Baseus Encok W04 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

Baseus Encok W04

56Average

$19

Full review data

True Wireless

Score breakdown

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

JLab Go Pods ANC leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Baseus Encok W04
JLab Go Pods ANC

HearWiki score

Sound

4.6

7.5

Noise cancelling

7.1

Battery

4.6

6.6

Calls

4.3

7.1

Value

5.1

9.8

Price (USD)

$19

$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 Baseus Encok W04 (2021). The JLab Go Pods ANC is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.0, Top codec AAC against SBC and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Transparency mode, Custom EQ and Water resistance IP55 against IP54.

Encok W042021
Go Pods ANC20243 yr newer

What differsEncok W04Go Pods ANC

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.4
Top codec: SBC; AAC
ANC type: None; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Water resistance: IP54; IP55

Level on: USB-C, Companion app.

Specifications

Encok W04Go Pods ANC

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $19; $30
HearWiki score: 56; 82
Released: 2021; 2024
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 13 mm dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 13 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 105 dB/mW; 99 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.4
Codecs: SBC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Latency: 38 ms; 200 ms
Wireless range: 15 m; 9 m
Battery life: 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 → 2 h; 10 min → 1 h
Wireless charging: No; -
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: none; hybrid
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: -; Yes
Weight: 3.5 g; 8.4 g
Case weight: 400 g; 27.6 g
Water resistance: IP54; IP55
Detachable cable: -; No
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 1; 4
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Mic sensitivity: -; -38 dBV

Specification comparison of Baseus Encok W04 vs JLab Go Pods ANC
Spec	Baseus Encok W04	JLab Go Pods ANC
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$19	$30
HearWiki score	56 / 100 Average	82 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2021	2024
Audio
Driver	13 mm dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	13 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	32 Ω
Sensitivity	105 dB/mW	99 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.4
Codecs	SBC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Latency	38 ms	200 ms
Wireless range	15 m	9 m
Battery
Battery life	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 → 2 h	10 min → 1 h
Wireless charging	No	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	none	hybrid
Transparency mode	No	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	-	Yes
Design
Weight	3.5 g	8.4 g
Case weight	400 g	27.6 g
Water resistance	IP54	IP55
Detachable cable	-	No
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	1	4
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Mic sensitivity	-	-38 dBV

What reviewers said

Baseus Encok W04

The Baseus Encok W04 is an ultra-affordable true wireless earbud that prioritizes everyday convenience and portability. It delivers a bass-forward sound signature that works well for music and movies, though its single microphone and basic codec support keep it firmly in budget territory. With IP54-rated durability and a compact, lightweight build, it suits active users who don't demand premium audio or advanced features.

Pro:Very low price point for a TWS earbud
Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for active use
Pro:Strong bass response suitable for music and movies

Con:Call quality is notably poor for voice conversations
Con:Only supports basic SBC codec
Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode

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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