The JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless are budget-friendly in-ears. They're quite simple in design but deliver a versatile sound profile that adds just a touch of extra bass to mixes. They can also block out a decent amount of ambient noise around you, although they struggle to cut down the low rumble of bus and plane engines. However, their continuous playback time of five hours isn't anything to write home about, and they lack volume controls. On the upside, their carrying case holds roughly three charges if you need it.
Our Verdict
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS are decent for neutral sound. They have a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that delivers a touch of extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes. They still sound neutral enough for most content, though. However, they lack any EQ features to help adjust them to your liking, and their passive soundstage is closed-off, so audio feels like it's coming from inside your head rather than from speakers placed around you.
- Decently comfortable and well-built.
- No EQ or presets.
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS are good for commute and travel. Thanks to their truly wireless design, they're very lightweight and portable, meaning you can carry them in most pockets or bags without an issue. They also have a decently comfortable and well-built design. However, they lack ANC and struggle to block out bus and plane engine rumble. Their continuous battery life of five hours may not be enough to get you through long trips without pausing to recharge them.
- Can passively block out ambient chatter.
- Decently comfortable and well-built.
- Low leakage at high volumes.
- Struggle to block out bass-range noise.
- Sub-par battery performance.
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS are very good for sports and fitness. They're small, lightweight, and have a breathable fit. They're also decently well built and comfortable. However, they may fall out of your ears with high-intensity activity. They also lack an IP rating for water resistance.
- Decently comfortable and well-built.
- Breathable, stable fit.
- No EQ or presets.
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS are satisfactory for office use. These in-ears have a decently comfortable, breathable fit. They can also block out ambient chatter around you and don't leak audio at high volumes. However, their 5-hour continuous battery life may not last through your 9-5 shift unless you recharge them. Luckily, their carrying case holds roughly three additional charges.
- Can passively block out ambient chatter.
- Decently comfortable and well-built.
- Low leakage at high volumes.
- No EQ or presets.
- Sub-par battery performance.
- No multi-device pairing.
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS aren't recommended for wireless gaming. While you can connect them to a Bluetooth-enabled PC, the latency is likely to be too high for gaming. They also aren't compatible with Xbox or PlayStation consoles.
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS are Bluetooth-only headphones and can't be used wired.
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS are alright for phone calls. These headphones have an integrated mic, which does a good job recording your voice, so you sound clear. However, if you're talking in a noisy environment like a busy street, your voice can be drowned out. On the upside, even though the buds lack ANC, they can block out a decent amount of ambient noise.
- Can passively block out ambient chatter.
- Decently comfortable and well-built.
- Struggle to block out bass-range noise.
- Mic struggles to separate speech from noise.
Changelog
- Updated Dec 20, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless in App Support.
- Updated Jul 31, 2023: Added market comparison with the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless in the App Support box.
- Updated Oct 01, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Sep 28, 2021: Early access published.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The JBL Vibe in three different color variants: Black, Purple, and Blue. We tested the Black variant and you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The JBL Vibe 100TWS are simple, budget-level, truly wireless headphones. While they lack features like a companion app or active noise cancelling, they have a versatile sound profile well-suited for lots of audio content. They can also block out a decent amount of ambient noise around you. However, like other truly wireless headphones in this price range like the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless, their 5-hour continuous battery life leaves a lot to be desired.
Check out our recommendations for the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds under $50, the best earbuds under $50, and the best cheap wireless earbuds.
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless and the JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless are both budget-friendly wireless in-ears from the same manufacturer. The Vibe 100TWS have a more comfortable and stable fit that's better suited to sports use. However, their battery life isn't as long-lasting as with the Vibe Beam. There's no app support, so you don't get access to the same parametric EQ and presets as with the Vibe Beam.
The JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless and the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are similar buds, but the Vibe Buds have a slight leg up. While both buds look and feel very similar, the Vibe Buds have a rating of IP45 for dust and water resistance, a longer continuous battery life, and companion app support, including a graphic EQ and presets.
The TOZO T6 Truly Wireless and the JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless are similarly performing in-ears. While both in-ears are comfortable and well-built, the TOZO have a more stable in-ear fit and can passively block out more background noise. The JBL have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and they have a better battery performance.
