TWS true wireless earphones - $50 to $100
4.5 STARS - The JBL Tune Beam 2 enters the heavily fought market of wireless earbuds with Active Noise Cancelling under 100 dollars. Does it deliver?
Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC and LDAC codec
IP54 waterproof rating (water and dust proof)
10 - 12 hours playtime on a single charge (ANC on/ off)
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Has: ANC, Transparency, app support, multipoint connection, spatial audio
Doesn't have: wireless charging
Comes with 3 sets of ear tips, USB-C cable, English manual
$90 to $100 - See price on Amazon
In this review:
In and underneath this JBL Tune Beam 2 review, you will find comparisons of the JBL Tune Beam 2 vs JBL Live Pro 2, Nothing Ear (a), Earfun Air Pro 4, and Redmi Buds 6 Pro.
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Design, comfort and battery life
Available in single or tech-transparant colours, the JBL Tune Beam 2 is one of the more outspoken designs for affordable wireless earphones.
In its tech-transparant designs - available in black/grey, white and purple, possibly more, the Tune Beam 2 follows the design initiated by the Nothing Ear 1 earbuds.
While that separates it from most earbuds, it's not a unique look anymore, as it's previously also adopted by the Nothing Ear (a), the SoundPEATS Clear and the Tozo Crystal Pods.
That said: JBL's internals are more visible than all the competitors, both in the case and in the earbuds - in which you can clearly see the drivers sitting. Even though the stem itself is a matte colour with a shiny part and a logo thrown on, these earbuds gather more attention than average.
What's more, is that JBL puts the transparent design in a round package. The USB-C powered charging case has a flat back and a round front. It's easy to carry in a jeans pocket, resists scratches from keys well, and boasts three LED-lights to indicate the remaining case battery.
Like the JBL Live Pro 2, the Tune Beam 2 has an oval earpiece you put diagonally in your ears, with oval rubber ear tips entirely at one end of it. They're easy to put in and feel comfortable to wear.
However, like other JBL models, they sit a little bit different than most oval earpieces - thanks to the far out ear tip. Seeing that JBL doesn't deliver the biggest ear tips out of the box and the case leaves little space for bigger custom ear tips, multiple user reviews state the earbuds fall out the ears too easily. These may not be a good match when you have bigger ears.
JBL Tune Beam 2's specs are great, however. These earbuds are IP54 dust and water proof protected and play around 10 hours on a single charge with ANC on! Whoah - that's a massive battery.
The case can recharge the earbuds three times fully before needing new power via USB-C itself. Wireless charging isn't supported.
The JBL Tune Beam 2 looks distinctive with its tech-transparant and round design, is comfortable to wear and has mind-baffling battery life. It's off to a great start!
Controls, connectivity and app support
Like Sony and previous JBL models, the JBL Tune Beam 2 continues the trend from legacy brands to put illogical controls and connectivity on earbuds.
By default, the right earbud lets you play/pause and skip (double-tap) and return (triple-tap) a track, and the left one controls the ANC modes. There are no volume controls on the earbuds directly.
When you want volume controls, you can only put them to one side of the earbuds, so either deleting the ANC switching or the track controls.
That's a very weird choice, especially since you always get the voice assistant by holding down either bud. How much do you use that? It would have been a great spot for volume changing. Basically all Chinese brands have a more logical and easier control scheme.
Happily, the touch panels on top of the stem respond quickly to your input.
The Bluetooth connectivity of the JBL Tune Beam 2 is great. It holds a steady, hiccup-free connection up to 12 meters away from your device. However…
These earbuds also have multipoint, meaning can connect the earbuds to two devices at the same time… although it isn't easy.
Instead of putting a button on the case that put the earbuds immediately in pairing mode for a second device, you have to put the earbuds in and tap twice, then hold the last tap. That gets the JBL Tune Beam 2 in pairing mode again and lets you connect to a second device.
Afterwards, you have to put the earbuds back in the case and take them out. Now they should connect to two devices.
If you're using the earbuds on iPhone and Android devices, the app only works on one device - and it may be the device you're not listening to at that moment.
The dual-device multipoint connection of the JBL Tune Beam 2 lacks ease. It's also quite slow switching from one device to another, and comes with stuttering the first seconds after switching.
The app is impressive on iPhone and Android, feels more fluent on iPhone
It's easy to select, change, make and save equalizer presets
The JBL Tune Beam 2 has unique calling options
Apart from these issues, the support of the free JBL app on iPhone and Android phones is impressive. There's a huge amount of features.
