JLab Go Pods ANC vs Tronsmart Onyx Apex: 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 7 of 7 measures.

JLab Go Pods ANC
Tronsmart Onyx Apex

HearWiki score

Sound

7.5

6.2

Noise cancelling

7.1

4.2

Battery

6.6

4.7

Calls

7.1

7.0

Value

9.8

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?

Mixed generations

JLab Go Pods ANC (2024) against Tronsmart Onyx Apex (2021). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the JLab Go Pods ANC brings Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.2, while the Tronsmart Onyx Apex answers with Top codec aptX against AAC. The JLab Go Pods ANC answers on convenience features: it adds Multipoint pairing, Custom EQ, Companion app and Water resistance (IP55).

Go Pods ANC20243 yr newer
Onyx Apex2021

What differsGo Pods ANCOnyx Apex

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.2
Top codec: AAC; aptX
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Companion app: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP55; Not rated

Level on: ANC type, USB-C, Transparency mode.

Specifications

Go Pods ANCOnyx Apex

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $30; $30
HearWiki score: 82; 58
Released: 2024; 2021
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 - 20 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.2
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, aptX
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Latency: 200 ms; -
Wireless range: 9 m; 10 m
Battery life: -; 5 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 → 1.5 h
Wireless charging: -; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; No
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Weight: 8.4 g; -
Case weight: 27.6 g; -
Water resistance: IP55; none
Detachable cable: No; -
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 4; 2
Microphone type: MEMS; -
Mic sensitivity: -38 dBV; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; cVc 8.0

Specification comparison of JLab Go Pods ANC vs Tronsmart Onyx Apex
Spec	JLab Go Pods ANC	Tronsmart Onyx Apex
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$30	$30
HearWiki score	82 / 100 Outstanding	58 / 100 Average
Released	2024	2021
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	32 Ω
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.2
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, aptX
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Latency	200 ms	-
Wireless range	9 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	-	5 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 → 1.5 h
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	No
Custom EQ	Yes	No
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Yes	Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Design
Weight	8.4 g	-
Case weight	27.6 g	-
Water resistance	IP55	none
Detachable cable	No	-
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	4	2
Microphone type	MEMS	-
Mic sensitivity	-38 dBV	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	cVc 8.0

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

Tronsmart Onyx Apex

The Tronsmart Onyx Apex are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds with hybrid active noise cancellation, though the ANC isn't the strongest. They compensate with a usable transparency mode, solid call quality, and an engaging sound profile, making them a versatile pick for everyday listening. Priced around $30, they offer a balanced feature set including aptX support and a compact charging case.

Pro:Engaging and lively sound signature
Pro:Good call quality with dual microphones
Pro:Useful transparency mode for ambient awareness

Con:Active noise cancellation is not very effective
Con:No app support for customization
Con:No water resistance rating

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

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