- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Headphones
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We have currently reviewed 22 JBL headphones. They're a well-known brand that makes feature-packed headphones and implements new and exciting technologies in their designs.
Updates
- 07/26/2019 JBL Live 400BT reviewed
- 07/05/2019 JBL Live 500BT reviewed
- 06/05/2019 JBL Live 200BT reviewed
- 05/31/2019 JBL Endurance Dive reviewed
- 05/24/2019 JBL UA True Wireless Flash reviewed
Compared to other brands
- Good audio reproduction. We’ve yet to test JBL’s full lineup of headphones, but the few that we have tested so far do better than average for sound quality. Being a subsidiary branch of Harman, they typically follow the Harman curve which results in a balanced bass and mid range that makes them sound good for fans of a wide variety of music genres.
- Feature-packed. JBL has a wide selection of wireless headphones with lots of active features, like music sharing or active noise cancelling. You can even customize some of their headsets with a mobile app on your phone, which lets you control noise isolation, as well as giving you access to auto-off timers and a fully parametric equalizer. Overall, JBL sets a benchmark for other brands in terms of feature-packed devices.
- Easy-to-use. The JBL headphones we’ve tested tend to have intuitive controls that are simple and easy-to-use. Most of them also have a dedicated Bluetooth sync button, which also helps make pairing easier.
- Mediocre comfort. We've only tested a few headphones from JBL, but comfort has been one of their middling attributes. They're either too tight or have slightly small ear cups that don't quite fit well around all listener's ears.
- Plasticky designs. Most of the headphones that we've reviewed from JBL have been decently well made but have a slightly plasticky feel to them, especially considering their price range. This does not mean they have poor build quality, just that they feel a bit cheap at times.
- No open-back models. While JBL does offer a wide range of headphones for different uses, they lack more critical listening-oriented headphones with open-back designs that create spacious soundstages. This may not be an issue for most casual listeners, but this makes most of their lineup not targeted towards a pure critical listening experience.
Overall, JBL makes feature-packed headphones that often follow the Harman curve, resulting in good audio fidelity. However, they don't always have the most comfortable designs, and for their price, their plasticky build quality can feel a bit cheap at times.
Best JBL Headphones
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Best Noise Cancelling JBL Headphones
Type : Over-earEnclosure : Closed-BackWireless : YesNoise-Cancelling : YesMic : YesTransducer : DynamicThe best noise cancelling JBL headphones we’ve tested are the JBL Live 650 BTNC. They’re comfortable, well-built wireless over-ears that are easy-to-use with a dedicated Bluetooth sync button. They have deep, thumpy bass that fans of EDM or hip-hop will appreciate while still sounding balanced enough to be suitable for less bass-heavy music genres. They’re compatible with the JBL Headphones app, which gives you access to a great parametric EQ and they have an impressive 22-hour battery life. Unfortunately, they don’t have an auto-off timer and their noise isolation is rather mediocre. The JBL E65BTNC have stronger noise cancelling, but aren’t customizable. Overall, these headphones are a decent choice for daily casual listening.
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Best JBL Headphones For Sports
Type : In-earEnclosure : Closed-BackWireless : YesNoise-Cancelling : NoMic : YesTransducer : DynamicThe JBL Reflect Mini 2 Wireless are the best option for sports from JBL we’ve tested so far. They have a stable, wireless in-ear design with an IPX5 rating for water spray resistance, which is great during long runs or workout sessions. They have impressively accurate audio reproduction and a good 10-hour battery life for all-day use. Unfortunately, they’re not compatible with JBL’s companion app and can’t pair with multiple devices simultaneously. Their cables also feel a bit thin, and they don’t have any power-saving features. That said, they’re still a great choice for athletes who want simple wireless in-ears that sound decent and are easy-to-use while training.
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Best On-Ear JBL Headphones
Type : On-earEnclosure : Closed-BackWireless : YesNoise-Cancelling : NoMic : YesTransducer : DynamicThe best on-ear headphones from JBL we’ve tested so far are the JBL Live 400BT Wireless. They have a well-balanced sound profile that lends itself well to a wide variety of music genres. They have an outstanding 30-hour battery life and even have an auto-off timer so you don’t have to worry about them running out of power if you forget to turn them off. You can customize the way they sound thanks to the JBL Headphones app and can pair to two devices at the same time, which is neat. Unfortunately, they’re less comfortable and feel more cheaply-made than the JBL Everest 310, which also have a unique music sharing feature, but they still perform decently overall and are a solid choice for those who prefer on-ear headphones.
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Best Budget JBL Headphones
Type : In-earEnclosure : Closed-BackWireless : YesNoise-Cancelling : NoMic : YesTransducer : DynamicThe best budget JBL headphones we’ve tested so far are the JBL Endurance Sprint. They feel fairly well-made, especially for their price, and are rated IPX7 for waterproofing. They have a remarkably neutral frequency response and are among the best-sounding wireless earbuds we’ve reviewed. Their 9-hour battery life is decent and they also have an auto-off timer too. Unfortunately, they’re not the most comfortable and their touch-sensitive controls can be a bit difficult to use, but they’re a portable option if you’re looking for something with a well-balanced sound and durable design.
Conclusion
JBL offers a wide variety of models for different uses. Their headphones tend to have good audio reproduction since they typically follow the Harman curve and generally sound well-balanced overall. We’ve yet to review a JBL headset that’s as comfortable as some of the models made by other popular brands like Bose and Sennheiser, and they don’t have any models dedicated towards more critical listeners, but their straightforward designs and unique features like music sharing make them one of the best brands for casual, everyday headphones.
See our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones.
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