JBL Live Pro Live Pro 2

The JBL Live Pro 2 are true wireless noise-canceling earbuds that shine in call quality, battery life, and everyday ANC, all at a price that can dip incredibly low. They sound fun and bassy but won't satisfy audiophiles craving detail. If you find them for around $60, they're one of the best deals in wireless audio right now.

If you're hunting for a pair of true wireless earbuds that won't drain your bank account but still bring solid noise canceling and call quality, the JBL Live Pro 2 have probably popped up on your radar. They pack 11mm dynamic drivers, Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint, and a total of 40 hours of battery when you factor in the wireless charging case. Plus, the IPX5 rating means they can handle sweat and a bit of rain, so they're right at home in the gym or on a commute. JBL's True Adaptive ANC and six beamforming mics round out a spec sheet that looks almost too good for the price.

But the pricing is all over the map. Some retailers have them for as low as $60, while others list them at wildly inflated numbers. That spread means you really need to shop around. Still, at the lower end of that range, the Live Pro 2 offer a feature set that rivals buds costing twice as much. The stick-style design with Oval Tubes is comfortable for most ears and actually helps with passive isolation, which gives the ANC a nice head start.

We've spent a lot of time testing true wireless earbuds, and the Live Pro 2 stand out in a few areas that matter day to day. Call performance is surprisingly good, the companion app gives you a ton of EQ control, and the battery easily lasts through a workday. They're not perfect, and if you're after the absolute best sound quality, you'll want to read on. But for plenty of people, these are the practical choice.

Our database shows the Live Pro 2 absolutely crushing it in connectivity and mic quality, both landing in the 97th percentile. That means call clarity is up there with the best we've tested, and staying paired to two devices at once is seamless. The 6-mic beamforming setup does a great job isolating your voice in noisy environments, so if you're constantly hopping between your phone and laptop, these are a treat.

Noise cancellation also scores in the top tier overall, though the real-world experience is a bit nuanced. Adaptive ANC does a solid job hushing low-end rumble on a bus or train, but it's not quite on the level of a Sony WF-1000XM5 when it comes to completely muting the world. For most people, it's more than good enough. Battery is well above average, with 10 hours in the buds themselves, and the quick charge getting you four hours in 15 minutes is a lifesaver. Sound quality sits in the 76th percentile, which translates to an enjoyable, bass-forward signature that's fun for pop and hip-hop, but detail and soundstage aren't going to impress critical listeners. The weakest spot in our metrics is pure music reproduction, so if you're an audiophile, you'll notice some missing texture in complex tracks.

Pricing is a wildcard with these. Across different stores, we've seen the JBL Live Pro 2 listed anywhere from $60 to over $1,900. Clearly, you should completely ignore the crazy high numbers and hunt for the deal. At $60, they're an absolute steal, giving you 97th-percentile call quality and ANC that rivals buds at three times the price. Even at around $100, they hold their own against competitors like the EarFun Air Pro 4+. If you're paying much more than that, you'd be better off looking at premium options, but right now the best value is clearly at the lowest available price.

The JBL Live Pro 2 sit in a crowded field. The Sony WF-1000XM5 deliver elite ANC and better sound quality, but they cost significantly more, sometimes double what you'd pay for discounted Live Pro 2. If pure audio performance is your priority, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are in a different league, with richer detail and aptX Adaptive support. Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer a more polished experience and seamless integration with Galaxy phones, though their call quality isn't as impressive as the JBL's.

Then there's the EarFun Air Pro 4+, a budget champion that gives you similar ANC and battery, but the JBL edges ahead on microphone clarity and build feel. The Technics EAH-AZ80 are superb for multipoint and sound, but again, you're paying a premium. So for call-heavy users who want a comfortable, all-day wear with solid ANC, the Live Pro 2 are a compelling package, especially if you can snag them at that lower end of the price scale.

If you live for pristine audio detail and a wide soundstage, you'll find the Live Pro 2 a bit too bass-heavy and lacking in texture. Go for the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 or the Sony WF-1000XM5 instead. Similarly, if you need the strongest noise cancellation that virtually silences the world, these aren't at the absolute peak, look to Sony or Bose. And anyone who refuses to deal with occasionally twitchy touch controls might get frustrated; physical button lovers, you've been warned.

So, should you buy the JBL Live Pro 2? If you spend a lot of time on calls, value battery life, and want noise cancellation that doesn't cut too many corners, then yes, especially if you find them under $80. They're a fantastic everyday companion that handles the basics better than almost any earbud in this price range when they're on sale. The fit is good for long sessions, and the IPX5 rating makes them a reliable gym buddy.

But if you're the type who sits down and really analyzes music, listening for instrument separation and soundstage, these aren't going to blow you away. And if ANC that completely silences the world is a must, Sony or Apple are still the ones to beat. For everyone else, though, the Live Pro 2 deliver enough of what matters, and at a price that's really hard to argue with.