JBL wireless earbuds Endurance Race 2

For runners and gym-goers who want earbuds designed to stay put through movement, the JBL Endurance Race 2 pairs a wing enhancer with Twistlock technology. Three sizes of ear tips are included to help find a more secure fit.

Purple earbuds with active noise cancelling and adjustable ambient sound give you options for workouts in different settings. You can reduce distractions or let more of your surroundings through without removing them.

The main trade-off is the case: the earbuds are rated IP68, while the charging case is only IPX2 water-resistant. That distinction matters if your kit may get soaked.

Technical details

The earbuds are dustproof and waterproof with an IP68 rating. JBL says they can be submerged deeper than a metre in fresh water or sea water. The case has an IPX2 rating, so it is intended to handle light water exposure, such as rain, rather than the same conditions as the earbuds.

Battery life is listed as up to 12 hours from the earbuds, with another 36 hours available through three full case charges, for 48 hours total with ANC off. A 10-minute charge using a USB Type-C cable is said to provide four hours of playback. Expect a different total with ANC enabled, the stated 48-hour figure is specifically for ANC off.

Each earbud has two beamforming microphones for calls. Bluetooth multipoint lets you pair with two devices and switch between them, while the JBL Headphones app offers ANC, Smart Ambient, EQ, six preset Sports Modes, custom settings and five Relax Mode sounds.

Compatibility and requirements

The multipoint feature is intended for use with two Bluetooth devices, such as a tablet and a mobile phone. The JBL Headphones app is needed to adjust the workout modes and sound settings described by the manufacturer. Charging uses a USB Type-C cable, the product information does not specify which devices or operating systems the app supports.

Usage tips

Try the three ear-tip sizes and adjust the wing enhancers before a run. A stable seal can make a noticeable difference when you turn your head or pick up your pace, and the fit may take a little adjustment between ears.

For an outdoor route, Smart Ambient can help you hear more of what is around you, in a noisy gym, ANC may be the more useful setting. The app’s Sports Modes let you choose a preset or tailor the settings, then Relax Mode offers a different set of sounds after training. If you are moving between a tablet video and phone calls, multipoint is designed to make switching less fiddly.

It suits you if secure workout fit, water and dust protection, and app-adjustable listening are priorities. It may not suit you if you need a case with the same water protection as the earbuds, or if your main goal is the longest stated playback time with ANC switched on.

Three specific questions

Can the charging case be submerged like the earbuds? No. The earbuds are IP68-rated, but the case is rated IPX2 and is described as suitable for light water exposure.

Does the 48-hour playback figure include ANC? No. The stated total of 48 hours applies with ANC off, the product information does not give a separate total with ANC on.

Can the earbuds stay connected to a phone and tablet? They support multipoint pairing with two Bluetooth devices, with switching between them.

Before you buy

The Endurance Race 2 makes more sense for active use than a basic wireless earbud if you value a wing-supported fit, workout controls and IP68-rated earbuds. Keep the case’s lower IPX2 rating in mind when packing them for wet conditions, and treat the 48-hour figure as an ANC-off maximum rather than an all-settings estimate. If those limits fit your routine, the mix of workout features and two-device pairing is the most relevant reason to choose this model.