We've tested over sixty pairs of JBL headphones and earbuds, which is a lot to pick from! If you've narrowed your search to JBL, the main thing to decide is whether you want earbuds or over-ear headphones, and whether you care most about noise cancelling, workout stability, battery life, comfort, or price. JBL have a wide lineup, from budget-friendly earbuds for casual listening to sport-focused models with secure ear hooks and wireless over-ears with ANC for commuting, travel, and office use.
Most JBL headphones and earbuds we've tested have a fairly well-balanced sound, and many work with the dedicated companion app, which usually delivers EQ controls and other useful features like multi-device pairing or battery-saving options. However, their fit and comfort can be hit-or-miss, and cheaper models often make trade-offs in noise isolation, build quality, or control options. Below are the best JBL headphones and earbuds we've tested for different needs and budgets.
Updates
- 08/06/2026JBL Vibe Flex 2 reviewed
- 06/16/2026JBL Vibe Beam 2 reviewed
- 05/11/2026JBL Endurance Peak 4 reviewed
- 05/06/2026JBL Live 680NC reviewed
- 04/28/2026JBL Live 780NC reviewed
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best JBL Earbuds
Sports/FitnessCommute/TravelOfficeType:In-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling:YesSee all our test resultsMic:YesIf you prefer an in-ear fit, the best JBL earbuds we've tested are the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless. These lightweight buds are easy to tuck into your pocket or bag on the go. While they don't have the most comfortable or stable fit and can pop out of your ears when you're talking, fit is very personal. On the upside, they feature noise cancelling (ANC) to help reduce noise like rumbling engines during your commute or background chatter at the office. By default, they have a very slightly V-shaped sound profile that adds extra rumble and punch while instruments remain bright. It's well-suited for genres like pop and rock, but the companion app has a parametric EQ and presets if you prefer a different sound.
These earbuds are well-built and have a great customizable control scheme, so you can remap functions to suit your use. Their battery also lasts about eight hours continuously, and there's an auto-off timer to help conserve power when you're not using the buds. You can also top them up in the case, which holds around three extra charges.
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Best Mid-Range JBL Earbuds
Sports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkNoise IsolationFrequency Response ConsistencyBass Amount:Very Emphasized (7 dB)Treble Amount:Balanced (-1 dB)Sound Signature:Boosted BassType:In-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling:YesSee all our test resultsMic:YesFor something a bit cheaper, check out the JBL Endurance Peak 4. Although they have an ANC system, it just doesn't match the performance of the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless, so you'll hear much of the world around you. On the flip side, their more affordable design is well-suited for working out and running, thanks to their ear hook design, which keeps them stable during intense workouts. Their fit is very comfortable since the tips don't sit too deeply in your ears. They're also dust and water-resistant, so they'll survive jogs in the rain outside.
These buds last nearly 10 hours on a single charge, which will get you through long days on the go. The case also holds three extra charges, but it's bulky enough that you probably won't want to carry it on a run. Their boosted bass sound profile adds strong thump and punch for workout playlists, while keeping vocals clear enough, and the JBL Headphones app has a graphic EQ and presets that you can use to customize the sound.
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Best Budget JBL Earbuds
Sports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkNoise IsolationFrequency Response ConsistencyBass Amount:Emphasized (3 dB)Treble Amount:Slightly Emphasized (1 dB)Sound Signature:V-ShapedType:In-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling:YesSee all our test resultsMic:YesIf you're shopping with your eye on your wallet, consider the JBL Vibe Beam 2, the best JBL earbuds we've tested at a budget-friendly price. They offer decent value, with nice-to-have features like noise cancelling and companion app support included. The trade-off, however, is that the ANC isn't anything spectacular: it helps reduce mid-range noise like office chatter and other everyday distractions, but it doesn't do much against low-frequency rumble from buses or commuter trains. Their fit isn't as secure as the JBL Endurance Peak 4 above either, so they're not the right choice for runs or harder gym sessions. However, they're comfortable enough for everyday listening and staying put for walks and lighter workouts. They even have some resistance to dust and water, so they'll hold up under light rain.
