Gaming
JLab JBuddies Play
60Average
$49
Full review dataJLab JBuddies Play vs JLab Midnight Wireless: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the JLab Midnight Wireless 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 Midnight Wireless - Outstanding overall at around $35.
Gaming
JLab Midnight Wireless
82Outstanding
$35
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
JLab Midnight Wireless leads on 6 of 6 measures.
- JLab JBuddies Play
- JLab Midnight Wireless
HearWiki score
60
82
Sound
5.6
7.4
Battery
6.5
9.0
Calls
4.9
6.5
Value
5.5
8.0
Price (USD)
$49
$35
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 Midnight Wireless (2024) against JLab JBuddies Play (2020). The JLab Midnight Wireless edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0.
- JBuddies Play2020
- Midnight Wireless20244 yr newer
What differsJBuddies PlayMidnight Wireless
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- 5.3
Platform
Level on: Top codec, USB-C.
Specifications
JBuddies PlayMidnight Wireless
- Type
- Gaming
- Gaming
- Price (USD)
- $49
- $35
- HearWiki score
- 60
- 82
- Released
- 2020
- 2024
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 40 mm driver
- 50 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- -
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 50 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- 5.3
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, Opus
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- No
- Latency
- 60 ms
- -
- Wireless range
- 9 m
- 9 m
- Battery life
- 22 h
- 70 h
- Full charge time
- 180 min
- 180 min
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 1 h
- 10 min → 10 h
- Wireless charging
- No
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- Yes
- Controls
- buttons
- buttons
- Weight
- 150 g
- 279 g
- Water resistance
- none
- none
- Foldable
- Yes
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 1
- -
What reviewers said
JLab JBuddies Play
The JLab JBuddies Play is a budget-friendly wireless headset aimed at younger listeners, offering volume limiting for safer audio levels and a lightweight, foldable design. It delivers solid battery life and low-latency performance for gaming, making it a practical pick for families seeking an affordable, no-frills option. However, its compact fit leans toward kids rather than adults.
- Pro:Volume limiting for safer listening
- Pro:Long 22-hour battery life
- Pro:Low 60ms latency suits gaming
- Con:Small fit, not ideal for adults
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:No multipoint Bluetooth pairing
JLab Midnight Wireless
The JLab Midnight Wireless is a budget-friendly gaming headset that packs impressive endurance and solid audio performance for its low price. With active noise cancellation and a comfortable over-ear design, it offers a surprisingly capable package for gamers who want essential features without spending a lot.
- Pro:Excellent battery life
- Pro:Good value for the price
- Pro:Active noise cancellation included
- Con:No multipoint connectivity
- Con:Basic button controls
- Con:No water resistance
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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