Are JBL Wireless Earbuds Any Good? 7 Things You Should Know
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We are spoiled for choice regarding wireless earbuds with many great brands, like JBL, available. But how can we know if JBL’s earbuds are good enough to beat the big names before we spend our money?
JBL wireless earbuds offer exceptional sound quality and excellent battery life. They are robust and reliable and could last many years if you take proper care of them, though the plastic designs of most models have a lower-quality feel. These earbuds are a worthy competitor to the bigger brands.
People need different things from their wireless earbuds, and not everyone will need features like noise cancelling, for example. So, to see if JBL’s wireless earbuds are any good, we have to compare them with other brands and your needs. Let’s see how good JBL’s wireless earbuds really are.
Here’s How Good JBL Wireless Earbuds Are
JBL’s wireless earbuds are excellent. They have fantastic battery life and exceptional sound quality without sacrificing how lightweight and portable they are. JBL also offers brilliant support in those rare cases where something goes wrong.
To really see how good JBL wireless earbuds are, let’s evaluate and compare JBL’s earbuds on several levels, including the brand’s reputation, manufacturing quality, and general performance.
A Brief History Of JBL
JBL was founded in 1946 by an American audio engineer, James Bullough Lansing (“JBL”). Lansing is also the man behind Altec Lansing, but he left that company before starting JBL. He was always committed to defining the term “state-of-the-art” in audio quality, and over the years, JBL’s quality continued to improve and impress audiophiles worldwide.
Some famous companies and events that used JBL include MGM and Woodstock (1969 and 1999), as well as various bands and music festivals.
Sidney Harman acquired JBL in 1969, and JBL is still a part of Harman International Industries today. Harman became a subsidiary of Samsung in 2017, so anyone concerned about JBL’s quality because they don’t know the brand can rest assured.
Where Are JBL Wireless Earbuds Manufactured?
JBL products are designed and engineered in more than 70 countries, including the United States and India. Despite this fact, JBL’s wireless earbuds are manufactured predominantly in China, though some parts come from Germany, Hungary, India, and Mexico. Final quality control is still mainly done in the United States and Germany.
How Long Do JBL Wireless Earbuds Typically Last?
There are no clear rules about how long JBL wireless earbuds last, mainly because there are many determining factors, primarily how well you care for them.
JBL wireless earbuds have been known to last for five to eight years with proper care. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Not getting them wet beyond their water resistance rating
- Not exposing them to too much dust and dirt
- Keeping them in their carry case whenever you’re not using them
- Following proper charging procedures as specified by JBL
- Cleaning them carefully, as JBL demonstrates in below video
If you follow these steps, you should be able to use your JBL wireless earbuds for the better part of a decade. The batteries are often the first components that die, so you may find the earbuds won’t retain their charge as long as they used to, but they should still work adequately.
How Long Is The Warranty On JBL Wireless Earbuds?
JBL offers at least a one-year manufacturer’s warranty on all earbuds and audio equipment, especially electronic components. Some models may include limited warranties for two or even five years, but you should check the warranty card of the model you’re considering for more information.
The one-year warranty may not sound like much, but it’s perfectly on par with many other manufacturers.
What Do The Reviews Say?
Reviews of most JBL wireless earbuds are predominantly positive, but there are some negatives in the mix.
The Good
- JBL offers exceptional sound quality, and some consider it “the best sound quality possible without spending millions on sound equipment.”
- JBL wireless earbuds offer strong bass but without sacrificing other sound frequencies.
- Battery life is excellent and will last long enough for most people.
- Build quality is good. Some users have accidentally dropped their JBL wireless earbuds, some from considerable heights, and they still worked, no worse for wear apart from a few scratches and bumps. (Please don’t try this, though, as your results could vary.)
The Bad
- The carry case is a bit large and bulky, probably to accommodate the longer battery life.
- Some models struggle to fit into some ears despite using different ear tips, which is a common problem with earbuds.
- The manufacturing quality doesn’t feel great. Most models have simple plastic shells that feel low-quality, even though they’re not. Other brands may feel more high-end than JBL.
What Are The Most Popular JBL Wireless Earbuds?
A few models of JBL wireless earbuds are more popular than others. The most popular models are:
- JBL Tune 225TWS. These offer exceptional bass and 25 hours of battery life at a very reasonable price.
- JBL Vibe 200TWS. Most of the features of the Tune 225TWS, but with slightly lower battery life.
- JBL Tune 215TWS. Many users regard the 215 as better than the 225, but it is slightly heavier with less battery life.
- JBL Endurance Race. These earphones are for sports fanatics and offer the best waterproof capabilities and 30 hours of battery life.
Potential Problems With JBL Wireless Earbuds
There are a few problems with JBL wireless earbuds that turn up occasionally. Many of these aren’t inherently problems with the earbuds themselves.
- You may have trouble with the sound quality if you’re coming from something else. For example, music will sound different over the JBL wireless earbuds than Apple AirPods Pro. It’s because of the way the devices process sound, so it’s not that there’s something wrong, but it might take you some time to get used to it, or you can use an equalizer app.
- Sometimes, the earbud on one side may not work. Usually, the solution is as simple as ensuring that both are charged, unpairing them and then pairing them again, or performing a factory reset.
- Earbuds are not fitting correctly. You can often use different ear tips to make them fit better, but it’s also a good idea to try a few models before you buy.
Which Brands Produce Wireless Earbuds Similar To JBL’s?
Many brands manufacture wireless earbuds similar to JBL’s in many aspects, though few of them can beat JBL’s price, and they don’t necessarily offer better sound or features. The most popular brands are:
- Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro
- Bose, especially the QuietComfort range
- Sony, particularly the WF-1000XM4
- Sennheiser (often regarded as the leader in audio quality)
- Anker, known for its excellent noise cancellation
- Jabra, which manufactures earbuds for particular use cases like running or taking phone calls
- Monoprice, which is known as a great budget wireless earbud brand
Final Thoughts
JBL’s wireless earbuds are good. Despite their lower price bracket, there’s nothing wrong with their sound quality, battery life, or robustness. If you’re used to a different brand, like Apple, Sony, Bose, or Sennheiser, getting used to the feel and slightly different sound might take a while. Still, all in all, JBL manufactures excellent wireless earbuds to please even the most ardent audiophiles.
To read more about wireless earbuds, check out our below articles
- What Are Wireless Earbuds Good For?
- Why Won’t My Wireless Earbuds Turn On?
- 7 Things To Know About AirPods Pro 2 Before Buying
References
JBL Celebrates 70 Years of Extraordinary Sound Experiences
Beats BeatsX Wireless vs JBL FreeX Truly Wireless
HARMAN’s Secret to Delivering Unrivaled Experiences to Audiences: Rigorous Quality Standards
How Long Do Wireless Earbuds Last?
AirPod Alternatives: The Best True Wireless Earbuds for 2023
John Wilson
As a writer and passionate music lover, I write and contribute to many interesting things, especially audio equipment. I have a unique perspective and often write about things that nobody else does. This makes me a great resource for anyone looking for new and exciting information. I hope that my writing can be a source of inspiration for you.
John Wilson
As a writer and passionate music lover, I write and contribute to many interesting things, especially audio equipment. I have a unique perspective and often write about things that nobody else does. This makes me a great resource for anyone looking for new and exciting information. I hope that my writing can be a source of inspiration for you.