JBL Sense Pro True Wireless Open-Ear Review

The JBL Sense Pro are the best-sounding 'hear-through' earbuds we've tested. Fantastic for staying aware, but a hard pass if you need to block out noise.

The JBL Sense Pro is a weird and wonderful pair of open-ear buds that nails the core mission: letting you listen to music while staying aware of your surroundings. Forget noise cancellation; this is all about letting the world in. The one thing to know is that if you're tired of feeling sealed off from your environment, or if you hate the pressure of in-ear tips, these are a fantastic, high-fidelity alternative. They're built for walks, commutes, and staying connected, not for drowning out the world.

The sound quality here is the real shocker. For an open-ear design, the audio performance lands in the 96th percentile in our database. That means the bass is surprisingly present thanks to the adaptive boost, and the high-res support via LDAC means you're not sacrificing detail for awareness. The flip side is the ANC score, which sits at a dismal 36th percentile. But that's by design—these don't block sound, they let it through. Just don't expect them to quiet a noisy coffee shop.

At $200, the Sense Pro is expensive for what is essentially a niche product. You're paying for excellent open-ear audio and top-tier battery life. If staying aware is a non-negotiable priority for you, they're worth it. If you just want great wireless earbuds and don't care about hearing your surroundings, there are better values.

This puts them in a strange spot versus the giants. The Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra are the kings of noise cancellation and sound quality in a sealed environment, and they're around the same price. The Sense Pro is their philosophical opposite. A closer competitor is something like the Shokz OpenRun Pro bone conduction headphones, but the JBLs offer much better sound fidelity and a more traditional form factor. If you want awareness with premium audio, the Sense Pro is your best bet. If you want to block the world out, get the Sonys.

If you're looking for noise-cancelling earbuds to use on planes or in loud offices, these aren't it. You'll be disappointed by the lack of isolation. Go get the Sony WF-1000XM5 instead. Also, skip these if you're a gym rat; the fitness score is low. Look for dedicated sport buds.

We recommend the JBL Sense Pro, but with a big caveat. They are a specialist tool, not a general-purpose champion. For anyone who walks, cycles, or works in an environment where situational awareness is critical, these are arguably the best-sounding open-ear buds you can buy. For everyone else who just wants great earbuds, the excellent ANC and sound of a Sony or Bose model will be a better, more versatile daily driver.