If you’re in the market for an affordable pair of wireless earbuds, the Soundcore A20i and JLab Go Air Pop are two good options.
Both offer impressive features and sound quality at a very wallet-friendly price point under $50.
In this article, I’ll compare the similarities and differences between these two earbuds to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
Soundcore A20i vs JLab Go Air Pop: Similarities
When it comes to the core functionality and design, the A20i and Go Air Pop have a lot in common:
Software support: Both earbuds work seamlessly with iOS and Android devices, as well as laptops and tablets. You’ll have no trouble connecting them to your preferred devices.
Ergonomic design: The A20i and Go Air Pop feature a lightweight, ergonomic “dot style” shape that fits comfortably in most ears. They are very similar in size and weight.
No wireless charging or ANC: Neither earbud offers wireless charging or active noise cancellation. These premium features are not expected at this price point.
Mono mode: You can use either the left or right earbud independently in mono mode with both the A20i and Go Air Pop.
Touch controls: Both earbuds provide customizable touch controls, letting you control playback, volume, track skipping, and more with taps on the earbuds.
Ear tips: You get small, medium, and large silicone ear tips included with both the A20i and Go Air Pop to help you find a secure, comfortable fit.
Soundcore A20i vs JLab Go Air Pop: Key Differences
Despite their many similarities, there are some notable differences between the Soundcore A20i and JLab Go Air Pop that are worth considering:
App support: The A20i earbuds are the first budget model from Soundcore to be supported by the Soundcore app, allowing you to customize the EQ and controls. The Go Air Pop does not have app support.
Water resistance: The A20i offers a slightly higher IPX5 water resistance rating compared to IPX4 on the Go Air Pop. Both can handle sweat and light rain, but the A20i has a bit more protection.
Bluetooth version: The A20i uses the newer Bluetooth 5.3 standard versus Bluetooth 5.1 on the Go Air Pop. Both support the standard SBC and AAC audio codecs.
Battery life: The Go Air Pop has the edge when it comes to total battery life, providing up to 32 hours (8 hours from the earbuds + 24 hours from the case). The A20i tops out at 28 hours total (9 hours from the earbuds + 19 hours from the case).
Sound customization: Through the Soundcore app, the A20i lets you choose from several EQ presets, including an Acoustic preset that nicely opens up the mids and highs compared to the default more V-shaped sound signature. The Go Air Pop provides three EQ modes: JLab Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost.
Color options: The Go Air Pop is available in a wider variety of fun colors including black, red, lilac, slate, and teal. The A20i comes in more standard black, purple, and white options.
Gaming mode: If you plan to use your earbuds for mobile gaming, the A20i includes a low-latency gaming mode that the Go Air Pop lacks.
Pricing: At the time of writing, the Go Air Pop is priced around $25 on Amazon while the A20i is $30 (with an additional 5% off coupon available).
Soundcore A20i vs JLab Go Air Pop: Specs difference
| Category | Soundcore A20i | JLab Go Air Pop |
|---|---|---|
| Software Support | iOS, Android, laptops, tablets | iOS, Android, laptops, tablets |
| Ergonomics | Lightweight, dot style, ergonomic shape | Lightweight, dot style, ergonomic shape |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| ANC | No | No |
| Mono Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Touch Controls | Customizable via Soundcore app | Full touch controls, 3 EQ modes |
| Ear Tips | Small, medium, large | Small, medium, large |
| App Support | Soundcore app | No app support |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.3, SBC and AAC codecs | Bluetooth 5.1, SBC and AAC codecs |
| Battery Life | 9 hours (earbuds) + 19 hours (case) = 28 hours total | 8 hours (earbuds) + 24 hours (case) = 32 hours total |
| Sound Customization | Multiple EQ presets via Soundcore app | 3 EQ modes: JLab Signature, Balanced, Bass Boost |
| Color Options | Black, purple, white | Black, red, lilac, slate, teal |
| Gaming Mode | Low-latency gaming mode | No gaming mode |
| Price (Amazon) | $29.99 (with 5% off coupon) | $24.88 |
Microphone Performance
To compare the call quality and microphone performance, I tested both the A20i and Go Air Pop in quiet and noisy environments. You can hear the results for yourself in the audio samples in the video.
Overall, both earbuds are serviceable for voice calls, but don’t expect them to work miracles in very loud environments. Let me know what you think of the mic quality in the comments.
Final thougts
After testing the Soundcore A20i and JLab Go Air Pop extensively, I’m quite impressed with how much you get for such a low price with both of these earbuds. They nail the essentials, providing good sound quality, reliable connectivity, comfortable lightweight designs, and very respectable battery life.
Choosing between them largely comes down to your priorities. The A20i has a slight edge in durability, sound customization (thanks to the Soundcore app support), and gaming performance. On the flip side, the Go Air Pop lasts a bit longer on a charge and comes in a wider selection of colors.
At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong with either of these top budget earbuds. Whether you go with the Soundcore A20i or JLab Go Air Pop, you’ll be getting excellent value for your money.
Let me know which one you prefer and why in the comments below!
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Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
