If you want better Voice assistant integration
Choose Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Earbuds. It scores 4.9 vs 1.0 for Voice assistant integration, with a 3.8 overall score.
JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds Review
Bottom Line
Choose these for secure, long-lasting workout earbuds at a budget price. Skip them if you want stronger ANC or louder, more detailed sound for noisy outdoor listening.
Best for
Budget-conscious runners, gym users, and anyone who wants secure sports earbuds with long battery life and strong water resistance. They make the most sense when fit, durability, and value matter more than premium ANC.
Not for
Listeners who care most about class-leading noise canceling, stronger transparency for road awareness, or louder and more detailed sound. They are also less ideal if you want a tiny pocketable case or voice assistant and item-finding extras.
Verdict
The JBL Endurance Race 2 succeed by focusing on the fundamentals that matter most for active use: a locked-in fit, strong battery life, reliable connectivity, and durable IP68 protection. The sound is enjoyable and the app gives you useful EQ flexibility, which helps them punch above their price. The tradeoff is clear, though: ANC and transparency are only serviceable, and volume plus top-end detail lag behind better premium buds. That makes them a smart buy for runners and gym users who prioritize stability and value over elite noise canceling or audiophile refinement.
Feature Scorecards
Pros
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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.
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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.
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The IP68 buds are extremely well-suited to sweaty training and rainy runs, making durability against dust and water one of the clearest strengths.
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Battery life is a standout strength, with reviewers consistently praising the long single-charge runtime and strong total endurance with the case.
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Connection stability was excellent in testing, with easy room-range use during workouts and no reported dropouts.
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Long-session comfort is unusually good for winged sports buds, with reviewers noting they stayed comfortable through runs, workouts, and daily use.
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USB-C charging is included and treated as an expected but welcome convenience for everyday use.
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Setup is straightforward, with easy pairing and uncomplicated day-one use standing out as low-friction strengths.
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Multipoint was a meaningful win, with seamless switching between devices highlighted as one of the more premium-feeling features at this price.
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Charging performance is strong, with quick-charge support and reasonable full-charge times repeatedly called out as practical positives.
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Compatibility looks broad, with successful use across phones, laptops, watches, and support for both Google and Microsoft quick-pair systems.
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Even though the shells are fairly large, reviewers still described them as light enough to stay comfortable during movement and longer sessions.
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EQ customization is a real plus, letting users add extra bass or adjust the sound for workouts without needing third-party tools.
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Accessory support is good for the class, with extra ear tips, wing options or covers, and a charging cable included in the box.
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Midrange performance is one of the stronger parts of the tuning, with vocals and core musical content coming through clearly for the price.
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The earbuds include an onboard multi-mic setup that works well enough for routine calls and general hands-free use.
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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.
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Android support looks solid thanks to Google Fast Pair support and no reported compatibility red flags, though direct Android testing was limited.
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The JBL app adds meaningful tuning options, sports modes, and control customization, but several reviewers found some mode behavior inconvenient or not especially impactful.
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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.
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Call quality is generally clear and usable, though voices can sound slightly hollow instead of especially rich or natural.
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The design is sporty and available in appealing colors, but the buds are still noticeably chunky and protrude more than slimmer everyday earbuds.
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Call noise handling is respectable rather than exceptional, keeping traffic and background noise fairly controlled without fully erasing it.
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Bass is decent and workout-friendly, but multiple reviews suggest it benefits from EQ boosting rather than sounding especially punchy on the default tuning.
Cons
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Touch controls are usable but not ideal for exercise, with some lag and reduced reliability versus physical buttons, especially with sweat or gloves.
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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.
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Portability is only average because both the buds and especially the case are a bit bulky compared with more pocket-friendly alternatives.
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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.
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Treble and upper-range clarity are only middling, with repeated comments about limited sparkle, detail, and openness up top.
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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.
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Maximum loudness is below average for the category, and multiple reviewers had to raise volume more than expected during outdoor runs.
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At higher volumes, clarity drops off and upper-range detail compresses, so these do not stay especially clean when pushed hard.
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The preset sports profiles are more interesting on paper than in practice, with reviewers often describing them as gimmicky or only mildly different.
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One reviewer explicitly noted that there is no Find My-style locating feature, which limits convenience compared with some rivals.
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Voice assistant support is absent according to one review, which is a notable feature gap even at a budget price.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Earbud Headphones, this product is above average in Value for money, below average in Voice assistant integration, Find My, Volume output.
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voice assistant integration | 1.0 | 3.9 | -2.9 |
| Find My | 1.0 | 3.8 | -2.8 |
| Volume output | 2.8 | 4.0 | -1.2 |
| Preset EQ profile quality | 2.7 | 3.9 | -1.2 |
| Transparency mode quality | 2.8 | 4.0 | -1.2 |
| Treble clarity | 3.0 | 4.0 | -1.0 |
| Maximum volume clarity | 2.8 | 3.8 | -1.0 |
| Value for money | 4.8 | 3.8 | +1.0 |
FAQ
Are the JBL Endurance Race 2 good for running?
Yes. Across the reviews, fit and stability were the biggest strengths, with the twist-lock wing design staying secure through runs, gym sessions, and sweaty workouts.
How good is the noise canceling?
It is useful but not impressive. Reviewers said ANC takes the edge off indoor noise and office chatter, but it is well behind better premium earbuds.
Is the sound quality good for the price?
Mostly yes. The tuning is enjoyable and energetic enough for workouts, but volume, upper-range detail, and overall refinement are not standout strengths.
How is the battery life?
Battery life is one of the best reasons to buy them. Reviews consistently highlighted the long bud runtime plus strong total playback from the charging case.
Consider This Instead
If you want better Find My
Choose Status Pro X Wireless Earbuds. It scores 4.2 vs 1.0 for Find My, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better Volume output
Choose Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE Earbuds. It scores 4.8 vs 2.8 for Volume output, with a 3.7 overall score.
If you want better Active noise cancellation
Choose Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds. It scores 5.0 vs 3.0 for Active noise cancellation, with a 3.8 overall score.
Overall Top Earbud Headphones Alternatives
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