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What to Look for When Buying Earbuds

Comfort and sound quality are non-negotiable when it comes to earbuds. But let's be real, how many times have you bought a pair only for them to slip out of your ears like a loose pebble?

That’s why we’re walking you through what to look for when buying earbuds and how to compare and choose the right ones for your ears, ensuring you find a pair that’s snug as a bug in a rug.

Inside Your Ear: Tragus & Concha

Before you compare earbuds, understand the shape of your ear — say hello to your tragus and concha.

Your tragus is the small cartilage flap in front of your ear canal, and the concha is the bowl-shaped area surrounding the canal opening. Together, they influence comfort and sound isolation.

And yes, earbuds do come in different shapes and sizes to accommodate them. Knowing your ear's anatomy will determine what size and type of earbuds you should be using from JBL.

Compare JBL Earbuds

JBL Buds

JBL Buds, designed with a dot-closed fit, function as effective noise-cancelling earbuds, letting you focus on your music or calls. They deliver punchy bass in a snug and secure fit, making them ideal for those with bigger ears and little to no tragus. With standout models like the Tour series for travelling, these earbuds will keep you immersed on any long journey.

JBL Beam

If you’re looking for a balance of immersion and awareness, the JBL Beam’s stick-closed design and semi-sealed cancellation will be your pick. Often used for sport earbuds, Beam designs fit well if you have a solid 'V' shaped tragus and a shallow concha, ensuring they stay put even during the most intense workouts.

JBL Flex

Like the Beam, the JBL Flex also sports a stick-closed design, but with an ergonomic shape that allows for secure and comfortable wear for extended periods. This means that Flex earbuds are very compatible with small ears and narrow tragi as their open-ear design allows for natural ambient sound awareness.

Finding Your Fit with the JBL Fit Checker

With three core designs, how do you choose the perfect pair for your unique ear shape? Enter the JBL Fit Checker. It takes the guesswork out of finding your ideal type of earbuds. Here's how it works:

Scan your ears: Use your phone camera to capture images of your ears.
Answer questions: Provide information about your preferences and typical earbud usage.
Receive personalised recommendations: The app analyses your ear scans and preferences to suggest JBL earbuds that will provide the most comfortable and secure fit.

JBL Tune Buds 2

True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds with JBL Spatial Sound and Smart Ambient technology

NZ$ 114.00 each

NZ$ 149.95

Sound Without Limits

Choosing your ideal earbud shape doesn't mean limiting your options. We've got a style for everyone in our earbud range. Here's a quick rundown to help you navigate our TWS earbuds collection to find your perfect match:

Choose Your Shape (Form Factor): Start by revisiting our Flex, Buds, and Beam options. Consider your comfort and how much ambient awareness or noise isolation you need in different situations.
Consider Your Budget: The Wave series is generally our entry-level, and if you're looking for a step up in features and sound quality, the Tune series is your go-to. For the most advanced technology, our premium Live series is the way to go.
Decide on Desired Tech Features: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), smart features, battery life, and sound quality — each range brings something different to the table. While the Live series often packs the most bells and whistles, you'll still find great options across the board.

So, if you're the kind to want a secure fit with ambient awareness without breaking the bank, the JBL Wave Flex 2 might be your perfect companion. But if you crave powerful sound and noise cancellation to truly escape into your music, the JBL Tune Buds 2 could be your pick.

JBL Wave Flex 2

True Wireless Earbuds with JBL Pure Bass Sound and Smart Ambient technology

NZ$ 99.95 each

Other Factors to Consider

Beyond that, here are other important factors to consider when choosing earbuds:

Microphone Clarity: If you prefer calling (maybe), you can prioritise earbuds with high-quality microphones for clear communication.
Water Resistance: Taking your earbuds to the gym? Check the earbuds’ IP rating to make sure they can keep up with you while you go harder, better, faster, stronger.
Charging Case: Some Bluetooth earbuds — like the JBL Live Buds 3 — come with a Smart Charging Case that gives you direct playback control, so you don't have to pull out your phone every time.

JBL Live Buds 3

True wireless Noise Cancelling bud-type earbuds with Smart Charging Case™

NZ$ 228.00 each

NZ$ 269.95

Find Your Perfect Sound

Whether you're after sport earbuds for your workouts, noise-cancelling earbuds for your commute, or TWS earbuds for everyday use, you're sure to find the best earbuds for you. But don’t stop at your own needs — why not gift your friend a pair of earbuds, too?

If this buying guide helped, explore JBL's full collection of Bluetooth earbuds and find your perfect sound. Your ears (and your music) will thank you for it!