For a reasonable $59.99, the true wireless JLab JBuds ANC 3 deliver audio with notable thump, offer effective active noise cancellation (ANC) against low-frequency distractions, and provide an adjustable in-app EQ. But other aspects are less impressive, including their inability to mitigate more complex high-frequency noises and their limited Bluetooth codec support. They are ultimately fine for the price, though you should consider a few alternatives based on your needs. If you can go without ANC, for instance, the company's JBuds Mini provide a similar experience for $39.99. And if you want more effective ANC, better codec support, and a more polished app, Anker's Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earphones are better all around at $99.99, earning our Editors' Choice award.
Design: Basic Plastic
The JBuds ANC 3 are available only in black. The plastic earpieces have a semi-matte finish and feature the JLab logo on their outer panels. They fit securely in my ear and ship with three pairs of silicone eartips. Internally, 10mm dynamic drivers deliver a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz.
They support Bluetooth 5.2, the SBC codec, multipoint pairing with up to two devices, and Google Fast Pair. If you want higher-quality codec choices, such as AAC and LDAC, you need to pay more for the aforementioned Soundcore Liberty 4 NC.
The outer panels of the earbuds enable the touch controls. Tap once to adjust the volume (left for down, right for up), twice to summon your voice assistant (left) or control playback (right), or three times to cycle through the EQ presets (on either side). A long press on the left cycles between the Noise Cancellation and Be Aware (transparency) modes or, on the right, skips forward a track. Pressing and holding both earbuds toggles between the Music and Movie listening modes (the latter subtly emphasizes dialogue). Finally, a single tap on either side answers incoming calls, a double tap ends calls, and a press-and-hold gesture rejects calls. The default layout could be more intuitive, but you can overhaul the button assignments via the companion app. The controls worked reliably in testing.
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An IP55 rating means the earbuds are fairly dust-resistant and can withstand moderate water pressure from any direction. Neither sweaty workouts nor rain should cause a problem, though you shouldn't risk submerging them. The JBuds Mini have the same rating. If you want something more waterproof for inclement weather and running, consider the IPX8-rated Tribit FlyBuds 3 at $39.99.
The charging case has a flip-top lid and a status LED on the front. I'm not a fan of the hardwired charging cable. At merely 2 inches long, it's inconvenient to use and requires more careful treatment than a detachable wire.
JLab estimates the earphones can last around 7 hours with ANC on and 9 hours with it off. The case adds between 34 and 42 hours of battery life, depending on your use of ANC. Your results will further vary based on your typical listening volume level. The company claims that the battery takes 2 hours to fully charge from empty. The much smaller JBuds Mini last just 5.5 hours per charge, though the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC can last up to 10 hours without ANC.
App Experience: All the Expected Features
The JLab app (available for Android and iOS) offers some useful extras, but the text descriptions are quite small and the graphics look pretty bland. The main page shows battery life readouts for each earpiece, but not the case.
JLab crams a bunch of tiles below that. The first, Noise Control Modes, lets you choose between the Noise Canceling and Be Aware modes. You can adjust the level of either with a slider.
Further down, the Equalizer tile offers a few non-customizable presets: JLab Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost. Here, you also get a custom preset with 10 adjustable bands between 31Hz and 16kHz.
Up next is the Touch Controls section for customizing the on-ear controls and a toggle for switching between the Music and Movie modes. Otherwise, you can enable the Safe Hearing mode, which lets you set a volume limit with a fader. Oddly, the minimum you can select is 85dB, which seems quite loud. The maximum value here goes over 100dB.
Rounding out the experience is a tile for updating the firmware, as well as a settings menu with troubleshooting tips, an option to register your device, and language options for the voice prompts.
Noise Cancellation: Capable Against Lows
The JBuds ANC 3 performed adequately in my noise cancellation tests. They significantly dialed back powerful low-frequency rumble as long as the in-app ANC fader was at its maximum level. A more complex recording of a busy restaurant proved more challenging. In this scenario, the earbuds somewhat cut back the lows and mids, but most of the sounds came through. A high-frequency hiss accompanied the ANC mode, but this isn't unpleasant or uncommon. For much better all-around performance here, save up for the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC.
Be Aware, JLab’s transparency mode, presents your surroundings loudly at its maximum setting, though you can dial back its level via the app. The signal adds a noticeable high-frequency hiss, for reference. The app remembers your fader settings, though it defaults to the ANC mode if you disable this section entirely.
Sound Quality: Sculpted But Balanced
I can confirm that the app’s EQ works fine for boosting and cutting throughout the frequency range. Results are sometimes subtle (especially for changes to the deep lows) but always audible. The presets are worth checking out as well, though I reset the earbuds to the default JLab Signature mode for my evaluations below.
On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the earphones deliver a powerful low-frequency response. They don’t distort at higher volumes, and the bass still sounds full-bodied at moderate settings.
The drivers have no issue reproducing the sub-bass at the 34-second mark of Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.” The lowest of these sub-bass synth notes come across with rumble reminiscent of a subwoofer. The various vocals get an appropriate sense of higher-frequency clarity and never cede space to the deep bass.
The drums on Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass in the mix, pack some extra bass thump, while the highs get some sculpting—I hear a bit more tape hiss than usual. Callahan’s baritone vocals have a pleasant balance of low-mid richness and high-mid depth, while the acoustic strums and higher-frequency percussive hits sound bright enough. The relatively nice balance underscores my disappointment with the SBC-only playback, though you might not consider this an issue depending on whether you can hear a difference between various codecs.
On orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the earbuds bring the lower-register instrumentation forward in the mix and add a bit of bass depth to create a somewhat natural presentation. Meanwhile, the higher-register brass, strings, and vocals are quite crisp. If you don't enjoy this sculpting, you should try the Balanced EQ preset or turn to the adjustable EQ.
The voice mic array works reliably. I could understand every word from a test recording on my iPhone thanks to the strong mic level. Of course, the signal doesn't sound as clear as that from more expensive models that emphasize clarity and tamp down on exterior noise.
Verdict: No-Frills Earphones for a Fair Price
The JLab JBuds ANC 3 can reduce low-frequency noises and pump out deep, balanced sound for a reasonable price. The lack of quality Bluetooth codec options and a slightly unpolished app are downsides, but these are reasonable compromises for the cost. Overall, we think JLabs's non-noise-cancelling JBuds Mini are a slightly better value since they provide a competitive experience for considerably less money. And if ANC and audio quality are your top priorities, you should save up for the Editors' Choice-winning Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC.
The JLab JBuds ANC 3 produce crisp sound and cancel low-frequency noises fairly well, but some similarly priced competitors offer better bang for the buck.
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Sign up for other newslettersAbout Tim Gideon
Contributing Editor, Audio
