JBL Tune Buds Tune Buds 2 Wireless Noise-Canceling Review

The JBL Tune Buds 2 are budget noise-canceling earbuds with a strong bass sound and excellent battery life. However, many users find the fit insecure, and the active noise cancellation is only average for the price. Consider them if you prioritize battery and bass, but try the fit first if you can.

If you're hunting for wireless noise-canceling earbuds under $100, the JBL Tune Buds 2 are a solid contender that often pops up. They're pitched as an all-rounder for travel and everyday listening, packing 10mm drivers with JBL's signature Pure Bass sound, adaptive noise canceling, and a claimed 48 hours of total battery with the case. In our testing, they land squarely in the mid-range for sound and features, which is exactly where you'd expect for the price. People searching for 'best budget noise canceling earbuds' or 'JBL earbuds under $100' will find these on the list, and they're worth a closer look if you prioritize bass-heavy sound and decent battery life over absolute top-tier ANC.

Our data puts the Tune Buds 2 right in the middle of the pack for most metrics. Sound quality scores in the 47th percentile, which means they're fine for the price but won't blow you away with detail. The bass is predictably boosted, so pop and hip-hop sound punchy, but mids and highs can get a bit muddy. The adaptive noise canceling sits at the 40th percentile. It's effective for constant low-end rumble like plane engines or bus noise, but it struggles more with chatter and sudden sounds. Battery life is a brighter spot, landing in the 56th percentile. You'll get a solid 8-10 hours per charge, and the case does provide those extra charges for the full 48-hour claim.

Priced between $60 and $110, the Tune Buds 2 are fighting in a crowded budget-to-mid-range arena. For the money, you're getting a competent set of features—ANC, an app, good battery—but you're making clear compromises on fit, call quality, and ANC effectiveness. If your budget is strict and you love bass, they're a fair deal. But if you can stretch another $20-30, you'll often find better overall packages.

Let's name names. The Nothing Ear (a) is a direct competitor in this price bracket. It often beats the JBLs on ANC effectiveness and has a more neutral, detailed sound profile, though its battery life isn't quite as long. The Anker Soundcore P31i is another strong alternative, frequently offering better noise cancellation and a more secure fit for similar money. If you care most about sound quality and can forgo top-tier ANC, the JBLs might edge out the Anker on pure audio enjoyment. Then there's the JBL Tune Flex, a sibling model. It's often cheaper and offers a neckband design, which solves the fit issue entirely but is a different form factor. You're trading the true wireless convenience for reliability.

Skip the JBL Tune Buds 2 if you have smaller ears or have had fit issues with other true wireless earbuds—this seems to be a common problem. Also, avoid them if you take a lot of calls on the go, as the mic performance is subpar. Fitness enthusiasts should look for earbuds with a more secure fit and higher IP rating. For better call quality and more reliable ANC at a similar price, check out the Anker Soundcore P31i or the Nothing Ear (a).

Should you buy the JBL Tune Buds 2? It's a cautious 'maybe'. If you're a bass lover on a tight budget who values long battery life above all else, and you're confident the fit will work for your ears, they're a reasonable choice. But for most people, the finicky fit and just-okay noise cancellation are real dealbreakers. There are better all-around performers at this price, like the Nothing Ear (a), that don't ask you to gamble on comfort. We'd recommend these primarily to existing JBL fans who know and love their sound signature and are upgrading from an older, non-ANC model.