The JBL E45BT Wireless are decent mixed usage wireless headphones, similar to the JBL E55BT Wireless, but with an on-ear fit. They have great battery life and wireless range, and a satisfyingly well-balanced sound. Unfortunately, although their build quality is decent, it feels a bit cheap, and they don't have the best isolation for noisy environments. They're also not as comfortable as the over-ear JBL E65BTNC headphones.
Our Verdict
The JBL E45BT aren't bad for mixed usage. They have a good battery life, great wireless range, and a reasonably well-balanced sound profile. They're not the most comfortable headphones, and their build quality feels a bit plasticky, but they're a good option for most uses. However, like most Bluetooth headphones, they have a bit too much latency, meaning that they won't be ideal for gaming and home theater.
- Stable and breathable.
- Great wireless range and battery life.
- Disappointing noise isolation.
- Plasticky build quality.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
The JBL E45BT are sub-par for neutral sound. They have an overemphasized bass response, although it doesn't drown out instruments and vocals. It also has a decent reproduction of higher frequencies that's not too sharp. Unfortunately, their soundstage is poor due to their closed-back on-ear design, and they're a bit inconsistent in the bass range.
The JBL E45BT are adequate for commute and travel. They're lightweight, easy to use, and decently portable. However, they don't block much noise for busy city commutes, and their on-ear design isn't as comfortable as the JBL E55BT Wireless.
The JBL E45BT are decent for sports. They're lightweight, breathable, and tight enough to stay on your head when jogging. Their wireless design makes them less likely to fall because the audio cable got hooked on something, and they have a decently efficient control scheme. However, they're not as stable as the JBL E55BT Wireless and won't be the most portable headphones for more intense workout routines, which may hinder your movements.
The JBL E45BT are mediocre for office use. They have a long continuous battery life and a decent sound for hours of continuous listening but do not block much noise. You may hear the chatter of a lively office, and they leak a bit at high volumes, meaning that you may distract some of your colleagues in quieter conditions.
The JBL E45BT aren't suitable for wireless gaming. They have a bit too much latency, a mediocre mic, and no customization options. Also, they're not the most comfortable headphones to use for long gaming sessions, although at least they come with a versatile audio cable that is compatible with most console controllers and PCs.
Changelog
- Updated Mar 11, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Mar 13, 2018: Review published.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The JBL E45BT are decent wireless headphones for most uses. They have a great range and battery life and a fairly well-balanced sound. Their on-ear fit isn't as comfortable as other on-ear headphones we've tested. They also have a bit too much latency for gaming and watching movies, but they're versatile enough for sports use.
See our recommendations for the best on-ear headphones, the best headphones under $100, and the best wireless headphones.
The JBL E55BT Wireless and the JBL E45BT Wireless are practically the same headphones, but the E55BT are over-ears while the E45BT are on-ears. They have very similar audio reproduction and are built the same way. However, the over-ear design is more comfortable for most and is steadier on the head for sports. On the other hand, it's not as breathable as the E45BT's on-ear design. There are also more bass delivery inconsistencies with the over-ear E55BT, and they have noticeably shorter battery life and wireless range than the on-ear E45BT.
The JBL E45BT are better headphones than the JBL T450BT. The E45BT have a more premium-looking design that's more durable than the T450BT. They also sound better and have a headphone jack, so you can use them wired if their battery dies or with your console controllers. The E45 also have better battery life and can pair with two devices simultaneously, unlike the more budget T450BT. On the other hand, the T450BT are more lightweight, portable, and stable for sports than the E45BT.
The JBL E45BT Wireless are better headphones than the Sony WH-CH500 Wireless in every way. They have better sound quality, build quality, sound quality, battery life, can be used wired even if the battery is dead, and they support full multi-device pairing. The Sony have slightly better feedback on their control scheme and have NFC support for easier pairing, with better wireless range. The Sony are usually cheaper than the JBL.
The JBL Everest 310 and JBL E45BT are very similar on-ear headphones. Both have a sound profile that is better suited for bass-heavy genres due to their recessed mid-range. However, the Everest model feels slightly better built than the E45BT. They also isolate more noise due to their cups covering the ear more. On the other hand, the E45BT have slightly lower latency, so you might not notice the delay as much on these. They are also noticeably more stable, which is good for sports. Also, the Everest 310 has a unique music sharing feature that lets you connect another pair of Bluetooth headphones to the Everest and listen to the same audio content.
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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