JBL Soundgear Clips JBLSNDGEARCLBLKAM Open-Ear Headphones, IP54, 11 mm Driver

Key points

For a walk, a workout or a call while you’re moving around the house, the JBL Soundgear Clips keep your ear canals unobstructed so nearby sounds remain audible. Their open-ear clip design uses JBL OpenSound technology and a SonicArc shape intended to limit sound leakage while supporting bass performance. An 11 mm dynamic driver and Adaptive Bass Boost algorithm are designed to give music a fuller low end.

The flexible memory-wire hook is covered with soft, lightweight material, and the clip is designed to stay stable without feeling too tight or loose. That makes the format worth considering if conventional earbuds that sit inside the ear aren’t your preference. They do not offer noise control, so they’re not intended to shut out surrounding sound.

How to use it

Wear each clip around the ear and keep the ear canal open, the exact position may affect which call microphones work best. The JBL Headphones app lets you choose one or both beamforming mics in each earbud, so there’s room to adjust the setup to how you wear them. The AI-trained algorithm is intended to reduce environmental noise during calls, including outdoors.

Bluetooth multipoint lets you pair with two devices and switch between them, while Google Fast Pair supports one-tap pairing with Android devices. In a typical day, that could mean listening from one device and switching to another for a call. Is an open design the right trade-off? It suits situations where hearing your surroundings matters more than blocking them out.

Tips for day-to-day use

The headphones are rated IP54 for water and dust resistance, which is useful if you’re caught in light rain or using them in dusty conditions, the rating is not a claim that they are waterproof. Battery life is listed as up to 8 hours in the headphones, with up to three additional full charges from the case, for up to 32 hours total. A 10-minute charge using a USB-C cable is stated to provide up to three more hours of playback. The charging cable is not included.

Customer feedback is positive about sound, comfort and a secure fit during active use. Views are more divided on overall quality, value and battery life, so those impressions are not a substitute for the listed playback figures. You’ll like it if you want an ear-clip design for music and calls while staying aware of nearby sounds. It’s not for you if your priority is noise isolation, since these headphones have no noise control and leave the ears open.

Before you decide

Do they block outside noise? No. The open-ear design leaves the ear canals unobstructed, and noise control is listed as none.

Can you use them with two devices? Yes. Bluetooth multipoint supports pairing with two Bluetooth devices and switching between them. Google Fast Pair is also listed for Android devices.

What comes with the charging setup? The case provides up to three additional full charges, and a USB-C cable can be used for the stated speed-charge feature. The cable is not included.

Should you buy it?

Choose the Soundgear Clips if you want open-ear listening, a flexible clip fit and call features you can adjust in the JBL Headphones app. The bass-boost tuning and stated battery capacity add practical appeal for everyday listening, while IP54 resistance offers some protection from water and dust. If your usual setting calls for blocking background noise, a closed or noise-cancelling design is a better match. For anyone choosing between standard in-ear buds and an open format, the key question is whether awareness of your surroundings matters more than isolation.