If you are looking for an alternative to the JBL/Under Armour Project Rock headphones, start by deciding which part of that old formula you actually want to replace: a full-size over-ear fit, active noise cancellation, sweat resistance, washable workout-focused materials, or a secure sport design. Current options rarely combine all of those traits in the same way.
Quick answer: for a current over-ear option with a published water-resistance rating, compare TREBLAB Z7 Pro and Nothing Headphone (a). If you are willing to switch to a smaller sport format, JBL Endurance Peak 4 and Powerbeats Pro 2 add secure ear hooks plus ANC, while Shokz OpenFit Air 2 prioritizes an open-ear design and environmental awareness. The right replacement depends more on your workout and fit preference than on finding another product with “Project Rock” branding.
What Were “The Rock Headphones”?
The name usually refers to the UA Project Rock Over-Ear Training Headphones – Engineered by JBL, a 2021 collaboration tied to Dwayne Johnson and Under Armour. JBL documented an IPX4 rating, Adaptive Noise Cancelling, Ambient Aware and TalkThru modes, removable washable ear cushions, and up to 45 hours of playback with ANC off or 35 hours with ANC on. JBL’s current U.S. product page lists the refurbished model as sold out.
Earlier JBL/Under Armour collaborations also included on-ear and true-wireless sport models, which is why searches for “The Rock headphones” can lead to several different products. This guide uses the over-ear Project Rock model as the main reference point, then shows current alternatives when a different form factor solves the workout problem better.
Choose the Replacement Feature Before the Brand
If you want to keep the over-ear format
Look first for a published water or sweat-resistance rating, then stability, heat management, and ANC. Full-size headphones can work for lifting, walking, machines, and moderate indoor exercise, but they usually trap more heat and can move more during sprinting, burpees, or fast direction changes. Wantek’s current over-ear exercise guide goes deeper on those trade-offs.
If secure fit matters more than keeping full-size earcups
Ear-hook earbuds move the retention point from a headband to the outer ear. That can be more practical for HIIT, running, and high-motion training. Compare the exact IP rating, hook design, battery conditions, and whether you want ANC or an open-ear design. Wantek’s ear-hook headphone comparison covers current sealed and open-ear designs in more detail.
If outdoor awareness matters most
An open-ear design leaves the ear canal unobstructed and can make surrounding sound easier to hear. It does not make outdoor training automatically safe, because playback volume, traffic, wind, route conditions, and attention still matter. Use it as a form-factor choice, not as a substitute for situational awareness.
Current Alternatives to Project Rock Headphones
This is a specification-based comparison, not a hands-on ranking. The products below solve different parts of the Project Rock use case, and the manufacturer-published specifications do not prove that one will fit every athlete better than another.
| Model | Type | IP | Modes | Battery | Project Rock match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TREBLAB Z7 Pro | Over-ear | IPX4 | ANC + ambient | Up to 38h | Full-size + ANC |
| Nothing Headphone (a) | Over-ear | IP52 | ANC + ambient | >75h with ANC | IP-rated over-ear |
| JBL Endurance Peak 4 | Ear hook | IP68 buds | ANC + ambient | 12h / 48h | JBL sport fit |
| Powerbeats Pro 2 | Ear hook | IPX4 buds | ANC + ambient | 10h / 45h | Secure sport fit |
| Shokz OpenFit Air 2 | Open-ear | IP55 buds | Open-ear | 8h / 36h | Awareness |
1. TREBLAB Z7 Pro: Similar Full-Size Workout Priorities
TREBLAB documents the Z7 Pro as an over-ear Bluetooth 5.3 headphone with hybrid ANC, Transparency mode, IPX4 splash resistance, multipoint connectivity, a 258 g weight, and up to 38 hours of playback. That makes it one of the more direct current comparisons if you specifically want a full-size headphone that still publishes a workout-relevant water-resistance rating.
The limitation is that “IPX4” does not mean unlimited sweat or water exposure, and an over-ear frame can still trap heat or shift during high-impact movement. The Project Rock model had removable washable ear cushions; TREBLAB’s current product page instead emphasizes replaceable ear pads and IPX4 protection, so do not assume the same care routine.
2. Nothing Headphone (a): Over-Ear With IP52 Protection
Nothing lists Headphone (a) with an IP52 rating, three levels of ANC, Transparency mode, tactile controls, dual-device connectivity, and more than 75 hours of playback with ANC enabled under its stated conditions. The company also says the design went through simulated-sweat durability testing.
It is a lifestyle over-ear headphone rather than a dedicated sport model, so the useful comparison is feature-based: current ANC, published ingress protection, and long battery life. You still need to test clamp, heat, and stability for your actual workout.
