Pros
- Comfortable and secure
- Lots of audio customization in the app
- Great battery life
- Affordable for what they are
Cons
- Tap gesture controls can be finicky
- No noise cancellation
- Lacking depth of sound
- Oversized charging case
Open-ear buds are a popular option for those who don’t like plugging their ears, and for people like runners who appreciate maintaining situational awareness. JBL makes lots of headphones and in-ear buds, but the JBL Endurance Zone open-ear buds are one of several new models introduced earlier this year (last year in other countries) alongside the Soundgear CLIPs I recently reviewed as well. Unlike those huggie earring-style buds, these have flexible hooks that wrap around the back of your ear, more akin to models like the Shokz OpenFit Pros.
About the JBL Endurance Zone Earbuds
First, the basics. The JBL Endurance Zone buds, available in Canada through Erikson Consumer, feature JBL OpenSound Technology that the company says delivers “deep bass, minimal sound leakage, and secure comfort.” It boasts an IP68 rating and comes with liquid silicone ear hooks and adaptable memory wire to ensure they stay in place so you can move freely.
With 32 hours of play time, Speed Charge for quick turnarounds, and clear four-mic call clarity, there’s also full touch control customization via the JBL Headphones app. They’re relatively affordable as well, selling in Canada for about $220. They come in Black/Gray, Black/Lime, Purple/Grape, Blue/White and White/Orange, though availability may vary by country.
JBL Endurance Zone Review
The Design and Basics
The JBL Endurance Zone earbuds have a look similar to others of the same style that you’ll find on the market. Because of this design, the case is rather large. So, while you can toss it in a backpack or even a belt bag, it won’t as comfortably slide into your pocket without bulging.
My review sample came in the Black/Lime finish with a striking lime-coloured JBL logo on the front of the charging case along with a bright lime-coloured back that makes it easy to find if you toss it in a bag. The underside of each bud where the speaker grilles sit are also bright Lime with a large “L” and “R” so you can easily figure out which is left and right. Smaller lime-coloured JBL logos are at the front of each bud as well, so there’s no mistaking the brand while you’re wearing them. The textured finish gives them an elegant look.
I was not able to find the buds in the JBL Headphones app at the time I began my review but they paired easily using the Bluetooth menu of my iPhone 17 Pro. Once paired and placed in my ears, they popped up in the app. They did suddenly drop the connection altogether weeks into my review, forcing me to re-pair, which was odd. But forgetting the device and re-pairing got them up and running again. I had to run a quick software update before getting started. But then, I was ready to go.
They fit securely such that they never came loose or felt uncomfortable. I even wore them during rigorous workouts and walks outdoor. They don’t put any pressure on or in your ears, which is something those with sensitive ears will appreciate.
Gesture controls work well, defaulted to volume for the left bud and playback control for the right. I like the tap motions versus swipe, but this is just a personal preference. However, it might take a few tries at times to do things like lower the volume (double tap) versus raise it. There’s a lot to remember with double and triple taps and tap and hold motions, so it might take some time to get used to what each does, which is the case with most buds. Either/both earbuds can also be used to answer and end calls.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is decent for listening to tunes while you exercise, go for a walk, or for Zoom calls at work when you don’t want to plug your ears. But without noise cancelling, you’ll have to crank the volume on a busier street with cars zooming by. While you get good bass, it doesn’t rival other in-ear or over-ear JBL headphones, which is to be expected given the open design.
Listening to my reference track “Creep” by Radiohead, the sound is smooth and pleasant, though it’s lacking the same sense of depth and warmth as with other headphones and earbuds I have reviewed. Audio isn’t as nicely balanced either, but it’s still good enough for background tunes versus focused listening. Listening to Billie Eilish’s track “Wildflower,” the guitar strums are crisp alongside her smooth vocals front and centre, clear and emotional.
