As the name implies, JLab’s JBuds Mini true wireless earphones are smaller and more discreet than most competing models. And at just $39.99, their enjoyable sound quality, adjustable EQ, effective transparency mode, and strong durability lend them serious budget appeal. Bluetooth codec support could be better, but we still highly recommend the JBuds Mini if you're looking to spend less than $50. If you want better codec support and a fully waterproof design, we also like the Tribit FlyBuds 3 for around the same price.

An Atypically Small Design

Available in Aqua Teal, Black, Mint Green, Pink, or Sage Gray, the JBuds Mini are among the smallest true wireless earphones I've tested. Larger ones tend to fit more snugly, but I didn't have any fit issues in testing and people with smaller ears might actually find this to be a draw. The box includes three pairs of silicone eartips to help you get a proper seal.

Internally, 6mm drivers deliver a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz. The earbuds are compatible with Bluetooth 5.3 and support both Google Fast Pair and multipoint pairing. SBC is the only codec option. The Tribit FlyBuds 3 support the AAC and SBC codes, which makes for better streaming quality with Android and iOS devices.

The outer panels feature capacitive touch controls. A single tap on the left earbud lowers the volume, a double tap summons your device's voice assistant, a triple tap cycles through a few EQ presets, and a long press switches between the Music (audio quality) and Movies (lower latency) playback modes. On the right earpiece, a single tap raises the volume, a double tap controls playback, a triple tap toggles the Be Aware (transparency) mode, and a long press skips forward a track. You can answer calls with a single tap on either earbud, reject them with a long press, or hang up with a double tap. This control layout is different than what we usually see; on most competing models, a certain gesture typically handles a single action set (such as a double tap on either ear for track navigation). The good news is that you can completely change the control layout via the app.

With an IP55 rating, the earbuds can withstand a high degree of dust exposure as well as handle moderate water projections from any direction. Neither sweaty workouts nor rain should pose a problem, but you shouldn't dunk the earpieces underwater or expose the non-protected case to the elements. Tribit's FlyBuds 3 are better for runners thanks to their IPX7 rating.

The charging case is quite tiny. Its slippery exterior and small indentation under the flip-top lid make it difficult to open. In testing, I accidentally sent the case flying across the room when I tried to open it. When the case hit the floor, it opened and the earbuds scattered across the room. Case size aside, it features a tiny lanyard loop, comes with a thin key ring, and charges via a short USB-C-to-USB-C cable.

The small size of the earphones and case impact battery life. JLab estimates that the JBuds Mini can last roughly 5.5 hours per charge and that the case holds roughly 14.5 hours of battery life, though your real-world results will vary depending on your volume levels. The earpieces and the case respectively take about 1.5 and 2 hours to fully charge from empty. Docking the earbuds for 15 minutes should get you roughly an hour of playback. For comparison, the $39.95 JVC HA-A9T earbuds last roughly 7.5 hours per charge and their case holds an additional 22.5 hours.

JLab JBuds Mini App Experience

The JLab app (available for Android and iOS) is generally useful, especially given the low cost of the earbuds. At the top of the main page, the app shows the remaining battery life for both earpieces, but not the case. Several options follow including Be Aware (which toggles transparency mode and provides an adjustment slider), Equalizer, Music/Movie Modes (which simply swaps between those two options), Safe Hearing (which lets you set a volume limit starting at 85dB), Touch Controls (which gives you control over the layout), and Update Firmware.

The EQ section has three presets (Balanced, Bass Boost, and JLab Signature) that you can cycle through via the on-ear controls, as well as a Custom mode with 10 adjustable bands that cover frequencies between 31Hz and 16kHz. You can cycle through the preset modes using the on-ear controls.

At the base of the screen, there are sections for My JLab (the main area), Store (which takes you to the JLab site), and Settings (which has just troubleshooting, languages, and device registration options).

Balanced Sound, Transparent Mics

The app's customizable EQ makes up for the SBC-only playback to a degree, but you obviously must spend more if you are interested in high-fidelity audio playback. In any case, cutting frequencies with the EQ seems to have more of an effect on the sound than boosting them, so dialing in your optimal sound signature might take a bit of effort. For testing, I stuck with Music mode and the default JLab Signature EQ choice.

On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like the Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the JBuds Mini match an impressive low-frequency thump with crisp, bright highs. The lows here sound full-bodied at moderate volumes and are free of distortion at higher levels.

The earphones have no issue reproducing the sub-bass at the 34-second mark of Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.” The deepest of these subwoofer notes comes across with body and definition, while the various vocals on the track sound crisp and fully present.

Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass, better illustrates the audio signature. The drums on this track sound relatively natural, while Callahan’s baritone vocals receive a pleasant mix of low-mid richness and high-frequency presence. The higher-register percussive hits and acoustic strums get lots of bright detail. Although there's balance to the sound presentation, the drivers veer a bit bright. The EQ can help you get closer to what you want, but you have to be patient with it to get good results.

On orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the JBuds Mini deliver a bright, detailed mix. Some additional low-frequency presence comes through, but the spotlight still belongs to the mids and the higher-register brass, strings, and vocals.

The voice mic array works reliably, and I could hear every word of a test recording to my iPhone clearly. The mic signal seems about as loud as that from top Bose and Sony competitors. Meanwhile, the Be Aware mode is better than what I've experienced on many pricier models. The mics present your surroundings clearly, with an emphasis on conversations, while the aforementioned fader gives you a decent level of control over the experience.

Mini, Yet Mighty

The JLab JBuds Mini do a lot right for just $40: They're small, fit securely, offer a surprisingly effective transparency mode, and feature above-average durability. We would have liked better codec support and a less finicky charging case, but that hardly prevents us from recommending them to value-minded shoppers. Just be sure to weigh them against the Tribit Flybuds 3, which are fully waterproof and have better codec support, but are bulkier and don't offer any form of EQ.