Compare JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds vs Nothing Ear (a) Earbuds

ANC is useful for taking the edge off treadmills, office chatter, and travel noise, but every detailed reviewer said it falls clearly short of premium earbuds. ANC and ambient tuning are adjustable in the app, but reviewers generally felt those sliders and sport-mode tweaks made only modest real-world differences.

ANC is consistently rated as very good for $99: strong enough for commuting, offices, and travel, but still a step below the very best premium earbuds. The ANC controls are a plus, with multiple levels and adaptive behavior giving users more flexibility than many earbuds at this price.

Android support looks solid thanks to Google Fast Pair support and no reported compatibility red flags, though direct Android testing was limited.

Android users get extra upside from features like Fast Pair and LDAC, making the Ear (a) a particularly good value outside closed ecosystems.

The JBL app adds meaningful tuning options, sports modes, and control customization, but several reviewers found some mode behavior inconvenient or not especially impactful.

Nothing X is widely praised for being clean, stable, and genuinely useful rather than filler software, adding meaningful value to the overall package.

Bass is decent and workout-friendly, but multiple reviews suggest it benefits from EQ boosting rather than sounding especially punchy on the default tuning.

Bass is energetic and satisfying, with enough weight for pop and hip-hop, but the default tuning can lean bass-heavy until you dial it back in the app.

Battery life is a standout strength, with reviewers consistently praising the long single-charge runtime and strong total endurance with the case.

Battery life is a clear plus overall, especially with ANC off, and most reviewers found the case and quick top-ups easy to live with day to day.

Connection stability was excellent in testing, with easy room-range use during workouts and no reported dropouts.

Bluetooth stability is mostly solid, but there are scattered reports of stutters in interference-heavy areas, so reliability is good rather than flawless.

General build quality is good enough for the price, but the clear plastics and case finish draw some concern about scratches, creaks, and long-term wear.

The case is functional but not a highlight: it is on the larger side, only lightly protected against moisture, and can pick up wear in a gym bag.

The case is generally liked for its smaller footprint and pocketability, though some reviewers found it fiddly to open, awkward to load, or prone to cosmetic wear.

Charging performance is strong, with quick-charge support and reasonable full-charge times repeatedly called out as practical positives.

Charging is convenient thanks to fast USB-C top-ups, but the missing wireless charging is one of the most repeated compromises in the reviews.

Codec support is strong for the price, covering AAC and SBC broadly while also adding LDAC for higher-quality Android listening.

Long-session comfort is unusually good for winged sports buds, with reviewers noting they stayed comfortable through runs, workouts, and daily use.

Long-session comfort is one of the most consistently praised traits, with reviewers repeatedly calling the earbuds easy to wear for hours without fatigue.

The design is sporty and available in appealing colors, but the buds are still noticeably chunky and protrude more than slimmer everyday earbuds.

Design is a major selling point: the transparent Nothing look feels distinctive, stylish, and far less generic than most earbuds in this price band.

The included three ear-tip sizes were a useful fit aid, though one reviewer still felt the overall shell size may be too large for smaller ears.

The included tip selection works for most listeners, but the fit options are not especially expansive, so very small ears may need more trial and error.

EQ customization is a real plus, letting users add extra bass or adjust the sound for workouts without needing third-party tools.

EQ options are helpful and easy to use, but customization depth is limited versus pricier models because the Ear (a) relies on a simpler 3-band approach.

One reviewer explicitly noted that there is no Find My-style locating feature, which limits convenience compared with some rivals.

Find My is a small but appreciated bonus that makes the feature set feel unusually complete for budget earbuds.

Accessory support is good for the class, with extra ear tips, wing options or covers, and a charging cable included in the box.

Where instrument separation was discussed, the Ear (a) performed well, making layered parts and small details easier to pick out than expected for budget buds.

The earbuds include an onboard multi-mic setup that works well enough for routine calls and general hands-free use.

LDAC support is a real differentiator in this segment and repeatedly mentioned as one reason the Ear (a) feels more premium than its price suggests.

