JBL JBL Endurance Race 2 True Wireless Noise-Canceling Review

Buy these only if you need earbuds that refuse to fall out. The secure fit is excellent, but you compromise on sound and noise canceling to get it. For general use, look elsewhere.

The JBL Endurance Race 2 are the earbuds you buy when you need something that absolutely will not fall out. That's the one thing to know. They're built for workouts first, with a unique Twistlock wing system that hooks into your ear. Everything else—the sound, the noise canceling, the battery—is secondary to that core mission of staying put. They're not the best-sounding buds in their price range, and our data shows they're pretty average across the board, but if you're tired of earbuds popping out mid-sprint, these are worth a hard look.

The performance story here is one of consistency, not excellence. Nothing in our benchmark data jumped out as a clear winner. The sound quality lands in the 47th percentile, which is fine. The noise canceling is in the 40th percentile, which is okay. The battery life is a bit above average at the 56th percentile. The real surprise is how unremarkable the numbers are for a JBL product. You're paying for that secure fit and the IP68 rating, not for class-leading audio tech.

At around $60 to $90, the value is decent, but only if the secure fit is your top priority. You're trading off sound quality and features you'd get from competitors at this price. If you don't need a vice grip for your ears, you can find better overall performers for the money.

This is a crowded field. The Anker Soundcore P31i often costs less and has better adaptive noise canceling, though its fit isn't as sport-locked. The Nothing Ear (a) is a strong all-rounder with better sound and a more comfortable design for all-day wear, but it's not as sweatproof. The JBL Tune Flex, from the same brand, offers better sound and ANC for similar money, but it lacks the unshakable workout fit. You're choosing a specialty tool here.

If you're looking for great sound or effective noise canceling for your commute, this isn't it. The ANC is weak. Go get the Anker Soundcore P31i or the Nothing Ear (a) instead. You'll get a much better overall listening experience.

We can only recommend the JBL Endurance Race 2 to a specific person: the active user who has lost one too many earbuds on a run or at the gym. For them, it's a clear buy. For everyone else—commuters, casual listeners, music lovers—there are better, more balanced options out there that don't sacrifice so much sound quality for a secure fit. This is a one-trick pony, but it does that one trick very well.