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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize ease of use with Apple devices, the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) would offer seamless integration and features like spatial audio and the H1 chip for adaptive sound, better suited for music and calls. However, their high price and lack of noise isolation could be a downside for activities like air travel. On the other hand, the JBL Tune Buds are considerably cheaper, and though they provide good sound and are sweat and dustproof, making them ideal for exercise, they may not match the Airpods in microphone quality or features like ear detection and wireless charging. If budget is a primary concern and you need durable, exercise-friendly earbuds, the JBL Tune Buds might be the better option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
- Good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Tune Buds
- The JBL Tune Buds has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods (3rd generation).
Key differences
Music
7.1
6.2
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for music, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.6
4.9
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
5.8
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
TV and Video
5.5
6.1
The JBL Tune Buds is only fair for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.7
The JBL Tune Buds is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$179
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the JBL Tune Buds costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune Buds has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.4
The JBL Tune Buds and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for gaming.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the JBL Tune Buds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | JBL Tune Buds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 10.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
JBL Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the JBL Tune Buds
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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