JBL Soundgear JBLSNDGEARCLBLUAM

The JBL Soundgear Clips are the open-ear buds for people who want to stay aware without sacrificing decent sound. Great connectivity, solid mics, but don't expect premium build quality.

The 11mm dynamic driver with Adaptive Bass Boost surprised us. Open-ear buds usually sound thin and tinny, but these manage a fuller low end than expected. The sound quality sits at the 78th percentile, which is solid for this form factor. Connectivity is where these things shine, hitting the 98th percentile with Bluetooth 5.4 and multipoint. The mic setup is also a standout at the 92nd percentile, with four mics and AI noise reduction that actually works when you're outside. Battery life is fine at 8 hours per charge and 24 more in the case, but the speed charge is the real hero: 10 minutes gets you 3 hours.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Pro 3 will crush these on sound quality and noise cancellation, but they also seal off your ear canals completely. That's the trade-off. The Technics EAH-AZ100 sits in a similar premium tier with better audio but the same closed-ear design. For open-ear specifically, the Soundgear Clips don't have a ton of direct competition at this price point. The Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro 4+ are cheaper but don't offer the same open-ear experience or the 98th percentile connectivity.

At $150 USD, the Soundgear Clips are a fair deal if you specifically want open-ear buds. You're paying for the form factor and the connectivity, not the sound quality. If you want the best audio for your dollar, look elsewhere. But if you need to hear traffic, coworkers, or your kids while listening to podcasts, this is a reasonable price for that freedom.

The JBL Soundgear Clips are for people who hate having things jammed in their ears but still want decent sound. They clip onto your ear instead of plugging into it, which means you hear your music and the world around you at the same time. The big selling point here is the open-ear design with JBL's OpenSound tech, angled to keep your audio from leaking out and annoying everyone on the bus. At $150 USD, it's a fair price for a niche product that nails its specific use case.

If you want the best sound quality or active noise cancellation, these aren't for you. Go get the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Apple AirPods Pro 3 instead. If you need buds for serious workouts, the fitness score of 47/100 should scare you off. And if you're rough on your gear, the mediocre build quality means these might not survive your lifestyle.

Buy these if you want open-ear buds with excellent connectivity and solid call quality. Skip them if you care about sound quality above all else or need something for intense workouts. The build quality is the weakest link, so treat them gently. For the right person, these are a great daily driver for commuting, office use, and casual listening.