Unlike some of JBL's older earbuds, these buds have multi-device pairing, which makes them more practical for hopping between your phone and laptop. Sound-wise, their V-shaped sound gives kick drums and basslines extra thump while keeping vocals and lead instruments present, and you can adjust the sound in the app via the graphic EQ and presets. To top it off, their eight-hour continuous battery life is enough to get you through a full workday, and the case holds two extra charges.
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Best JBL Headphones
Sports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkNoise IsolationFrequency Response ConsistencyBass Amount:Very Emphasized (6 dB)Treble Amount:Balanced (-1 dB)Sound Signature:≈ Boosted BassType:Over-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:YesNoise Cancelling:YesSee all our test resultsMic:YesThe JBL Live 780NC are the best JBL wireless headphones we've tested. They're a strong choice if you prefer the fit of over-ears, or if you value noise cancelling since their ANC does an impressive job reducing everything from airplane cabin din to rumbly traffic and chatty coworkers. They also last about 60 hours with ANC enabled, so you won't need to charge them often. The inclusion of multi-device pairing also means you can easily switch between your phone and laptop throughout the day. Their boosted bass sound also won't suit everyone out of the box, but the companion app gives you a 10-band graphic EQ and presets to dial in the sound you prefer.
The main downside to these headphones is comfort: their headband padding is mediocre, and their higher clamping force can make them fatiguing over longer stretches, especially if you have a larger head. If you'd rather have on-ears, the JBL Live 680NC are a smaller, lighter alternative with much of the same connectivity and app toolkit. On-ears are a bit smaller than over-ears, so they can be easier to carry around, but they also press directly on your ears, which can get uncomfortable over longer sessions. Alternatively, check out our over-ear vs. on-ear article to figure out which style is best for you.
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Best Budget JBL Headphones
Sports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkNoise IsolationFrequency Response ConsistencyBass Amount:Slightly Underemphasized (-2 dB)Treble Amount:Slightly Underemphasized (-2 dB)Sound Signature:BalancedType:On-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:YesNoise Cancelling:NoSee all our test resultsMic:YesIf you're looking for a pair of budget headphones, the JBL Tune 520BT are worth checking out. At this price point, headphones tend to feel less dense and durable as more of their build becomes plasticky. And certainly, these on-ears aren't as comfortable or well-built as the more expensive JBL Live 780NC either, nor do they have ANC. However, if saving money is worth the somewhat pared-down feature set and passable build, then these headphones may do the job.
The Tune 520BT shares the same strong Bluetooth connectivity options as their more expensive cousin: you can connect to two devices simultaneously, and you can quickly pair them with Android devices. They also have over 65 hours of continuous battery life, so you can easily get through a busy workweek on a single charge. Their balanced sound profile allows them to represent a wide variety of audio naturally. There's enough mid and high bass to ensure disco basslines feel warm and exciting, but EDM fans might miss the lowest thump of a kick drum. Their treble range is warm but inconsistent: you'll find sibilants alternately dull or piercing depending on their pitch. If you prefer a different sound profile, they come with an app that lets you tweak their sound to your liking with a parametric EQ and presets.
Compared To Other Brands
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Well-balanced sound.
Although we haven't tested JBL's full range of headphones and in-ears, this brand noticeably focuses on well-balanced sound reproduction. As they're a subsidiary of Harman, their headphones typically follow the Harman curve, which creates a balanced sound profile suitable for most audio genres.
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Feature-packed.
JBL's wide variety of wireless headphones and in-ears come jam-packed with active features like music sharing and 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 EQ controls.
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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.
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Mediocre comfort.
Although we haven't tested all of JBL's headphone and in-ear lineup, some have comfort issues like a tight fit or slightly small ear cups that don't fit well around the user's ears.
