JBL Tune 670NC

A 70-hour battery life and 98th-percentile ANC make the JBL Tune 670NC a standout for commuters and travelers. The sound is just average, but the convenience of a lightweight, foldable design with best-in-class connectivity is hard to beat. Grab these if you value stamina and noise cancelling above all else.

The sound is solid, middle-of-the-pack stuff, driven by a 32mm dynamic driver. JBL's 'Pure Bass' tuning is present, so expect a low-end thump that's fun for pop and hip-hop, though it won't satisfy anyone looking for a flat, reference response. The adaptive noise cancelling is a real standout, scoring in the 98th percentile. It's surprisingly effective for on-ear headphones, which usually struggle to seal out the world. The transparency mode, or 'Smart Ambient', is a handy touch for quick conversations. The mic quality is about average, landing in the 66th percentile, so it's fine for a quick call in a quiet room but won't replace a dedicated headset. The build is a step above average at the 76th percentile, mostly plastic but it doesn't feel like it'll snap in your bag tomorrow.

Stacked against the Soundcore Life Q20, the JBL wins on sheer battery stamina and a more modern Bluetooth 5.3 connection, but the Soundcore's over-ear design is more comfortable for all-day wear. The Sony ULT WEAR is a much pricier, bass-heavy beast that outclasses the JBL in sound and build quality, but it can't touch this battery life. The TOZO HT3 is a closer budget fight, but the JBL's ANC performance is a clear step above. You're trading ultimate sound fidelity for class-leading convenience here.

Pricing is a bit of a rollercoaster, ranging from $60 to $96 depending on the vendor. At the lower end of that spectrum, the value proposition is fantastic. You're getting top-tier ANC and battery life for the price of a nice dinner. At the higher end, it gets a little tougher to recommend over some over-ear competitors that offer better sound isolation and comfort. If you can snag these for under $70, you're getting a steal.

The JBL Tune 670NC clocks in with a 93rd percentile battery score, and that's the headline here. You're getting a claimed 70 hours of playback, and a quick 5-minute charge nets you 3 hours of listening. That's the kind of stamina that makes you forget where you left the USB-C cable. For a pair of on-ear cans that fold up and weigh just 174g, the convenience factor is off the charts. The connectivity is also best-in-class with Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint, landing in the 99th percentile in our database.

Audiophiles and studio rats should look elsewhere. The sound profile is bass-forward and fun, but it's not accurate, and the studio score is a dismal 55.2. If you need a pair of headphones for critical listening or mixing, these will just frustrate you. Anyone who prioritizes sound quality over all else will find better options in this price range.

The JBL Tune 670NC is a battery life champion with shockingly good ANC for an on-ear pair of headphones. If your priority is a grab-and-go headset that will last through a week of commutes and work calls without needing a charge, this is a top pick. Just know that you're sacrificing some long-term comfort and audio nuance to get there. For the right price, the trade-off is absolutely worth it.