JLab Go Pods ANC vs OnePlus Nord Buds 2r: 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

JLab Go Pods ANC

82Outstanding

$30

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 5 of 7 measures.

JLab Go Pods ANC
OnePlus Nord Buds 2r

HearWiki score

Sound

7.5

5.9

Noise cancelling

7.1

Battery

6.6

7.4

Calls

7.1

5.8

Value

9.8

8.3

Price (USD)

$30

$18

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 OnePlus Nord Buds 2r (2023). The JLab Go Pods ANC is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3 and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing.

Go Pods ANC20241 yr newer
Nord Buds 2r2023

What differsGo Pods ANCNord Buds 2r

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.3
ANC type: Hybrid; None
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No

Level on: Top codec, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app, Water resistance.

Specifications

Go Pods ANCNord Buds 2r

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $30; $18
HearWiki score: 82; 68
Released: 2024; 2023
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 12.4 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 12.4 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature: -; bass-heavy
Impedance: 32 Ω; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW; 111 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Latency: 200 ms; 94 ms
Wireless range: 9 m; 10 m
Battery life: -; 8 h
Battery life (ANC on): 5 h; -
Battery incl. case: 26 h; 38 h
Full charge time: 120 min; -
Quick charge: 10 min → 1 h; 10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging: -; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; No
ANC type: hybrid; none
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 8.4 g; 4.3 g
Case weight: 27.6 g; 38.1 g
Water resistance: IP55; 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: -; AI ENC

Specification comparison of JLab Go Pods ANC vs OnePlus Nord Buds 2r
Spec	JLab Go Pods ANC	OnePlus Nord Buds 2r
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$30	$18
HearWiki score	82 / 100 Outstanding	68 / 100 Good
Released	2024	2023
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	12.4 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	12.4 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature	-	bass-heavy
Impedance	32 Ω	16 Ω
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW	111 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Latency	200 ms	94 ms
Wireless range	9 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	-	8 h
Battery life (ANC on)	5 h	-
Battery incl. case	26 h	38 h
Full charge time	120 min	-
Quick charge	10 min → 1 h	10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	No
ANC type	hybrid	none
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	8.4 g	4.3 g
Case weight	27.6 g	38.1 g
Water resistance	IP55	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	-	AI ENC

What reviewers said

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

OnePlus Nord Buds 2r

The OnePlus Nord Buds 2r are an ultra-affordable true wireless option that deliver surprisingly robust, bass-forward audio and excellent battery endurance for the price. They skip active noise cancellation to keep costs down, but include a transparency mode, IP55 rating, and customizable EQ for a practical budget-friendly experience. While not feature-packed, they offer solid sound and long playback for everyday use.

Pro:Strong bass-heavy sound with large 12.4mm drivers
Pro:Exceptional battery life of up to 38 hours with charging case
Pro:Lightweight and comfortable with IP55 water resistance

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:No wireless charging or multipoint connectivity
Con:Basic build and feature set compared to pricier rivals

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

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparison JLab Go Pods ANC OnePlus Nord Buds 2r