Skip to content
HearWiki

JLab Go Pods ANC vs QCY HT03: 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.

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.

  • JLab Go Pods ANC
  • QCY HT03
HearWiki score
82
63
Sound
7.5
5.4
Noise cancelling
7.1
5.7
Battery
6.6
5.0
Calls
7.1
5.2
Value
9.8
5.8
Price (USD)
$30
$25

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 Go Pods ANC (2024) against QCY HT03 (2021). The JLab Go Pods ANC edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.1.

  • Go Pods ANC20243 yr newer
  • HT032021
What differsGo Pods ANCHT03

Platform

Bluetooth
5.4
5.1

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Wear detection
No
Yes
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP55
IPX5

Level on: Top codec, ANC type, USB-C, Companion app.

Specifications

Go Pods ANCHT03
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$30
$25
HearWiki score
82
63
Released
2024
2021
Availability
Still sold new
Still sold new
Driver
10 mm dynamic
10 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10 mm
10 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
16 Ω
Sensitivity
99 dB/mW
102 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.4
5.1
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Latency
200 ms
-
Wireless range
9 m
-
Battery life
-
6 h
Battery life (ANC on)
5 h
5 h
Battery incl. case
26 h
24 h
Full charge time
120 min
120 min
Quick charge
10 min → 1 h
none
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
hybrid
hybrid
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
No
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Yes
-
Weight
8.4 g
4.9 g
Case weight
27.6 g
-
Water resistance
IP55
IPX5
Detachable cable
No
-
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
4
6
Microphone type
MEMS
-
Mic sensitivity
-38 dBV
-

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

QCY HT03

The QCY HT03 earbuds deliver surprisingly capable hybrid active noise cancellation at a very budget-friendly price. Their sound is competent but leans bass-heavy, and while build quality and fit are solid, overall refinement is not their strongest suit. For the cost, they offer strong value if ANC is the priority over audio polish.

  • Pro:Very effective hybrid ANC for the price
  • Pro:Comfortable, secure fit with ergonomic design
  • Pro:Solid build quality and nice case design
  • Con:Sound is bass-heavy and not particularly detailed
  • Con:No quick charging support
  • Con:Lacks wireless charging and transparency mode

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 comparisonJLab Go Pods ANCQCY HT03