Average score
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
3.7
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.4
Bluetooth
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.5
Bluetooth reliability was strong in the tested review, with no dropouts during runs and workouts.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.5
Bluetooth setup is hurt by iOS pairing friction, with one reviewer criticizing the lack of automatic discoverability on iOS.
Comfort during long use
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.7
Long-wear comfort was a major strength, with reviewers saying the wings did not irritate and the buds stayed comfortable for long sessions.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.2
Comfort is sharply split: multiple reviewers found the rounded, bulky fit poor for long sessions, while others reported a comfortable fit.
Active noise cancellation
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.7
ANC was useful only to a point: it cut some chatter or treadmill noise, but reviewers agreed it lagged far behind premium buds.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
4.1
Noise cancellation is one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers praising how effectively it dulled or blocked low-frequency and everyday noise for the price.
Value for money
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.6
Value for money was a strong consensus, with reviewers repeatedly calling the earbuds compelling for the price.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.2
Value for money is highly split: the buds bring ANC, battery, and features at a moderate price, but several reviewers preferred cheaper or clearer-sounding rivals.
Portability/foldability
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
3.1
Portability was mixed: the case can work in a hydration vest, but reviewers often found it large or not pocket-friendly.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
4.5
Portability is strong because the case is compact and light enough to pocket easily.
Transparency mode quality
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.7
Transparency mode was split, with one reviewer calling it natural while others said it failed to let in enough traffic sound and could be wind-heavy.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
4.0
Transparency mode is praised as useful for letting outside sound through when needed.
Midrange clarity
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.5
One reviewer specifically praised the mids as surprisingly clear alongside the bass.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.2
Midrange clarity improves with tuning but can become muddy when bass dominates.
Multi-platform compatibility
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.5
The buds paired easily with multiple device types in one review, including phone, laptop, and Garmin watch.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.3
Multi-platform compatibility is mixed: Google and Microsoft pairing was praised, while iOS pairing was criticized.
Design and Aesthetics
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
3.4
Design opinions were mixed: reviewers liked colors and smaller styling in one unboxing, but others found the buds bulky and protruding.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.2
Design and aesthetics are consistently weak, with reviewers calling the buds boring, bulky, not sleek, or visually uninteresting.
Stability
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.9
Stability was excellent across testing, with reviewers reporting no mid-run adjustment and secure fit during hard movement.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.7
Stability is generally good thanks to hooks, seal, and secure fit, but it can fall apart when the eartips do not suit the wearer.
Integrated microphone
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
3.5
The integrated microphones handled calls clearly enough in the reviews that tested them.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
4.5
The integrated microphone earns praise through whisper-style use, with one reviewer saying it could pick up every word.
Water/sweat resistance rating
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.7
Durability for workouts was praised, with reviewers trusting the IP68 buds for sweat, rain, dust, and even submersion limits.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.8
Water and sweat resistance is adequate for light rain and workouts, but review evidence does not frame it as a standout durability feature.
App
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
3.1
The app adds customization, EQ, ambient controls, and sports modes, but reviewers found some app-based controls inconvenient or gimmicky.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.9
The companion app is mostly praised for customization, fit testing, ANC controls, and clarity, though one short review criticized it.
Microphone noise reduction
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.0
Traffic noise reduction performed well in one outdoor call test, keeping background traffic from becoming too loud.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.2
Microphone noise reduction is serviceable but imperfect, since higher-frequency background sounds could still get through.
Multipoint connectivity reliability
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.8
Multipoint switching worked seamlessly between a phone and laptop in one review.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
4.0
Multipoint is viewed as a useful perk, though the evidence is more about convenience than stress-tested reliability.
Eartips fit
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.6
Fit was a standout strength across reviews, helped by the twist-lock wing and secure in-ear seal.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.8
Eartip fit can be secure with a tight seal, but fit remains inconsistent because limited tip options and shape caused issues for some users.
Soundstage depth
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.9
Depth was a sound weakness, with reviewers hearing less depth than higher-end earbuds.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.2
Soundstage depth is limited, with What Hi-Fi? describing the presentation as claustrophobic.
Sound quality
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
3.9
Reviewers found the sound good for the price, with enough everyday and workout quality, but not premium-level detail or clarity.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.2
Sound quality is the most divisive area: some reviewers heard enjoyable or even stellar audio, while others found it muddy, unclear, or below rivals.
Battery
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.9
Battery life was one of the clearest strengths, consistently described as impressive or a strong point.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
4.3
Battery life receives broad praise, with reviewers calling the figures strong, competitive, or impressive for the price.
Maximum volume clarity
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.8
At high workout volume, one reviewer heard compression and lost detail.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.3
Maximum-volume clarity is weak, with reviewers hearing distortion, fuzziness, or quality loss at high volumes.