The TOZO NC9 Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones for most uses than the JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the TOZO have a more stable in-ear fit and have an ANC system that can block out a great amount of ambient noise. They're also certified IPX6 for resistance against direct contact with water such as rain. The JBL have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and a somewhat better battery performance.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 are better in-ears than the JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable and stable, equipped with an ANC system to block out a great amount of ambient noise, and their companion app offers EQ presets to help you adjust their sound. However, the JBL have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer.
The Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones than the JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Anker have a more stable fit, can passively isolate you from more ambient noise, and have a better overall battery performance. However, the JBL have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer.
The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 are slightly better in-ears than the JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Anker can passively block out a greater amount of ambient noise and have a slightly better battery performance. They also have a companion app that offers a graphic EQ and presets so that you can adjust their sound to your liking. However, the JBL have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer.
The JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless are somewhat better in-ears than the Skullcandy Jib True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the JBL have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their integrated mic offers better overall performance. However, the Skullcandy can block out background noise and have a longer continuous battery life.
The JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless. The JBL are more comfortable, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and have a better noise isolation performance. They also have longer continuous battery life. However, the Skullcandy have a more stable in-ear fit.
The JBL Tune 130NC TWS Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones than the JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless. While both headphones are well-built, the Tune 130NC are more comfortable, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and have a better overall battery performance. They're also compatible with the JBL Headphones app, which offers a parametric EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound. However, the Vibe 100TWS have a better noise isolation performance, despite not having a noise cancelling system.
We've upgraded our Headphones Test Bench to 2.0! This update brings several key changes to our tests and usages, making it easier than ever to interpret our sound results based on your personal preferences. You'll also find a brand-new interactive graph tool featuring multiple targets (including our own!) for you to explore and compare.
For a full breakdown, check out our changelog, which includes detailed commentary from our test designer explaining the rationale behind our update.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts: your feedback helps us keep improving, so join us in the comments!
Test Results
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS have a simple, non-descript look. They're plasticky and have the manufacturer's logo in glossy print on the outward-facing side of the buds. They come in three color variants: Black, Purple, and Blue.
These headphones have a decently comfortable fit. They're small, lightweight, and come with three differently-sized pairs of ear tips to help you find the best fit. However, they have a deep in-ear fit, and registering controls can push them further into your ear, which may not be very comfortable.
These headphones have sub-par controls. There's a physical button on each earbud that's clicky and easy to use. There are chimes when your pair the headphones as well as when you turn them on or off. However, there isn't any audio feedback for other controls. They also lack volume controls, which is a little disappointing. On the upside, you can access all the controls when you're only using one earbud.
On either bud:
- One press: Plays and pauses audio. Also answers and ends calls.
- Two presses: Skips the track forward.
- Three presses: Skips the track backward.
- Press and hold for two seconds: Activates voice assistant. If you're in a call, it mutes and unmutes your mic.
The JBL Vibe 100TWS have outstanding breathability, which is to be expected from in-ear headphones. They don't cover your outer ear at all and allow for airflow. You shouldn't notice a difference in temperature or sweat more than normal, even if you're wearing them during a run in the park.
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS are very portable. Thanks to their small and lightweight, truly wireless design, you can easily fit them into most pockets or bags without an issue.
The carrying case is satisfactory. It's plastic, but it lacks a lid to help protect the buds when you're not using them. The buds are held in place with magnets, but they may fall out if you shake the case or drop it on the floor. On the upside, there's a light in the middle of the case to let you know when the case or buds are charging.
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS have a good build quality. They have a similar build to the JBL Tune 130NC TWS Truly Wireless as they're mostly made of plastic. They feel like they should survive a couple of accidental drops or falls without taking too much damage though. However, the tips feel like they could rip over time. They also lack an IP certification for water resistance.
These in-ears have decent stability. While they should stay in your ears while you're working at your desk, they may fall out during higher-intensity activities like a workout at the gym. If you like their design but want a more stable fit, take a look at the Wyze Buds Truly Wireless.
- JBL Vibe 100TWS headphones
- Carrying case
- 3x ear tips
- USB-A to USB-C charging cable
- Manuals
The JBL Vibe 100TWS have a very slightly bass-heavy sound profile that adds a touch of extra thump, body, and boom to mixes. That said, they're still neutral enough to suit a variety of audio content. They lack an EQ to help you adjust their sound, though.
