JBL JBL Tune Buds 2 Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds Review
The JBL Tune Buds 2 are the definition of average. We found better noise canceling and a more secure fit for the same price. Here's why you should skip them.
The 30-Second Version
Skip the JBL Tune Buds 2. They're aggressively average earbuds with a fit problem. For the same money, you can get better sound and ANC from Anker.
Overview
The JBL Tune Buds 2 are the definition of 'fine.' They're not bad, they're not great, they're just... there. If you're looking for a pair of cheap earbuds with a JBL logo that won't completely embarrass themselves, these will do. But the one thing you need to know is that they're aggressively average across the board. Our database puts them squarely in the middle of the pack for sound, battery, and noise canceling. They're the white bread of wireless earbuds.
Performance
Honestly, nothing surprised us. That's the problem. The sound lands in the 47th percentile, which means about half of all earbuds sound better. The ANC is in the 40th percentile, so it'll take the edge off a bus ride but won't silence an airplane. The battery life is just okay at the 56th percentile. The only thing that slightly overperforms is the social proof score, meaning people are buying them, probably because they're cheap and have the JBL name.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- They're cheap, especially if you find them on sale. 89th
- The JBL app gives you some basic EQ control to tweak the sound. 88th
- IP54 rating means they can handle a sweaty workout or light rain. 86th
- Battery life with the case is decent for the price. 84th
Cons
- The fit is a common complaint; they fall out for a lot of people. 33th
- Noise canceling is weak sauce compared to real competitors.
- Call quality is bad, scoring in the 14th percentile.
- They feel cheap and plasticky. Build quality is a miss.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | In-Ear |
| Wearing Style | Dual Ear True Wireless Earbud |
| Weight | 0.0 kg / 0.0 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 10 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 |
| Freq Max | 20000 |
| Impedance | 16 |
| Max SPL | 95 |
| Surround | Spatial Audio |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Profiles | A2DP 1.4, AVRCP 1.6, HFP 1.5 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 10 |
| Charge Time | 2 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 30 |
| Case Charging | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | No |
| Capacity | 68 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 2 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | iOS, Android |
| Volume Limiting | No |
| Water Resistance | IP54 |
Value & Pricing
At $60, they're a maybe. At anything over $80, they're a hard pass. You're paying for the brand name, not for standout features or performance. There are better values at this price point.
vs Competition
This is where it gets rough for the Tune Buds 2. The Anker Soundcore P3i does everything these do, but with better ANC and sound, for about the same price. If you can stretch your budget a bit, the Nothing Ear (a) is a much more interesting and capable product with a unique design and better tuning. And if you care about fit at all, skip these and look at something with wingtips or a more secure design.
| Spec | JBL JBL Tune Buds 2 Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds | Technics Technics EAH-AZ100 Reference-Class True Wireless | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation Apple - AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation - | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Jabra Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-C MS Earbuds with USB-C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | True Wireless | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | 30 | 11 | 16 | 25 | 18 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | IP54 | IPX4 | IPX4 | Water-Resistant | IPX4 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | true | true | true | true | true | true |
Common Questions
Q: Is the noise canceling any good?
Not really. It's basic. It'll dull constant background hum, like an air conditioner, but it won't block out voices or sharper noises. Look elsewhere if ANC is a priority.
Q: Do they stay in your ears during workouts?
Probably not. The fit is their biggest weakness, according to our data and user reviews. They lack secure wingtips or a deep-seated design. For fitness, look at something with an IP67 rating and a hook.
Q: How's the call quality?
Bad. It's one of their worst scoring categories. People on the other end will hear a lot of background noise. Don't buy these if you take a lot of calls.
Who Should Skip This
If you need earbuds that actually stay in your ears, skip these immediately. Go get a pair with wingtips or a different form factor. Also, if you want strong noise canceling for commuting, your money is better spent on the Anker Soundcore Life P3 or similar.
Verdict
We can't recommend the JBL Tune Buds 2. They're not terrible, but they're not good enough to stand out in a crowded budget market. You're better off with an Anker Soundcore model for pure value, or saving a little more for a pair of Nothing Ear (a) buds that actually have some personality and better performance. Only buy these if they're deeply discounted and you're a JBL loyalist who doesn't care about fit.