How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want true wireless freedom with app-tunable sound and a charging case you can pocket, choose JLab Go Air Pop; if you need a wired, foldable, on-ear headphone with a steel frame that never needs charging, choose JVC HAS160A.
• JLab Go Air Pop — biggest strength: True wireless Bluetooth 5.3 with a USB-C charging case, EQ3 sound modes, and Dual Connect so either earbud works alone.
• JLab Go Air Pop — biggest trade-off: In-ear design means you're dependent on battery life and a good tip seal; no wired fallback option.
• JVC HAS160A — biggest strength: A foldable, stainless-steel on-ear design with 30mm drivers and a 3.5mm plug — no battery, no pairing, no charging ever.
• JVC HAS160A — biggest trade-off: Wired only, no microphone, no Bluetooth, and no active features — it's a straightforward passive headphone.
• Who JLab Go Air Pop is for: Commuters, gym-goers, and anyone who wants wireless convenience and customizable sound.
• Who JVC HAS160A is for: Listeners who want simple, durable, plug-and-play headphones for desks, travel, and long sessions without battery anxiety.
The JLab Go Air Pop is built around wireless convenience. It's a true wireless in-ear set using Bluetooth 5.3, which the spec sheet describes as delivering fast, stable connections to iOS, Android, and PC. That matters if you're switching between a phone and a laptop all day. The USB-C charging case stores extra power, and JLab lists 9+ hours per earbud plus 26+ hours from the case. The product description settles on a 32+ hour total figure, and the battery field lists an average life of 8 hours per bud — either way, this is a set designed to get you through a full week of commutes without hunting for a cable.
What I find most interesting here is EQ3. Rather than a single fixed tuning, you get three sound signatures — Signature, Bass Boost, and Balanced — switchable on the fly. For someone who listens to podcasts in the morning and bass-heavy playlists at the gym, that's genuinely useful flexibility. There's also the JLab App, which lets you adjust EQ settings and remap the touch controls. Touch control handles volume, track skipping, play/pause, calls, and your voice assistant. Dual Connect lets you run either earbud independently, which is the feature I'd lean on most: one ear in for calls, both in for music.
Physically, these are 15% smaller than the previous generation and rated IPX4 for sweat and light rain. Three gel tip sizes (S/M/L) are included, and the 6mm dynamic drivers sit in a 16-ohm package. Each bud has a MEMS microphone rated -42dB +/-3dB for calls.
Buy it if you want wireless freedom, app-based tuning, and a case that keeps everything together. Skip it if you hate managing battery levels, dislike in-ear tips, or want a wired connection that works with zero setup.
The JVC HAS160A is the opposite philosophy entirely. This is a wired on-ear headphone with a flat foldable design and a stainless-steel adjustable headband. There is no battery, no Bluetooth pairing, and no app. You plug the 3.5mm slim plug into a phone, laptop, tablet, or audio device and it works. That simplicity is the whole point, and for a certain kind of listener it's a feature rather than a limitation.
The audio side is straightforward but specified clearly: 30mm Neodymium dynamic drivers, a frequency range of 12 Hz to 24,000 Hz, and 32-ohm impedance. That wide low-end extension suggests the tuning reaches down for bass presence, while the top end extends well past what most people can hear — which usually translates to crisp highs. The soft earpads are described as providing sound isolation and comfort for extended sessions. Since these are on-ear rather than in-ear, the isolation comes from the pad seal rather than a tip inserted into your canal.
Durability is a real talking point. The stainless-steel frame is described as rugged and built to last, and the fold-flat hinge means it collapses into a bag without a case. JVC backs it with a one-year parts-and-labor warranty. Note the spec sheet: this model has no microphone and no Bluetooth, and the noise-control field lists none — the isolation is passive, from the pads themselves.
Buy it if you want headphones that never die, never need pairing, and fold flat for travel. Skip it if you need wireless audio, hands-free calling, or active noise cancellation.
• Best for wireless freedom → JLab Go Air Pop. Bluetooth 5.3 with Dual Connect and a USB-C charging case.
• Best for never charging → JVC HAS160A. Wired 3.5mm only; there's no battery to run down.
• Best for customizable sound → JLab Go Air Pop. EQ3's three signatures plus app-based EQ control.
• Best for durability and travel → JVC HAS160A. Stainless-steel headband and flat foldable design.
• Best for workouts and sweaty commutes → JLab Go Air Pop. IPX4 sweat and light-rain resistance with three tip sizes.
• Best for hands-free calls → JLab Go Air Pop. A MEMS mic in each earbud for calls and voice assistant access.
• Best for long desk sessions → JVC HAS160A. Soft earpads and an adjustable steel headband built for extended wear.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → JVC HAS160A. No pairing, no app, no charging routine.
In my opinion, most people shopping this comparison should buy the JLab Go Air Pop. True wireless with a charging case, EQ3 tuning, app control, and Dual Connect covers the way people actually listen in 2026 — phone in pocket, buds in ears. The JVC HAS160A is the better pick only if you specifically want a wired, foldable, battery-free headphone for desk work or travel, and you don't care about calls or wireless. If you're torn, ask yourself one question: do you want to charge your headphones, or plug them in? That answer decides it. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since both sit in very different spots depending on the day.
FAQ
They solve different problems. JLab Go Air Pop wins on wireless convenience, app EQ, and call capability. JVC HAS160A wins on durability, foldability, and never needing a charge. Neither is universally better.
No. The JVC HAS160A is a wired on-ear headphone with a 3.5mm slim plug. There is no Bluetooth and no built-in microphone on this model.
JLab lists 9+ hours per earbud plus 26+ hours from the USB-C charging case. The description states a 32+ hour total, and the battery field lists 8 hours average per bud.
JLab Go Air Pop. It's IPX4 rated for sweat and light rain, comes with three gel tip sizes, and has no cable to snag. The JVC HAS160A is wired, so it's less practical for movement.
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