OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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JBL Duet NC Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£220Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:24 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):yes

JBL Duet NC Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

JBL Duet NC
7.3/10

Overall score

Score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 80% of models
Score components

80%

7.2

Technical score

20%

7.8

User score

â–²Better than 80% of headphones
8.0

Value for money

Value for money
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 78% of models
Score components

70%

7.3

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

â–²Better than 78%
7.2

Technical score

Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 80% of models
Score components

52%

8.3

Sound

20%

5.4

Features

10%

6.8

Design

8%

5.7

Connectivity

6%

5.4

Battery

4%

9.2

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 80%
7.8

User score

User score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

5.5

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 64%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones JBL Duet NC

Technical score
Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 80% of models
Score components:

52%

8.3

Sound

20%

5.4

Features

10%

6.8

Design

8%

5.7

Connectivity

6%

5.4

Battery

4%

9.2

Calls & Controls

7.2
User score
User score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

5.5

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.8
Popularity
Popularity
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Popularity:
JBL Duet NC has a popularity score of 5.5 points, which is lower than that of 53.4% of products in this category.
5.5
Value for money
Value for money
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 78% of models
Score components:

70%

7.3

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

8.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
yes
This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation. 72.6% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
yes
This pair of headphones supports a noise-canceling microphone. 61.1% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
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Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
4
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 4, newer Bluetooth version than 57.3% of headphones and equal to 4.9% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
Market range: <10 m – >15 m
This pair of headphones offers a Bluetooth range of 10 m, higher Bluetooth range than 2.7% of headphones and equal to 80.6% of headphones.
Audio latency
200 ms
Market range: <40 ms – >222 ms
This pair of headphones has audio latency of 200 ms, higher audio latency than 71.4% of headphones and equal to 13.9% of headphones.
Multipoint support
yes
This pair of headphones supports multipoint. 69.4% of headphones support multipoint.
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Ambient sound mode
yes
This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode. 75.2% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
24 hours
Market range: <10 hours – >70 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 24 hours, lower battery life than 58.8% of headphones and equal to 3.3% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
15 hours
Market range: <15 hours – >55 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life with ANC of 15 hours, lower battery life with ANC than 87.6% of headphones and equal to 3.5% of headphones.
Charging time
2 hours
Market range: <1.5 hours – >3.5 hours
This pair of headphones needs 2 hours to charge, lower charging time than 47.8% of headphones and equal to 39% of headphones.
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
610 mAh
Market range: <290 mAh – >1k mAh
This pair of headphones has a battery capacity of 610 mAh, higher battery capacity than 58.3% of headphones and equal to 2.7% of headphones.
Show more
Brand name
JBL
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
260 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 260 g, heavier than 65.6% of headphones and equal to 2.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

JBL Duet NC vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • Multipoint support
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • 6 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • 6 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Play while charging
    This pair of headphones can play while charging, the average pair of headphones cannot. 29.1% of headphones support play while charging.
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • Multipoint support
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • Multipoint connections
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint connections, while the average pair of headphones does not. 30.2% of headphones support multipoint connections.
    supports multipoint for up to 2 devices.
  • Low-latency game mode
    This pair of headphones includes a low-latency game mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 21.2% of headphones support low-latency game mode.
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Wind noise reduction
    This pair of headphones reduces wind noise, the average pair of headphones does not. 34.3% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • 15 hours shorter ANC battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life with ANC than the average pair of headphones (15 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    15 hours vs 30 hours
  • 50 ms higher audio latency
    This pair of headphones has a higher audio latency than the average pair of headphones (200 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
    200 ms vs 150 ms
  • 19.3% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (260 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    260 g vs 218 g
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 6 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (54 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    54 mm vs 60 mm
  • 6 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (24 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    24 hours vs 30 hours
  • 2.44x more expensive
    JBL Duet NC is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£220 vs £90).
    £220 vs £90
  • 5 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (39 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    39 mm vs 44 mm
  • 2.44x more expensive
    JBL Duet NC is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£220 vs £90).
    £220 vs £90
  • 2.3% lower user score
    User score
    7.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    JBL Duet NC
    the average pair of headphones
    JBL Duet NC has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.82 vs 8).
    7.82 vs 8
  • 19.3% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (260 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    260 g vs 218 g
  • 6 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (54 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    54 mm vs 60 mm
  • 5 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (39 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    39 mm vs 44 mm
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 15 hours shorter ANC battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life with ANC than the average pair of headphones (15 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    15 hours vs 30 hours
  • 6 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (24 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    24 hours vs 30 hours
  • 50 ms higher audio latency
    This pair of headphones has a higher audio latency than the average pair of headphones (200 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
    200 ms vs 150 ms

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
Show Me Review Mike
≈ estimated
05/04/2020
Unboxing and review · battery, comfort and noise cancelling
Verdict
JBL Duet NC is recommended for commuters and travellers thanks to its long battery life and dual device connection.
9.0
Red
≈ estimated
25/11/2018
Quick review · sound, build and connection
Verdict
JBL Duet NC impressed with its sound, look and easy iPhone pairing, and the reviewer strongly recommends it.
Not graded

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about JBL Duet NC

  • High-quality sound with punchy bass and clear highs
  • Effective active noise cancellation for commuting and travel
  • Long battery life of up to 24 hours (15 hours with ANC)
  • Multipoint connection allows seamless switching between two devices
  • Comfortable fit for many users due to soft leather ear pads
  • Versatile use with both wireless and passive wired modes
  • Premium build materials including aluminum touches

What customers don't like about JBL Duet NC

  • Unreliable Bluetooth connection; some users reported frequent drops
  • Potential durability issues with the folding mechanism over time
  • On-ear controls/buttons can feel too small and difficult to use
  • Tight headband may cause discomfort during long listening sessions
  • Reported issues with sound only coming from one side in some units
  • ANC can produce a slight 'hiss' or 'campfire rumble' in total silence

Verdict

The JBL Duet NC is a wireless over-ear headphone featuring 40mm dynamic drivers and JBL Signature Sound with a frequency response of 20Hz–20kHz. Its primary characteristics include active noise-cancelling (ANC) technology and multi-point connection, allowing seamless switching between two devices. Key pros include a battery life of up to 24 hours (15 hours with ANC enabled), a rapid 2-hour recharge time, and a premium design utilizing leather ear pads and aluminum accents for comfort and durability. However, notable cons include small on-ear buttons that can be difficult to use, a lack of water resistance, and reported long-term durability issues such as cracking in the plastic folding mechanism.

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