JBL Soundgear Clips Review; Time to Ditch Traditional Earbuds?

INTRODUCTION:

Open-ear headphones are gaining attention, as more users look for audio that blends comfort, style, and everyday practicality without compromising sound quality. For those exploring this category for the first time, the JBL Soundgear Clips might just be the right introduction. Here's why.

JBL Soundgear Clips

DESIGN and BUILD:

The JBL Soundgear Clips isn't exactly love at first sight. Its plastic, scratch-prone build is hard to miss. For its price, you'd probably expect something that looks and feels a bit more premium.

The JBL Soundgear Clips come with a plastic, transparent case.

Look closer, though, and the thoughtful details start to stand out. The flat-bottom design allows the case to sit upright on a desk, enabling clean, fuss-free charging through the rear USB-C port.

Rear USB-C port

Plus, the transparent case is a subtle but practical highlight, especially for those moments when you're not quite sure both earbuds made it back inside. With just a glance at the JBL Soundgear Clips, you'll know everything's in place.

The JBL Soundgear Clips wear their insides proudly, with a skeletal design that turns exposed components into a visual statement. Each earphone splits into two parts: an oblong touch panel that hugs the back of the ear, and a circular speaker that hovers just at the entrance of the ear canal. Connecting them is a flexible, curved rubber stem that keeps the fit secure.

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A closer look at the earbuds

Transparent design

ERGONOMICS:

If you think your current in-ear headphones already deliver peak comfort, wait until you try the JBL Soundgear Clips. These feel almost weightless. So light, you'll barely notice them on. The clip-on design may take a moment to get used to, but once it clicks, there's no turning back.

The JBL Soundgear Clips highlight a snug fit.

Free from that tight and "plugged" sensation, the JBL Soundgear Clips offer a non-intrusive fit. Yet despite that barely-there feel, it stays firmly in place, even through runs and intense workouts. 

Ease of use is another strong point for the JBL Soundgear Clips. Once you get familiar with the taps, presses, and holds for different controls, everything feels intuitive and easy to navigate. We also appreciate how seamlessly they handle single-ear use – playback continues even when you're using just one earbud, and transitions remain uninterrupted when you put one back in the case or wear it again.

AUDIO QUALITY:

For those who consider noise cancellation non-negotiable, the JBL Soundgear Clips aren't the earphones to look at. ANC is absent by design, since open-ear earphones are built for ambient listening, letting users enjoy their music while staying aware of what's happening around them.

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Noise cancellation is available for calls, though, so you can expect clear conversations with the JBL Soundgear Clips.

JBL Soundgear Clips package

In terms of sound quality, the JBL Soundgear Clips deliver an impressive performance. A hip-hop trap track like "Hooligan" by BTS comes alive with deep, punchy bass, crisp vocals, and a clean, distortion-free mix. "Smooth" by Santana also sounds well-balanced, with its laid-back groove, rich guitar tones, and clearly defined vocals. "A Couple of Minutes" by Olivia Dean further highlights the earbuds' midrange strength, delivering warm, intimate vocals that feel natural and expressive over soft, textured instrumentation.

Audio customization is available via the JBL Headphones app, including adjusting gestures, equalizer, sound balance, microphone calibration, and more.

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BATTERY:

The JBL Soundgear Clips offer up to 8 hours of playback per charge. Factor in the charging case and total playtime reaches 32 hours, more than enough to get through a full workday and then some.

CONCLUSION:

JBL Soundgear Clips

Overall, the JBL Soundgear Clips come as a refreshing take on everyday wireless audio. It blends comfort, stability, ease of use, and capable sound in a unique form factor, making them a strong option for those who want an alternative to traditional earbuds and headphones. The pair retails for P8,299 locally.

Check out our JBL Soundgear Clips unboxing video here.