I don't usually use over-ear headphones when I work out – a pair of best workout headphones is usually my go-to choice. But the Treblab Z2 could be a game changer. The American manufacturer brings premium features, like excellent active noise cancellation and long battery life, to this mid-range headphone, and the Z2 has a lot to offer.
With powerful bass lines, consistent vocals and highs across a variety of genres, and a cool design that combines comfort and aesthetics, the Z2 is a steal at this price. The Z2 is IPX4 rated, making it a great companion for intense workouts. If you're willing to give up a few features, like the missing companion app and customizable EQ, this could be your next set of earbuds.
So, is this helmet one of the best over ear headphones? For a full analysis, read my full Treblab Z2 review.
Treblab Z2 Review: Technical Specifications
| Specifications | Treblab Z2 |
|---|---|
| Price | $119 |
| Colors | Black with white or grey logo |
| Battery life (ANC off) | 35 hours |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 28 hours |
| Max paired devices. | 2 |
| Multipoint connectivity | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and Qualcomm aptX |
| Weight | 8.9 ounces (252 g) |
| Sustainability | IPX4 |
Treblab Z2 Review: Cheat Sheet
- What is this? A mid-range wireless headset that doubles as a good workout companion
- Who is it for? For audiophiles and fitness enthusiasts who don't want to pay too much
- How much does it cost? The Treblab Z2 is available for $119
- What do we like? Excellent consistent sound quality across genres, effective ANC, water resistance, 35-hour battery life, and comfortable design
- What don't we like? There's no companion app or customizable equalizer, and the sound tends to bleed at high volumes.
Treblab Z2 Review: Price and Availability
The Treblab Z2 headphones have a retail price of $119, but I've seen them drop as low as $58 on AmazonThe features it offers make it a great choice for audiophiles who also enjoy working out but don't want to spend a lot of money on a pair of headphones.
Treblab Z2 Review: Design and Comfort
Treblab claims that the Z2 is designed to “support you throughout your workout,” and for a fitness headset, it’s very comfortable. Made from matte black hard plastic, the headset is sturdy and well-built. The headband features a cushion that adds to the comfort, as do the plush leatherette earcups. The outer edge of each earcup features a metallic vinyl design that looks stylish. The adjustable headband also allows for plenty of adjustments to achieve maximum comfort.
Given that it's designed to be worn during workouts, the Z2's earbuds are very comfortable and a little tight, but this is quickly rectified by the soft ear cups. The headset is also very light, weighing just 250g. It's slightly heavier than the Z2. Beats Solo 4 ($199) which weighs 215g. After wearing the Z2 for eight hours straight and two hours while working out, I never felt any discomfort. The headset also stayed in place while running on the treadmill.
The Z2 is not as good as the best bone conduction headphonesbut it will serve you well during your workout. This headset is rated IPX4, which means it is water-resistant (splashes only) and sweat-resistant, but not dust-resistant. If you want more durable fitness headphones, check out the IP57-rated model Jabra Elite 4 Active ($119) instead.
Treblab Z2 Review: Controls and App
The Treblab Z2 doesn't have touch controls and everything is done via physical buttons on the earbuds. You'll find a 3.5mm aux jack, volume controls, and the power/Bluetooth button on the right earbud, and the left earbud houses the ANC switch and an LED indicator that shows battery level and Bluetooth status. The volume buttons are textured and respond quickly.
I appreciate that the control scheme isn’t confusing. It’s straightforward, which is important given that the Z2 doesn’t have a companion app, which surprised me because almost every audio device I tested had one. I would have appreciated having one for updating firmware, choosing between ANC levels, and more.
The lack of a companion app means you can't adjust the EQ either, so you're stuck with the default EQ which doesn't sound bad, but it would have been nice to have the option to boost the bass or treble, for example. However, the more expensive Beats Solo 4 also doesn't have an adjustable EQ.
