JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive Truly Wireless  Headphones Review

Reviewed Feb 24, 2020 at 07:24am
Writing modified Sep 28, 2021 at 05:26pm
Tested using Methodology v1.4 
JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive Truly Wireless

Track

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Mixed Usage 
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Neutral Sound 
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Commute/Travel 
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Sports/Fitness 
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Office 
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Wireless Gaming 
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Wired Gaming 
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Phone Calls 

Track

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The JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive are ordinary truly wireless earbuds. They're reasonably well-designed with a compact, low-profile look that should be fairly comfortable for most, but their controls are quite confusing. Straight out-of-the-box, they have an excited, V-shaped sound profile, but they feature a couple of different EQ presets that you can toggle directly on the buds. Although not currently captured properly by our graphs and scores, their microphone performance also seems not bad overall. Unfortunately, their battery doesn't perform as well as advertised, and their in-ear fit can be an issue for those with smaller ears, but still perform alright overall and could be a reasonable choice for casual use.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

The JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive are alright for mixed usage. Their bass-rich yet bright sound profile isn't designed for neutral listening but can help make your commute more excited and their lightweight design is also good for sports. They passively isolate many noises you might want to block out around the office, but their mic quality doesn't make them the best for phone calls, and they're not suitable for gaming.

Pros
  • Different EQ presets built directly into earbuds.
  • Portable design and charging case.
  • Well-built earbuds.
Cons
  • Battery life shorter than advertised.
  • Built-in charging cable can't be replaced on its own if damaged.
  • Confusing controls.
0.0
Neutral Sound 

The JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive are poor for neutral listening. Their default sound profile has a very pronounced V-shape, which is excited but a far cry from neutral. They have a 'Balanced' EQ preset built into the earbuds directly, which might help, but we didn't test it.

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Commute/Travel 

The JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive are decent for commute and travel. They aren't noise cancelling, so they won't do much to help block out the sound of bus or plane engines, but they're lightweight, portable, and feel fairly well-built. Overall, they're an alright choice to throw in your bag before heading on an adventure or simply going to the office.

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Sports/Fitness 

The JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive are good for sports and fitness. Their lightweight, breathable design makes them well-suited for running or working out, especially if you can get a good stable fit. If you have small ears, you might find it harder to get them to fit securely, but if their fit works for you, they can be a good choice.

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Office 

The JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive are passable for use in the office. Their in-ear fit can get fatiguing over long periods, but they do a great job at blocking out office-specific noises like footsteps or chatter. You might get disrupted by their short battery life, but if you leave them in their charging case while you're out for lunch, you should be okay.

0.0
Wireless Gaming 

The JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive only support Bluetooth, which has too much latency for wireless gaming.

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Wired Gaming 

The JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive are truly wireless earbuds that only support Bluetooth, so you can't use them for wired gaming.

0.0
Phone Calls 

Like most truly wireless earbuds, the JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive are disappointing for phone calls. Your voice should sound fairly clear in quiet environments, but if you're in a noisy place, like a busy street or subway station, you'll be harder to understand.

  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Aug 24, 2020: Validated our results.
    2.  Updated Feb 24, 2020: Review published.
    3.  Updated Feb 19, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
    4.  Updated Feb 19, 2020: Early access published.

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    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    Comparison picture

    The JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive are ordinary truly wireless earbuds that don't stand out very much compared to the competition unless you're a fan of a very strongly V-shaped or excited sound profile. Although you can cycle through three EQ presets directly on the earbuds, which is neat, they'd be even better with a companion app. They perform well enough overall, but none of their features are worth writing home about.

    Consider our recommendations for the best true wireless earbuds, the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds under $100, and the best travel headphones we've tested.

    RHA TrueConnect Truly Wireless

    Track

    The RHA TrueConnect Truly Wireless and the JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive Truly Wireless look similar but don't perform the same. The RHA are a bit more comfortable, especially since they come with more earbud tip options, but they have a rather dark sound profile. Their battery performance is also worse than the JLab's but they isolate more noise and feel better-built.

    Anker Soundcore Liberty Air

    Track

    The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air are better truly wireless earbuds for most people than the JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive Truly Wireless. The Anker isolate more noise and have a more neutral, balanced default sound profile. They don't have any onboard EQ presets though, like the JLab, and they don't have volume controls either. The JLab battery also lasts a bit longer, but they don't have any power-saving features.

    Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2

    Track

    The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 are much better truly wireless earbuds than the JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive Truly Wireless. Both models have an exciting default sound signature, but the Anker's is less exaggerated, and they have more sound customization options with their companion app. The JLab's battery life isn't quite as good, but they do charge more quickly. The Anker isolate more noise though and feel better built.

    Skullcandy Indy Truly Wireless

    Track

    The Skullcandy Indy Truly Wireless and the JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive Truly Wireless are similarly performing truly wireless earbuds. While they both have lots of extra bass, the JLab have some extra treble for a more exciting sound as opposed to the Skullcandy, which sound a bit dark. The JLab's battery life is longer, but the Skullcandy have a standby mode to help save power.

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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedIn-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedTruly Wireless
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock"
    WLockedLock"
    HLockedLock"
    VolumeLockedLock in³
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedLock"
    WLockedLock"
    HLockedLock"
    VolumeLockedLock in³

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Distance
    LockedN/A
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

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    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

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    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

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    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
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    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedNo
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
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    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes

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    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
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    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    Speech + Pink Noise
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    Speech + Subway Noise
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    SpNR
    LockedLock dB

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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

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    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft
    PC Latency (SBC)
    LockedLock ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    LockedN/A
    iOS Latency
    LockedLock ms
    Android Latency
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedN/A
    ConnectionLockedLocked
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    LockedN/A

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    PC / PS4 Compatibility
    PC/PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PC/PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PC/PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    Xbox One Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

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