If you want comfortable open-ear listening with longer stated playback for fishing, choose JBL Vibe Flex True; if you need waterproof headphones with built-in music storage for fishing, choose TJHSound E9. The key difference is how each handles wet conditions and phone-free listening: JBL offers up to 32 hours including its case, while the E9 combines IPX8 protection with a 32GB MP3 player. Neither is a noise-cancelling choice, and the E9 is the more purpose-built option for immersion in water.
• JBL Vibe Flex True: Open-ear earbuds, IP54 water and dust resistance, and up to 8 hours per charge plus 24 more from the case. Trade-off: they are not described as suitable for submersion, and the charging case is rated IPX2.
• TJHSound E9: Bone-conduction open-ear headphones with IPX8 protection and 32GB of built-in MP3 storage. Trade-off: stated continuous playback is 5 hours, shorter than the JBL’s single-charge figure.
• JBL is for: anglers who want a compact earbud-style option for ordinary outdoor listening and value the longer stated total playback with the case.
• TJHSound is for: anglers who may be swimming or facing heavy water exposure, and who want to listen without carrying a phone.
• Both keep the ear area open: Neither is designed to block out the surrounding environment, though open-ear designs do not guarantee that every sound will be easy to hear in every setting.
JBL Vibe Flex True: Who It's For
Battery life is a practical strength on paper: JBL specifies up to 8 hours of playback from the earbuds and another 24 hours from the charging case, for up to 32 hours total. The case matters here. The longer figure assumes access to it for recharging, while the single-charge figure is the more useful one if you plan to leave the case behind. Dual microphones and voice-assistant support add call and hands-free convenience, and the dedicated app lets you adjust the sound.
I’d consider the JBL if your fishing is mostly shore-based, on a boat in ordinary conditions, or part of a day outdoors where ambient sound matters and you can keep the case dry. It may suit someone searching for the best open ear earbuds for fishing if they mean open-ear earbuds for general outdoor use, not gear for swimming. Skip it if you need headphones that can be submerged, or if you want to store music directly on the headphones for phone-free listening.
The TJHSound E9 uses bone-conduction audio and an open-ear fit with silicone ear hooks and memory wire. Its most distinctive features for fishing are IPX8 waterproof protection and 32GB of built-in MP3 storage. The description says it is intended for swimming and can play stored music without a phone. Those details give it a more specialized role for wet conditions than the JBL, though the product information does not describe a dedicated fishing mode or guarantee that every style of fishing will suit the fit.
For playback, TJHSound specifies 5 hours of continuous use and a 2.5-hour magnetic charging time. Its storage can be useful when you want to leave a phone aside, while Bluetooth and dual-device connection cover phone-based listening and switching between two paired devices. The stated continuous playback is shorter than the JBL’s 8-hour single-charge figure, so the E9’s waterproofing and onboard storage—not longer listening time per charge—are the main reasons to choose it.
I’d look at the E9 if your fishing regularly involves substantial water exposure, including swimming, or if you want music stored on the headset rather than streamed from a phone. It may fit searches for best on ear headphones for fishing, although it is more accurately described as an open-ear bone-conduction design than a conventional on-ear headphone. Skip it if longer stated playback per charge is your priority or if you specifically want earbuds with a charging case.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-20 · 13 min read · Independent comparison
• Best for fishing that may involve submersion → TJHSound E9. Its IPX8 protection and swimming-oriented description make it the clear fit for water exposure beyond splashes. JBL lists IP54 for the earbuds and IPX2 for the case, not submersion protection.
• Best for total playback when you can use the case → JBL Vibe Flex True. Its stated total reaches 32 hours with the case, including the additional 24 hours available from it. The E9’s stated figure is 5 hours continuous; its sheet does not give a total-with-case figure.
• Best for phone-free stored music → TJHSound E9. Its 32GB MP3 player is designed to play music without a phone. The JBL information describes Bluetooth streaming, not built-in music storage.