At higher volumes, clarity drops off and upper-range detail compresses, so these do not stay especially clean when pushed hard.

Call noise handling is respectable rather than exceptional, keeping traffic and background noise fairly controlled without fully erasing it.

Voice isolation can be impressively effective in some tests, yet reviewer consensus is more mixed once wind and heavier background noise enter the picture.

Call quality is generally clear and usable, though voices can sound slightly hollow instead of especially rich or natural.

Call quality is usually clear enough for everyday use, but it is not universally excellent, with some reviews reporting compressed or only average-sounding calls outdoors.

Midrange performance is one of the stronger parts of the tuning, with vocals and core musical content coming through clearly for the price.

When reviewers called out the mids, they usually praised clear vocals and an open midrange, though the tuning is still more fun than strictly neutral.

Compatibility looks broad, with successful use across phones, laptops, watches, and support for both Google and Microsoft quick-pair systems.

Cross-platform behavior is a quiet strength, with reviewers liking that the core experience works well across Android, iPhone, and PC instead of favoring one ecosystem too heavily.

Multipoint was a meaningful win, with seamless switching between devices highlighted as one of the more premium-feeling features at this price.

Multipoint is a standout convenience feature here, with most reviews praising smooth two-device switching, though a few noticed occasional prioritization hiccups.

Portability is only average because both the buds and especially the case are a bit bulky compared with more pocket-friendly alternatives.

The preset sports profiles are more interesting on paper than in practice, with reviewers often describing them as gimmicky or only mildly different.

In-ear detection and related sensor-based conveniences add polish, though fit sensitivity can occasionally trigger false pauses until the tips are dialed in.

Setup is straightforward, with easy pairing and uncomplicated day-one use standing out as low-friction strengths.

Setup and day-to-day software use are repeatedly described as fast, intuitive, and frustration-free, which helps the earbuds feel polished beyond their price.

Overall sound quality is good for the money and enjoyable for workouts and casual listening, but it does not deliver premium detail, depth, or polish.

Across the reviews, sound quality is the Ear (a)'s biggest strength: lively, clear, and more refined than most sub-$100 rivals, even if it stops short of true flagship polish.

Several reviews describe the presentation as wider and more spacious than expected at this price, helping music and movies feel less boxed in.

Stability is one of the product's best traits, with the twist-lock wing design keeping the buds secure through running, gym work, and sweaty sessions.

Fit security is usually strong enough for commuting and light workouts, though a few reviewers still had occasional loosening depending on ear shape and activity.

Touch controls are usable but not ideal for exercise, with some lag and reduced reliability versus physical buttons, especially with sweat or gloves.

The pinch-based controls are usually described as responsive and more reliable than typical tap controls, although some advanced gestures take practice.

Transparency mode is the most divisive feature: one reviewer found it fairly natural, but the more detailed running-focused reviews said traffic awareness was still lacking.

Transparency mode is usable and sometimes above average for the class, but it is also one of the most common weak spots, especially versus flagship rivals.

Treble and upper-range clarity are only middling, with repeated comments about limited sparkle, detail, and openness up top.

Treble detail is generally strong for the class, but some listeners noted the top end is not as airy or extended as pricier earbuds.

USB-C charging is included and treated as an expected but welcome convenience for everyday use.

Value is a major selling point, with every review framing the Endurance Race 2 as a feature-rich, sports-focused bargain that undercuts pricier rivals.

Voice assistant support is absent according to one review, which is a notable feature gap even at a budget price.

Maximum loudness is below average for the category, and multiple reviewers had to raise volume more than expected during outdoor runs.

Volume output is strong, with enough headroom for outdoor use, though not every reviewer found it exceptionally loud versus the broader market.

The IP68 buds are extremely well-suited to sweaty training and rainy runs, making durability against dust and water one of the clearest strengths.

The buds are seen as gym- and commute-friendly thanks to their splash resistance, but the lower-rated case means the protection is not equally robust everywhere.

Even though the shells are fairly large, reviewers still described them as light enough to stay comfortable during movement and longer sessions.