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JBL J55i Review | 93 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£90
  • Avg. price in US: ~$100
  • Form factor: on-ear
  • Connectivity: wired
  • Battery life: N/A hours
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

JBL J55i review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.1

Overall score

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 components:

80.0%

4.7

Technical Score

20.0%

6.7

User score

Good
4.7

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

5.2

Sound

20.0%

4.1

Features

10.0%

6.1

Design

8.0%

2.9

Connectivity

6.0%

1.0

Battery

4.0%

7.3

Calls & Controls

Poor
6.7

User score

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 components:

70.0%

7.2

User reviews

30.0%

5.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
(92)
amazon
3.3
(90)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
(92)
Amazon_logo.png
3.3
(90)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Good
  • 3.2
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    0.0

    Audio latency

    25.0%

    0.0

    Low-latency game mode

    20.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    12.0%

    10

    Noise-canceling microphone

    8.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

  • 0.8
    Travel

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Active noise cancellation (ANC)

    24.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    18.0%

    2.7

    Weight

    16.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    14.0%

    0.0

    Ambient sound mode

  • 5.2
    Calls

    Score components:

    28.0%

    10

    Noise-canceling microphone

    24.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    18.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    14.0%

    0.0

    Companion app

  • 3.0
    Workout

    Score components:

    28.0%

    2.7

    Weight

    24.0%

    1.0

    Water resistance

    20.0%

    4.0

    IP rating

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    12.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The JBL J55i is a high-performance on-ear headphone featuring 40mm premium dynamic drivers that deliver a wide frequency response of 10Hz to 24kHz and an impedance of 32 ohms. Its core characteristics include a unique 180-degree DJ pivot mechanism for single-ear monitoring, a closed-back design for sound isolation, and a 1.3-metre detachable flat elastomer cable with a secure twist-lock mechanism. Main pros include its powerful 'Pure Bass' performance, lightweight build with brushed stainless steel accents, and an Apple-compatible three-button in-line remote for media and call control. However, some users note potential cons such as a predominantly plastic construction that may produce minor crackling when moved and a recessed treble that can occasionally result in a less resolving high-end sound.

Technical Specifications of JBL J55i

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

5.2

Sound

20.0%

4.1

Features

10.0%

6.1

Design

8.0%

2.9

Connectivity

6.0%

1.0

Battery

4.0%

7.3

Calls & Controls

4.7
JBL J55i has a technical score of 4.74 points, which is lower than that of 58.3% of products in this category.
User score

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 components:

70.0%

7.2

User reviews

30.0%

5.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
(92)
amazon
3.3
(90)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
(92)
Amazon_logo.png
3.3
(90)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

6.7
JBL J55i has a user score of 6.75 points, which is lower than that of 83.2% of products in this category.
Popularity
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.
5.7
JBL J55i has a popularity of 5.7 points, which is higher than 56% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

5.1

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.6
JBL J55i has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.6 points, which is lower than 54.9% of products in this category.
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

no
JBL J55i does not support active noise cancellation. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used
When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic
Driver size
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

40 mm
JBL J55i uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.2% of headphones and equal to 53.6% of headphones.
Number of drivers
What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup
When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

1
JBL J55i uses 1 drivers, equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

10 Hz
JBL J55i reaches a lowest frequency of 10 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 67.3% of headphones and equal to 12.5% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
JBL J55i supports a noise-canceling microphone. 54.5% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.
When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
JBL J55i is headset-ready, 84.7% is not. 15.3% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

1
JBL J55i has 1 microphones, more microphones than 25.9% of headphones and equal to 52.2% of headphones.
Boom microphone
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

yes
JBL J55i includes a boom microphone. 84.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone
When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

