JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds - True Wireless Earbuds That Keep Up With Your Active Lifestyle

True wireless earbuds have become incredibly popular in recent years, offering cordless audio and handsfree calls in a compact design. The JLab Audio Epic Air aims to be a sporty contender in this wireless earbud space, promising robust battery life and sweatproofing for your active lifestyle needs. But does it deliver on all fronts? Let’s take a closer look in this detailed review.

Overview

The JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds is a set of true wireless earbuds designed for sports and workouts. Key features include:

• Truly wireless design with Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity
• Earhook design for secure fit during exercise
• 6 hours battery life per bud, 30 extra hours with charging case
• Touch controls for audio playback and call handling
• Sweatproof IP55 rating

With up to 36 hours of total battery life, the JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds seems ready for your most intense training sessions. But how does it actually hold up? Let’s break it down.

Features

The JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds stands out for its truly wireless design with no cables between the earbuds. Each bud can operate independently, providing freedom of movement. Sweatproofing makes them ideal for workouts while the over-ear hooks keep them securely in place even during intense exercise. Onboard controls let you manage music and calls directly from the earbuds.

Design

Sporting a slick, low-profile design, the JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds prioritize performance over flashy aesthetics. Their angled shape allows a comfy, ergonomic fit. The flexible earhooks wrap gently around the contours of your ear to keep the buds anchored in during vigorous activity. Their matte black color scheme exudes subtle style.

Ease of Use

Connecting the JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds is straightforward with Bluetooth pairing. The intuitive touch controls on each earbud make it easy to control your audio playback with simple taps - no need to fumble with your phone during a workout. Operation is smooth, though some users complain the tap sensors are too sensitive leading to accidental touches.

Sound Quality

With 8mm drivers, the JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds deliver impactful audio with emphatic bass and crisp highs nicely suited for motivational workout playlists. The sound has pleasing depth and power. However, connectivity inconsistencies hamper the listening experience with occasional dropouts.

Microphone

Dual microphones, one in each earbud, let you take calls conveniently. Audio comes through reasonably clear though background noise can seep in at times. Voice pickup deteriorates if connectivity becomes spotty.

Noise Isolation

The ergonomic shape and selection of eartip sizes provide a snug seal for decent passive noise reduction. You get moderate isolation from ambient sound, helping you focus on your music. ANC would further enhance immersion.

Battery Life

Battery life is a highlight, with up to 6 hours of playtime per charge and 30 extra hours stored in the charging case. This adds up to a hefty 36 hours total - perfect for endurance training. However, real-world battery tests reveal closer to 3 hours per bud, not the full 6 claimed.

Connectivity

Bluetooth 4.1 provides wireless connectivity, but stability is an issue. Connection drops and sync losses between earbuds are common complaints, disrupting the listening experience. Reliability needs improvement especially for sport use.

Controls

Onboard tap controls on each earbud allow convenient command of music and calls. Volume can also be adjusted from your phone. But the touch sensors are overly sensitive, making it easy to trigger accidental taps. More precision is needed.

Comfort

The angled housings and selection of eartips allow you to achieve a secure and comfortable fit. The earhooks keep the buds anchored in place without feeling tight. You can wear the JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds for extended periods without fatigue.

Water Resistance

With an IP55 rating, the JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds can withstand heavy sweat, rain, and dust, making them well-equipped for intense workouts. However, some users report problems from heavy perspiration so very rigorous exercise may test limits.

Use Cases

The JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds are ideal for people with active lifestyles who want wireless audio for sports and workouts. Their sweatproof design makes them perfect for vigorous exercise like running, HIIT training, cycling, CrossFit, and more. The flexible earhooks ensure the buds stay put even during intense movement. Casual listeners can also enjoy the JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds for everyday wireless listening.

User Feedback Analysis

Users praise the JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds for their great sound quality, secure fit, and good battery life. However, many note connectivity issues like intermittent cutting out and buds losing sync with each other. The touch controls are also overly sensitive leading to accidental taps. The charging case feels cheap and doesn’t secure the earbuds well. Overall the audio is great but the wireless performance and hardware quality control need improvement.

Pros

• Strong audio performance with punchy bass
• Over-ear hooks keep buds in place during workouts
• Sweatproof design handles intense exercise
• Convenient onboard tap controls
• Up to 6 hours battery life per charge

Cons

• Connectivity drops and stability issues
• Case feels cheap and doesn’t charge buds properly
• Overly sensitive touch controls lead to mis-taps
• Battery life less than stated 6 hours per bud

Value

The JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds carry a relatively high price tag given their issues with connectivity and hardware quality. While the sound is excellent, the overall execution leaves something to be desired. They can still be a decent option for sports use if you get a good unit, but better value can likely be found among competing wireless earbuds.

Conclusion - Potential Marred by Quality Issues

The JLab Epic Air true wireless earbuds show promise, with standout battery life and audio performance that make them viable forsports use. However, the finicky Bluetooth connectivity, oversensitive touch controls, and poor charging case design mean the overall execution still needs work. Hopefully JLab can refine the JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds to better realize its potential in future versions. For now, it’s hard to fully recommend this imperfect-but-intriguing wireless option.

Specifications

• Connection: Bluetooth 4.1
• Driver size: 8mm
• Battery life: Up to 6 hrs per bud, 30 hrs with case
• Water resistance: IP55 sweatproof
• Weight: 9.1 oz
• Dimensions: 6.1 x 4.88 x 2.01 inches
• Materials: plastic, silicone
• Included accessories: Charging case, USB charging cable, 8 pairs of silicone eartips

Box Contents

The JLab Audio Epic Air True Wireless Earbuds box includes:

• Left and right Epic Air earbuds
• Charging case
• USB charging cable
• 8 pairs of silicone eartips (4 sizes)
• User manual
• 2-year warranty

How to Use

1. Fully charge the earbuds and case before first use
2. Pair the earbuds with your phone’s Bluetooth
3. Insert buds, testing different eartips for best fit
4. Use onboard tap controls to play/pause music and answer calls
5. Place buds back in charging case when not in use