JLab JBuds Lux ANC Wireless Headphones: Quality on a budget

JLab JBuds Lux ANC Wireless Headphones. Picture: Noel Campion.

Finding high-quality wireless headphones without breaking the bank can be a challenge. Still, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC wireless headphones sound great and come packed with premium features, including ANC and a stunning 70 hours of battery life.

Comfort and design

The JBuds Lux are super comfortable thanks to their Cloud Foam ear cups. Picture: Noel Campion.

In terms of comfort, the JBuds Lux ANC exceeded my expectations. The Cloud Foam ear cups and headband are soft and plush, making them comfortable for hours. I wore them during a long work session and found no discomfort or pressure buildup, which is often a problem with other headphones at this price point.

Another practical feature is the foldable design. When not in use, the headphones fold flat, making them easy to store in a bag or around your neck. The ear cups also rotate, allowing them to rest flat against your chest when worn around your neck — perfect for taking breaks without completely removing the headphones.

The build quality could be better made primarily from plastic, but JLab includes a two-year warranty.

Audio quality and noise cancellation

Great for travel, the JBuds Lux are compact when folded. Picture: Noel Campion.

The JBuds Lux ANC are the best-sounding Bluetooth headphones I tested under €150. I was surprised at how good they sounded on my first listen. They’re equipped with 40mm drivers that reproduce a well-balanced sound. Whether I was listening to classical music or bass-heavy tracks, the headphones handled everything with ease. I found the highs crisp with warm mids, while distortion is minimal, even at higher volumes. I found the bass wasn’t as tightly controlled as you’d get from more expensive headphones.

The JBuds Lux has up to 40 hours of playback with ANC on. Picture: Noel Campion.

The active noise cancellation is equally impressive, especially for the price point. The ANC technology did an excellent job of drowning out background noise, whether I was in a noisy café or the office. It’s not on the same level as high-end models like the class-leading QC Ultras, but considering the significant price difference, I found it more than satisfactory.

The awareness mode is also decent. When activated, I could have a conversation without taking the headphones off, but the volume could have been a little louder, and my voice was slightly muffled during calls.

JLab App

The app has three preset EQ modes: JLab Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost. There's also a Safe Hearing Mode, which limits the maximum volume to safe levels.

The custom EQ settings allow for more fine-tuning than I expected from a budget pair of headphones. I could tweak the bass, mids, and treble to suit different music genres or activities, making the JBuds Lux ANC versatile enough for everything from casual listening to more critical audio experiences.

Additional features

The buttons are nice and clicky, with dedicated buttons for volume and ANC modes. Picture: Noel Campion.

The Bluetooth Multi-Point feature is convenient, connecting two devices simultaneously. I could seamlessly switch between listening to music on my phone and taking a call on my laptop without any hassle. This feature is typically found on higher-end models, so it was a pleasant surprise to find it here.

The headphones can last up to 70 and 40 hours with ANC active. They're compatible with Google Fast Pair for locating the headphones.

Verdict

Overall, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC wireless headphones offer excellent value for money. While they don’t match the elite performance of high-end models like the Sony or Bose ANC headphones, they come remarkably close for a fraction of the price.

The JBuds Lux are available in Graphite, Green, Pink or White – €100 Currys.ie