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JLab Go Pods ANC vs UGREEN CM338 TWS: 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
  • UGREEN CM338 TWS
HearWiki score
82
44
Sound
7.5
6.0
Noise cancelling
7.1
-
Battery
6.6
2.5
Calls
7.1
2.5
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?

Half a step newer

JLab Go Pods ANC (2024) against UGREEN CM338 TWS (2020). The JLab Go Pods ANC edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.0. It also adds Multipoint pairing and Water resistance IP55 against IPX4.

  • Go Pods ANC20244 yr newer
  • CM338 TWS2020
What differsGo Pods ANCCM338 TWS

Platform

Bluetooth
5.4
5.0

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP55
IPX4

Level on: Top codec.

Specifications

Go Pods ANCCM338 TWS
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$30
$25
HearWiki score
82
44
Released
2024
2020
Availability
Still sold new
Discontinued
Driver
10 mm dynamic
dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
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
91 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.4
5.0
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Latency
200 ms
-
Wireless range
9 m
10 m
Battery life
-
3 h
Battery life (ANC on)
5 h
-
Battery incl. case
26 h
-
Full charge time
120 min
60 min
Quick charge
10 min → 1 h
-
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
-
ANC type
hybrid
-
Transparency mode
Yes
-
Companion app
Yes
-
Custom EQ
Yes
-
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Yes
-
Weight
8.4 g
-
Case weight
27.6 g
-
Water resistance
IP55
IPX4
Detachable cable
No
-
USB-C
Yes
-
Microphones
4
1
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

UGREEN CM338 TWS

The UGREEN CM338 TWS are budget-friendly true wireless earbuds that deliver surprisingly pleasant sound in a compact, pocketable case. While they excel in audio quality for the price, their short battery life, basic call performance, and occasional video sync issues hold them back from being a complete package.

  • Pro:Compact and portable charging case
  • Pro:Excellent sound quality for the price
  • Pro:Comfortable fit for extended wear
  • Con:Only 3 hours of battery life per charge
  • Con:Call quality could be better
  • Con:Video playback can lag behind audio

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

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