Our verdict
The JBL Tune Beam 2 are true wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling (ANC), which uses microphones to reduce steady noise such as trains and office hum. They use Bluetooth 5.3, and Scarbir's review lists AAC and LDAC codecs, the formats that carry music between phone and earbuds. JBL quotes up to 10 hours from the buds and 40 hours with the case, and Scarbir describes an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. Scarbir found the sound warm with strong bass, and call quality only average. At £39.99 for the standard retail package (checked 1 August 2026), value is their strongest argument.
Buy it if
- You want noise cancelling on a small budget
- You want long battery life between charges
- You like a warm, bass-forward sound and an app with EQ controls
Skip it if
- Clear phone calls in noisy places matter to you
- You have larger ears and want more ear tip choices
- You want quick, seamless switching between two devices
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How it would fit your home
Commuting
ANC reduces steady train and bus noise, and the 40 hours with the case means you can go a long time between charges.
Working from home or the office
The app lets you adjust ANC and EQ, and multipoint keeps a laptop and phone connected, though Scarbir found setting it up awkward.
A spare pair for the gym
IP54 protects against dust and splashes, and the price makes them a low-worry pair. Check the fit in the returns window, as the oval earpieces may fall out for some people.
The details, in plain English
Noise cancelling
ANC listens to the world outside and plays an opposing signal to cancel it. Scarbir found the Tune Beam 2's version solid for the price: it handles constant background sound across several frequencies well, but struggles with sudden loud mid-range sounds and male voices. That is typical of budget earbuds. If you mostly want to soften a train or an office fan, it should suit; if you need to shut out conversation, it will fall short.
Sound and app
Scarbir describes a warm, full sound with prominent bass and rolled-off treble, meaning high notes are softer. Instruments separate well, though the soundstage feels limited. Bluetooth 5.3 connects the earbuds, and the review lists AAC and LDAC codecs, which suit iPhone and some Android phones respectively. The JBL app on iPhone and Android offers EQ, ANC adjustment, a gaming mode and hearing assistance tools.
Battery, fit and durability
JBL quotes up to 10 hours from the buds and 40 hours with the case; Scarbir reports the case gives about three full recharges and there is no wireless charging. The earpieces are oval and insert at an angle. Scarbir found them comfortable, but limited ear tip sizes may mean they fall out of larger ears. IP54 protects against dust and splashes.
Calls and multipoint
Scarbir rated call quality average: voices were acceptable, but the mics pick up background noise such as door slams and footsteps, and wind hurts clarity. Multipoint, which keeps two devices connected, works but needs a tap-and-hold sequence and putting the buds back in the case, and switching was slow with some initial stuttering.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- Active noise cancelling that Scarbir found solid for the price, coping well with constant background sound
- Up to 10 hours from the buds and 40 hours with the case
- Bluetooth 5.3, with AAC and LDAC codecs listed by Scarbir
- IP54 rating for dust and splashes
- Multipoint lets you keep two devices connected, and the app offers EQ and ANC controls
What to watch out for
- Scarbir found the ANC struggled with sudden loud sounds and male voices
- Call quality was average and picked up surrounding noise, and wind affected clarity
- Multipoint setup is fiddly and switching was slow at first
- Limited ear tip sizes mean the fit may not suit larger ears
- No wireless charging for the case
At £39.99, the Tune Beam 2 are compared with other budget earbuds that offer noise cancelling. Compare comfort, call quality and battery claims, and confirm the price before buying, as it can change.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 JBL Tune Beam 2 (this one) | A good choice if you want noise cancelling and long battery life for under £40 and can accept average call quality. | £79.99RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 JBL Reflect Aero | A very good-value pair of sports earbuds at £19.99 if you want a secure, waterproof fit for workouts, but not the right choice if strong noise cancelling or natural-sounding calls matter most. | £119.99RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Apple AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 suit iPhone owners who like an open fit and simple setup, but skip them if you need noise cancellation or a choice of ear tip sizes. | £129RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation | A light, comfortable choice for iPhone owners who dislike rubber ear tips and want some help with steady travel noise, as long as you accept weaker noise cancelling and shorter battery life than the AirPods Pro 2. | £179RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
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Where our findings come from
Research-based review. We have not tested this product ourselves. Specifications and findings come from JBL's product information and Scarbir's review, and are theirs, not ours. Other listed sources cover safe listening and Bluetooth LE Audio.