• Best if you want earbud-style gear → JBL Vibe Flex True. It is a true wireless earbud set with a charging case. The E9’s bone-conduction format uses an open-ear fit with ear hooks.
• Best for calls and voice assistant support → JBL Vibe Flex True. Its listed features include dual microphones and voice-assistant support. The E9’s sheet highlights a remote controller and dual-device pairing instead.
• Best for pairing two devices → TJHSound E9. It explicitly supports connecting two devices and switching between them. The JBL details describe independent streaming to either earbud, which is different from dual-device connection.
• Best fit for someone seeking a Bluetooth headset for fishing → Choose by water exposure and listening style. The E9 is the more specialized match for swimming and phone-free MP3 playback; JBL is the more conventional earbud option for outdoor listening with a case and longer stated single-charge playback.
A crucial distinction is that “open ear” describes how these products sit and what they aim to leave audible; it does not make either one a substitute for paying attention to conditions around you. Wind, distance, boat noise, and the kind of activity can all affect how well you notice nearby sounds. The product details do not provide a specific awareness or safety guarantee, so I would treat ambient awareness as a design intention, not a promise.
I would choose the TJHSound E9 for fishing if there is a real chance of swimming or sustained water exposure, because its IPX8 protection and built-in MP3 storage address those needs directly. For ordinary outdoor fishing where I want earbud-style listening and more playback time per charge, I’d choose the JBL Vibe Flex True instead. My overall pick for the fishing use case is the E9, but only when its waterproofing and phone-free music matter more than the JBL’s longer stated playback and case-based charging.
JBL lists the earbuds as IP54 water- and dust-resistant and the charging case as IPX2. That supports splash and everyday outdoor use, but the information does not say they can be submerged.
Yes. It has 32GB of built-in MP3 storage, and its description says it can play stored music without a phone. It also supports Bluetooth and connection to two devices.
The JBL is specified for up to 8 hours on a charge, plus 24 additional hours through its case. The E9 is specified for 5 hours of continuous playback and a 2.5-hour magnetic charging time.
Choose based on water exposure and how you listen. The JBL is an open-ear earbud set for outdoor use with a charging case; the E9 is a bone-conduction open-ear design with IPX8 protection and built-in MP3 storage. If price matters to your decision, check the current price on Amazon.
Theme: Let the user choose based on documented features; no personal testing claims.
If you want comfortable open-ear listening with longer stated playback for fishing, choose JBL Vibe Flex True; if you need waterproof headphones with built-in music storage for fishing, choose TJHSound E9. The main difference is how each handles wet conditions and phone-free listening: JBL offers up to 32 hours including its case, while the E9 pairs IPX8 protection with a 32GB MP3 player. Neither is a noise-cancelling choice, and the E9 is the more specialized option for immersion in water.
• JBL Vibe Flex True: Open-ear earbuds, IP54 water and dust resistance, and up to 8 hours per charge plus 24 more from the case. Trade-off: they are not described as suitable for submersion, and the charging case has a separate IPX2 rating.
• TJHSound E9: Bone-conduction open-ear headphones with IPX8 protection and 32GB of built-in MP3 storage. Trade-off: stated continuous playback is 5 hours, shorter than the JBL’s single-charge figure.
• JBL is for: anglers who want an earbud-style option for outdoor listening and value longer stated total playback with the case.
• TJHSound is for: anglers who may encounter substantial water exposure and want to listen without carrying a phone.
JBL Vibe Flex True: Who It's For
The JBL Vibe Flex True is a true wireless earbud set designed to leave the ear open to ambient sound. It combines that fit with bass-focused audio and an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. That makes it a plausible choice for fishing in light rain or around splashes, but the rating is not a claim of submersion protection. The charging case has its own IPX2 rating, so it should not be treated as equally protected.
