JLab Go Air Pop+ vs Anker Soundcore P20i
Quick take: The Anker Soundcore P20i costs $5 less; the Anker Soundcore P20i lasts longer per charge (10 hrs).
Which one to buy
Both are the default answer to 'what's the safest cheap earbud', and they split almost entirely on ear size. The JLab Go Air Pop+ bud is a tiny 3.9g shape that stays put in small ears where pebble-shaped buds fall out. The Soundcore P20i is bulkier at 4.4g, and its top owner complaint is that smaller ears can't get a stable seal, which makes it sound thin. If your ears are average or large, the P20i's 10mm drivers give it the bass owners rate best among ultra-cheap buds. If they're small, the JLab is the one that will sound right.
On paper the P20i wins most rows: 10 hours per bud against 9, IPX5 against IPX4, and 2 hours from a 10-minute charge where the JLab gets 1. The JLab's case holds more in total (35 hours to 30), and its charging cable is built into the case, which is the feature JLab owners mention more than any other. Both apps can fix the default bass: Soundcore offers 22 presets, and JLab's new full custom EQ replaces the old three-preset cycling.
Their weaknesses are the same. Neither has ANC, transparency or multipoint, and both mic setups give up in wind. Battery fade after about a year comes up more for the JLab, while P20i owners more often report one bud draining faster than the other. For $5 apart, decide on fit.
JLab Go Air Pop+
If you have small ears, keep losing charging cables, or want the bigger 35-hour case total.
Anker Soundcore P20i
Best if your ears handle a pebble-shaped bud and you want more bass, IPX5 for sweaty workouts, and the longer 10-hour single charge for $5 less.
| Spec | JLab Go Air Pop+ | Anker Soundcore P20i |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$25 | ~$20 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Wireless Earbuds | Wireless Earbuds |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 9 hrs | 10 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | 35 hrs | 30 hrs |
| Quick Charge | 10 min = 1 hr | 10 min = 2 hrs |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | No | No |
| Driver Size | 8 mm | 10 mm |
| Weight | 3.9 g | 4.4 g |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | No | No |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
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
Anker Soundcore P20i
- ✓10-hour single-charge battery embarrasses pricier buds
- ✓22 Soundcore app EQ presets tame the bass
- ✓IPX5 rating shrugs off gym sweat
- ✓91,000-plus ratings — the most proven $20 bud
- ✓Big 10mm drivers for the price
- ✓10-minute charge buys two hours
- ✗No ANC, transparency, multipoint, or wireless charging
- ✗Bulky pebble shape struggles in smaller ears
- ✗Calls fall apart outdoors despite 'AI clear calls' claim
- ✗Bass-heavy default tuning needs the app
- ✗Minority report one bud draining faster after a year
JLab Go Air Pop+ vs Anker Soundcore P20i: common questions
Will the tiny 3.9g Go Air Pop+ stay in small ears better than the pebble-shaped P20i?▾
The JLab. At 3.9g it's one of the smallest buds at any price, and owners with small ears say it stays put where AirPods and pebble-shaped Soundcores don't. Fit is the P20i's most repeated complaint, and without a seal its bass, the main reason to buy it, goes thin.
Does the P20i's 10mm driver out-bass the Go Air Pop+?▾
With a good seal, owners give the P20i the edge in bass and compare it to $35-50 buds, though its default tuning is boomy until you pick one of the app's 22 presets. The JLab is warm and bass-forward but makes no audiophile claims, and some owners say its maximum volume runs low in loud gyms.