Are JBL Endurance Race 2 Worth It? Full Review of These Sports Earbuds
Discover if the JBL Endurance Race 2 earbuds are worth it! Full review on sound, fit, battery life, and more for sports use.
JBL Endurance Race 2 are designed to give you solid workout headphones at an affordable price — and they do a great job. While the sound and noise cancellation aren’t as powerful as expensive earbuds, the audio is good for the price. Plus, the fit and battery life are impressive.
I used them for all my workouts — running, cycling, strength training, and even yoga. They stayed comfortable and secure throughout. I also used them daily outside of workouts and faced no major issues.
If you want reliable sports earbuds without spending too much, the JBL Endurance Race 2 are definitely worth considering.
JBL Endurance Race 2 Specifications
| 🔖 Feature | 📌 Details |
|---|---|
| 💰 Price | $79.95 / £69.99 |
| 🎨 Colors | Black ⚫, White ⚪, Blue 🔵, Purple 🟣 |
| 🔋 Battery Life | 12 hrs (ANC off) / 10 hrs (ANC on) / 48 hrs total with case |
| ⚡ Quick Charge | 4 hrs playback in 10 mins |
| 📶 Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3, Multipoint support 🔄 |
| ⚖️ Weight | 0.2 oz (each bud) / 1.4 oz (case) |
| 💦 Durability | IP68 (buds – waterproof & dustproof) / IPX2 (case) |
| 🎛️ Controls | Touch controls (customizable via JBL app) |
| 🎵 Sound Quality | Good for the price, adjustable bass 🎶 |
| 🔇 Noise Cancelling | Basic ANC, reduces noise slightly |
| 👂 Ambient Mode | Weak, limited surrounding sound |
| 📞 Call Quality | Clear, but voice sounds slightly hollow |
| 🏋️ Best For | Workouts 💪, Running 🏃♂️, Cycling 🚴♀️, Daily Use 🧘♀️ |
JBL Endurance Race 2 Price and Availability Review
The JBL Endurance Race 2 launched in March 2025 for $79.95 in the U.S. and £69.99 in the U.K., the same price as the original model. In the U.K., you can already find them on sale for £59.99 at some stores, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for deals.
It’s a great price for sports earbuds with solid features. However, pricier options like Bose QC Earbuds, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, and Jabra Elite 8 Active offer better sound quality and noise cancellation.
JBL Endurance Race 2 Design and Comfort Review
The JBL Endurance Race 2 earbuds are a bit large and stick out from the ears, but the silicone wing keeps them secure during all workouts. You need to twist them into place for the best fit, and once fitted, they stayed put—even during long runs or intense HIIT sessions.
Surprisingly, the wings didn’t irritate my ears, even after long use, which is a big plus for comfort. If you’re not using them for sports, you can swap to wingless covers, and they come with three ear tip sizes for the best fit.
They have a high IP68 rating, meaning they’re dustproof and water-resistant—perfect for sweaty workouts or rainy runs. Just note, they’re not made for swimming.
The earbuds are lightweight, but the charging case is large. It fits better in a coat pocket or bag, not ideal for running. The case has an IPX2 rating, which is fine for most workouts but not highly water-resistant.
JBL Endurance Race 2 Connectivity Review
The JBL Endurance Race 2 uses Bluetooth 5.3 and offers multipoint connectivity. Pairing with my iPhone, laptop, and Garmin Fenix 8 watch was quick and easy. Switching between my phone and laptop worked smoothly.
You can connect two devices at once. To add another device, just tap and hold the left earbud to enter pairing mode again.
The buds also support Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair for easy one-touch pairing with Android devices and Windows PCs (though I couldn’t test this).
During my workouts and runs, the connection was stable with no dropouts. I could even leave my phone across the room while strength training without any issues.
JBL Endurance Race 2 Controls and App Review
The JBL Endurance Race 2 earbuds have touch panels on each side. You can customize the controls using the JBL app. There are options like tap, double-tap, triple-tap, and tap and hold — but instead of customizing each action, you choose a group of controls:
- Ambient Sound (ANC & Ambient Aware)
- Volume Control
- Playback Control (Play/Pause/Skip)
For example, I set the left bud to control ambient sound and the right bud to handle music playback. However, you can’t control volume, playback, and ambient sound all at once, which is a bit limiting.
I found touch controls tricky during workouts, especially with sweaty fingers or gloves. Physical buttons would be better for sports. But outside workouts, the touch works fine, and you hear a beep when the touch registers.
The app also lets you adjust the EQ and play relaxing sounds like rain. You can set custom sports modes, like how much ambient sound you want to hear during a run.
