How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a podcast recording hub that lets four people each hear themselves on their own headphones while you capture four mics, choose Zoom PodTrak P4; if you need wireless earbuds for listening to podcasts, taking calls and working out, choose JLab.
• Zoom PodTrak P4 — biggest strength: Four XLR mic inputs with phantom power plus four separate headphone outputs, each with its own volume control, so a whole table of hosts and guests can monitor the recording at once.
• Zoom PodTrak P4 — biggest trade-off: It's a recorder, not a pair of headphones. You still need to bring your own wired headphones (3.5 mm jack) for everyone, and it runs up to 3.5 hours on 2 AA batteries.
• JLab — biggest strength: 35+ hours of total playtime (9+ hours per bud, 26 more in the USB-C case), EQ3 presets, and a true wireless design that goes anywhere.
• JLab — biggest trade-off: No wired jack, no monitoring-grade output, and no way to plug a microphone into it. It's a listening device, not a studio tool.
• Who the Zoom PodTrak P4 is for: podcasters who record multiple people in one room or over the phone and need real headphone monitoring and track separation.
• Who JLab is for: listeners, commuters and casual creators who want cheap-feeling-free wireless earbuds for podcasts, music and calls.
The PodTrak P4 is a compact digital multitrack recorder built around one idea: getting several voices into one clean recording. It gives you four XLR microphone inputs with phantom power and Zoom's preamps, which provide up to 70 dB of gain — enough headroom for demanding microphones. Every input source can be recorded on its own track, so you can fix one person's level in editing without touching anyone else's.
Then there's the headphone side, which is the part most people miss. The P4 has four headphone outputs, each with a dedicated volume control. In practice, that means the host, two guests at the table and a remote caller can all hear the mix at a level that suits them. For remote interviews, you connect a phone over the TRRS jack or a computer over USB, and the automatic Mix-Minus function strips the call audio out of what the remote guest hears, which is what prevents echo and feedback. There are also four programmable Sound Pads for music, jingles, ads or pre-recorded bits, with 11 presets built in, and you can load your own.
It also doubles as a 2-in/2-out USB audio interface, so you can record straight to a computer, Android or iOS device (an Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter is required on Lightning iPhones), or live-stream. It weighs 130 g, measures 6.1" x 4.41" x 1.85", has a 2-inch screen and records WAV.
JLab: Who It's For
JLab's Go Air Pop+ Tones are true wireless earbuds aimed at everyday listening. The headline number is battery: 9+ hours in each bud plus 26 more in the USB-C charging case, for 35+ hours total. The case has an integrated USB-C cable, and a 10-minute top-up gets you about an hour of playtime. Earbud charge time is under 2.2 hours.
Sound is handled by a 6 mm dynamic driver with a 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz range, and EQ3 lets you switch between Signature, Bass Boost and Balanced presets — handy if you like a warmer voice-forward sound for spoken-word podcasts versus more low end for music. Dual Connect means you can use both buds together or either one alone without re-pairing, which is genuinely useful for taking calls or keeping one ear open. Each bud has a built-in MEMS microphone for calls, and Be Aware Mode lets ambient sound in.
They're IPX4 sweat resistant, so workouts and light rain are fine, and the fit comes with three sets of gel eartips so you can find a proper seal. Bluetooth 5.1 with a 10-meter range, touch controls on each bud, Google Fast Pair on Android for quick pairing and finding a lost bud, a JLab app for customizing touch functions and EQ, and a two-year warranty round it out.
Buy it if you want wireless earbuds for podcasts on the move, calls, and gym sessions without spending much thought on gear. Skip it if you need to monitor a recording or plug in a microphone — there's no jack here at all.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for recording a podcast → Zoom PodTrak P4. Four XLR inputs, phantom power, 70 dB of gain and per-input tracks.
• Best for battery life → JLab. 35+ hours total versus up to 3.5 hours on 2 AA batteries for the P4.
• Best for remote and phone interviews → Zoom PodTrak P4. TRRS and USB input with automatic Mix-Minus to kill echo and feedback.
• Best for commuting, workouts and calls → JLab. IPX4, Dual Connect single-bud use, MEMS mics and a pocketable charging case.
• Best for sound customization on the go → JLab. EQ3 presets and app-based touch control versus the P4's fixed monitoring output.
• Best for live streaming or recording to a computer → Zoom PodTrak P4. It works as a 2-in/2-out USB audio interface.
• Best value for a listener → JLab. If your podcast habit is listening, not producing, the earbuds do the job; check the current price on Amazon before you decide.
In my opinion, these two aren't really competitors — they sit at opposite ends of the podcast chain. The PodTrak P4 is the piece of gear that makes a multi-person recording possible: four mics in, four headphone feeds out, Mix-Minus for callers, and separate tracks for everyone. The JLab buds are what you put in your ears on the train home.
If your goal is to actually produce a podcast with other people, I'd buy the Zoom PodTrak P4 and pair it with wired 3.5 mm headphones for each person. If you just want to listen, the JLab earbuds are the simpler, more sensible pick.
why do you need headphones for a podcast
Headphones let you hear exactly what's being recorded while it happens. On the PodTrak P4 that matters most: with four headphone outputs and individual volume control, each host and guest can monitor their own mic and the mix, and the Mix-Minus function keeps call audio out of the remote guest's feed so there's no echo or feedback.
how to set up headphones for podcast
Plug wired headphones into one of the PodTrak P4's headphone outputs using the 3.5 mm jack, then set that person's volume with the dedicated control next to the output. Repeat for up to four listeners. Each input source records on its own track, so you can balance everyone afterward without re-recording.
what is the best headphones for podcasting
It depends on the job. For monitoring a recording, you want wired headphones you can plug into the P4's 3.5 mm jack — that gives you a stable, low-latency feed. For listening to finished episodes on the move, the JLab Go Air Pop+ Tones offer 35+ hours of total playtime, EQ3 presets and IPX4 sweat resistance.
what are good headphones for podcasting
In my opinion, good podcast headphones are the ones matched to your role. If you're producing, prioritize a wired set for the PodTrak P4 so every guest can monitor comfortably. If you're only listening, prioritize battery, fit and comfort — the JLab buds give 9+ hours per bud plus 26 in the case, with three eartip sizes for a reliable seal.
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