We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want earbuds that simply refuse to quit when you sweat, choose JBL Endurance Peak II; if you need earbuds that disappear into your ear and make every run feel like a soundtrack, choose Apple AirPods 4. I'll explain the trade-offs below.
• JBL Endurance Peak II — biggest strength: IPX7 sweatproof and waterproof rating plus a Powerhook ear-hook design that stays put through sprints, hill repeats and downpours.
• JBL Endurance Peak II — biggest trade-off: No active noise cancellation, and it's a bulkier, sportier look than a slim everyday earbud, so it's less discreet for commuting or office use.
• Apple AirPods 4 — biggest strength: Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, an H2 chip, Voice Isolation for calls, and a refined, shorter-stem shape built for all-day comfort.
• Apple AirPods 4 — biggest trade-off: It's water and sweat resistant but not IPX7 waterproof, and it relies on a stable in-ear fit rather than a hook to hold it in place.
• Who JBL is for: Runners and gym-goers who want a secure, waterproof, bass-forward workout buddy.
• Who AirPods 4 is for: Apple users who run sometimes but want one pair of earbuds that also handles calls, movies and daily life.
The Endurance Peak II is a sport-first design, and you can tell from the spec sheet. The Powerhook ear-hook design lets you adjust each earbud to your ear size and comfort level, which means the retention doesn't depend on a perfect ear-canal seal. That's a meaningful thing for runners, because a hard 10K, sweat and a bouncing stride are exactly the conditions that shake loose earbuds that only rely on a tip.
Durability is the headline. It's rated IPX7 — sweatproof and waterproof — so rain, heavy sweat and a post-run rinse under the tap fall inside what it's built for. Battery life is 30 hours combined (6 hours in the buds, 24 in the case), and the buds charge over USB-C. JBL's Pure Bass tuning is aimed at giving you a low-end push when you need a lift on the last mile.
Buy it if you want a dedicated workout headphone you won't have to babysit — one that tolerates water, holds on through movement, and gives you bass. Skip it if you want one pair of earbuds for everything, or you want a low-profile look for the office.
Apple AirPods 4: Who It's For
AirPods 4 are an everyday earbud that happens to be sweat and water resistant. Apple redesigned them for comfort and stability — a refined contour, a shorter stem and quick-press controls for music and calls. That makes them far more comfortable for long wear than a hook-style sport bud, and far more socially invisible.
The sound story is the H2 chip: Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking puts sound around you for music, shows, movies and games, and Voice Isolation cleans up your voice on calls in loud conditions by using computational audio to cut background noise. Siri is hands-free, and Siri Interactions let you nod yes or shake no instead of tapping. Pairing is instant near an Apple device, and a skin-detecting sensor plays only when they're actually in your ears.
Battery is up to 5 hours per charge and up to 30 hours total with the USB-C case. That 5-hour figure is the real trade-off for distance runners — it's fine for a 5K or an hour at the gym, tighter for a marathon. And note the durability wording: sweat and water resistant, not IPX7 waterproof. Rain and sweat are fine; a soaking or a rinse is not what they're built for. This listing also bundles two years of AppleCare+, which covers accidental damage and battery service.
Buy it if you're in the Apple ecosystem and want one comfortable, great-sounding pair for runs and everything else. Skip it if you're a heavy sweater, run in real rain, or log multi-hour sessions.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for secure fit while running → JBL Endurance Peak II. The adjustable Powerhook hooks onto your ear instead of relying on canal pressure alone.
• Best for long sessions → JBL Endurance Peak II. 6 hours in the buds versus 5 hours for AirPods 4, both with 30 hours total via the case.
• Best for bass-heavy workout music → JBL Endurance Peak II. Pure Bass tuning is the point of the design.
• Best for everyday use and calls → Apple AirPods 4. The H2 chip, Voice Isolation and Siri hands-free make them the better all-rounder.
• Best for comfort over long wear → Apple AirPods 4. The refined contour and shorter stem are built for all-day comfort, not just a workout window.
• Best for immersive audio → Apple AirPods 4. Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking is something JBL simply doesn't offer.
• Best for Apple users → Apple AirPods 4. Instant pairing and ecosystem features only make sense if you're on Apple hardware.
If your primary use is running — especially sweaty, rainy or long runs — I'd buy the JBL Endurance Peak II. IPX7 waterproofing, an adjustable ear hook, 6 hours per charge and Pure Bass are exactly the traits a runner needs, and the lack of noise cancellation is arguably a safety feature outdoors. If you run occasionally and want one pair of earbuds for the rest of your life, I'd buy the Apple AirPods 4 for comfort, spatial audio and call quality — just accept the lower per-charge battery and the milder water resistance. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, then match the spec to your worst run, not your easiest one.
FAQ
how to run with headphones
how to wear running headphones
Seat the eartip so it seals gently in your canal, then lock the bud in place. On the Endurance Peak II, adjust the Powerhook to your ear size and comfort level, and try each of the three included tip sizes — JBL notes that a mismatched tip hurts sound and call quality. Route any cable-free buds so nothing tugs.
how to run without headphones
You can run with nothing in your ears at all — many runners do it to stay fully aware of traffic and their own breathing. If you want audio but not earbuds, a bone-conduction headset leaves your canals open; if you want neither, use a watch with audio prompts or just run by feel.
how to connect shokz running headphones
Shokz-style bone-conduction headphones pair over Bluetooth the same way most sport buds do: put them in pairing mode, open your phone's Bluetooth settings, and select the device. It's a different product from either earbud here, so follow that brand's own pairing steps rather than these.
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See also: Apple EarPods Headphones vs TRAUSI Headphones, BEARTWO Headphones vs Langsdom Running Headphones AirWave, JBL Tune 135BT vs Thunelec Earbuds: Headphones for Android