JLab Go Pods ANC vs Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro: 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
Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro

HearWiki score

Sound

7.5

6.5

Noise cancelling

7.1

5.5

Battery

6.6

6.7

Calls

7.1

5.8

Value

9.8

5.0

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 Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro (2020). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the JLab Go Pods ANC brings Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.0, while the Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro answers with Top codec LHDC against AAC.

Go Pods ANC20244 yr newer
Mi Air 2 Pro2020

What differsGo Pods ANCMi Air 2 Pro

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.0
Top codec: AAC; LHDC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP55; Not rated

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

Specifications

Go Pods ANCMi Air 2 Pro

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $30; $30
HearWiki score: 82; 56
Released: 2024; 2020
Availability: Still sold new; Discontinued
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 12 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 12 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; 5.0
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Latency: 200 ms; -
Wireless range: 9 m; 10 m
Battery life: -; 6 h
Battery life (ANC on): 5 h; 5 h
Battery incl. case: 26 h; 28 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 60 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 1 h; 10 min → 1.5 h
Wireless charging: -; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 8.4 g; 6.5 g
Case weight: 27.6 g; -
Water resistance: IP55; none
Detachable cable: No; -
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 4; 3
Microphone type: MEMS; MEMS
Mic sensitivity: -38 dBV; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; 3-mic ENC

Specification comparison of JLab Go Pods ANC vs Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro
Spec	JLab Go Pods ANC	Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$30	$30
HearWiki score	82 / 100 Outstanding	56 / 100 Average
Released	2024	2020
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	12 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	12 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	5.0
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Latency	200 ms	-
Wireless range	9 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	-	6 h
Battery life (ANC on)	5 h	5 h
Battery incl. case	26 h	28 h
Full charge time	120 min	60 min
Quick charge	10 min → 1 h	10 min → 1.5 h
Wireless charging	-	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	No
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	8.4 g	6.5 g
Case weight	27.6 g	-
Water resistance	IP55	none
Detachable cable	No	-
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	4	3
Microphone type	MEMS	MEMS
Mic sensitivity	-38 dBV	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	3-mic 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

Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro

The Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro offers a compelling mix of premium features at a budget price, including hybrid ANC, wireless charging, and LHDC codec support. With a 12 mm dynamic driver and three-microphone setup, it delivers solid performance for calls and music, though its noise cancellation is only average in real-world use. Battery life is respectable at around five hours with ANC enabled, extending to 28 hours with the case.

Pro:Strong value for the price
Pro:Hybrid ANC with transparency mode
Pro:Supports LHDC for high-quality audio

Con:ANC performance is average
Con:No multipoint connection
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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