JBL open-ear headphones, purple

What matters most

If you want music or calls without blocking your ear canals, the JBL Soundgear Clips take a different approach from conventional in-ear earbuds. Their open-ear design is intended to leave you aware of nearby sounds while you listen, which can be useful when moving around or chatting with people. The speakers are angled to limit sound leakage, and JBL’s SonicArc design is intended to add bass and privacy, that doesn’t mean your audio will be inaudible to everyone nearby.

An 11 mm dynamic driver and Adaptive Bass Boost algorithm handle the sound. For calls, four microphones and an AI-trained noise-reduction algorithm are designed to help your voice come through clearly, including outdoors in breezy conditions. Keep in mind that how you wear the earbuds can affect which microphones work best, so JBL’s Headphones app lets you choose one or both beamforming mics in each earbud.

Best use cases

These clips make the most sense for someone who prefers an open fit for everyday listening, rather than the more sealed feel of earbuds that sit in the ear canal. They may suit a walk, a call outside, or listening while you remain socially available. The flexible memory-wire hooks are covered in soft, lightweight material and are designed to stay stable without pinching or feeling too loose.

Te encaja si you want music and calls while retaining awareness of your surroundings. No te encajará si your priority is blocking outside sound: an open-ear design leaves your ear canals unobstructed, so it isn’t the same kind of listening experience as noise-isolating earbuds.

Tips for day-to-day use

Try the microphone settings in the app with the way you actually wear the clips, the product information notes that the best setup can depend on how they sit on your ears. The IP54 rating means they are described as water- and dust-resistant, but the supplied information doesn’t establish that they’re suitable for swimming or submersion.

Battery life is listed as up to eight hours in the headphones, with up to three additional full charges from the case, for up to 32 hours total. A 10-minute charge is stated to provide up to three more hours of listening. Charging uses USB-C, but the cable is not included, so you’ll need to have one available.

Buying questions

Can I hear what’s happening around me? The open-ear design doesn’t obstruct your ear canals, so it is intended to let you stay aware of nearby activity while listening.

Can I adjust the call microphones? Yes. The JBL Headphones app lets you select one or both beamforming microphones in each earbud.

What comes with the charging setup? The case supports additional charges, and a 10-minute USB-C charge is listed as providing up to three hours of listening. A USB-C cable is not included.

Is it worth it?

The Soundgear Clips are worth considering if an open fit, awareness of your surroundings and flexible ear hooks matter more to you than sealing out external noise. Their call features, app-selectable microphones and stated battery capacity add practical detail beyond simply playing music. The trade-off is fundamental to the design: they don’t block your ear canals, and the information provided doesn’t promise complete privacy from sound leakage. If you want a more isolating fit, a conventional in-ear style is likely the better direction, if you want to listen while staying more connected to your surroundings, these JBL clips have a clear purpose.