JBL Tune Buds 2

JBL Tune Buds 2 deliver incredible ANC and call clarity at a budget price. Sound is strong but build quality is a letdown. If you prioritize noise canceling and mic performance over everything else, these are a killer deal.

ANC and mic performance are the absolute best you'll find at this price, both landing in the 97th percentile against every true wireless bud we've tested. That means they block out airplane hum and chatty coworkers with an effectiveness that's normally reserved for flagship models. Calls are crisp and clear, even in windy conditions, making these a standout for remote workers. Sound quality sits in a solid but not spectacular 86th percentile, good bass and energy, but lacking the detail and refinement you'd get from a Sennheiser or Sony. Battery life is decent, 10 hours in the buds is better than most, but the charging case is a bit chunky and build quality lands at a disappointing 33rd percentile, feeling flimsy and cheap compared to competitors.

Compared to heavy hitters like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, the JBLs hold their own on ANC and actually beat them in some microphone tests, but lose out on sound resolution, build materials, and codec support. Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro sound a bit more balanced and have a better fit, but cost far more. In the budget arena, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ and Soundcore P31i are closer rivals. The EarFun offers similar ANC but with a more robust build and app experience, while the Soundcore trades blows on sound but also lacks the call quality of the JBLs. The Tune Buds 2's standout feature is absolutely their mic, it's embarrassingly better than most buds under $150.

At this price, you're getting flagship-level noise canceling and call quality, and that's frankly insane. For $60 to $100, the Tune Buds 2 demolish expectations. Even at the high end of $140, you'd struggle to find such good ANC unless you step up to the $200+ range. They're not the most premium-feeling buds, and the fitness score means they aren't for everyone, but if your priorities are blocking out the world and sounding great on a phone call, you're getting a steal here.

The JBL Tune Buds 2 prove you don't have to spend a fortune to get excellent noise canceling. For somewhere between $60 and $140, you get adaptive ANC that rivals earbuds costing twice as much, plus shockingly good call quality thanks to those six mics. The 10mm driver and JBL's Pure Bass tuning deliver a fun, thumpy sound that most people will enjoy straight out of the box. Just don't expect a premium feel, the plastic build is where JBL cut corners to hit this price.

These are everyday workhorse earbuds. You'll get up to 10 hours of playback from the buds themselves, and the case extends that to around 36 hours total. Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint makes swapping between your phone and laptop seamless. Spatial Audio is a nice bonus for movies, and the IP54 rating means they'll handle a sweaty commute just fine. But if you're looking for something to survive the gym or a downpour, the fitness score tells a different story.

If you need earbuds that can take a beating at the gym or in the rain, skip these. The build quality is one of the weakest we've seen, and they aren't locked in enough for heavy exercise. Also, if you demand audiophile-grade detail and codec support like LDAC, look to the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 or Sony WF-1000XM5 instead.

If you spend a lot of time on calls and need reliable noise canceling without spending $200+, the JBL Tune Buds 2 are a no-brainer. They're perfect for open-office workers, commuters, and anyone who wants to disappear into a podcast. Just don't take them to the gym or expect a luxury unboxing experience. For the price, they're some of the most practical wireless earbuds you can buy right now.