JBL JBL Sense Pro True Wireless Open-Ear Headphones Review

The JBL Sense Pro delivers excellent open-ear audio with top-tier battery life. It's a niche winner for situational awareness, scoring in the 96th percentile for sound. Worth buying if you hate being sealed off from the world.

The JBL Sense Pro are open-ear headphones that let you hear your music and the world around you at the same time. They're built for people who need to stay aware, whether you're walking the dog, commuting, or just don't like the sealed-off feeling of regular earbuds. They're not trying to be the best noise-canceling buds on the block, and that's the whole point.

The sound quality is surprisingly good for an open-ear design. In our database, it scores in the 96th percentile for sound, and the Hi-Res and LDAC support means you're getting high-quality audio. The adaptive bass boost helps compensate for the lack of a seal, but don't expect earth-shaking low-end. The mics are solid too, landing in the 93rd percentile, so calls are clear. The obvious trade-off is noise isolation, which is basically non-existent, and that's reflected in its 36th percentile ANC score. You'll hear everything around you, and everything around you will hear your music if you crank it.

At $200, the Sense Pro sits in a competitive spot. You're paying a premium for the open-ear tech and JBL's audio tuning. If staying aware is your top priority, the price is justified by the excellent sound and battery life. But if you just want the best sound for your money, a traditional pair of sealed earbuds will give you more bang for your buck.

This is a niche product, so the comparison is interesting. It's the opposite of the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which are all about shutting the world out. If you need awareness, the main alternative is bone conduction headphones, but the Sense Pro generally offers better sound quality. Against something like the Apple AirPods Pro, it's a question of philosophy: do you want transparency mode, or a design that's transparent by default? The Sense Pro does the latter better, but loses on features like active noise cancellation.

Skip these if you commute on loud trains or fly frequently. The lack of noise isolation means you'll be blasting volume to compete, which is bad for your ears and annoys everyone else. Also, avoid if you want deep, punchy bass or need headphones for the gym. There are better, cheaper options for those uses.

Buy the JBL Sense Pro if you absolutely need to hear your surroundings at all times and still want great audio quality. They're perfect for runners, cyclists, office workers who need to hear colleagues, or anyone who gets ear fatigue from in-ears. The battery life is a monster, and the fit is secure.