REASONS TO BUY
Ok for price
Decent sound
Comfortable ear cups
REASONS TO AVOID
Hot foam
Smaller cups
Poor noise blocking
Plastic smell
JLab JBuds Lux ANC Review
Not the worst budget pair, but the hot fit and unimpressive noise blacking make them less compelling
Credit: Matt Lighthart
By Rachael Lamore ⋅ Senior Review Analyst ⋅ December 12, 2025
RELATED: Best Wireless Headphones of 2025
Our Verdict
The JLab JBuds Lux ANC are an uninspired pair of budget headphones with active noise cancellation and passive playback (using a cord they don't provide). It doesn't come with a case or carry bag, but we appreciated the inclusion of the charging cable. These headphones offer a compelling price and provide adequate sound, along with a broader soundstage than we expected, and a mix that is more pleasing than many other budget pairs. However, they lack a neutral profile, the bass can sound muddy, and the highs sometimes sound piercing. The battery life is respectable, and the phone calls are clear and loud enough, although they don't completely block out surrounding noise. While comfortable enough, they weren't as comfortable as other budget pairs, and the noise cancellation isn't suitable for anyone seeking relief from the world's chaos. Overall, we see how the low price might get them on a short list, but they are a better choice for teens or those with a less discerning ear who tend to lose or damage gear and want to avoid spending a lot on something they might not have for long.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The JBuds look and feel like a lower-priced option. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Our JLab JBuds Lux ANC Headphones Experience
The JLab JBuds ANC Headphones are a budget pair that have a nicer overall look and feel than most budget headphones. However, the stitching and fabric around the cups look bunched and less refined than those of premium headphones. They don't come with a case or even a drawstring bag, and they only include the USB-C cable; no audio cable is provided (although they support passive playback, which requires an audio cable and adapter).
The earcup material on the JBuds has a somewhat plasticky feel and smell. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The JLab headphones have pleather-covered, well-padded earcups. The padding conformed to our head, and our ears rubbed somewhat on the inner edge of the cup. The material has a slight plastic smell that may be offensive to those sensitive to odors (we didn't like it), and the pleather runs hot. Even on a slow walk on a cooler day, our ears got toasty, almost too hot, but they didn't create sensitive spots.
The JBuds have average call quality. Credit: Matt Lighthart
They are compatible with most operating systems, including those used by Apple and Android devices. We didn't have any trouble pairing them. The multi-point works pretty well. We had to pause from one device to another, and once there was a random jump from one device to another, but for the most part, it worked well and wasn't frustrating to use.
The awareness mode on the JBuds is not our favorite. It seems to turn up the environment too much. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The awareness mode seems to turn up the volume of the environment too much. It has a harsh and robotic tone without some of the texture of real life. There is a white noise in the background that sounds similar to a distant vacuum hum, which is distracting. We didn't find it the most comfortable mode to use, and it did amplify our breathing, but if you only need it infrequently, it can be tolerated. However, the passive noise cancellation is so poor that awareness mode might not be required in most circumstances with the active noise cancellation turned off.
The earcups on the JBuds are soft, but they didn't manage to be very comfortable. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The padding on the JBuds headband could be improved or cover a larger area. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Probably not. While these budget headphones have an intriguing price tag and better sound quality than many cheap headphones, they aren't a compelling pair. There are cheaper or just slightly more expensive options that sound better and offer improved comfort and even call quality, making these an uninspired pair for most users.
For a lower price, the Tozo HT2 are far more comfortable and have slightly better sound and noise cancellation. While they aren't the best at phone calls, those who rarely make calls might not be bothered. Alternatively, the 1More Sonoflow has a slightly higher price but offers significantly better noise cancellation, comfort, and call quality compared to the JLab, and its sound quality is also somewhat better.
The JBuds have better sound quality than we expected for a cheap pair of headphones. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Sound Quality
The overall sound quality for the JLab is below average compared to the group. If you compare it solely to other budget headphones, it fares somewhat better, but there are similarly priced headphones that sound better or offer a wider soundstage.
The JLab bass lacks clear separation, more so than a lack of lows. It occasionally sounds like some lows bleed into one another, lacking precision. However, it still manages to provide a warm and hearty sound that helps us forgive the bleeding. The emphasis on the bass helps create a richer sound, but it creates inaccuracies in the mix. It can't be described as a neutral mix, but the bass isn't heavy enough to appeal to bass heads yearning for more. Casual listeners might be pleased, but others might be left wanting more.
The mids are pleasant overall, with vocals that are pushed forward somewhat while maintaining clarity and a wide range. At lower volumes, they can sometimes sound distant and less prominent, regardless of the volume. However, the mids are still the strongest asset for the JLabs.
The treble range has some sibilance (hissing effect to “sh” sounds) and harshness for instruments like cymbals and upper-register synths. Individuals with sensitive ears may find this fatiguing for extended periods or at higher volumes. An occasional sparkle and shimmer is a double-edged sword, as the highs can feel sharp. Sometimes the highs feel too warm and unreliable in their consistency.
