The exercise-focused Monster iSport Strive earphone is well-designed for your workouts, but audio performance isn't on par with the competition.

Affordable; Gets quite loud; Moisture-resistant design.

Light on bass and overly sculpted in the highs; Lack of seal with ear canal is great for runners but not ideal for audio performance, wearing at gym.

Touted as the lightest in-ear headphone, the JBL Reflect Mini writes some big checks. But with a price tag of $59.95, how does it stack up to other earphones?

JBL sells a lot of different true wireless earbuds aimed at fitness fiends. Between the company’s own JBL-branded products and its partnerships with Under Armor and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, you can pick from eight different models, ranging in price from $100 to $200. Announced at CES 2021, the newest addition to this lineup are the $150 Reflect Mini NC, JBL’s first workout buds to feature active noise cancellation (ANC). With an impressive list of features, excellent water-resistance, and a price that’s surprisingly accessible, it makes you wonder: What’s the catch? Let’s take a look. The Reflect Mini NC, like most JBL headphones, come packaged in a box that is beautifully designed, but a recycling nightmare, with lots of plastic, foam, and embedded magnets. Inside, you’ll find the earbuds, their charging case, a USB-C charging cable, a total of three sizes of silicone eartips and wing-tips, and paper documentation including a quick-start guide. Most other charging cases feel flimsy ...

Big, powerful bass; Excellent call quality; Choice of Alexa or Google Assistant; Good noise canceling;

Awkward control customization; No wireless charging;

This year's onslaught of affordable noise-cancelling true wireless earphones continues with the JBL Reflect Mini NC TWS. And if you love massive, booming bass, these in-ears certainly deliver on that front. As for noise cancellation, however, the earphones are inconsistent at best, and mediocre at worst. We like the Reflect Mini's waterproof build and ultra-secure fit, but ultimately, the $130 Anker Soundcore Liberty Air Pro 2 earphones deliver better audio performance and noise cancellation for less money.Sporty and Secure Available in black, blue, or white models, the Reflect Mini’s sporty earbuds offer a secure fit, aided by earfins. They ship with three pairs of eartips (S, M, L) and three pairs of fins (also S, M, L). The fit is exceptionally stable, making the earphones ideal for exercise. The earpieces have an IPX7 rating, meaning they're waterproof and can be submerged up to a meter for 30 minutes. Bluetooth signal doesn't work in water, but the point is, you can wash the...

The waterproof JBL Reflect Mini NC TWS are seriously bass-boosted true wireless earphones that offer uninspiring active noise cancellation.

App has adjustable EQ; Waterproof design and extra-secure in-ear fit; Strong mic clarity

So-so noise cancellation; Way too much bass for an accurate sound signature; Modest battery life for charging case

I went with these after losing my JBL/Under Armour wireless pivot which a loved! I thought ear buds would fall out while running but these proved me wrong..didn’t fall out or didn’t have to adjust them once during the whole 45 mins. Snug fit and small unlike some massive ear buds out in the market. The quality is amazing! Crisp sound and deep bass. I’ve tried multiple brands and models but I keep coming back to JBL. Noise cancelling feature works great...couldn’t hear any cars or traffic while running. The ambient aware mode is great as well if you want to hear the surrounding noises whilst the music is playing at a lower tone. Spend the extra 20-30 dollars and go for these- you won’t regret it.

I went with these after losing my JBL/Under Armour wireless pivot which a loved! I thought ear buds would fall out while running but these proved me wrong..didn’t fall out or didn’t have to adjust them once during the whole 45 mins. Snug fit and small unlike some massive ear buds out in the market. The quality is amazing! Crisp sound and deep bass. I’ve tried multiple brands and models but I keep coming back to JBL. Noise cancelling feature works great...couldn’t hear any cars or traffic while running. The ambient aware mode is great as well if you want to hear the surrounding noises whilst the music is playing at a lower tone. Spend the extra 20-30 dollars and go for these- you won’t regret it.

I got these to replace some other Bluetooth in-ear headphones (Jaybird Tarah Pro) as people always had trouble hearing me on a call, the call quality on these is so much better even with the mic placement at the ears and not on a cord. I haven't noticed much difference when using the Ambient Aware and ANC functions but they were not a big factor in my purchase. I have noticed that often one bud will discharge faster than the other, sometimes left and sometime right. The one that you pull from the case first when turning them on is the one that will discharge quicker. I think it's because the first one started handles the connection to the source.

I got these to replace some other Bluetooth in-ear headphones (Jaybird Tarah Pro) as people always had trouble hearing me on a call, the call quality on these is so much better even with the mic placement at the ears and not on a cord. I haven't noticed much difference when using the Ambient Aware and ANC functions but they were not a big factor in my purchase. I have noticed that often one bud will discharge faster than the other, sometimes left and sometime right. The one that you pull from the case first when turning them on is the one that will discharge quicker. I think it's because the first one started handles the connection to the source.

White is not quite correct, they are actually beige but regardless they are great! I'm still getting used to the taps on each bud but the sound quality is great and they fit really well. I'm no audiophile, so I can't speak to miss, highs and lows, and I listen to a lot of audiobooks but I can tell you the connection is strong and volume is more than sufficient, noise cancelling is brilliant. I got these at a great price, so very happy.

White is not quite correct, they are actually beige but regardless they are great! I'm still getting used to the taps on each bud but the sound quality is great and they fit really well. I'm no audiophile, so I can't speak to miss, highs and lows, and I listen to a lot of audiobooks but I can tell you the connection is strong and volume is more than sufficient, noise cancelling is brilliant. I got these at a great price, so very happy.