It’s a handy feature, but it would be better if you could switch sports modes directly from the buds instead of opening the app every time.
JBL Endurance Race 2 Fitness Features Review
The JBL Endurance Race 2 earbuds are designed for sports, and they excel at one key thing: fit. The earbuds stay comfortably in place during all my workouts, and the wing tips are among the most comfortable I’ve tried.
However, I wasn’t as impressed with the ambient and ANC modes. The ambient mode doesn’t let in enough sound to hear passing cars, and it doesn’t block out wind noise, which can be distracting during outdoor workouts.
The ANC is good for indoor training, like on a treadmill or exercise bike, as it blocks out most noise. But for outdoor activities like walking or running, you can still hear the sound of your footfalls.
This issue is common with in-ear buds, but I notice it less with other models like the Bose QC Earbuds and Apple AirPods Pro 2.
JBL Endurance Race 2 Sound Quality Review
The sound quality on the JBL Endurance Race 2 is good for the price, but not perfect. The audio lacks a bit of clarity in the higher tones, and I had to boost the bass using the app for a stronger sound.
One issue I noticed was the volume — sometimes, especially during outdoor workouts, the buds just weren’t loud enough. Switching to Outdoor Run Mode helped a little, but it was still hard to hear at times.
Listening to songs like Beach House’s Once Twice Melody, the sound felt a bit flat compared to premium earbuds like the Bose QC Earbuds. At higher volumes, tracks like Linkin Park’s The Emptiness Machine lost some detail and sounded a bit compressed.
That said, the sound is still solid for the price. For around $80, it’s hard to find earbuds that sound better. If you’re not super picky about sound quality, these buds work great for workouts and everyday use. But audiophiles may prefer more expensive earbuds with spatial audio support.
JBL Endurance Race 2 ANC and Ambient Modes Review
The JBL Endurance Race 2 offers customizable ANC and ambient settings, but both features are not very strong.
The ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) reduces background noise a little, but it’s not as powerful as premium earbuds like AirPods Pro 2 or Bose. You’ll still hear sounds like gym noise, traffic, or people around you.
The ambient mode also doesn’t work well. It doesn’t let in enough sound, making it hard to have a conversation or hear traffic clearly when running or walking near roads.
You can adjust ANC and ambient levels in the app’s sports modes, but honestly, it doesn’t make a big difference.
JBL Endurance Race 2 Call Quality Review
The JBL Endurance Race 2 handles calls well. Each earbud has two microphones for clear sound.
I tested calls both indoors and outside near a busy road. I could hear the other person clearly, and they said my voice was clear too — just a bit hollow.
The good part is that background noise, like traffic, wasn’t too loud on the other end. Overall, the call quality is good enough for regular use.
JBL Endurance Race 2 Battery Life Review
The battery life on the JBL Endurance Race 2 is really good. You get:
✅ 10 hours with ANC on
✅ 12 hours with ANC off
✅ Up to 48 hours total with the charging case (ANC off)
For calls, you get about 6.5 hours with ANC and 7 hours without.
A quick 10-minute charge gives you 4 hours of playback, and it takes 2 hours to fully recharge the buds.
Battery performance is solid — thanks to the large size of the buds and case. Perfect for long workouts or daily use!
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Pros and Cons of JBL Endurance Race 2
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Affordable price ($79) | ❌ ANC is weak compared to premium earbuds |
| ✅ Secure and comfortable fit with wing tips | ❌ Ambient mode doesn’t let in enough sound |
| ✅ Excellent battery life (up to 48 hours) | ❌ Sound lacks clarity in higher tones |
| ✅ IP68 rating — dustproof and water-resistant | ❌ Volume feels low during outdoor workouts |
| ✅ Stable Bluetooth 5.3 connection | ❌ Touch controls are tricky during workouts |
| ✅ Multipoint connectivity | ❌ Large charging case, not pocket-friendly |
| ✅ Customizable controls and EQ via app | ❌ Not designed for swimming |
| ✅ Quick charge — 4 hours playback in 10 mins | ❌ Call quality is clear but voice sounds hollow |
| ✅ Great for all types of workouts | ❌ No spatial audio support |
| ✅ Good call quality with 4 mics | ❌ |
Conclusion
If ANC isn’t your main concern, the JBL Endurance Race 2 is a great choice for both workouts and daily use. The fit is secure, battery life is excellent, and sound quality is good for the price.
Other good options under $100 are the JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 with earhooks for extra security, and the Beats Solo Buds with great sound and spatial audio but no ANC or wings.
If you’re willing to spend more for better sound and ANC, check out the Bose QC Earbuds or Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2.
Endurance Race 2 offers great value at $79—perfect for sports and everyday use.
