The JBL Endurance Zone is a wireless open-ear headset designed primarily for physical activity. Instead of entering the ear canal, it uses hooks that wrap around the ears while keeping the speakers positioned near them. In Canaltech’s testing, this design’s main strength was stability: once correctly fitted, the earbuds remained firmly in place during more intense movements.
That secure fit comes with some compromises. Getting the position right takes practice, and the hooks remain noticeable after several hours of use. Because the ear canal stays open, external sounds can significantly affect the listening experience in noisy environments. The design is therefore better suited to runners, cyclists and gym users who want stability while remaining aware of their surroundings.
The headset is largely made of plastic and has a well-finished construction. JBL says its hooks combine liquid silicone with an adaptable memory wire, providing flexibility when putting the earbuds on or removing them. However, users cannot freely reshape the hooks. Each earbud weighs 10.26 grams, and comfort may vary according to the user’s ear anatomy.
During testing, the hooks were noticeable from the first few minutes and became more apparent over longer periods. They did not cause significant pain or fatigue, but the headset did not completely disappear from the ear during extended use. Finding the ideal position also required attention, even after some familiarity with the product.
The charging case is larger than those of conventional true wireless earbuds because it must accommodate the hooks. It weighs 69.08 grams and is more noticeable in a pocket, although it remains easy to carry in a bag or backpack. Its internal compartments are clearly arranged, making it simple to identify where each earbud belongs.
In quiet surroundings, the Endurance Zone delivers balanced sound with clear mids and highs, while the bass remains present despite the open construction. Its dynamic drivers measure 18 x 11 mm and support a frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The sound is pleasant across different music styles, without any frequency becoming excessively dominant.
The bass does not have the same intensity as some traditional JBL models in the R$ 500 to R$ 800 range, but it does not disappear. Medium or even moderately low volume was sufficient in quiet places, provided the speaker was correctly aligned with the ear.
Noise isolation is not part of the product’s proposal. Since the ear canal remains open, users can hear vehicles, people and other sounds around them, which can be useful while running or cycling. In trains and subways, however, the surrounding noise remained clearly audible even at maximum volume. At intermediate levels, much of the music was covered by the environment.
Audio leakage is another limitation. At medium or high volume, someone nearby could easily identify the music being played during the test. JBL promotes its OpenSound technology as a way to reduce this effect through directional audio, but leakage remained noticeable in Canaltech’s evaluation. This may be less problematic in a gym than in a quiet office or room.
Both earbuds feature touch-sensitive surfaces. The controls responded reliably, although identifying the correct touch area took some time because of the unusual shape. By default, one tap on the left earbud lowers the volume and two taps increase it. On the right, one tap pauses or resumes playback, two taps skip to the next track and three return to the previous one. A long press can activate the phone’s voice assistant, while calls and microphone functions can also be controlled. The JBL Headphones app allows some of these actions to be customized.
The app is available for Android and iOS and includes a 10-band equalizer, touch-control customization and options for playback and calls. The Endurance Zone uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports multipoint connections with up to two devices. On Android, it also supports Google Fast Pair and Google Audio Switch.
The earbuds carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, a useful feature for workouts, sweat, rain and outdoor activities. This rating should not be interpreted as approval for swimming or prolonged submersion, which should follow the manufacturer’s guidance.
JBL claims up to eight hours of playback from the earbuds, with the case adding up to 24 more hours for a total of up to 32 hours. In Canaltech’s continuous playback test, the headset ran for six hours at maximum volume while streaming Spotify in high quality. At the end, the left earbud had 35% battery remaining and the right had 37%.
A full recharge takes approximately two hours, according to JBL. The company also says that 10 minutes of charging can provide up to three additional hours of playback. The case uses USB-C, has charging indicators and contains a 520 mAh battery, while each earbud has a 58 mAh cell.
The Endurance Zone’s main appeal is its reliable fit during exercise. Its construction is well executed, the IP68 rating suits outdoor use and the open design allows users to remain aware of their surroundings. However, the hooks require adaptation, extended comfort depends on the user and the lack of isolation can be a significant drawback in noisy places.
A price between R$ 400 and R$ 500 was considered fair after testing, while the headset was found online between R$ 500 and R$ 600. For running, cycling or gym sessions, the product offers a coherent open-ear proposition. For public transport and other noisy environments, a model with stronger acoustic isolation may provide a better experience.
Canaltech’s final score for the JBL Endurance Zone was 4.3 out of 5. The category ratings were 4.5 for design and construction, 3.5 for comfort and ergonomics, 5.0 for fit and stability, 4.0 for sound quality, 4.0 for features and usability, and 4.5 for battery life.
Sources: Canaltech.