The JLabs frequency response compared to our Target Response Curve shows a similar impression to our listening thoughts.
The JBuds lack pinpoint accuracy for locating instruments within their soundstage. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Soundstage
The JLab soundstage feels spacious, with sufficient separation to distinguish each voice. It provides a nice width, and the location of the instruments is good, with a clear spatial arrangement and an understanding of who is taking the lead.
While it lacks pinpoint accuracy, it's solid enough to place everything in space with confidence. They aren't cinematic, nor will they transport you to another dimension of consciousness. Still, they provide a pleasing dynamic balance and a range of textural color that makes most tracks enjoyable.
The JBuds offer average comfort. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Comfort and Fit
The comfort and fit of the JLab are average. There is nothing here to rave about, but it isn't so abysmal that we wanted to rip them from our heads; more so, there are other reasonably priced competitors that are more comfortable.
The JBuds have an adjustable headband. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The earcups on the JBuds get hot easily. Credit: Matt Lighthart
We were able to wear the JLabs for about six hours straight. They didn't press on sunglasses, and the clamping force is low enough that we even forgot we had them on.
The noise cancellation for the JBuds in a cafe is not that impressive. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation, be it passive or active, on the JLab is below average. While we have lower expectations for headphones in the budget range, these still didn't offer as much as competing lower-priced options.
The average reduction in sound is slightly over 20 dB for the JLab, with most of the reduction occurring in the treble range, resulting in minimal blocking of bass range sounds.
We run noise cancellation tests using hardware and software. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The JLab passive cancellation leaves a lot to be desired, as we can hear almost everything happening around us. It lets most of the external world bleed past the cups, and active noise cancellation (ANC) is required to find some muting or fewer distractions.
Turning on active cancellation helps, but not significantly, and it won't create a cone of silence or even drown out conversations from nearby co-workers. It diminished the sounds of cars driving nearby on a walk, but it didn't block them. The wind created a tearing sound through the cups, but it muted the footfalls pretty well. While some online chatter lauds the noise cancellation of this budget headset, we found it to be only okay. In our office, it muted the sounds of keyboards, but oddly, the office chair wheels were still audible. The espresso machine is still loud, and we can even hear the fridge door open.
The buttons on the JBuds earcup are easy to use. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The JBuds have a single USB-C port. Credit: Matt Lighthart
App and Controls
The JLab has a better-than-average app and right-earcup button controls. The app features several presets and customization options that make it worthwhile to download.
We didn't like the presets for the JBuds, but we think it is nice to offer them with cheap headphones. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Customization
The app features a 10-band EQ map with three presets and a customizable option. Three presets aren't that many, but the customization is nice to have. We weren't big fans of any of the presets, and the EQ map wasn't the most user-friendly. There is a safe hearing volume-limiting feature (which we love!). It sets the max level to 85 dB or 95 dB. This makes it better suited to those worried about hearing protection, such as headphones for kids or teens. There is also a “low-lag” movie mode to help sync voices with the video.
We had no difficulty differentiating the button controls on the JBuds. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Controls
The JLab only has buttons and no finicky touch controls. They are all on the right-hand side, so lefties be aware. They have a rubbery texture that makes them easy to find and use, differentiating them from the rest of the headphone cups. The controls are generally intuitive, and we didn't require the app immediately for basic functionality, including turning active noise cancellation on/off.
The JBuds have an average battery life. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Battery
The manufacturer lists the battery life for the JLab as 40 hours using active noise cancellation (ANC), which is above the average for the group. Without ANC enabled, it should last up to 70 hours.
With a quick charge of just 10 minutes, you gain 7.5 hours of additional listening time, which can be particularly helpful when navigating a long day or commute. It can be used in passive mode with an audio cable if the battery runs out, but you need to supply the cable yourself (most competitors include it in the purchase).
Phone calls using the JBuds are adequate, as it can start to struggle in louder environments. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Call Quality
The JLab offers adequate call quality for making occasional calls, with a score that is just above the average for the group. They are neither inspired nor challenging to make clear and understandable calls with.
You can unmute this audiophile to hear another call using the JBud. Credit: Rachael Lamore
In an open office environment, we could hear the clacking of keyboards and murmurs from other voices, in addition to the caller's voice. The caller's voice is clear and loud. For the price, it's pretty impressive. While it doesn't capture most of the background, there is enough to indicate that the caller is in an office.
Placing calls using the JBuds is about average, with enough clarity to get the job done. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The busy subway platform provides a similar response. You can hear the background sounds bleeding through, but the caller's voice is loud and clear without the need to ask for repetition of words. While the person on the other end is likely to know the call originates from a busy or loud environment, they won't necessarily know all the details, and the call won't be overally frustrating even if it does feel cluttered.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare JLab JBuds Lux ANC versus top competing products:
—Rachael Lamore
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