- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Headphones
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We have currently tested 46 JBL headphones. They're a well-known brand that packs their headphones full of active features like music sharing or auto-off timers.
Updates
- 12/21/2021 JBL TUNE 230NC TWS True Wireless reviewed
- 12/15/2021 JBL Tune 125TWS Truly Wireless updated
- 12/01/2021 JBL Tune 130NC TWS Truly Wireless reviewed
- 10/01/2021 JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless reviewed
- 08/16/2021 JBL Tune 760NC Wireless reviewed
Best JBL Headphones
-
Best Wireless JBL Earbuds
Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe JBL CLUB PRO+ TWS True Wireless are the best JBL wireless earbuds we've tested. These well-built earbuds have a comfortable, stable fit, so they shouldn't hurt your ears during a long day at work or fall out during a run in the park. Their default sound profile is very neutral, so it's suitable for a variety of genres and types of content. However, if you prefer a different sound, the companion app has a parametric EQ and presets that you can use to customize it. They also have a decent noise isolation performance, thanks to their ANC feature, so they can help reduce distractions at the office or during your commute. They provide about 7.4 hours of continuous use from a single charge, and their case stores about three extra charges, so you can always top up the battery if you need to.
Unfortunately, they don't support multi-device pairing, which is a little disappointing if you often switch between using your phone and computer. Their latency with PCs and Android devices is also on the high side, so you may notice audio syncing issues if you use them to watch a movie. It's lower with iOS, though, so they're more suitable for streaming video or mobile gaming on an iPhone. That said, these versatile earbuds are among the best JBL earphones with mic capability that we've tested.
-
Best Over-Ear JBL Headphones
Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best JBL headphones with an over-ear design that we've tested are the JBL CLUB 950NC. These well-built Bluetooth over-ears have a comfortable, stable fit and a decently versatile overall performance. Their neutral, well-balanced sound profile makes them suitable for listening to a wide range of audio content, though they lack low bass. If you prefer a different sound, you can use the parametric EQ and presets in the JBL Headphones app to customize their performance. They don't leak a lot of noise, and their 25-hour continuous battery life makes them suitable for long days on the go. Thanks to their ANC feature, they can block out background noise typically found in an office setting, like chatter from other coworkers.
Unfortunately, their ANC feature struggles to block out bass-heavy background noises like bus and plane engines, so they may not be ideal for your commute. Their integrated microphone has a disappointing recording quality, and they're mediocre for making phone calls. Their bulky over-ear design isn't as portable as truly wireless in-ears like the JBL LIVE 300TWS Truly Wireless, either. That said, they're still a solid choice, and they're the best JBL wireless headphones with an over-ear design that we've tested.
-
Best On-Ear JBL Headphones
Type On-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best JBL headphones with an on-ear design that we've tested are the JBL Live 460NC Wireless. These wireless headphones have a good build quality, with a metal-reinforced headband and faux-leather ear cups. They're also decently comfortable, breathable, and have an easy-to-use onboard control scheme. Their ANC feature delivers a satisfactory noise isolation performance, and they have a fairly neutral default sound profile with a touch of extra thump and rumble in the bass range. If you prefer a different sound, it can also be customized with a parametric EQ and presets in the companion app. They also have a long continuous battery life of just under 30 hours, so they don't need to be recharged every day, and an auto-off timer to help conserve power when you're not listening to audio.
Unfortunately, you may find their fit a little tight on your head, especially if you wear them during long listening sessions. Also, they may not be ideal if you make many phone calls since their integrated mic makes your voice sound muffled and has a hard time separating it from ambient sound. That said, if you like their breathable on-ear design, they offer a well-balanced, customizable sound and a decently versatile performance.
-
Best Budget JBL Headphones
Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best JBL earphones in the budget category that we tested are the JBL Endurance Sprint. These colorful earbuds are intended for sports and have an ear-hook design that helps give them a stable fit. They're rated IPX7 for water resistance and have a nine-hour continuous battery life, so they can easily last through a long run. They have a good passive noise isolation performance, so they help cut out the sound of workout machines or people chatting at the gym. These are also some of the best-sounding wireless earbuds we’ve tested, thanks to their very neutral sound profile, which is versatile enough for a wide variety of content and genres.
Unfortunately, the onboard touch controls are very sensitive, so it's easy to accidentally register the wrong command. Also, while their hook design prevents them from falling off completely, the earbuds can move around in your ears a bit. That said, this shouldn't be too much of an issue once you find a good fit with the included ear tips. Overall, they're a good option for sports at an affordable price, especially if you prioritize a neutral sound profile.
Compared to other brands
- Well-balanced sound. Although we haven't tested the JBL's full range of headphones, this brand noticeably focuses on well-balanced sound reproduction. As they're a subsidiary branch of Harman, their headphones typically follow the Harman curve, which creates a balanced sound profile suitable for most audio genres.
- Feature-packed. JBL's wide variety of wireless headphones come jam-packed with active features like music sharing or auto-off timers. They also have a mobile app that allows you to customize more of your audio experience, like controlling noise isolation or tweaking sound with their fully parametric equalizer.
- Easy-to-use. The JBL headphones we've tested tend to have simple and intuitive controls. Most also have a dedicated sync button for Bluetooth pairing, making the process easier.
- Mediocre comfort. Although we haven't tested all of JBL's headphone lineup, some of their headphones have comfort issues like too tight a fit or slightly small ear cups that don't fit well around the user's ears.
- Plasticky designs. Most of JBL's headphones have decent build quality, but the ones we've tested feel plasticky, especially given their price range.
- No open-back models. While it may not be an issue for more casual listeners, JBL lacks an open-back model that can create more spacious soundstages suited for audiophiles.
Overall, JBL makes feature-packed headphones that usually have a well-balanced sound as they tend to closely follow the Harman curve. However, their design and fit may not always be the most comfortable, and despite their price, they have a plasticky build that can feel a bit cheap.
Recent Updates
-
Dec 17, 2021: Checked that picks represent the best recommendations and that the products are in stock.
-
Oct 19, 2021: Checked that picks represent the best recommendations in their categories and that the products are in stock.
-
Jul 21, 2021: Replaced the JBL Live 460NC Wireless with the JBL CLUB 950NC Wireless as the 'Best On-Ear JBL Headphones'.
-
Apr 19, 2021: Added the JBL CLUB PRO+ TWS True Wireless as 'Best Truly Wireless' pick.
Conclusion
JBL offers a variety of headphones for different uses. They generally have a well-balanced sound, but you can EQ most of them with their companion app if you want it to sound slightly differently. While they don't produce headphones as comfortable as other popular brands like Bose and Sennheiser, and they don't offer any models that are specifically catered for audiophiles, their colorful designs are packed with unique features like music sharing that make JBL a great brand for casual, everyday headphones.
If you're still looking around, check out recommendations for the best over-ear headphones.