OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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JLab Audio Play Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£25Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:22 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

JLab Audio Play Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

JLab Audio Play
6.6/10

Overall score

Score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 65% of models
Score components

80%

6.2

Technical score

20%

7.9

User score

â–²Better than 65% of headphones
7.6

Value for money

Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 66% of models
Score components

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–²Better than 66%
6.2

Technical score

Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 64% of models
Score components

52%

6.5

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

8.1

Design

8%

6.2

Connectivity

6%

5.4

Battery

4%

8.0

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 64%
7.9

User score

User score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

User ratings

30%

8.2

Number of reviews

Based on 2,154 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 61%
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Best prices
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Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones JLab Audio Play

Technical score
Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 64% of models
Score components:

52%

6.5

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

8.1

Design

8%

6.2

Connectivity

6%

5.4

Battery

4%

8.0

Calls & Controls

6.2
User score
User score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

User ratings

30%

8.2

Number of reviews

Based on 2,154 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.9
Popularity
Popularity
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 78% of models
Popularity:
JLab Audio Play has a popularity score of 8.2 points, which is higher than that of 78.1% of products in this category.
8.2
Value for money
Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 66% of models
Score components:

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.6
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
yes
This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone. 86.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
5
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 5, newer Bluetooth version than 70.9% of headphones and equal to 13.1% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
Market range: <10 m – >15 m
This pair of headphones offers a Bluetooth range of 10 m, higher Bluetooth range than 2.7% of headphones and equal to 80.6% of headphones.
Audio latency
60 ms
Market range: <40 ms – >222 ms
This pair of headphones has audio latency of 60 ms, lower audio latency than 65.5% of headphones and equal to 6.2% of headphones.
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
22 hours
Market range: <10 hours – >70 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 22 hours, lower battery life than 62.8% of headphones and equal to 2.2% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
3 hours
Market range: <1.5 hours – >3.5 hours
This pair of headphones needs 3 hours to charge, higher charging time than 66.7% of headphones and equal to 20.8% of headphones.
Quick charge
yes
This pair of headphones supports quick charge. 67% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
400 mAh
Market range: <290 mAh – >1k mAh
This pair of headphones has a battery capacity of 400 mAh, lower battery capacity than 69.7% of headphones and equal to 8.6% of headphones.
Show more
Brand name
JLab
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
150 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 150 g, lighter than 69.4% of headphones and equal to 1.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
4.9
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 4.9, higher clamp force than 59.7% of headphones and equal to 8.5% of headphones.
Show more

JLab Audio Play vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • 8 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Quick charge support
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • 90 ms lower audio latency
    This pair of headphones has a lower audio latency than the average pair of headphones (60 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
    60 ms vs 150 ms
  • AptX Low Latency
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Low Latency, the average pair of headphones does not. 8% of headphones support aptX Low Latency.
  • 31.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (150 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    150 g vs 218 g
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • 3.6x cheaper
    JLab Audio Play is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£25 vs £90).
    £25 vs £90
  • 31.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (150 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    150 g vs 218 g
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Kid-friendly design
    This pair of headphones has a kid-friendly design, the average pair of headphones does not. 3.6% of headphones are designed for kids.
  • Water resistance
    This pair of headphones is water resistant, the average pair of headphones is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 8 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Quick charge support
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • Play while charging
    This pair of headphones can play while charging, the average pair of headphones cannot. 29.1% of headphones support play while charging.
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • AptX Low Latency
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Low Latency, the average pair of headphones does not. 8% of headphones support aptX Low Latency.
  • 90 ms lower audio latency
    This pair of headphones has a lower audio latency than the average pair of headphones (60 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
    60 ms vs 150 ms
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • AptX support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX, the average pair of headphones does not. 18.4% of headphones support aptX.
  • Low-latency game mode
    This pair of headphones includes a low-latency game mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 21.2% of headphones support low-latency game mode.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 1 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (3 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    3 hours vs 2 hours
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 8 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (22 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    22 hours vs 30 hours
  • 31% lower battery capacity
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (400 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    400 mAh vs 580 mAh
  • 0.6 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (4.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    4.9 vs 4.3
  • 0.6 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (4.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    4.9 vs 4.3
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 1 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (3 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    3 hours vs 2 hours
  • 8 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (22 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    22 hours vs 30 hours
  • 31% lower battery capacity
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (400 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    400 mAh vs 580 mAh

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

T
techaeris.com
21/02/2020
Summary of the review
JLab Play Gaming Wireless Earbuds review

Third-party reviews

Based on 2,154 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: June 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about JLab Audio Play

  • Excellent value for the price point
  • Strong battery life (typically 11-22+ hours depending on model)
  • Lightweight and comfortable for extended use
  • Versatile connectivity with both Bluetooth and 3.5mm AUX options
  • Low latency (60ms) mode is beneficial for mobile gaming
  • Retractable boom microphone is convenient and provides clear chat quality
  • Includes a high-quality hard-sided travel case

What we don't like about JLab Audio Play

  • Audio quality for music can feel flat or lack bass compared to gaming mode
  • Small ear cup size can be uncomfortable for some adults or those with glasses
  • Micro-USB charging port is considered outdated compared to USB-C
  • Bluetooth does not work natively with most game consoles (requires wired AUX)
  • Build materials can feel somewhat cheap or fragile over time
  • Reports of microphone issues like echoing for teammates in loud games
  • Volume output can be lower than expected on certain devices

Verdict

The JLab Audio Play is a versatile on-ear gaming headset designed for both mobile and console use, featuring Bluetooth 5 with aptX and a super-low 60ms latency for optimized wireless gameplay. It is equipped with 40mm dynamic neodymium drivers providing a frequency range of 20Hz–20kHz, and offers over 22 hours of playtime with a rapid charge feature that provides 1 hour of use from just 10 minutes of charging. Key characteristics include a discrete retractable boom microphone with a dedicated quick-mute button and a dual-mode equalizer for switching between 'Gaming' and 'Music' sound profiles. Main pros consist of its lightweight, portable folding design, a durable travel case, and an included zero-latency 3.5mm AUX cord for universal compatibility with platforms like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. Notable cons include a build quality that can feel somewhat plastic or generic, earcups that may be too small for some users, and the inability to use the headset while it is charging.

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