The JBL T450BT Wireless are fairly versatile on-ears with a decent sound. They're lightweight and stable enough for running, and they have an easy-to-use control scheme and a somewhat portable design. Unfortunately, their build quality is flimsy and not as durable as some of the other on-ears we've tested, like the Skullcandy Grind Wireless. They don't have a headphone jack or wired mode, which might be a deal-breaker for some listeners.
Our Verdict
The JBL T450BT are passable for mixed usage. They're Bluetooth-only headphones with a decently balanced sound and a lightweight on-ear design stable enough for running and working out. However, their build quality is very plasticky and looks a bit cheap. They don't block a lot of noise passively, meaning that they won't be the best option for commute and travel, and they don't have a headphone jack, so you can't use them passively when the battery dies or wired with your console controllers. It also means they won't be the best option for watching videos since there's no way to reduce latency.
- Decent audio reproduction.
- Flimsy and plasticky build quality.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Tight fit, not as comfortable for everyone.
The JBL T450BT are okay for neutral sound. They have decently well-balanced sound with good bass and mid-range but a slightly over-emphasized treble that may sound a bit too sharp on already bright tracks. Unfortunately, they aren't the most consistent headphones, so on some users, they'll have less bass, especially if you wear glasses. They also have a small soundstage due to their closed-back, on-ear design, which won't be ideal for more neutral listeners.
The JBL 450BT are passable for commute and travel. They have a straightforward control scheme and a decent battery life. They're decently portable and compact, making them a bit easier to carry around on your person. Unfortunately, they don't isolate well in loud environments, which isn't ideal for commuting or traveling.
The JBL T450BT are decent for sports and fitness. Their tight fit and wireless design mean they won't easily fall off your head even when running. They also have a decent control scheme but won't be the ideal headphones for sports since they still move around a bit when on your head, depending on the exercise. On the upside, they should be stable enough for running and jogging.
The JBL T450BT are mediocre for office use. They don't isolate well in loud, noisy environments, meaningthat they won't be the ideal choice for a lively office. On the upside, they don't leak too much, so you can play your music a little louder than average without distracting the people around you.
The JBL T450BT aren't suitable for wireless gaming. They have a mediocre microphone and slightly too much latency to be suitable for gaming. They have no customizable options, and they're not as comfortable to wear for really long gaming sessions. They're also Bluetooth-only headphones that won't work with your consoles.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 05, 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 Sep 21, 2018: Review published.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The JBL T450BT are mixed usage on-ears with a decent sound but a budget design. They look and feel a bit cheap due to their mostly plastic build quality that's not as good as some of the other on-ear headsets within their price range. They're also not the most comfortable headphones to wear for long listening sessions, but on the upside, their tight fit makes them stable enough for some sports, and they sound balanced enough to please most listeners. Unfortunately, they're a bit too bright on some tracks, and since they have no headphone jack, you can't use them passively when the battery dies or wired with your console controllers.
See our recommendations for the best on-ear headphones, the best headphones for running, and the best wireless headphones.
The JBL T450BT Wireless are better mixed-usage headphones than the Sony WH-CH400 Wireless, but the Sony have better sound quality. Other than that, the JBL are more stable, better-built, leak less and have about half the latency of the Sony. On the other hand, the Sony headphones have more battery life, better wireless range, and support NFC. If sound quality is your most important criterion, then the Sony will be the better choice.
The Skullcandy Grind Wireless are much better on-ear headphones than the JBL T450BT Wireless. The Grind have a great build quality for their price; they're also a lot more comfortable than the T450BT. The Grind also have longer battery life, a slightly better-balanced sound quality, and a headphone jack so you can use them wired with most devices, unlike the JBLs. On the other hand, the JBLs have a more compact and portable design that folds and can even fit into some larger jacket pockets. They're also lighter and leak a little less at high volumes.
If you prefer a compact on-ear design, then the JBL T450BT Wireless could be a decent choice; however, the JBL E55BT Wireless are much better in most other aspects. The E55BT are more premium and durable than the T450BT. They sound better, have a longer battery life, and can pair with two devices at once. They also have a headphone jack so you can use them wired when their battery dies or with your console's controller. The T450BT, on the other hand, are a bit more lightweight, portable, and stable for sports than the E55BT.
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.
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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