Build quality
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
3.0
Build quality evidence centered on the case picking up scratches in normal bag use.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.5
Build quality is acceptable rather than premium, with the buds described as decently built while the overall feel remains basic.
Volume output
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.5
Outdoor volume was a recurring weakness, with multiple reviewers saying audio could be too quiet or get lost while running.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.0
Volume output is a weakness because one reviewer found the buds quiet enough to push volume into leakage-prone levels.
Ear tip size options
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.8
Ear tip sizing was not ideal for smaller ears according to one reviewer, despite the included sizes.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.3
Ear tip options are mixed: one reviewer achieved a snug fit, while another considered the number of options disappointingly modest.
Microphone quality for calls
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
3.5
Call quality was acceptable to good, with clear voices but a slightly hollow character in one test.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.9
Call microphone quality ranges from usable to excellent, with one reviewer reporting exceptionally clear call sound and others noting some tinniness.
Bass performance
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
3.7
Bass was adequate to strong after EQ adjustment; one reviewer wanted more stock punch while another praised the bass balance.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.3
Bass is a mixed strength: reviewers heard impact, depth, and fun energy, but several also connected the tuning to muddiness or reduced clarity.
Touch control responsiveness
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.9
Touch controls were usable outside workouts but weaker for running, sweat, gloves, and slight lag.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.3
Touch controls are mixed: they can be fast and responsive, but other reviewers reported accidental or phantom taps.
Preset EQ profile quality
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.8
Preset sports EQ modes drew mixed-to-negative feedback; reviewers liked the idea but found little difference or gimmicky execution.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.2
Preset EQ quality is uneven, with some presets improving individual tracks while treble-heavy tuning could sound harsh or tinny.
Charging
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.7
Charging earned praise for the quick-charge return of roughly four hours from ten minutes.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
4.5
Charging is a positive in the available review evidence, especially because the buds topped back up quickly.
Treble clarity
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.9
Upper-range and treble clarity were a limitation, with reviewers noting reduced clarity and depth versus better earbuds.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.8
Treble clarity is inconsistent, sounding crisp in places but harsh or tinny without tuning.
Carry case quality
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.9
The case was a common compromise, criticized for size, run portability, scratches, and lower weather resistance than the earbuds.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.8
Carry case impressions are modest, with reviewers describing it as basic or cheap rather than premium.
Equalizer customization
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
3.9
EQ customization was useful, especially for adding bass and getting a fuller sound.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.9
EQ customization is useful and can improve the sound, though reviewers agreed it does not fully erase the underlying tuning problems.
Software/setup simplicity
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
4.5
Initial setup was easy across an iPhone, laptop, and Garmin watch in one review.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
4.5
Software and setup are helped by the useful fit-test function and simple pairing experience on supported platforms.
aptX
JBL Endurance Race 2 EarbudsNo score yet
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
1.0
aptX support is a weakness because TechRadar specifically called out the absence of aptX Adaptive as a limitation.
Auracast support
JBL Endurance Race 2 EarbudsNo score yet
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
4.3
Auracast is repeatedly framed as a useful, uncommon, or unique feature that adds value if nearby broadcasts matter to the user.
Cable quality
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.5
The included cable choice disappointed one reviewer, who wanted USB-C to USB-C instead of USB-A to USB-C.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.amNo score yet
Codec support
JBL Endurance Race 2 EarbudsNo score yet
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.0
Codec support is a drawback because reviewers criticized the lack of higher-resolution codec options.
Frequency response accuracy
JBL Endurance Race 2 EarbudsNo score yet
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.8
Frequency balance needs adjustment, with TechRadar saying the buds require tuning for a more balanced sound.
Included accessories
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.5
Included accessories drew a cable complaint because one reviewer wanted USB-C to USB-C.
LG xboom Buds by will.i.amNo score yet
Instrument separation
JBL Endurance Race 2 EarbudsNo score yet
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.5
Instrument separation is a limitation, with TechRadar noting that vocals, synths, and other elements were not layered enough.
LDAC
JBL Endurance Race 2 EarbudsNo score yet
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
1.5
LDAC support is absent, and reviewers treated that lack of higher-end codec support as a sonic limitation.
Sound leakage
JBL Endurance Race 2 EarbudsNo score yet
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.0
Sound leakage is a clear weakness in one review, especially above roughly 40% volume.
Soundstage width
JBL Endurance Race 2 EarbudsNo score yet
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.4
Soundstage width is limited, with reviewers wanting greater spaciousness and more expansive layering.
Spatial audio
JBL Endurance Race 2 EarbudsNo score yet
LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
2.0
Spatial audio is a weakness because the product lacks the more immersive, three-dimensional focus found in pricier LG earbuds.