How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want maximum total battery life, a rugged sweat-and-waterproof build and a secure over-ear hook fit for hard training, choose Skullcandy Push; if you need a tiny, pocketable everyday pair with modern Bluetooth, app-based sound tuning and a much lower-cost entry point, choose JLab Go Air Pop+.
• Skullcandy Push — biggest strength: 42 hours of total battery (6 hours per charge plus 34 in the case), IP67 sweat and waterproofing, and moldable hooks that lock the buds in place. Biggest trade-off: older Bluetooth (version 2) and no app or EQ customization.
• JLab Go Air Pop+ — biggest strength: a genuinely tiny, credit-card-sized case, Bluetooth 5.3, and a companion app with EQ presets and Be Aware mode. Biggest trade-off: lower total battery and no water/dust rating listed.
• Skullcandy Push is for you if: you train hard, sweat heavily, or want buds that physically cannot fall out mid-workout.
• JLab Go Air Pop+ is for you if: you want an inexpensive, pocket-friendly daily pair for commuting, calls and casual listening.
• My pick for most people: the JLab Go Air Pop+ — unless ruggedness or battery is your number-one priority, in which case the Skullcandy Push wins.
The Skullcandy Push is built around one idea: staying put. Its defining feature is the moldable hook earpiece shape — you bend the hook to match the contour of your ear, so the bud sits anchored rather than relying on a silicone tip alone. For anyone who has ever had an earbud pop loose halfway through a run or a set of burpees, that design choice is the whole point. The buds also carry an IP67 rating, meaning they're sealed against sweat and water, which is exactly the kind of protection gym and outdoor use demands.
Battery is the other headline. Skullcandy rates the buds at about 6 hours per charge and the carrying case at roughly 34 more, for 42 hours total. There's also a wireless charging case, so you can drop it on a charging pad instead of hunting for a cable — a small convenience that matters if you already keep a pad on your desk. A rapid-charge feature tops the buds up quickly when you're short on time. The Push also includes built-in Tile technology, which helps you locate a misplaced bud through the Tile app rather than tearing the sofa apart.
JLab Go Air Pop+: Who It's For
The JLab Go Air Pop+ goes the opposite direction: small, light and modern. The case is described as smaller than a credit card, so it disappears into a jeans pocket or a jacket zip. The buds themselves are JLab's smallest yet — 15% smaller and 40% lighter than the earlier Go Air — which makes them easy to wear for long stretches and easy to lose track of in a bag. This is the pair you grab without thinking on the way out the door.
On the spec sheet, the Go Air Pop+ runs Bluetooth 5.3, the newest standard in this comparison, with the fast auto-on-and-connect behavior that comes with it: take the buds out of the case and they pair to each other and then to your phone. Each bud is rated for 9+ hours of playtime, with 26+ more in the case for 35+ hours total. The case charges over an integrated USB-C cable, and JLab claims 10 minutes of charging yields about an hour of listening — handy when you realize you forgot to charge before a commute.
The extras are where this pair punches above its weight. The JLab app lets you remap touch controls, adjust Be Aware mode (which pipes ambient sound in so you can hear traffic), and pick EQ presets like JLab Signature, Balanced or Bass Boost. There's a MEMS microphone in each bud for calls, either bud can be used solo, Google Fast Pair helps you find a missing earbud, and the package includes Cloud Foam tips designed to expand in your ear for a more secure seal. Buy it if you want a light, cheap, feature-rich daily driver. Skip it if you need heavy sweat protection or maximum battery — there's no IP rating listed here, and total playtime trails the Skullcandy.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for total battery life → Skullcandy Push (42 hours total versus 35+ hours on the JLab).
• Best for a secure fit during hard workouts → Skullcandy Push (moldable hooks versus standard gel tips).
• Best for a pocket-sized case → JLab Go Air Pop+ (smaller than a credit card; the Skullcandy case weighs 100 g).
• Best for modern connectivity → JLab Go Air Pop+ (Bluetooth 5.3 versus Bluetooth 2).
• Best for sound customization → JLab Go Air Pop+ (app EQ presets and Be Aware mode; the Skullcandy has no app).
• Best for calls and single-bud use → JLab Go Air Pop+ (MEMS mic in each bud, either bud usable alone).
• Best for finding a lost bud → a tie, by different means (Skullcandy uses built-in Tile; JLab uses Google Fast Pair).
For most people, I'd buy the JLab Go Air Pop+. In my opinion, Bluetooth 5.3, the app-based EQ, Be Aware mode, the tiny case and the 35+ hour total battery make it the better everyday earbud, and it covers commuting, calls and casual listening more flexibly than the Skullcandy. The Skullcandy Push is the one I'd recommend if you train hard and sweat heavily — IP67 plus moldable hooks plus 42 hours is a genuinely rugged combination that the JLab can't match on paper. Decide which of those two lives you actually live, and the choice makes itself.
Not universally. The Skullcandy wins on battery (42 hours), water resistance (IP67) and secure hook fit. The JLab wins on Bluetooth version, app features, case size and call flexibility. It depends entirely on whether you prioritize rugged training or everyday convenience.
The Skullcandy Push, on total playtime: about 6 hours per charge plus 34 in the case, for 42 hours. The JLab Go Air Pop+ offers 9+ hours per bud plus 26+ in the case, for 35+ hours total. The JLab lasts longer per single charge; the Skullcandy lasts longer overall.
They'll handle light exercise, and Cloud Foam tips plus three eartip sizes help with fit. But no water or dust rating is listed, so heavy sweat and rain are a risk. For serious training, the IP67-rated Skullcandy Push is the safer pick.
Yes — pricing changes often, so check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page before you decide. Both are affordable true-wireless options, but the gap between them is worth confirming at the moment you buy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.