AKG Y30 vs JLab Go Work 3: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the AKG Y30 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 72. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | AKG Y30 | JLab Go Work 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $49 | $50 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2018 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 13Hz-27kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 6 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Latency | - | 50 ms |
| Wireless range | - | 9.1 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 70 h |
| Full charge time | - | 120 min |
| Quick charge | - | not stated for GO Work 3 |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| ANC type | - | none |
| Transparency mode | - | No |
| Companion app | - | No |
| Custom EQ | - | No |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | voice assistant control supported |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 106 g | 158 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | - | 2-mic ENC |
What reviewers said
AKG Y30
The AKG Y30 is a lightweight, foldable on-ear headphone that delivers a lively and open sound with a slight mid-forward tuning, making it versatile across genres. It packs practical features like an inline mic and playback controls into an affordable package, offering strong value for casual listeners despite its wired-only design and lack of noise cancellation.
- Pro:Very lightweight and portable with foldable design
- Pro:Engaging, bright sound with clear mids and usable bass
- Pro:Includes inline microphone and playback controls
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Non-detachable cable limits replacement options
- Con:On-ear fit may not suit all users for long sessions
JLab Go Work 3
The JLab Go Work 3 is a budget-friendly on-ear headset designed for productivity, offering an impressive 45-hour battery life and a flip-down boom mic for clear calls. It provides solid wireless performance with Bluetooth 5.0 and multipoint connectivity, though its sound signature leans toward function over musical fidelity. A lightweight build and straightforward controls make it a practical pick for long workdays, but it lacks extra features like ANC or an app.
- Pro:Exceptional battery life for extended use
- Pro:Flip-down boom mic ensures clear voice pickup
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear
- Con:Treble can sound harsh during music playback
- Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
- Con:Limited codec support with no custom EQ
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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