- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Headphones
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We have currently tested 45 JBL headphones. They're a well-known brand that packs their headphones full of active features like music sharing or auto-off timers.
Updates
- 07/14/2021 JBL Tour Pro+ TWS True Wireless reviewed
- 05/31/2021 JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless reviewed
- 05/25/2021 JBL Live 660NC Wireless reviewed
- 05/13/2021 JBL Live 460NC Wireless reviewed
- 05/07/2021 JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless reviewed
Best JBL Headphones
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Best Truly Wireless JBL Headphones
Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best truly wireless JBL headphones that we've tested are the JBL CLUB PRO+ TWS True Wireless. These very well-built Bluetooth in-ears have a very comfortable, stable fit, so they're suitable for long listening sessions and shouldn't move around too much during workouts. Their default sound profile is very neutral and well-balanced, so it's suitable for a variety of genres. However, if you prefer a different sound, you can also customize it with a parametric EQ and presets in their impressive companion app. They also have an ANC feature that does a good job of isolating you from ambient noise.
Unfortunately, they're just okay when it comes to isolating you from bass-range noise like the rumble of bus and plane engines, so they may not completely block out distractions during your commute. They don't support multi-device pairing, which is a bit disappointing if you're always switching between using your phone and computer, and they only provide roughly seven hours of continuous use. That said, their sturdy portable charging case holds around three extra charges, and you can use one earbud while the other is charging.
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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 headphones for mixed usage that we've tested.
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Best On-Ear JBL Headphones
Type On-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe JBL Live 460NC Wireless are the best JBL headphones with an on-ear design that we've tested. These Bluetooth headphones are well-built, very breathable, and equipped with an easy-to-use onboard control scheme. Their default sound profile is quite neutral, with a touch of extra bass that adds some extra thump and rumble to mixes. Their ANC feature does a decent job of blocking out ambient sound, and they support multi-device pairing, which is nice if you often switch between using your phone and computer. Their long continuous battery life of just under 30 hours should get you through a few 9-5 workdays without any need to recharge, and they also have an auto-off timer to conserve battery life.
Unfortunately, while they're decently comfortable, you may find them a bit tight on your head, especially when using them for long periods. Also, their mic makes your voice sound muffled and struggles to separate it from background noise, so they aren't very suitable for taking a call on a busy street or in another loud setting. Otherwise, if you like their on-ear design, they offer decent all-around performance and are worth considering if you want a pair of multi-purpose headphones.
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Best Budget JBL Headphones
Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best JBL headphones in the budget category that we tested are the JBL Endurance Sprint. These colorful wireless earbuds have an ear-hook design that feels fairly well-built for their price point. If you enjoy sports, these are a very good option as they have a stable fit and an IPX7 rating for water resistance, although we don't currently test for it. They're also among the best-sounding wireless earbuds that we’ve tested, and their well-balanced sound profile is easily suited for a variety of audio genres.
Unfortunately, their in-ear fit may not be the most comfortable for all users, and their touch controls are sensitive, so registering an accurate command can be difficult. Still, they have a nine-hour battery life that should be enough to get you through your workday, and they can even reduce a good amount of background noise around you. At their price point, these are a pair of wireless in-ears with a decent performance.
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, which makes 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
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Jul 21, 2021: Replaced the JBL Live 460NC Wireless with the JBL CLUB 950NC Wireless as the 'Best On-Ear JBL Headphones'.
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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.