Check battery percentage of the individual earbuds and case
Switch between ANC modes and manually setup the strength of the ANC
Choose from the audio mode and video mode (basically the low-latency gaming mode)
Change controls for the left and right earbud
Choose from 7 equalizer presets
Create and save your own equalizer
(De)activate spatial audio for movie/ music/ game (but this doesn't do much)
Personi-Fi: take an audio test and alter the equalizer to your preference
Balance the sound left and right to compensate for hearing loss
Limit the maximum volume
Auto-balance volume of others in phone calls
Change how you like to hear others in calls: natural/ more treble/ more bass
Change how you sound in calls: natural/ more treble/ more bass
Control how much you hear of your own voice during calls
Listen to relaxing/ sleep sounds for a maximum of 60 minutes
Find the earbuds by letting them make noise
(De)activate automatic power-off of the earbuds after a while
The JBL Tune Beam 2 has about the most extensive app support you can get on affordable earbuds. The app is truly exceptional, with some brilliant features for pone calls. If only controls and multipoint were less complicated.
Phone and video calls
Despite all the specific call options from the app, the overall call quality of the JBL Tune Beam 2 is only average.
With the ‘natural’ voice option selected from the app, your voice sounds clear but could use a bit more volume.
The person on the other end of the line can definitely hear what's happening around you. Door slams, footsteps, and other typical movement sounds are very audible.
More constant sounds like traffic, a radio in the background and distant chatter, are softened well.
Wind is a threat to your clarity. Your voice gets thinner, and wind noise is always audible, even when you're not talking.
The JBL Tune Beam 2 is serviceable for phone calls and video meetings. There are better budget options on the market.
Video and games playback
The JBL Tune Beam 2 has flawless video playback in apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+.
When it somehow doesn't work flawlessly on your device, you can change the audio to ‘video mode’ from the app on iPhone or Android.
That's also the low-latency mode you want to activate for games, although JBL doesn't mention that.
With the video mode activated, the sound effects like gunshots and explosions synchronize perfectly with the action on your screen in a challenging game like Call of Duty mobile.
With the additional spatial audio option for games, you also have a good sense of where the action is around you.
It would have been better to be able to select this mode straight from the earbuds - but the performance is impressive nonetheless. The JBL Tune Beam 2 is great for games.
ANC quality of the JBL Tune Beam 2
The JBL Tune Beam 2 delivers solid Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) for its 100 dollars asking price.
For some reason, the ANC function isn't on the earbuds by default. You have to change the ANC settings in the controls of the JBL app to get the function within reach.
After that, a single tap activates the ANC and immediately shushes your surroundings. Constant background sounds, like electronic humming or distant traffic, can even disappear completely.
That goes for sounds in nearly all frequencies. Lower tones, to higher bird chatting, to even the most challenging middle sounds like keyboard typing: all sounds are heavily softened with the ANC activated. Even when you're not playing music.
Louder and sudden middle sounds can still be picked up. You may not hear the music anymore, but you'll still notice there is a radio playing in the background. The same goes for conversations with male voices.
Wind is handled very well too. The JBL recognises wind quickly when you're using ANC, reduces the noise and leaves it out of your music.
With one tap, you switch the ANC to ‘Ambient aware’, JBL's transparency mode. It does put some noise forward in moments you need it, but it's not enough to break through when you're listening to music on moderate volume.
That's probably why the JBL also comes with a ‘TalkThru’ mode with two taps. That silences both the music and shuts down the ANC, so you can talk to someone without taking an earbud out - if you insist.
The Ambient and TalkThru mode let in more wind noise than the ANC, but still handle it pretty decently.
The JBL Tune Beam 2 has some of the strongest ANC on $100 earbuds, along with the Earfun Air Pro 4 and Huawei Freebuds 6i.
Sound quality of JBL Tune Beam 2
The JBL Tune Beam 2 has countless customisation options when it comes to sound, but doesn't need them to sound good.
While ‘Pure Bass’ is the promotional tagline of these earbuds, the sound happily doesn't just resolve about bass.
The bass does grab the attention straightaway, however. Even with the default Studio equalizer preset that minimises the bass, the mid-bass has a strong thump that feels weighty in depth and in how long it lasts.
The sub-bass is powerful, tight and deep in James Blake's great test track Limit to Your Love. The deepest hits of the bass can surely be felt.
Even in crowded songs, the bass grants enough information. Basslines are separated well from each other and individual slams don't last too long.
You can push the bass to its limits by choosing bass heavy EQ presets or turning up the bass up yourself. Expect a full bass with slams so big, they can be overbearing.
From its default sound and in much of its presets, the JBL Tune Beam puts lower mid-tones forward to create a warm and full sound. Center mid-tones are less prominent, with guitars and piano play sounding a bit warmer than average.
Treble is rolled-off in a comfortable manner. Higher female vocals sound a bit flatter than most male counterparts, but are still forward enough. Brighter instruments like cymbals and violins have enough room to shine without becoming harsh or peaky, - although lower mid-tones are always more prominent.
It you want to increase the treble, the equalisation options let you. Take the equalizer preset you like most, change it and lift the 2k, 4k and 8k to your liking. It's easy to do this without creating a sound that is too bright - but don't to get a sparkly and vivid treble.