Given the use of air conduction technology, you will feel a slight vibration when listening to certain tunes in certain modes, like extreme bass or even rock. The sensation can feel odd at first, especially if you have never worn air conduction buds. Using less intense sound modes, you’ll feel this vibration less, but at the expense of more powerful sound. This is something to consider if you feel like the sensation might be uncomfortable and you’re a fan of hard rock or hip hop with the volume cranked.
Audio is much better with spoken word content like podcasts, which I listened to often while on walks. You get good clarity and separation among various speakers, though there’s a bit of hollowness when using voice mode: I actually prefer listening with the natural mode.
I also wore these to listen to the audio from workouts while I followed along on the TV. They work well not only in terms of audio quality, but also staying put as a I move around. From cardio boxing to weighted workouts and core moves on the ground, they never shifted or felt like they’d fall off or even away from my ears. This was one gripe I had with the Shokz OpenFit Pros, which excel with the inclusion of noise reduction but would slightly fall away from my ears when I lay down to do chest presses or core work.
App Control
Download the JBL Headphones app to control playback, change gestures, and more. You can switch between Audio or Video mode, the latter if you’re wearing them while watching movies, binging TV shows, or checking out TikToks or YouTube videos, for example.
You can customize gesture controls as desired from within the app, but only to switch which bud does volume versus playback or turn them off entirely. Nonetheless, this is useful for a left-handed person like me who would prefer to control volume from the left bud versus the right.
Turn voice prompts off (they are on by default) and change the language if desired in the app as well. Along with English, you can choose from 10 others, including French, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese.
There’s a neat feature you can activate from the app called PulseDry, designed to remove moisture from the buds. This might be after a run in the rain or during an especially sweaty workout sessions. Remove the buds and give them a 10-second shake. Once done, place them on a flat surface with the logos facing down and let the progress run. When prompted, hold them and give them another 10-second shake It basically uses low-frequency vibration to remove water droplets from the drivers. The buds do meet an IP68 rating, as mentioned. But this feature is a nice way to ensure they’re properly dried out and last a long time.
Along with advising of battery life for each bud and the case, you can also adjust the equalizer in the app manually with MyEQ or choose from presets like Jazz, Vocal, Rock, and Extreme Bass. You can also tweak the left/right balance and turn on a volume limiter. That’s useful for those with sensitive ears or if you’re getting these for a teen or tween who might be inclined to otherwise turn up the volume to unsafe levels. There are also sound settings (natural, increased treble, and increase bass) and voice settings (natural, powerful, and bright). So, you can play around until you get sound that appeals to you depending on to what you’re listening. Unlike some cheaper buds I have tried, you’ll actually hear a noticeable difference among the modes so I’d encourage you to try them out.
Like the JBL Soundgear CLIPs earbuds I reviewed last month, there’s the same Relax Mode for playing relaxing sounds to help you de-stress, even as calming audio before bed (though you won’t wear these to sleep). There’s also Find My Buds and Auto Power Off.
Should You Buy the JBL Endurance Zone Earbuds?
Open-ear buds are always a trade-off: you’re choosing a more convenient design knowing that sound quality won’t be up to par with others. The JBL Endurance Zone buds don’t rival other JBL in-ear buds for sound quality, but they will meet your needs for an intended purpose.
They’re ideal for active individuals looking for buds to wear while out for a run or working out at the gym. They’ll do decently for Zoom calls, especially for those who don’t like plugging their ears. I wouldn’t choose them for commuting since there’s no noise cancelling, nor walking on busy roads and in urban cities since sound leaks in. But the positive side is that you maintain full situational awareness.
I’d categorize the JBL Endurance Zone earbuds as sports buds, perfect for workouts. I love that they never come loose, whether you’re bench-pressing weights, doing sit-ups, or intense cardio. The fact that they’re IP68-rated is icing on the cake along with the neat Pulse Dry feature. And the app affords the ability to tailor sound to your needs, whether you’re listening to a rocking playlist or a favourite podcast.
At just $220, the JBL Endurance Zone earbuds more than justify the already attractive price. If you want a pair of on-ear buds for work calls at home and workouts on the go, they’re a good option.