The frequency response consistency is outstanding. As long as you take the time to adjust their fit, seal, and positioning in your ear, you should experience consistent audio delivery each time you use them.
The bass accuracy of the JBL Vibe 100 TWS is excellent. It's very slightly overemphasized across the range, so mixes have extra thump, punch, and boom. It shouldn't sound very muddy either.
The JBL Vibe 100TWS have fantastic mid accuracy. The range is fairly neutral, which results in present and clear vocals and lead instruments. A small bump in the high-mid also adds intensity and clarity to these sounds.
The treble accuracy of the JBL Vibe 100 TWS is great. The range is slightly underemphasized, but it shouldn't hurt the brightness of vocals and lead instruments too much. The dip in the mid-treble can make sibilants like cymbals a little dull.
The peaks and dips performance is excellent. There's some mismatch between our unit's left and right driver, but it's somewhat minor. However, the left driver is underemphasized from the high-bass to the mid-mid, which can thin out vocals and lead instruments as well as nudge them to the back of the mix. Both drivers also have a peak in the high-mid, which can make these sounds a little honky. The left driver is also overemphasized in the low-treble, which brightens the upper harmonics of vocals and lead instruments. The left and the right driver are subject to the uneven mid-treble, making sibilants like cymbals alternatingly dull and harsh.
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS' imaging performance is disappointing. Their weighted group delay falls entirely beneath the audibility threshold, resulting in a tight bass and a transparent treble reproduction. However, the L/R drivers are slightly mismatched in amplitude and frequency, which can create shifts or holes in the stereo image. There's also a significant mismatch in phase response, and you may hear the peaks in mid and treble range with real-life content. This can affect the accurate localization of objects and instruments, like voices and footsteps in the stereo image. However, these results are only valid for our unit, and yours may perform differently.
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS' passive soundstage of the JBL Vibe is bad, which is to be expected for in-ear headphones. Due to their design, they fully bypass your outer ear, which needs to be activated by sound resonances to achieve an out-of-head listening experience. As a result, their soundstage seems like it's coming from inside your head and feels closed-off.
These headphones have a great weighted harmonic distortion performance. The entire frequency range falls within good limits, resulting in clean and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings used to test the JBL Vibe 100 TWS. Our results are only valid when using the headphones in this configuration.
The JBL Vibe 100TWS have a decent noise isolation performance. They don't have active noise cancelling (ANC) and have a hard time blocking out the low rumble of bus and plane engines. They do a better job of cutting down ambient chatter and high-pitched noises like the hum of an AC unit, though.
The JBL Vibe 100TWS' leakage performance is fantastic. They don't leak a lot of sound, so you can listen to audio at high volumes without disturbing others around you.
The integrated microphone has a good recording quality. Your voice is clear and understandable, although it's lacking depth.
The integrated mic has sub-par noise handling. It struggles to separate your voice from ambient noise around you. If you're taking a call from a busy street, your voice may be completely drowned out.
The JBL Vibe 100TWS have a sub-par battery performance. They're advertised to deliver five hours of continuous playback time, and we measured a similar amount. However, this may not be enough to get you through your workday without recharging them. Luckily, their carrying case also holds roughly three additional charges, and you can use one bud while the other one charges. They're advertised to have a quick charge feature where 15 minutes of charge can give you one hour of playback time. Battery performance can depend on usage, though, so your real-life experience may vary.
If you want similar headphones with app support, check out the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless or JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless.
The JBL Vibe 100 TWS have alright Bluetooth connectivity. Unfortunately, they don't support multi-device or NFC pairing. They also have very high audio latency on PC, iOS, and Android devices, which can be frustrating if you like to stream video. However, some apps and devices compensate for latency differently, and your experience may differ.
You can't use these headphones wired. However, they come with a USB-A to USB-C cable to charge their carrying case.
The JBL Vibe 100TWS are fully compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs. However, you can't connect these headphones to your PC in any other way.
These headphones come with a carrying case that has three additional charges. It only has a USB-C port for you to charge the case, and it doesn't support Qi wireless charging.