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Connectivity
What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

wired
JBL J55i supports wired connectivity, equal to 52.6% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported
When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device
When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A
Audio latency
What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A
Multipoint support
What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices
When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Show more
Ambient sound mode
What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness
When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
EQ support
What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer
When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
JBL J55i does not support EQ customization. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates
When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Adjustable ANC levels
What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels
When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A
Voice assistant support
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

yes
JBL J55i supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
What it is: Playback time on a single charge
When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A
Battery life with ANC
What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled
When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A
Charging time
What it is: Time required for a full battery charge
When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A
Quick charge
What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period
When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Battery capacity
What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery
When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A
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Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

JBL
Form factor
What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)
When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

on-ear
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

320 g
JBL J55i weighs 320 g, heavier than 84.9% of headphones and equal to 1.4% of headphones.
Acoustic design
What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)
When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back
Clamp force
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

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JBL J55i vs the average headphone

  • Clear call microphone
    JBL J55i offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
    What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
    When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    JBL J55i offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    JBL J55i has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <=10 Hz

    JBL J55i has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • In-line controls
    JBL J55i includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
    What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
    When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.

    Importance: LOW

    JBL J55i includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Foldable design
    JBL J55i has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
    What it is: Earcups or headband can fold for compact storage
    When it matters: When you travel often and want easier storage in a bag.

    Importance: LOW

    JBL J55i has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    JBL J55i has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=24000 Hz

    JBL J55i has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.24000 Hz vs 20000 Hz
  • Boom microphone included
    JBL J55i includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
    What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
    When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

    Importance: LOW

    JBL J55i includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • Foldable design
    JBL J55i has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    JBL J55i has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    JBL J55i has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
  • Clear call microphone
    JBL J55i offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • In-line controls
    JBL J55i includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Boom microphone included
    JBL J55i includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.

Total
Design
Sound
Calls & Controls
  • 46.8% higher weight
    JBL J55i is heavier than the average headphone (320 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
  • 5 years older release date
    JBL J55i was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    October 2012
  • 46.8% higher weight
    JBL J55i is heavier than the average headphone (320 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    What it is: Total weight of the headphones
    When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <150 g

    JBL J55i is heavier than the average headphone (320 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.320 g vs 218 g
  • 18.5% lower user score
    JBL J55i has a lower user score than the average headphone (6.75 vs 8.000).
    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.
    JBL J55i has a lower user score than the average headphone (6.75 vs 8.000).6.75 vs 8
  • 5 years older release date
    JBL J55i was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    October 2012
    What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
    When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2020

    JBL J55i was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2012 vs 2017
Total
Overall
Design
Features

Graphic comparison of JBL J55i and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
92 Reviews
amazon
3.3
90 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
92 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
3.3
90 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about JBL J55i?

  • Punchy and satisfying bass response, often marketed as 'Pure Bass'
  • Stylish and bold aesthetic with premium-looking finishes
  • Unique 180-degree DJ pivot mechanism allows for single-ear monitoring
  • Detachable, tangle-resistant flat cable design
  • Highly portable thanks to a folding mechanism and included padded carry pouch
  • Effective sound isolation due to thick, plush ear pads

What customers dislike about JBL J55i?

  • Comfort issues over long periods; high clamping force can cause ear pain after an hour
  • Overwhelming bass can muffle the midrange and reduce overall clarity
  • Questionable build durability with reports of plastic parts cracking and ear cushions tearing
  • Proprietary twist-lock cable connection makes finding third-party replacements difficult
  • Soundstage is described as narrow and lacking depth
  • Some users report a 'dark' sound signature that lacks high-end detail

Expert reviews

H
headphone.ph
26/01/2014
Another Basshead Can: JBL J55 Headphone Review

The JBL J55 is a dark-sounding, on-ear headphone specifically engineered for bass enthusiasts, featuring a heavy, thumping low-end that extends deeply into the lower midrange. It features an appealing aesthetic and a durable plastic construction featuring 180-degree rotating earcups, thick, plush pleather earpads, and a tangle-resistant flat cable with a secure 2.5 mm twist-lock...Read more

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