The JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless offer an affordable option for those seeking quality earbuds. Similar to the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless, these buds provide customizable performance through their dedicated app. However, they lack additional features such as noise cancellation and multi-device connectivity.
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Our Verdict
The JBL Vibe Buds perform adequately for phone calls. They feature a built-in microphone that captures your voice effectively but with limited clarity. However, the mic has difficulty distinguishing your speech from surrounding background noise, which means your voice might be overwhelmed by ambient sounds—something that can be quite frustrating during crucial calls
Compared To Other Headphones
The JBL Vibe Buds are an economical choice for earbuds. They closely resemble the JBL Vibe 100TWS True Wireless in both design and feel, and, like the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless, they come with companion app support for performance adjustments. However, they do not offer multi-device connectivity or active noise cancellation, which is to be expected given their price range.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The JBL Vibe Buds are available in four color options: Black, Beige, Mint, and White. Depending on your location, you might find them branded as JBL Wave Buds. We evaluated the Black version, and you can view its label here.
If you encounter a different version of these earbuds, please share the details in our forums, and we’ll update our review accordingly.
The sound quality
Although I’m not a dedicated audiophile, I am more selective than the average headphone user. I appreciate a rich, full sound with substantial bass to block out external noise. When I tested the JBL Vibe Beam earbuds during various activities—such as working, walking on the treadmill, and running errands—I found the overall sound quality lacking.
The sound was merely acceptable and fell short of the deep bass I expect from JBL’s Deep Bass Sound claim. While I could tweak the EQ settings using JBL’s free companion app, these adjustments didn’t significantly enhance the audio experience. At higher volumes, the sound quality issues became more apparent, with higher frequencies becoming quite harsh compared to other earbuds I’ve used, like the AirPods and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds FE. However, it’s worth noting that the Vibe Beams are priced at half of the Galaxy Buds and are more affordable than the AirPods.
battery life
The battery life of the JBL Vibe Buds is impressive. JBL claims that the buds offer up to eight hours of continuous use, and our tests confirmed slightly longer usage. However, actual battery life can vary based on how you use them. Fortunately, the carrying case provides three extra charges, and you can use one bud while the other is recharging.
Extra Features
While the Vibe Buds lack active noise cancellation (ANC), they come equipped with Smart Ambient technology. This feature proves useful since their natural sound isolation is quite effective, allowing you to let in ambient sounds when needed.
One standout feature is the fully customizable equalizer available through the companion app. This level of adjustability is uncommon in wireless earbuds at this price point, elevating the Vibe Buds to a standard typically seen in more expensive models from other brands.
| pros | cons |
| Adjustable Equalizer: The companion app includes a fully customizable equalizer, a rare feature in this price range. | Background Noise Separation: The microphone struggles with isolating voice from background noise during calls, which can be frustrating. |
| Good Sound Quality: They provide punchy bass, lively mids, and a clear overall sound profile. | Limited Multi-Device Pairing: They do not support connecting to multiple devices simultaneously. |
summary
With their vibrant bass, engaging mids and clear overall sound, the Vibe Buds offer impressive audio quality for just $49.95. Coupled with their appealing design, 32-hour battery life, and adjustable equalizer, there’s not much to criticize. In fact, these earbuds might represent one of the best values available.
The JBL Vibe Buds are available for purchase
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