Treblab Z2 Review: Connectivity
The Treblab Z2 uses Bluetooth 5.3 to seamlessly connect to two devices at once. It supports the basic AAC, SBC, and Qualcomm aptX codecs. For those with older devices, there is a 3.5mm auxiliary jack on the right earcup for wired connections.
The only issue I have with the Z2's connectivity is the 10m Bluetooth range. I tend to leave my phone on the treadmill while I go down to get water. In my testing, the audio started to stutter when I moved away from my phone, even a few metres away. It's not a problem, but it's annoying because I have to keep my phone in my pocket at all times to make sure the audio doesn't cut out.
Treblab Z2 Review: Sound and Performance
It was in the sound department that the Treblab Z2 really impressed me. I listened to a playlist on Spotify Premium – one of the best music streaming services — on my Google Pixel 7 Prowith ANC enabled.
The Z2 has a dynamic frequency response range of 20Hz to 20kHz, meaning it can reproduce most sounds the average person can hear. Equipped with 40mm HD drivers with neodymium surrounds, the Z2 delivers punchy basslines and powerful vocals that sound consistent across a range of genres. Roger Waters’ deep vocals on “Is This the Life We Really Want” sound crystal clear while the basslines never sound overpowering.
Listening to Twenty One Pilots' bass-heavy “Navigating,” you really appreciate the Z2's performance. The bass starts off soft in the bridge and quickly builds to a crisper sound, and the headphones reproduce notes accurately.
Percussion is also handled very well by the Z2. The snare and triangle of My Chemical Romance’s “Welcome to the Black Parade” don’t sound too shrill, and the Z2 adds some bite to them. As for vocals, Lana Del Rey’s “A&W” served as a real test, and Treblab’s offering passed with flying colors.
Be careful though, as sound tends to travel at high volumes. Others probably won't hear you in a busy gym, but it's still something to keep in mind.
Treblab Z2 Review: ANC
Active noise cancellation is a big deal to me. I’ve been using headphones with ANC for so long that I don’t think I could live without them. Luckily, the Treblab Z2s have excellent ANC. Treblab claims that the T-Quiet ANC technology is “engineered to eliminate distractions,” and that’s just the truth.
In the office, idle chatter was drowned out by the Z2, as was the sound of our very loud coffee machine. Outside, car horns and construction noise were blocked out, but you didn't feel isolated. If you want better ANC than this, you'll have to loosen the purse strings for it. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ($429) or the Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399).
Treblab Z2 Review: Battery Life
Treblab claims the Z2 can last up to 35 hours on a single charge, and that number drops to 28 hours with ANC enabled. Other running headphones we've reviewed don't last nearly as long. For example, the Shokz OpenRun ($129) last 8 hours, and the Jabra Elite 4 Active offers 7 hours with ANC enabled. The Beats Solo 4 surpasses the Z2's battery life by offering up to 50 hours of playback, but it costs $199 — significantly more expensive than Treblab's offering.
While battery life is more than adequate, the Z2 is slow to charge. It takes three hours to go from zero to 100% with a 30W USB-A to USB-C charger.
Treblab Z2 Review: Verdict
For $119, the Treblab Z2 headphones have a lot to offer. The sound is exceptional, with bass lines that resonate in your ears and powerful vocals that make you think about the meaning of life. The ANC is effective and blocks out most noise, and the 35-hour battery life (with ANC off) ensures you won't run out of juice mid-workout. Speaking of workouts, the Z2 is IPX4 rated, so you can work up a sweat without any worries. It's also extremely comfortable, as I had no problem wearing the Z2 for hours on end.
But I really wish the Z2 had a companion app and a customizable equalizer. It's a shame I couldn't boost the bass or enhance the vocals. Also, if you're like me and like to listen to music at high volumes, keep in mind that the sound tends to bleed.
Overall, the Z2 is an excellent headset that easily deserves to be recommended as a pair of best over ear headphones.I will happily continue to use it at work and then at the gym.