JLab Go Air Pop+ vs Skullcandy Dime 3
Quick take: The JLab Go Air Pop+ lasts longer per charge (9 hrs); only the Skullcandy Dime 3 supports multipoint (two devices at once).
Which one to buy
At $25 each, these two are the default answer to "cheap earbuds that aren't junk," and owners weighing the Dime 3 against JLab's Go Air Pop line split roughly evenly. The decision comes down to three trade-offs.
First, controls versus customization. The Dime 3 uses a physical button, so adjusting a bud doesn't pause your music, while the Go Air Pop+'s touch controls misfire every time you push a bud back in and can't be disabled. On the other hand, the Dime 3 has no app at all, which means no EQ beyond three presets, no remapping and no firmware updates, and eight button combinations to memorise. The JLab app gives you a full custom EQ.
Second, multipoint versus battery. The Dime 3 can stay connected to a laptop and a phone at once, which is rare at this price. The JLab can't, since its "Dual Connect" only means either bud works alone. The JLab lasts longer, though, at 9 hours per charge and 35 in total against 8 and 20, and its USB-C cable is built into the case so you can't lose it.
Third, which risk you'd rather take. The JLab's known weakness is battery fade after roughly a year of daily use. The Dime 3's is quality control, with some charging cases dying within weeks and occasional pairs that refuse to reconnect until re-paired. Both have tiny shells around 4g that suit small ears, both are IPX4, and both mics fall apart in wind.
The Dime 3 also has a lanyard loop on the case and Tile tracking, which helps with a kid's pair or one that gets lost.
JLab Go Air Pop+
Best if you want a custom EQ, a longer-lasting case and never needing a separate cable.
Skullcandy Dime 3
If you switch between a laptop and a phone, hate touch controls, or need a pair that is easy to find again. It is the better gift for a kid, too.
| Spec | JLab Go Air Pop+ | Skullcandy Dime 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$25 | ~$25 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Wireless Earbuds | Wireless Earbuds |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 9 hrs | 8 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | 35 hrs | 20 hrs |
| Quick Charge | 10 min = 1 hr | 10 min = 2 hrs |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | No | Yes |
| Driver Size | 8 mm | 6 mm |
| Weight | 3.9 g | 4 g |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | No | No |
| App EQ | Yes | No |
Pros & cons
JLab Go Air Pop+
- ✓9 hours per charge, 35 total, for $25
- ✓USB-C cable built right into the case
- ✓Full custom app EQ replaces old three-preset cycling
- ✓Tiny 3.9g buds suit small ears
- ✓Bluetooth 5.3 with Google Fast Pair
- ✓16,000-plus ratings averaging 4.4 stars
- ✗Mics rough on calls, nearly unusable in wind
- ✗Touch controls fire accidentally when adjusting a bud
- ✗No ANC or ambient mode whatsoever
- ✗Dual Connect isn't true multipoint — one phone at a time
- ✗Bass-forward tuning muddies acoustic tracks
Skullcandy Dime 3
- ✓Multipoint pairing at $25 — rivals charge four times more
- ✓Built-in Tile tracking helps find lost buds
- ✓Tiny 4-gram shells fit small ears bulkier buds can't
- ✓Warmer, more balanced sound than any $25 bud should have
- ✓10-minute quick charge buys 2 hours
- ✓Three EQ presets cover music, bass boost, and podcasts
- ✗No app at all — controls and EQ can't be customized
- ✗Multi-press button combos take real memorizing
- ✗Wind shreds the mic on outdoor calls
- ✗Featherweight lanyard case feels flimsy in hand
- ✗Modest 8-hour buds, 20 hours total with case
JLab Go Air Pop+ vs Skullcandy Dime 3: common questions
Does the Dime 3's physical button misfire less than the Go Air Pop+'s touch controls?▾
The Dime 3. It uses a physical button, so adjusting a bud won't skip a track. The Go Air Pop+'s touch controls trigger accidentally when you reposition a bud, and there's no option to turn them off.
Can the Go Air Pop+ or the Dime 3 connect to two devices at once?▾
Only the Dime 3. It supports real multipoint for a phone and laptop together. The JLab's Dual Connect only lets you use either bud alone.
Does the Go Air Pop+ or the Dime 3 hold up longer before something breaks?▾
They fail differently. JLab owners report batteries fading after about a year of daily charging. Skullcandy owners more often report a case that dies early, sometimes within weeks, so keep the receipt.