest trade-off: Battery life tops out at 32+ hours total, which is modest next to the SOAR case.
• SOAR NFL True's biggest strength: Endurance — 10+ hours per charge and up to 61 hours with the case, plus an LED display that shows remaining power.
• SOAR NFL True's biggest trade-off: No listed water-resistance rating and no sound customization, so it's less suited to heavy sweat.
• Pick JLab if you want sound options, a snug compact fit, and gym-ready durability.
• Pick SOAR NFL True if you want the longest possible runtime and licensed team colors.
The JLab Go Air Pop is built around flexibility. You get 8+ hours in each earbud and 24+ more from the case, so a full week of commutes and workouts without hunting for an outlet is realistic for most people. The case itself has an integrated USB cable, which sounds like a small thing until you're the person whose charging cord is always missing. You just plug the case in wherever there's a USB port.
What sets it apart is the tuning. There are three EQ modes — JLab Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost — so you can shift the sound depending on whether you're listening to podcasts, pop, or bass-heavy tracks. In my opinion that's the single most useful feature here, because most budget earbuds lock you into one sound signature. Touch controls handle volume, track skipping, calls, and your voice assistant, and each bud has its own MEMS microphone.
The IPX4 rating means sweat and light splashes are fine, and the smaller-than-before design suits smaller ears and active use. Dual Connect lets you run either earbud solo, which is handy for calls or for keeping one ear open on a run. It's Bluetooth 5.1 with a 30-foot range, and it's backed by a two-year warranty.
Who should buy it: Runners, gym-goers, and anyone who wants tweakable sound in a small package. Who should skip it: If you want the absolute longest runtime or a battery percentage readout, the SOAR is the better fit.
The SOAR NFL True is the endurance play. SOAR rates it at 10+ hours of music and talk time per charge, and the charging case pushes that to 61 hours total — roughly double what the JLab offers. The case also has an LED screen showing remaining battery, so you're never guessing whether you have enough juice for a long trip. For flights, road trips, or anyone who hates charging, that combination is genuinely useful.
The other headline is the branding. These are officially licensed NFL earbuds in team colorways, which is the whole point for a certain buyer. If you want your earbuds to match your jersey on game day, this is the category where that's actually available.
On the tech side it's Bluetooth 5.0 with a 30-foot range, dynamic drivers covering 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, physical control buttons for calls and playback, and a built-in mic for hands-free calling. Note two limitations from the specs: there's no listed noise control and no water-resistance rating, so these are better for casual listening than for sweaty workouts. The warranty is one year limited, shorter than JLab's.
Who should buy it: Fans who want team gear, and heavy listeners who want maximum battery with a visible gauge. Who should skip it: If you sweat heavily or want EQ control, look at the JLab instead.
• Best for battery life → SOAR NFL True (61 hours total vs. 32+ hours on the JLab).
• Best for sound customization → JLab (three EQ modes vs. no EQ options on the SOAR).
• Best for workouts and sweat → JLab (IPX4 rated; the SOAR lists no water resistance).
• Best for tracking remaining power → SOAR NFL True (LED display on the case).
• Best for charging convenience → JLab (built-in USB cable in the case).
• Best for team pride → SOAR NFL True (officially licensed NFL design).
• Best for solo-bud use → JLab (Dual Connect lets either bud work independently).
• Best for warranty coverage → JLab (two years vs. one year limited).
If I were buying for myself, I'd take the JLab Go Air Pop. In my opinion the EQ modes, IPX4 rating, and compact fit make it the more versatile pair for daily life — commuting, workouts, calls, and everything between. The 32+ hours is plenty for most weeks, and the built-in cable removes a real annoyance. I'd only steer you to the SOAR NFL True if battery life is your number one priority, you want the visible charge display, or the licensed team design is the reason you're shopping. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since both sit in the budget tier and value shifts over time.
Take both buds out of the case and they'll power on and enter pairing mode automatically. Open your phone's Bluetooth settings, select the earbud name from the list, and confirm. The JLab uses Bluetooth 5.1 and the SOAR uses Bluetooth 5.0, and both list a 30-foot wireless range.
Once paired the first time, just remove them from the case and they reconnect to your device automatically. If they don't, turn Bluetooth off and back on, or place the buds back in the case and take them out again. Both models support standard Bluetooth connections to phones, tablets, and laptops.
JLab uses touch controls on each bud for volume, track skipping, calls, and your voice assistant. SOAR uses control buttons for play/pause, calls, and playlist management. Both have built-in microphones, so you can take hands-free calls without touching your phone.
SOAR wins on paper: 10+ hours per charge and up to 61 hours with the case, versus 8+ hours per charge and 32+ hours total for the JLab. If runtime matters most, the SOAR is the clear pick; if you prefer a smaller, sweat-resistant design, the JLab is the better trade.
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