JLab JBuds (EBJBSPTANCGPH50WEB)

The JLab Epic Sport ANC Gen 2 packs a massive 60-plus hours of total battery life, making it a marathon runner for gym rats. But call quality is one of the worst we've seen, landing in the 15th percentile, and sound plus ANC scores are equally underwhelming. You're trading audio quality for a secure fit and a battery that just won't quit.

Our lab scores show a tough road for these. Sound quality sits in the 32nd percentile alongside their ANC performance, which promises up to 25 dB of cut but clocks in at a weak spot relative to most buds we've tested. Music playback isn't terrible, but it's underwhelming given the competition at this price point. The IP66 rating and earhook design keep them firmly aimed at the gym crowd, but comfort scores are below average in the 30th percentile, so that secure fit might need to be pried out of smaller ears.

Call quality is the true letdown. The mics land in a disappointing 15th percentile, which means anyone on the other end of your post-run check-in will probably hear more wind and background noise than your voice. Bluetooth Multipoint is a nice touch for juggling a phone and laptop, but the connectivity score is one of the worst we've seen at the 14th percentile, suggesting pairing and switching might not be as "seamless" as the feature list implies.

The workout earbud space is packed with stronger alternatives. The Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro 4+ both offer better sound and ANC performance without giving up solid battery numbers. If mic quality matters at all, the Sony WF-C700N is a much smarter pick. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Google Pixel Buds Pro sit in another league entirely for call and music quality, though you'll trade away the earhook gym design and massive battery tank. It's a clear trade-off: you're buying battery and earhooks here, not audio chops.

Pricing is a bit of a rollercoaster across vendors, with a spread from $60 all the way up to $1567. At the low end, you're getting a pair of feature-loaded workout buds with killer battery life, and that lower price makes the audio and ANC trade-offs a lot easier to swallow. But if you're looking anywhere near the top of that range, the price per performance ratio falls apart completely, especially when the weak call quality and wonky connectivity start to grate on you.

The JLab Epic Sport ANC Gen 2 hangs its hat on a genuinely bonkers 60-plus hour total battery life with the case, but that's where the standout numbers end. It lands in a mediocre 49th percentile for battery in our broader database though, which puts that headline figure in perspective against some of the latest buds. The rest of the spec sheet paints a picture of a feature-packed pair of earbuds that focuses hard on workout durability but struggles to deliver where it counts.

Anyone who takes calls on their earbuds should skip these entirely. The 15th percentile mic performance is a dealbreaker for work calls or even a quick voice message. If you value music quality or decent noise cancellation, the 32nd percentile sound and ANC scores will also leave you wanting. Basically, if you don't absolutely need a 60-hour battery and earhooks for marathon training sessions, there are much better all-around buds out there for the same cash.

The JLab Epic Sport ANC Gen 2 is a one-trick pony that does battery life and gym-ready durability well, but fumbles the fundamentals of what you actually do with earbuds, which is listen to stuff and take calls. Unless a non-stop battery and a secure earhook are your absolute top priorities and you never plan to make a phone call, the competition will treat your ears better for similar or less money.