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Plasticky designs.
Most of JBL's headphones have decent build quality, but the ones we've tested still feel plasticky.
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No open-back models.
While it may not be an issue for casual listeners, JBL lacks an open-back model for a more open listening experience suited for audiophiles.
JBL vs Anker
Anker is often seen alongside JBL when looking for lower-end, more affordable headphones. However, Anker's products typically offer better noise isolation performance. Some of their products even support LDAC, a codec designed for Hi-Res Audio. On the other hand, JBL's headphones tend to have a more balanced sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their companion app often offers useful sound customization options. If you'd like to learn more, check out our article on the best Anker headphones.
JBL vs Skullcandy
While JBL and Skullcandy target the budget range with their lineups, JBL has a more expansive range of products at different price points. Many of their products are also better built and have more balanced default sound profiles than Skullcandy's plasticky designs and generally bassy sound. That said, Skullcandy's models are more flashy, and some people may even prefer their unique collaboration colorways to JBL's more standard colors. For more info, check out our picks for the best Skullcandy headphones.
Overall, JBL makes feature-packed headphones and earbuds that often have a well-balanced sound. However, their designs and fit aren't always the most comfortable, and some models have a plasticky build that can feel a bit cheap.
Lineup
JBL has quite a few lineups, but there aren't clear distinctions between a few of them. Some are sorted by rough price brackets:
- Vibe: Budget-friendly wireless in-ears/earbuds.
- Tune: Lower mid-range in-ears/earbuds and over-ears.
- Live: Mid-range wireless in-ears/earbuds and over-ears.
- Tour: High-end in-ears/earbuds and over-ears.
Others are sorted by usage or intended audience:
- Club: Inspired by DJs and musicians. Includes in-ears and over-ears.
- Endurance: Sports-oriented in-ears with stability fins or ear hooks.
- JR: On-ear/over-ear headphones designed for kids.
- Quantum: Over-ears with boom mics for gaming.
- Reflect: An older lineup made of sports-oriented headphones with stability fins.
In addition, JBL uses some abbreviations at the end of their products' names to indicate particular features:
- BT: Bluetooth.
- NC: Noise cancelling.
- TWS: Truly wireless.
If you're still deliberating between JBL's over-ear and on-ear models, you can also check out our over-ears vs. on-ears article to see a detailed analysis of these headphone styles.
Recent Updates
Oct 06, 2026:
We've checked the text for accuracy and product availability. There haven't been any changes in what we recommend, however.
Jul 03, 2026:
We've replaced the JBL Endurance Peak 3 with the JBL Endurance Peak 4 as our mid-range sports-focused earbuds pick, and the JBL Vibe Beam 2 replace the JBL Vibe Buds as our budget earbuds pick. In each case, the newer earbuds add useful features like ANC and multi-device pairing. The JBL Live 780NC are our new Best Headphones pick because they offer stronger noise isolation than the JBL Live 770NC, with the JBL Live 680NC as an on-ear alternative.
Apr 03, 2026:
We've checked that our picks are still valid and in stock, and removed the JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless, which are no longer easy to find.
Jan 06, 2026:
We haven't tested any new JBL headphones since the last update, but the JBL Live 770NC, JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless, and JBL Tune 520BT have all been brought up to Test Bench 2.0. The text of this article has been updated to reflect that.
May 07, 2025:
We removed the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless as an alternative pick to the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless because they're getting harder to find.
Conclusion
JBL offers a variety of headphones and earbuds for different uses, and our picks represent the best JBL headphones you can buy right now. They generally have a well-balanced sound, but you can EQ most of them with their companion app if you want them to sound slightly different. While they don't produce headphones as comfortable as other popular brands like Bose and Sennheiser, and they don't offer any models specifically catered for audiophiles, JBL has packed their colorful designs with unique features like music sharing that make JBL a great brand for casual, everyday headphones.