3. JBL Endurance Peak 4: Current JBL Sport Option
If staying with JBL matters more than keeping an over-ear design, Endurance Peak 4 is a current sport-focused alternative. JBL documents IP68 protection for the earbuds, an IPX2 charging case, a liquid-silicone ear hook with TwistLock, Adaptive Noise Cancelling, Smart Ambient, multipoint connection, and up to 12 hours per charge with ANC off or eight hours with ANC on.
This is not a direct Project Rock successor. It trades the large earcups and washable pads for a smaller ear-hook format with a much higher earbud ingress rating and a current JBL feature set.
4. Powerbeats Pro 2: Secure Ear Hooks With ANC
Powerbeats Pro 2 uses reinforced flexible ear hooks and carries an IPX4 sweat- and water-resistance rating for the earbuds. Beats documents ANC, Transparency mode, physical volume controls, optional workout heart-rate monitoring, and up to 10 hours from the earbuds or 45 hours with the case in Adaptive EQ mode. With ANC or Transparency mode enabled, the published figures are up to eight hours from the earbuds and 36 hours total.
Choose this category when movement stability and premium sport features matter more than preserving the Project Rock over-ear feel. If you do not need ANC, biometric sensing, or the Beats/Apple feature set, lower-priced ear-hook designs may cover the core fit requirement.
5. Shokz OpenFit Air 2: Open-Ear Alternative for Outdoor Training
Shokz OpenFit Air 2 takes a different route: the speaker remains outside the ear canal while a flexible hook anchors the earbud. Shokz lists IP55 protection for the earbuds, IP54 for the charging case, up to eight hours per charge, 36 hours with the case, and multipoint pairing.
This is the least similar to Project Rock acoustically because it does not create a sealed over-ear or in-ear listening space. Its value is the opposite priority: keeping the ear canal open when environmental sound is more important than strong isolation.
How to Pick the Right Replacement
Decide whether over-ear is non-negotiable.
If yes, start with the current over-ear options and test heat, clamp, and stability. If not, sport earbuds usually offer more secure retention for high-motion exercise.
Match the IP rating to your actual exposure.
Use the manufacturer’s exact rating and use conditions. A sport label or sweatproof marketing phrase should not replace a published ingress rating.
Choose isolation or awareness.
ANC can help in a loud indoor gym. Outdoor routes may favor transparency or an open-ear design when you want more environmental sound.
Compare battery figures in the same mode.
Separate single-charge runtime from charging-case totals, and compare ANC-on with ANC-on when noise cancellation is part of your routine.
Test the fit with your real gear.
Glasses, hats, sweatbands, helmets, hair, and head movement can all change how a headphone or ear hook feels during training.
If you have already decided to switch away from over-ear headphones, Wantek’s wireless workout earbuds guide compares secure fit, water protection, ANC, open-ear designs, battery life, and controls without assuming one form factor is right for every sport.
Closest-match rule: no current alternative needs to copy every Project Rock feature. Choose the trait you actually miss—full-size fit, ANC, sweat resistance, secure retention, JBL integration, or environmental awareness—and compare products inside that narrower category.
Prefer a Lightweight Open-Ear Option?
Wantek OBT030 is an open-ear clip-on model with Bluetooth 5.4, an 8.5 g listed weight, eight hours of earbud battery life, and up to 50 hours total with the charging case. It is not a direct Project Rock replacement, and the current Wantek product page does not list an IP rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Project Rock headphones discontinued?
JBL’s current U.S. page for the refurbished UA Project Rock Over-Ear Training Headphones lists the model as sold out. That makes current alternatives more practical than assuming new stock is broadly available.
What is the closest over-ear alternative to Project Rock?
There is no exact feature-for-feature replacement in this comparison. TREBLAB Z7 Pro and Nothing Headphone (a) are the closest current over-ear options because both publish an ingress-protection rating and include ANC.
Are over-ear headphones good for intense workouts?
They can work for lifting and moderate exercise, but full-size earcups usually retain more heat and may shift during high-impact movement. Secure sport earbuds are often easier to stabilize for HIIT or running.
Do I need ANC for the gym?
No. ANC can reduce surrounding noise indoors, but fit, sweat protection, comfort, and usable controls are separate requirements. Outdoors, consider how much environmental sound you need before enabling strong isolation.
Is a higher IP rating always better for workouts?
A higher rating can document more ingress protection, but it does not prove better fit, comfort, sound, or workout stability. Read the manufacturer’s exact water-use limits for the specific model.