The JBL Tune Beam 2 provides a sound that feels fluent and fairly detailed, with good separation between instruments and frequencies. It doesn't really have an expansive soundstage, and it can be hard to precisely place instruments as well.
The Spatial Sound setting can increase this feeling a little bit. It takes away a bit of fulness from the lows and accentuates mid-instruments a tiny bit better. It still doesn't have the same immersion and doesn't place instruments as precisely around you as the Redmi Buds 6 Pro or Earfun Air Pro 4, however.
The JBL Tune Beam 2 sounds warm, full and pleasant, with plenty of options to alter the treble in an elegant way, or to let the bass rule over everything else.
—> These are the best sounding wireless earbuds from $25 to $100
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JBL Tune Beam 2 comparisons
JBL Tune Beam 2 vs Redmi Buds 6 Pro
Just released, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is a slightly more affordable alternative to the JBL Tune Beam 2 and shares most of its qualities.
The JBL Tune Beam 2 has more app features, up to 3 hours more battery life with ANC on and more consistent call clarity than the Redmi Buds 6 Pro. Its ANC is also a tad better in ruling out middle sounds.
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro is easier when it comes to multipoint pairing, and has convenient volume slides on the stems sides.
When you want the best sound quality, it's a matter of which volume level you often listen on. The JBL Tune Beam 2 sounds more refined on lower volumes where the Redmi Buds 6 Pro can turn a little dark… but turn the volume up, and the Redmi strikes back. It then awards each instrument its own position, which creates an incredible immersion - especially in more acoustic genres.
$60 to $90 - See price on Amazon or AliExpress
JBL Tune Beam 2 vs JBL Live Pro 2
The older JBL Live Pro 2 costs around the same as the JBL Tune Beam 2 in 2025. What's the better choice?
Both JBL models have a splendid 10 hours battery life, and after a few firmware updates of the older model, the JBL Live Pro 2 and JBL Tune Beam 2 have comparable Active Noise Cancellation.
Both earbuds also lack a logical control scheme (and thus don't have volume controls on the earbuds) and fall a bit short in phone calls with surrounding noises or wind.
The JBL Live Pro 2 puts more effort into treble. Vocals and brighter instruments are more prominent and can reach higher, even with the chance the treble can become a bit tiring. It does give the Live Pro 2 more space and liveliness than the warmer and fuller JBL Tune Beam 2. The bass on the newer model also kicks heavier and is more customisable.
What mostly sets these apart, is how they handle videos. That's the big weakness of the JBL Live Pro 2 - while playing videos on the JBL Tune Beam 2 goes without heavy syncing problems.
$80 to $100 - See price on Amazon US or other Amazon countries
JBL Tune Beam 2 vs Earfun Air Pro 4
The Earfun Air Pro 4 is the go-to recommendation for wireless earbuds under $100, and that doesn't change with JBL's newest challenger.
The Earfun Air Pro 4 offers clearer calls when you're on the move and/or when there's noise around you, and its ANC is even stronger - as it counters (male) vocals just a tad better.
Meanwhile, you still get a massive 8 hours battery life per charge, volume controls, and an easier to setup multipoint connection on the Earfun. It also throws in wireless charging. The oval ear tips make the JBL more comfortable to wear than Earfun's round ear tips.
The Earfun has a more immersive sound than the JBL. It puts vocals and lower treble more forward and reveals details on your left and right easier. The JBL has a more customisable bass and sounds more dynamic on the highest volumes, where the Earfun falls a little flat.
Around $80 on Amazon US or your Amazon country
JBL Tune Beam 2 vs Nothing Ear (a)
So you're looking for a tech-transparent design, huh? Have you met the Nothing Ear (a)?
You probably have. The Nothing Ear (a) sells well on Amazon, and it wears its tech design more stylish on the stems than the JBL Tune Beam 2.
The JBL beats Nothing with almost 4 hours more playtime per charge, and controls easier with taps on top of the stems, instead of pinches in the stem. JBL mounts slightly more comfortable oval ear tips than Nothing, and its app has more features.
ANC performance is comparable, but the Nothing Ear (a) fares much better in phone calls, with a more consistent voice reproduction and better suppressing of noise around you.
The Nothing has a thicker sound than the JBL, with fuller and stronger lower-mids and a little less attention to (higher) mid-tones. Bass lovers can attend to both - as both basses thump strongly and can be adjusted easily via their apps. The JBL shows more versatility here, however: it can easier be altered into a more balanced sounding earphone.
$100 - See price on Amazon US or your Amazon country
Verdict: JBL Tune Beam 2
The JBL Tune Beam 2 is a great choice of earbuds for many people. It has astounding battery life, feels comfortable to wear, and convinces with strong Active Noise Cancelling. It also sounds great, giving you easy access to the amount of bass you want to have.
Still, it's no perfect score for the JBL Tune Beam 2. Phone calls do let in a lot of surrounding noise, and in this highly competitive market, that means there are still better alternatives out there.
4.5 stars - Great
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