1MORE PistonBuds/ Omthing Airfree vs JLab Go Pods ANC: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JLab Go Pods ANC comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: JLab Go Pods ANC - Outstanding overall at around $30.

True Wireless

1MORE PistonBuds/ Omthing Airfree

51Average

$33

Full review data

True Wireless

JLab Go Pods ANC

82Outstanding

$30

Full review data

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

JLab Go Pods ANC leads on 7 of 7 measures.

1MORE PistonBuds/ Omthing Airfree
JLab Go Pods ANC

HearWiki score

Sound

5.8

7.5

Noise cancelling

7.1

Battery

2.9

6.6

Calls

5.1

7.1

Value

5.8

9.8

Price (USD)

$33

$30

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

JLab Go Pods ANC (2024) against 1MORE PistonBuds/ Omthing Airfree (2020). The JLab Go Pods ANC is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.0 and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Transparency mode, Custom EQ and Companion app.

PistonBuds/ Omthing Airfree2020
Go Pods ANC20244 yr newer

What differsPistonBuds/ Omthing AirfreeGo Pods ANC

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.4
ANC type: None; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes
Water resistance: IPX4; IP55

Level on: Top codec, USB-C.

Specifications

PistonBuds/ Omthing AirfreeGo Pods ANC

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $33; $30
HearWiki score: 51; 82
Released: 2020; 2024
Availability: Discontinued; Still sold new
Driver: 7 mm dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 7 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 16 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 99 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.4
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Latency: -; 200 ms
Wireless range: 10 m; 9 m
Battery life: 3.5 h; -
Battery life (ANC on): -; 5 h
Battery incl. case: 20 h; 26 h
Full charge time: 90 min; 120 min
Quick charge: -; 10 min → 1 h
Wireless charging: No; -
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: none; hybrid
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: -; Yes
Weight: 4.2 g; 8.4 g
Case weight: 43.3 g; 27.6 g
Water resistance: IPX4; IP55
Detachable cable: -; No
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 4; 4
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Mic sensitivity: -; -38 dBV
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: ENC; -

Specification comparison of 1MORE PistonBuds/ Omthing Airfree vs JLab Go Pods ANC
Spec	1MORE PistonBuds/ Omthing Airfree	JLab Go Pods ANC
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$33	$30
HearWiki score	51 / 100 Average	82 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2020	2024
Audio
Driver	7 mm dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	7 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	16 Ω	32 Ω
Sensitivity	-	99 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.4
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Latency	-	200 ms
Wireless range	10 m	9 m
Battery
Battery life	3.5 h	-
Battery life (ANC on)	-	5 h
Battery incl. case	20 h	26 h
Full charge time	90 min	120 min
Quick charge	-	10 min → 1 h
Wireless charging	No	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	none	hybrid
Transparency mode	No	Yes
Companion app	No	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	-	Yes
Design
Weight	4.2 g	8.4 g
Case weight	43.3 g	27.6 g
Water resistance	IPX4	IP55
Detachable cable	-	No
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	4	4
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Mic sensitivity	-	-38 dBV
Call noise reduction	Yes	-
Call NR technology	ENC	-

What reviewers said

1MORE PistonBuds/ Omthing Airfree

The 1MORE PistonBuds, also known as the Omthing Airfree, are ultra-affordable true wireless earbuds that prioritize comfort and portability with a lightweight build and IPX4 splash resistance. They deliver a bass-forward sound signature and solid call quality for the price, though their short per-charge battery life and occasional connectivity quirks hold them back from being top-tier budget picks. Overall, they offer a decent package for casual listeners seeking a very cheap and comfortable daily pair.

Pro:Very affordable price point
Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
Pro:Decent call quality with four mics

Con:Short battery life of 3.5 hours per charge
Con:Bass-heavy tuning may not suit all tastes
Con:Bluetooth connection can be unstable

JLab Go Pods ANC

These budget true wireless earbuds deliver a surprisingly robust feature set for the price, including hybrid active noise cancellation, wireless charging, and multipoint connectivity. Sound leans slightly bass-heavy but remains clear and engaging, while the companion app offers a custom EQ to tailor the audio to your liking. They're a strong value pick, though battery life is shorter than some rivals and call quality has some limitations.

Pro:Excellent value for the price
Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the cost
Pro:Useful app with custom EQ

Con:Bass-heavy sound may not suit purists
Con:Battery life is below average for the class
Con:Call quality is mediocre in noisy settings

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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