JBL Endurance Run 2 Review

Our Experience

The JBL Run is a compelling pair of IPX5-rated buds designed for active users. They are comfortable to wear, and we appreciate the ability to magnetize the two buds together when not in use. They have a reasonable price, and we see why people like them.

We thought the JBLs were among the coziest buds in the lineup, with 3 silicone tip sizes and an average of 7 hours of wear before removal. They fit well for most ears, with matte-finish buds that don't intrude too far into the canal, opting for a less invasive design. Unfortunately, this makes them a little less stable than we'd want for running or working out (the things they were designed for), as they tend to slowly slip out of our ears or when making facial expressions like wide smiles and laughter.

While the sound and call quality are generally good, especially for the price, the cord tends to tangle, and it makes a rubbing noise when it bounces against our chest and when we try to tuck it into our clothing. While some listeners might be able to get used to the cord sound, it became intolerable for us when workouts lasted longer than 30 minutes or were particularly intense. This makes them a deal breaker in our book for activities, even if we kind of love them otherwise.

If you are looking for affordable buds and either don't plan to be active or don't mind the sound interference, then we can see these being a potential contender. Otherwise, we think the cord noise alone is reason to look elsewhere if movement is in your future.

Likes

There is a lot to love with the JBL Edurance, and we do kind of love them. For starters, they are pretty cheap and offer exceptional sound with a wide, sprawling soundstage. While the bass is somewhat lacking if that is your love, the mids and treble are pleasing and textured.

The buds are very comfortable, but they do tend to sneak out of the ear canal over time with significant facial expressions. However, we liked the matte finish on the earbuds, unlike the slicker feel of most competitors.

The call quality is also really good, with a microphone that holds its own in busy cafes and does an admirable job under duress in the subway.

Their last strong suit is their ability to block ambient sounds. We love that dampening the background lets us enjoy our music more. These block about 17 dB on average.

Dislikes

The major downside of these buds is the microphonics (cable noise) that occurs when the cord bangs or rubs against any surface. It really is a bummer, given that the design is intended for doing activities. It isn't bad enough for us to say don't buy, but the sound is bad enough for us to say we think it is a bad choice for those seeking exercise buddies.

Should You Buy the JBL Endurance Run 2?

Maybe. It's not all doom and gloom with the JBL, and that's a rare find in the realm of cheap wired earbuds. They are very comfortable, have an IPX5 rating, and buds that magnetize together to keep them better contained. However, we don't love them for the activities they are marketed for. Our experience included frequent feedback when the cord rubbed against clothing and skin. The sound became annoying enough that we stopped wearing them for exercise. Overall, they performed well in almost every test, earning high marks for sound, comfort, noise blocking, and call quality. But it is all the more enjoyable if you're sitting still.

What Other Earbuds Should You Consider?

If this is your budget, we prefer the Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X. They are better at most things except comfort, and we think they are the better pick for activities because cord feedback is significantly lower. If your budget is smaller and you can get by with less noise blocking, the UliX Rider - 3.5mm can save you a few bucks while offering better sound, comfort, and call quality similar to the JBLs.