JBL specifies up to 8 hours of playback from the earbuds and another 24 hours from the charging case, for up to 32 hours total. The case is part of that longer figure; if you leave it behind, the relevant stated battery life is up to 8 hours. Dual microphones and voice-assistant support add hands-free functions, while a dedicated app lets you adjust the sound.
I’d consider the JBL for shore fishing or ordinary outdoor use when you want an open-ear earbud design and can keep the case dry. It could suit someone searching for the best open ear earbuds for fishing if they mean earbuds for general outdoor listening, not headphones for swimming. Skip it if you need submersion protection or want music stored directly on the headphones.
TJHSound specifies 5 hours of continuous playback and a 2.5-hour magnetic charging time. The built-in MP3 player can be useful when you want to leave your phone behind; Bluetooth and dual-device connection offer other listening options. Its stated playback time is shorter than the JBL’s single-charge figure, so its main advantages are waterproofing and onboard storage, not longer listening per charge.
I’d look at the E9 if your fishing could involve swimming or substantial water exposure, or if you want music stored on the headset rather than streamed from a phone. It may fit a search for the best on ear headphones for fishing, although it is more accurately described as an open-ear bone-conduction design than a conventional on-ear headphone. Skip it if longer stated playback per charge or a charging-case setup matters most.
• Best for fishing that may involve submersion → TJHSound E9. Its IPX8 protection and swimming-oriented description make it the clearer fit for more than splashes. JBL lists IP54 for the earbuds and IPX2 for the case, not submersion protection.
• Best for longer stated listening on one charge → JBL Vibe Flex True. JBL lists up to 8 hours per charge, compared with the E9’s 5 hours of continuous playback.
• Best for stated total playback when you can use the case → JBL Vibe Flex True. The total is up to 32 hours, including the case’s additional 24 hours. The E9’s details give a 5-hour continuous playback figure, not a total-with-case figure.
• Best for phone-free stored music → TJHSound E9. Its 32GB MP3 player is intended to play music without a phone. The JBL product details describe Bluetooth streaming, not built-in music storage.
• Best if you prefer earbuds → JBL Vibe Flex True. It is a true wireless earbud set with a charging case. The E9 uses bone conduction and an open-ear fit with ear hooks.
• Best for calls and voice-assistant support → JBL Vibe Flex True. Its listed features include dual microphones and voice-assistant support. The E9’s details highlight a remote controller and dual-device pairing instead.
• Best for pairing two devices → TJHSound E9. It explicitly supports connecting two devices and switching between them. JBL’s independent earbud streaming is a different feature.
• Best match for a Bluetooth headset for fishing → Choose by water exposure and listening style. The E9 is more specialized for swimming and phone-free MP3 playback; JBL is the more conventional earbud option for outdoor listening with a case and longer stated single-charge playback.
Both designs aim to leave the ear open, but that should not be treated as a guarantee that you will hear every nearby sound. Wind, distance, boat noise, and the activity itself can affect what you notice. The product details describe an open-ear design, not a specific safety performance.
I would choose the TJHSound E9 for fishing if swimming or substantial water exposure is likely, because its IPX8 protection and built-in MP3 storage address those needs directly. For ordinary outdoor fishing, I’d choose the JBL Vibe Flex True if I wanted an earbud-style design and longer stated playback per charge. My overall pick for fishing is the E9 when waterproofing and phone-free music are the priorities.
JBL lists the earbuds as IP54 water- and dust-resistant and the charging case as IPX2. The product information does not say the earbuds can be submerged.
Yes. It has 32GB of built-in MP3 storage, and its description says it can play stored music without a phone. It also supports Bluetooth and connection to two devices.
The JBL is specified for up to 8 hours on a charge, plus 24 additional hours through its case. The E9 is specified for 5 hours of continuous playback and a 2.5-hour magnetic charging time.
Choose based on water exposure and listening style. The JBL is an open-ear earbud set with a charging case; the E9 is a bone-conduction design with IPX8 protection and built-in MP3 storage. If price matters to your decision, check the current price on Amazon.
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