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We judge all headphones and earbuds on a scale of 10, analyzing the categories we think are most important: sound, comfort, design, battery performance, and, if applicable, special features. Here's how the JBL Live Pro 2 wireless earbuds stack up.
The JBL Live Pro 2 wireless earbuds are the best AirPods and AirPods Pro alternative on the market, featuring a slew of exciting features and upgrades that make them worthy of your investment. Compared to last year's JBL Live Pro+, the follow-up brings a refreshed design, a more durable build, and longer battery life, to name just a few exciting bits. Best of all, they're reasonably priced, especially for the high-quality sound performance they deliver. The Pro 2 earbuds hit the shelves with a $150 price tag, which is significantly lower than their predecessor's $180 sticker.
Last year, I found the JBL Live Pro+ to be a legitimate, if imperfect, alternative to the AirPods Pro and a host of stem-toting wireless earbuds from other brands. By offering improved design and performance for less, the JBL Live Pro 2 earphones are a worthy sequel and a rock-solid challenger for the best under $200.
SCORES
• Sound: 8/10
• Comfort: 9/10
• Design: 8/10
• Battery Performance: 9/10
• Overall Score: 9/10
JBL LIVE PRO 2 AT A GLANCE
- Sleek and comfy
- Elaborate app controls
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- IPX 5 water-resistant
SOUND: 8/10
The 11-millimeter audio drivers of the Live Pro 2 earbuds are tuned to deliver JBL Signature Sound like their predecessor — which gives you an impressive sonic experience with enhanced bass right out of the box. The unobtrusive low-range bump will make your favorite tunes more entertaining without diminishing the quality of the treble and the mid-range.
Like in the JBL Live Pro+, my favorite bit about the sound of the Live Pro 2 earbuds is how infinitely customizable it is. Their companion app, in addition to one-touch settings for various content genres (club, jazz, vocal, etc.), allows you to create and label your own. It took me just a few minutes to tune my setups for bass-forward low-fi tracks and classic rock anthems with vocals and elaborate instrumentals.
The JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds deliver a more sophisticated and reliable noise cancellation than the Pro+ they are replacing. The feature can seamlessly adjust based on the ambient noise levels around you in real-time and the unique shape of your ear canals (this requires a quick test via the app). You can also tweak it manually.
During my week of testing, the Live Pro 2 earphones significantly reduced the loud New York City traffic noise under my living room window, chock full of honking horns, and passing vehicles. Their noise-canceling efficiency is among the best in their price range, second only to the complete silence generated by much pricier products like the Sony WF-1000XM4 and the Bose QuietComfort earbuds.
As expected from an excellent pair of noise-canceling earbuds, the JBL Live Pro 2 has Ambient Aware mode — a must-have feature for commuting and outdoor use. It utilizes the buds' onboard microphones to channel in external noise and help you stay connected to your surroundings, and it includes adjustable noise transparency. A convenient TalkThru feature for holding a conversation without removing the earbuds is also available.
The JBL Live Pro 2 performed reliably as my go-to headset for calls, thanks to its six onboard microphones. As always, I tested the earbuds for telephone, FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom calls. All of my participants were able to hear me loud and clear, and each call was clear without any sound cutting out on my end as well. Thanks to Bluetooth 5.2, they linked superbly with an iPhone 13 Pro and a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra during my testing.
The Pro 2 will instantly pause its noise cancellation during calls. VoiceAware is another feature I liked about the earbuds' calling experience — a function that allows you to adjust the level at which you hear your voice during calls.
COMFORT: 9/10
The outgoing JBL Live Pro+ true wireless earbuds were among the comfiest I tested in 2021 — and their sequel is even more lightweight, weighing only 4.8 grams per earbud. That's on par with the $50 pricier Sony's LinkBuds S — a compact and featherweight set I recently evaluated — and less than another costlier benchmark for comfort like the 5.4-gram AirPods Pro.
I spent hours-long work sessions with Live Pro 2 without feeling any discomfort. The earbuds' retail package includes several sets of ear tips and an app-enabled test to help you find the perfect fit.
Each earbud also has reliable and easily customizable touch controls. The JBL Headphones app allows you to set up hands-free access to Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant, or the virtual helper of your preference.
Google Fast Pair has been offering seamless connectivity with Android phones for countless true wireless earbuds since 2020. The JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds are among the latest to have it, which makes the pairing process with an Android phone easy as can be.
Multipoint connectivity is a standout feature that allows you to link the Pro 2 earbuds with two devices simultaneously. For example, you can stay connected to your phone for incoming calls while also connected to your laptop, rocking out to music while you work.
DESIGN: 8/10
The Live Pro 2 earbuds have an AirPods-like silhouette with short stems. Dubbed sticks by JBL, the latter sit at a slight angle when you wear the earbuds. The glossy mirror-like finish on each stem, combined with the various color options (black, blue, pink, and silver), gives the earbuds a more distinct look than the Live Pro+.
Aside from their appearance, the Live Pro 2 earbuds are built to last. An IPX5 rating ensures they can survive more extensive exposure to sweat and water than the IPX4-rated previous iteration. The buds are also more durable than any set of AirPods and many pricier Sony and Bose products. I tip my hat to JBL for making Live Pro 2 earbuds more durable for wear and tear, which ultimately makes them ideal for activities of all sorts, from everything to commuting to working out.
BATTERY PERFORMANCE: 9/10
The JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds' battery life is nothing short of spectacular, with a 10-hour maximum battery life. The earphones can last longer than any stem rival I have tested between charges, which is especially impressive considering their lightweight build.
It's important to note that maximum battery life is achievable only when you disable the noise cancellation feature. Enabling standard noise cancellation will get you a still-solid 8 hours between charging trips. On the other hand, enabling the noise cancellation feature in adaptive mode — the most advanced option — will reduce it to just 6 hours.
The battery endurance of the earbuds is near the longevity of bulkier and pricier competitors from Master & Dynamic and Sony. Their compact storage case holds three additional chargers. It's wireless-charging equipped, so you can power up your buds using the same charger as your phone.
OVERALL: 9/10
The JBL Live Pro 2 is a better take on an already excellent product, bringing longer battery life and a more robust rating for water resistance. If you're looking for stem earbuds that tick every box, these are the best wireless earbuds worth your attention.
Apple hardware users should also consider the earphones a formidable AirPods and AirPods Pro alternative. Unless you constantly switch connections between an iPhone, an iPad, a MacBook, and an Apple Watch (the AirPods will link to all devices that use the same iCloud account) and look for spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, consider the JBL product. You'll get a more colorful design, a much longer battery life, and a tougher build for less.
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.
