JBL’s new Soundgear CLIPS aren’t just traditional earbuds; they’re the company’s first OpenSound earclips. These are designed to function as genuine open-ear clips with high-quality sound. This means you don’t have to choose between your accessories and your music.
The Soundgear CLIPS operate with JBL’s OpenSound, which uses air conduction rather than blocking your ear canal. This lets you stay completely aware of your surroundings while listening to audio, like with other open-ear designs. This is a huge benefit for people who walk in busy areas or need to hear their environment while exercising.
The biggest problem with many open-ear headphones is often sound leakage and poor bass performance. JBL seems to have addressed this with the new SonicArc shape. This specific curve aims the audio into your ear to maximize the low-end punch while ensuring your music doesn’t bleed out and annoy people nearby.
Style is clearly a main focus here, and you can tell JBL wants this to look like an earring. With their polished metal sheen and see-through casing, the clips feel more like a deliberate fashion choice than a bulky piece of tech.
The clip-on design is smart because these are built to blend right in with your current jewelry or sit snugly alongside your favorite shades without feeling crowded. You won’t have to compromise on your appearance any more just to listen to a podcast. If you want a pop of color, the CLIPS come in four colors with a matching case. You can get them in copper, blue, purple, and white.
When you’re talking about all-day accessories, battery life is crucial. JBL included a solid setup here, offering up to 32 hours of total playtime. That breaks down into 8 hours in the earclips themselves and an extra 24 hours stored in the charging case. If you need a quick boost, the Speed Charge needs 10 minutes of charging to give you about three hours of listening time, which is perfect if you realize they’re dead right before you head out the door.
Durability is also a factor since you’ll be wearing these outside often. The clips are IP54 water and dust-resistant, meaning they can handle sweat, light rain, and general outdoor use without worry.
Taking calls on the go should be clear thanks to the four built-in microphones. These mics use an AI algorithm to clearly identify your voice and cut down on background noise. To improve the audio even more, JBL has also included Adaptive Bass Boost for better sound dynamics.
For control, the earclips have all-access touch controls right on the device. If you want to fine-tune the sound profile or customize those touch commands, you can do that through the JBL Headphones App. This lets you personalize the experience without having to rely solely on the factory settings.
The Soundgear CLIPS will be available directly from JBL’s website in March 2026, so keep an eye on the site if you want to buy one. The price point is set at $150, which feels very competitive considering how unique the design is compared to other open-ear buds.
Source: JBL
