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Grado eGrado vs JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 79. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset - Great overall at around $130.

Score breakdown

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

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Grado eGrado
  • JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset
HearWiki score
53
79
Sound
6.2
7.4
Noise cancelling
-
6.5
Battery
-
9.2
Calls
-
8.0
Value
7.2
8.0
Price (USD)
$74
$130

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?

Half a step newer

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset (2024) against Grado eGrado (2020). The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Hybrid against None.

  • eGrado2020
  • Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset20244 yr newer
What differseGradoEpic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

Platform

ANC type
None
Hybrid

Specifications

eGradoEpic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset
Type
On-Ear
On-Ear
Price (USD)
$74
$130
HearWiki score
53
79
Released
2020
2024
Availability
Discontinued
Still sold new
Driver
44 mm dynamic
40 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
44 mm
40 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
32 Ω
Sensitivity
101 dB/mW
94 dB/mW
Bluetooth
-
5.3
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Latency
-
50 ms
Wireless range
-
9 m
Battery life
-
90 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
60 h
Quick charge
-
10 min → 6 h
Active noise cancelling
No
Yes
ANC type
-
hybrid
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
-
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
buttons
buttons
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
88 g
128 g
Case weight
-
80 g
Water resistance
-
none
Foldable
No
-
Detachable cable
-
No
USB-C
-
Yes
Pad material
-
leather
Connector
-
USB-C
Microphones
-
5
Microphone type
-
MEMS
Mic sensitivity
-
-38 dBV
Call noise reduction
-
Yes
Call NR technology
-
2-mic ENC

What reviewers said

Grado eGrado

The Grado eGrado is a lightweight, wired on-ear headphone that delivers a lively and engaging sound, with a particular strength in bass response for its price point. It offers a transparent and open presentation typical of the brand, though it can exhibit slight sibilance in the upper mids and occasional driver distortion on certain tracks. Best suited for genres like rock, jazz, and pop, it may not be the ideal pick for bass-heavy electronic music with continuous low-end.

  • Pro:Strong bass performance for the price
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended listening
  • Pro:Open, detailed sound signature
  • Con:Occasional sibilance in upper midrange
  • Con:Driver breakup on some tracks
  • Con:Not ideal for sustained deep bass in EDM

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset is a lightweight, versatile option designed for office and remote work, featuring hybrid active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3, and multipoint connectivity. It offers impressive battery endurance, clear call quality with multiple microphones, and a simple button-based control scheme, all wrapped in a comfortable, portable design.

  • Pro:Exceptional battery life, even with ANC enabled
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long work sessions
  • Pro:Hybrid ANC effectively reduces moderate ambient noise
  • Con:Occasional Bluetooth connectivity quirks reported
  • Con:No water resistance rating
  • Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and AAC)

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

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New comparisonGrado eGradoJLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset