JLab Go Pods ANC vs QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31): 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 6 of 7 measures.

JLab Go Pods ANC
QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31)

HearWiki score

Sound

7.5

6.4

Noise cancelling

7.1

Battery

6.6

5.8

Calls

7.1

5.6

Value

9.8

7.6

Price (USD)

$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

Both shipped in 2024. 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 Transparency mode and Water resistance IP55 against IPX5.

Go Pods ANC2024
MeloBuds Neo (T31)2024

What differsGo Pods ANCMeloBuds Neo (T31)

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.3
ANC type: Hybrid; None
Transparency mode: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP55; IPX5

Level on: Top codec, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

Go Pods ANCMeloBuds Neo (T31)

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $30; $30
HearWiki score: 82; 66
Released: 2024; 2024
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; 140 Ω
Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW; 96 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Latency: 200 ms; 68 ms
Wireless range: 9 m; 10 m
Battery life: -; 7 h
Battery life (ANC on): 5 h; -
Battery incl. case: 26 h; 24 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 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; No
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 8.4 g; 4 g
Case weight: 27.6 g; -
Water resistance: IP55; IPX5
Foldable: -; No
Detachable cable: No; No
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 4; 4
Microphone type: MEMS; -
Mic sensitivity: -38 dBV; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; wind reduction

Specification comparison of JLab Go Pods ANC vs QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31)
Spec	JLab Go Pods ANC	QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31)
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$30	$30
HearWiki score	82 / 100 Outstanding	66 / 100 Good
Released	2024	2024
Audio
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	140 Ω
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW	96 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Latency	200 ms	68 ms
Wireless range	9 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	-	7 h
Battery life (ANC on)	5 h	-
Battery incl. case	26 h	24 h
Full charge time	120 min	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	No
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 g
Case weight	27.6 g	-
Water resistance	IP55	IPX5
Foldable	-	No
Detachable cable	No	No
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	4	4
Microphone type	MEMS	-
Mic sensitivity	-38 dBV	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	wind reduction

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 MeloBuds Neo (T31)

The QCY MeloBuds Neo (T31) are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds that prioritize battery life and practical features over noise cancellation. With around 7 hours of playback per charge and 24 hours total with the case, they deliver dependable stamina for the price. Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and a low-latency game mode make them a solid choice for everyday listening and calls.

Pro:Long battery life of up to 7 hours per charge and 24 hours with the case
Pro:Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint for seamless device switching
Pro:Low-latency game mode for better audio sync

Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
Con:Only SBC and AAC codecs, no aptX support
Con:Relatively high impedance may require more power from devices

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

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