JBL Soundgear Clips

Manufacturer: JBL

The JBL Soundgear Clips are true wireless earbuds built around an open-ear design, allowing wearers to stay aware of their surroundings without removing them. Weighing just 13 g, they sit lightly and come with a charging case that extends total listening time to 32 hours combined. A travel bag is included in the box, and the earbuds support multipoint connectivity, letting them stay paired to two devices at once.

On the technical side, the JBL Soundgear Clips use 11 mm drivers covering a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz and deliver a sound pressure level of 88 dB/mW. Connectivity runs over Bluetooth 5.4 with a stated wireless range of 10 m, and fast pairing is supported for quicker device setup. The four-microphone array includes noise-canceling microphone technology for calls, while USB Type-C handles charging with fast charging support. The earbuds carry an IP54 rating, offering resistance to sweat and dust during everyday use.

Pros

Open-ear fit allows users to remain aware of their surroundings during use
Multipoint connectivity supports simultaneous pairing with two devices at once
The charging case provides an additional 24 hours of battery, bringing total capacity to 32 hours
Fast charging is supported, reducing downtime between uses
A four-microphone array with noise-canceling technology helps produce clearer audio during calls
A find device feature is included, making it easier to locate misplaced earbuds

Cons

No active noise cancellation or passive noise isolation, so audio can be affected by ambient noise
Bluetooth range is limited to 10 m, which may be restrictive in some environments
No wireless charging support; the case must be charged via cable
No support for high-resolution audio codecs such as LDAC, aptX HD, or AAC, limiting audio quality options
No in-ear detection, so playback does not pause automatically when the earbuds are removed

Who is this for?

The JBL Soundgear Clips are well suited to users who want to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to audio, making them a practical choice for outdoor activities such as running or cycling where environmental awareness matters. The IP54 rating and sweat resistance make them a reasonable fit for light to moderate physical activity, while the four-microphone noise-canceling setup and headset capability serve users who take frequent calls throughout the day. Those who regularly switch between two devices will also benefit from the built-in multipoint connectivity, and the 32-hour total battery capacity suits users who prefer not to charge frequently.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who require noise isolation or active noise cancellation — such as those working in loud offices, commuting on public transport, or needing focused listening in noisy environments — will find the open-ear design unsuitable for their needs. The absence of high-resolution audio codec support, including LDAC, aptX HD, and AAC, makes these earbuds a poor match for audiophiles or users who prioritize audio fidelity. Additionally, the 10 m Bluetooth range and lack of spatial audio or Dolby Atmos support mean they are not well suited to immersive home entertainment setups or use cases that demand extended wireless reach.

Design:

Fit	Open-ear
Ingress Protection (IP) rating	IP54
water resistance	Sweat resistant
weight	13 g
has no wires or cables	✓
are neckband earbuds	✕
wingtips included	✕
has RGB lighting	✕
has stereo speakers	✓
has UV light	✕
Has a display	✕

The JBL Soundgear Clips feature an open-ear fit, meaning they sit outside the ear canal rather than sealing it, and come without a neckband or wingtips. They are fully true wireless, with no cables or cords of any kind, and include stereo speakers for two-channel audio output. At just 13 g, the earbuds are notably lightweight, and their IP54 ingress protection rating makes them sweat resistant, suitable for use during physical activity. The design does not include RGB lighting, a UV light, or any built-in display.

Sound quality:

has active noise cancellation (ANC)	✕
has passive noise reduction	✕
driver unit size	11 mm
lowest frequency	20 Hz
highest frequency	20000 Hz
supports spatial audio	✕
has Dolby Atmos	✕
has Dirac Virtuo	✕
sound pressure level	88 dB/mW
has a neodymium magnet	✕

The JBL Soundgear Clips use 11 mm drivers and cover a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, with a sound pressure level of 88 dB/mW. The earbuds do not include active noise cancellation or passive noise isolation, which is consistent with their open-ear design. There is no support for spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, or Dirac Virtuo, and the drivers do not use a neodymium magnet.

Power:

Battery life	8 hours
Battery life of charging case	24 hours
charge time	2 hours
battery power	55 mAh
battery power (charging case)	530mAh
has wireless charging	✕
Has a solar power battery	✕
has a battery level indicator	✓
has a rechargeable battery	✓

The JBL Soundgear Clips offer 8 hours of battery life per charge from their 55 mAh internal battery, while the 530 mAh charging case contributes an additional 24 hours, bringing the total potential listening time to 32 hours. A full charge takes 2 hours, and the earbuds support fast charging. The battery is rechargeable and includes a battery level indicator, though wireless charging and solar power are not supported.

Connectivity:

has fast pairing	✓
Has USB Type-C	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
has LDAC	✕
has LDHC	✕
has Bluetooth LE Audio	✕
has aptX Adaptive	✕
has aptX Low Latency	✕
has aptX HD	✕
has aptX	✕
has aptX Lossless	✕
has aptX Voice	✕
has Auracast	✕
maximum Bluetooth range	10 m
supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC	✕
Can be used wirelessly	✓
has AAC	✕

The JBL Soundgear Clips connect wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.4 with a maximum range of 10 m, and fast pairing is supported for quicker initial setup. They can be used entirely wirelessly and charge through a USB Type-C port. The earbuds do not support NFC pairing, AAC, LDAC, LDHC, or any variant of aptX, including aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, aptX Lossless, and aptX Voice. Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast are likewise not available on this model.

Features:

has ambient sound mode	✕
has in/on-ear detection	✕
has find device feature	✓
Supports fast charging	✓
multipoint count	2
can read notifications	✕
Has a built-in translator	✕
has a mute function	✓
can be used as a headset	✓
control panel placed on a device	✓
Has voice prompts	✓
travel bag is included	✓
Has an in-line control panel	✕
Has a temperature sensor	✕
Has a built-in camera remote control function	✕

The JBL Soundgear Clips support multipoint connectivity for up to two devices simultaneously and can function as a headset for calls, with a mute function available during use. Controls are handled through a panel placed on the device itself rather than an in-line control, and voice prompts provide audio feedback. A find device feature is included to help locate misplaced earbuds, and fast charging is supported. The earbuds do not offer ambient sound mode, in-ear detection for auto-pausing music, notification readout, a built-in translator, a temperature sensor, or a camera remote shutter function. A travel bag is included in the box.

Microphone:

number of microphones	4
has a noise-canceling microphone	✓

The JBL Soundgear Clips are equipped with a four-microphone array that includes noise-canceling microphone technology, helping to reduce background noise during calls and voice interactions.

Final Verdict

The JBL Soundgear Clips carve out a clear niche as open-ear true wireless earbuds oriented toward active, on-the-go users who value situational awareness over acoustic isolation. Their open-ear design paired with IP54 sweat resistance and a 32-hour total battery capacity makes them a practical companion for everyday outdoor use and light physical activity, while multipoint connectivity and a four-microphone noise-canceling setup add genuine utility for those who rely on their earbuds for calls. That said, users seeking immersive audio, noise cancellation, or high-resolution codec support will find the feature set limited in those areas. For its intended audience — users who want reliable, wire-free audio without losing touch with their environment — the JBL Soundgear Clips deliver a well-defined and purposeful experience.