JBL Reflect Aero IP68 rating, very good sound quality, amazing touch controls, and great feature set. Oh, and they’re more affordable than you’d think.
to
- Very good audio performance
- Waterproofing works IP68
- Amazing touch controls
- Good detection in the ear
against
- The ANC is fine
- Not the best for phone calls
- Strange bass
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The JBL Endurance Peak II are almost perfect workout headphones, but they’re fairly light on features, most notably the surround mode, and they’re uncomfortable for long periods of time.
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- Very affordable
- Very secure fit
- Good sound quality
against
- Slim in features
- Not comfortable for long listening periods
The JBL Reflect Aero vs. the JBL Endurance Peak II is not a match based on which one is better. Instead, it comes down to which one works best for your needs. After all, they’re both very capable earbuds that can handle your most intense workouts without succumbing to wear and tear.
While they’re both excellent workout companions, one will be a better fit based on budget and needs for features and sound quality. The type of workouts you plan to engage in will also be a factor. the JBL Reflect Aero she is one from The best running headphones There is while the JBL Endurance Peak II’s lack of features, namely the fact that it doesn’t have an Ambient Mode, makes it more suitable for activities that don’t involve anticipating and dealing with traffic.
However, the JBL Endurance Peak II ear hooks make it stand out The best workout headphones When exercise requires headphones or earphones to be very stable, such as rock climbing. Whatever you’re looking for, this straightforward comparison will help decide which of these two JBL offerings is the right choice for you. Even if you don’t follow one of these factors, you can apply the same factors to another Headphones to see which one you like.
JBL Reflect Aero vs JBL Endurance Peak II: Price and availability
- Endurance Peak II is much cheaper in the US
- Reflect Aero is not available in Australia
The two JBL earbuds fit into slightly different segments of the workout headphone market. The JBL Endurance Peak II comes in at $99.95 (£104.99 / AU$149.99) and is therefore priced to compete with more budget options, even if they are significantly better than most sub-$100 options.
By comparison, the JBL Reflect Aero’s $149 (£119 / approx AU$222) price tag puts it in a larger range with midrange/premium models almost as Beats Fit Pro. While Beats’ workout earbuds are better in some ways, particularly in their implementation of active noise cancellation, they’re also $50 / £80 more expensive.
Basically, both JBL earbuds punch above their weight at what they do. But, when compared to each other, the Endurance Peak II is more limited in features but offers a sturdier ear hook while the Reflect Aero has smaller wings but is just as feature-packed as the $200 / £200 earbuds. And spending an extra $50, or just £10 for those in the UK, might be worth it to get not only app support but active noise cancellation and, most importantly, JBL’s Ambient/Transparency mode.
Of course, the JBL Endurance Peak II gets a slight nod in terms of value not only because it’s cheaper but also because it’s so ubiquitous. JBL Reflect Aero, which isn’t entirely new, hasn’t made its way yet.
- winner: JBL Endurance Peak II (by hair)
JBL Reflect Aero vs JBL Endurance Peak II: Design
- Endurance Peak II has been stripped down, and the Reflect Aero is fully featured
- Reflect Aero has ambient mode, while Endurance Peak II does not
While both JBL earbuds come in three similar colors (black, blue, and white for the Endurance Peak II, black and mint, and white for the Reflect Aero), they couldn’t be more different. The Endurance Peak II is big, bulky and utilitarian while the Reflect Aero is small, slim and full-featured.
This has a lot to do with its functionality as the Endurance Peak II comes with large ear hooks that keep it in place even during the most grueling activities. And while the ear hooks are bendable so they work with most ear shapes, the only customization comes in the form of differently sized silicone ear tips.
The Reflect Aero instead comes with small wings that slide inside the earcups to stay in place, which along with the silicone ear tips can be changed to different sizes for a more custom fit.
Speaking of customization, the JBL Reflect Aero has a lot going for it on the software side, too. While Endurance Peak II is stripped down and doesn’t have app support, Reflect Aero works as you can not only fine-tune your listening experience but the actual frequency range as well via its 10-band EQ.
The JBL Reflect Aero also comes with active noise cancellation—the Endurance Peak II has decent passive active cancellation—and most importantly, Ambient Aware (aka Ambient Mode or Transparency), an important feature that lets you hear your surroundings while wearing earphones, which is something It is sorely lacking in the Endurance Peak II and may be a deal-breaker for those who want to use it in a public setting such as jogging along a busy road.
Let’s not forget the IP ratings of these earbuds as they are important for some workouts. Endurance Peak II has a robust IP67 rating that can keep out debris and water although it’s not meant to stay submerged for very long. However, the Reflect Aero with its IP68 rating is completely waterproof and can be used for any number of water sports (although you should be aware that Bluetooth doesn’t work very well underwater).
JBL Reflect Aero vs JBL Endurance Peak II: Performance
- The Aero Reflex sounds a little better but has an inconsistent low end
- JBL Endurance Peak II has plenty of bass
Sound quality is always a cornerstone of any pair of headphones, regardless of size or form factor. After all, there’s good reason to invest in a pair if they don’t look right. Fortunately, both the Reflect Aero and Endurance Peak II deliver solid, if not amazing, sound quality.
The Reflect Aero is actually the better sounding of the two but it suffers from some inconsistent bass response. Some songs have strong bass while others sound anemic. Fortunately, the rest of the frequency range is stable. Moderators are a bit relaxed making everything sound obvious if a little polite. The top end is detailed and crisp if a little bright.
Not only does Endurance Peak II have a solid low end, but it’s also the most prominent part of the frequency range. JBL did this on purpose for extra stimulation during workouts, though we’d prefer a more balanced sound profile. The mids are full enough but the highs lack Reflect Aero’s clarity.
Call quality is not as important but it is still a factor. Both earbuds work well for calls although the Reflect Aero can make you sound a little skinny to the person on the other side of the line. Battery life is also a secondary consideration. Both pairs provide more than enough juice for most people. The Endurance Peak II has adequate battery life overall as the earphones have six hours of use and another 24 hours when tapped out of the charging case. However, the Reflect Aero has a little more than that as the earbuds can last eight hours before needing a recharge with an additional 24 hours of charge in the box.
JBL Reflect Aero vs JBL Endurance Peak II: Which is Right for You?
Overall, the JBL Reflect Aero are the best in-ear headphones out there. It looks a little better, has a higher IP rating, and comes with more features, most notably an Ambient Aware mode. However, they are not in a different league.
The JBL Endurance Peak II is cheaper (33% cheaper in the US), is already available in Australia, and most importantly, comes with those ear hooks that keep the ear buds secure in extreme situations. For example, if you plan to use the earbuds while rock climbing, you’ll never have to worry about the Endurance Peak II popping up. As secure as Reflect Aero is, this is still a concern.
Both earbuds provide excellent value and do what they set out to do well (with a few hiccups here and there). So, consider the type of exercise you want the earphones for and then choose accordingly.