JLab Go Pods ANC vs SoundPEATS Engine 4: 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 4 of 7 measures.

JLab Go Pods ANC
SoundPEATS Engine 4

HearWiki score

Sound

7.5

Noise cancelling

7.1

Battery

6.6

9.0

Calls

7.1

5.7

Value

9.8

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?

Mixed generations

JLab Go Pods ANC (2024) against SoundPEATS Engine 4 (2023). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the JLab Go Pods ANC brings Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3 and ANC type Hybrid against None, while the SoundPEATS Engine 4 answers with Top codec LDAC against AAC. The JLab Go Pods ANC answers on convenience features: it adds Transparency mode and Water resistance IP55 against IPX4.

Go Pods ANC20241 yr newer
Engine 42023

What differsGo Pods ANCEngine 4

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.3
Top codec: AAC; LDAC
ANC type: Hybrid; None
Transparency mode: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP55; IPX4

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

Specifications

Go Pods ANCEngine 4

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $30; $25
HearWiki score: 82; 68
Released: 2024; 2023
Availability: Still sold new; Discontinued
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 - 40 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Latency: 200 ms; -
Wireless range: 9 m; 10 m
Battery life: -; 12.5 h
Battery life (ANC on): 5 h; -
Battery incl. case: 26 h; 43 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 120 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 1 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; 6.5 g
Case weight: 27.6 g; 43 g
Water resistance: IP55; IPX4
Detachable cable: No; -
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 4; 4
Microphone type: MEMS; -
Mic sensitivity: -38 dBV; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; ENC

Specification comparison of JLab Go Pods ANC vs SoundPEATS Engine 4
Spec	JLab Go Pods ANC	SoundPEATS Engine 4
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$30	$25
HearWiki score	82 / 100 Outstanding	68 / 100 Good
Released	2024	2023
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 - 40 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	32 Ω
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Latency	200 ms	-
Wireless range	9 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	-	12.5 h
Battery life (ANC on)	5 h	-
Battery incl. case	26 h	43 h
Full charge time	120 min	120 min
Quick charge	10 min → 1 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	6.5 g
Case weight	27.6 g	43 g
Water resistance	IP55	IPX4
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	-	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

SoundPEATS Engine 4

The SoundPEATS Engine 4 delivers impressive audio quality for its budget price, featuring a clear and balanced sound signature with support for high-resolution LDAC codec. It offers a long battery life of 12.5 hours per charge and 43 hours with the case, along with Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint connectivity for seamless device switching. However, it lacks active noise cancellation and transparency mode, and its call quality may not be the best for phone conversations.

Pro:Excellent sound quality for the price
Pro:Long battery life (12.5 hours, 43 with case)
Pro:LDAC support for high-resolution audio

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:Call quality could be better
Con:No wireless charging

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

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