JLab JBuds frames are open-ear headphones that you clip to your glasses

JLab introduces a new Bluetooth audio gadget designed to clip onto your existing glasses or sunglasses. JBuds frames are two modules with downward facing speakers that you position just outside of your ears. They’re part of a resurgent trend of open-ear audio that has typically been the realm of Bluetooth-enabled sunglasses and bone conductive bands.

They only sell for $ 50, which is another trend: the story of JLab offering surprisingly inexpensive headphones. Sometimes these headphones outnumber their price, so the company is hoping they can pull this trick again by undercutting Bose, Amazon, Aftershokz and others. However, so far the audio quality ceiling for open-ear headphones has been quite low – so don’t expect audiophile quality.

JBuds Frames are two large modules that attach to the temples of the glasses you already own. Unlike the integrated solutions, there is no attempt to hide the fact that you have headphones in your glasses. They come with several sizes of clips so that they can fit more sizes of glasses.

For audio, each unit has a 16mm driver which JLab says will not be “heard by those nearby”. This is the basic principle of open-ear audio: although the audio is played just outside your ears, it is directed in such a way that only you will hear it. You might not get the greatest loyalty, but your ears will not be covered so that you can pay attention to the world around you if you exercise.

JBuds frames have an IPX4 water resistance rating, so they should be good for rain or sweat. They have buttons to control volume, accept or reject calls, and change equalizer settings. JLab says they can be used as a pair or independently, if you just want to tie them up and use one.

Battery life is estimated at over eight hours of audio playback – and it should be good, given the size of these modules. Rather than coming with a charging case, they come with a special cable that splits into two magnetic charging points.

I recently reviewed the Amazon Echo frames and found access to audio throughout the day to be really convenient. In theory, JLab frames would provide the same convenience without requiring me to change my glasses. However, there is competition in the form of the recently announced (and much more expensive) Bose Sport open-ear headphones, which sit on your ears instead of your glasses.

Both will be available in early spring 2021, so we’ll have a chance to test them both soon.